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Click for Click for Achievement Badge: The Pony Club Achievement Badge scheme is a great and interesting way for members to learn about
horsemanship and the countryside.
These are lovely colourful badges that look very nice that can be sewn onto your sweatshirt. The Pony Club Achievement Badges are: Bandages & Rugs: | To know how to put on a stable bandage, a rug and roller and New Zealand rug. | Feeding: | To know the basic rules of feeding and to recognise different foodstuffs. | First Aid (Equine) | To know how to treat minor wounds and illness. to be able to recognise signs of good/ill health and to know about the necessary protection against Tetanus. | Handling & Grooming: | To be able to run up a pony in hand and to tie it up safely. | Loading: | To be able to load/unload a pony, with assistance, safely into/out of a trailer or horsebox. | Mucking Out: | To be able to name and use stable tools to muck out and to talk about different types of bedding. | Points of the Horse: | To know the points of the horse. colours and markings. | Saddlery: | To be able to name parts of, and put on a saddle and a snaffle bridle, know about the care and cleaning of your saddlery. To be able to identify common bits Eggbut etc. | Shoeing: | To know the signs when your pony needs the farrier, what a newly shod foot looks like and to know the farrier's tools. | Riding & Road Safety: | To learn and use the 'Green Cross Code' and 'Highway Code' as a road user. | Care of the Horses Foot: | To know some of the structure of your pony's foot and why you have to to look after your pony's feet every day. Some knowledge of the trimming and shoeing process. | Plating: | To know how to and why you plat your pony's mane and tail. When you plat your pony and what a well platted mane and tail looks like. | Tack Cleaning: | To know the equipment that you will use. | Bird Watching: | To identify the following Birds: Robin, Blackbird, Great-tit, Blue-tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Jay, Mallard, Mute Swan, Wren and Kingfisher. | Wild Flowers: | To identify the following Flowers: Buttercup, Daisy, Foxglove, Bluebell, Cowslip, Dandelion, Primrose, Forget-me-not, Red/White Campion, Snowdrop, Poppy and Clover. | Poisonous Plants: | To identify the following Poisonous Plants: Listed in the Manual of Horsemanship. | Trees: | To identify the following Trees: Oak, Ash, Beech, Sycamore, Lime, Holly, Yew, Horse Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut, Birch, Hazel and Larch. | Wildlife: | To identify the following Wildlife: Badger, Fox, Hare, Mole, Otter, Rabbit, Stoat, Weasel, Red/Gray Squirrel, Red/Fallow/Roe Deer | All Pony Club Tests must be taken in sequence. Sequence of Tests: D Test > D+ Test > C Test > Road Safety > C+ Test > B Test > B+ Test > A Test These Tests are designed to help our members to learn progressively about horse, pony care
and riding. These tests are taken at recommended ages with certain core objectives. - Tests to be taken within members pony club.
- Tests are optional.
- If a member fails a test he/she must wait minimum of two months before taking the test again.
- The D.C. and Instructor will advice a member when to take a test.
When you pass a test you will be awarded a signed certificate and a coloured disc, which you wear
under your pony club badge on your jacket. There are different coloured discs for different tests. THE TESTS D Test: | Recommended minimum age: Between 8/9 years.
Badge Disc colour: Yellow.
Basic knowledge of ponies. Confident handle and riding a pony.
This test is usually carried out by continuous assessment at rally/camp. | D + Test:  | Recommended minimum age: 10 years.
Badge Disc colour: White.
Understand the aids and are able to apply them.
Working towards a balanced seat independent of the reins, understand elementary aids and able to apply them.
This test takes place during camp. | C Test: | Recommended minimum age: Between 11/12 years.
Badge Disc colour: Green.
To understand and to work towards an independent seat of the reins on the flat and over small fences.
To apply simple aids correctly.
A knowledge of the care of working a pony off grass.
To have full control of your pony and show courtesy to others when riding and to understand the importance of respecting other peoples land. | Riding And Road Safety Test: | There is no disc for this exam but you can get a Riding and Road Safety Badge.
You are awarded a signed certificate.
It is compulsory to pass this test before you can attempt your C+ test.
Aim is to promote safety on the road. Riders must show that they ride with courtesy and responsibility and that they are aware of the law, the Highway Code guidance laid down in the Pony Club Riding & Road Safety Manual. | C+ Test: | Recommended minimum age: 14 years.
Badge Disc colour: Pink Felt.
To ride over fences at all paces.
To gain practical experience and knowledge of the care of the stabled pony and of a grass kept pony.
To be capable of riding a well mannered pony out hunting and in all Pony Club activities.
To ride intelligently and with due regard for others on the roads and in the country, and with knowledge of pace, distance and discipline when riding alone or in groups. | B Test: | Recommended minimum age: Between 15/16 years.
Badge Disc colour: Red.
Members must attend training and an assessment session prior to attempting this test.
It requires an in depth knowledge of stable management and very competent riding as horses are exchanged for flatwork.
Candidates are from all branches.
Test usually held in August. | H Test: | Recommended minimum age: 17 years.
Badge Disc colour: Orange.
This test is needed before attempting the B+ Test.
High level of Horsemanship.
No riding in this test.
It covers practical horse management, lunging, breeding, first aid, anatomy etc.
It is organised by Headquarters and takes place at the end of the summer. | B+ Test:
| Recommended minimum age: 18 years or over.
Badge Disc colour: Lilac.
It is organised by Headquarters and D.C.'s submit names of candidates.
There are three parts to the test: riding, lunging and teaching.
Cannot be taken yet.
| A Test: | Recommended minimum age: ---
Badge Disc colour: Purple.
This test is the highest award of the Irish Pony Club it provides a comprehensive examination in Horsemanship and Training Young Horses for Senior Members and Associates.
Candidates must hold the Pony Club H Test and must be good all-round horseman, with sound knowledge that has been acquired in logical sequence.
It is an exam for a serious and dedicated rider who is prepared to devote thought, time and effort to improving their own riding and their practical knowledge of training young horses.
This test is organised by Headquarters.
Note: You may apply to take the 'A' test before the date of your 'H' test, but you will have to withdraw if you fail to pass the 'H' test.
Candidates must have a practical experience with horses as well as ponies. |
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Tests
