In this section you can find helpful information explaining some of the terms we use

CONFUSED?!

We thought it might help to clarify some of the terms we use about competitions, as for those just starting out it can seem a right muddle! The Pony Club has Levels of competition which are as follows. There are other limits for spreads, speed etc and all this information can be found at www.pcuk.org:

Nationally, The Pony Club is split into Areas , each comprising about 15 branches. We are in Area 13 and Dawn Taylor is our Area Rep. Every year, each Area holds qualifying competitions in each discipline for Levels 3, 4 and 5 and the most successful teams and individuals at these competitions qualify for the Pony Club National Championships. The National Intermediate and Open Championships are held in Nottinghamshire and the National Novice Championships are in Cheshire where, as you can imagine, the height and technicality of competition will be at its most challenging. When you hear someone say "she's doing Area", it means they are representing their branch at the Area Qualifier at a certain Level in either Dressage, Show Jumping, Horse Trials, Tetrathlon, Mounted Games, Horse & Pony Care etc. In addition to this, our Area holds its own Mini Championships and Southern Novice Championships, to give our younger members a taste of the big competition atmosphere.

You will also hear mention of Hickstead Qualifiers. This is another big Pony Club Show Jumping Competition for Levels 3, 4 & 5, with the finals (Level 5 only) being at Hickstead. There are also Dengie sponsored Dressage and Level 3 & 5 (approx) Show Jumping competitions for individuals indoors in the winter, which culminate in Area and then National finals in the Spring.

To be selected for a Branch team, one must be a good Pony Club member, have attended 3 rallies and also hopefully some specific training. For most competitions, we try to send out as many teams as possible and give anyone who is keen (and safe!) a chance, but for Area we select our very best riders at each level.

HEDGEHOGS

The Hedgehogs are the tiniest members of the Chiddingfold Farmers' Branch of the Pony Club. Our group currently consists of children between 2 and 10 years old, all of whom are just starting to learn to ride on and off the lead rein.

In addition to being welcome at the branch Working Rallies, we aim to organize monthly fun, confidence building 'Hedgehogs' rallies with a qualified instructor in a private indoor school that offers a safe enclosed environment where the children can build their confidence and develop their skills . Lessons include encouraging tuition, games and work towards the Pony Club achievement badges. We also try and run a rally once a week through the summer holidays.  The sessions generally start at 10.00am.   We run three 45 minute sessions and close with a quick sandwich for energy and hopefully time for the children to play with their new friends at 12.15pm. Younger members are also welcome without ponies to work towards achievement badges and join in.

OWLS

The Owls are the next stage on from the Hedgehogs.  They too are very young members of our branch.  This group currently consists of children between 6 and 10 years old, all of whom are just able to canter off the lead rein in an enclosed area.

This group started in 2007 as a result of the increase in numbers of Hedgehogs. Once again we aim to organize monthly fun, friendly, confidence building 'Owls' rallies with a variety of qualified instructors in an enclosed sand-school.  Lessons include encouraging tuition, games and an introduction into jumping through polework as well as work towards the Pony Club achievement badges.  We run two 55 minute lessons coupled with 30 minutes of Horse and Pony Care and close with a quick sandwich for energy and hopefully time for the children to have a quick play with their new friends. In addition the Owls can attend the "Owl" ride at our regular Mini Training Sessions and are welcome at all the branch Working Rallies.

Glossary
Rally - group lesson
SJ - show jumping
XC - cross country