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Observation
Requirement. A candidate for membership and parent must
observe two mounted lessons and one dismounted lesson for the
appropriate level and meet with the DC before joining the Club.
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Qualifications
for Membership. Minimum age for membership is 7 years. A
candidate for membership must demonstrate to the D.C, an officer,
or an instructor delegated by the D.C. an ability to walk and trot
in a closed area with control (keep pony on rail, steer and turn,
and halt on command) and to work suitably in a group setting. The
Club is not able to offer one-on-one instruction. Parents, or
designated parents, of members who are un-rated through D2 level
must be present when their child is mounted.
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Active Member
Defined
(USPC uses the term “member in good standing”). A member must be
"active" in order to be eligible for ratings and rally teams.
"Active" membership is defined as attendance of at least 25% of
Saturday riding program, 25% of the horse management sessions,
and all dues, fees, and parental obligations are met (as outlined
in the Parent Responsibilities section). WPC encourages
participation in as many of the club meetings and activities as
possible. Exceptions may be made in the attendance in the
Saturday riding program for members who attend competitions during
club scheduled riding days. The rider must notify the D.C prior
to the activity in order for it to count toward their 25%
participation requirement. Regular riding months are January,
February, March, April, May, September, October, November, and
December.
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Excused
Absence. For an excused absence, a member must notify the
mounted program coordinator of non-attendance prior to the
meeting. If a member's horse is not available for a mounted
meeting, the member may attend dressed and ready to ride.
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Inactive
Member. A member becomes inactive and is removed from the
email list and the class roster after three un-excused absences.
To become active again, the member must (1) call or email the DC
for an assignment to a riding group, and (2) notify the mounted
program coordinator.
Sponsors: Sponsors of the club shall include those individuals who
executed the Articles of Organization and who have paid the annual
Club Sponsors’ fee; a parent of a child in the club who has paid the
annual club sponsors’ fee; and other interested individuals who have
been approved by the D.C and have paid the annual Club Sponsors’
fee. In addition to paying the sponsors’ fee, candidates who would
like to be Sponsors must attend 50% of the club’s meetings. Local
Woodside Pony Club policy and approval of the Club’s annual budget
are made by a 2/3 vote of the Sponsors who are present at the annual
sponsor’s meeting. The meeting must have a quorum of the sponsors
present.
“Friends of Woodside Pony Club” is a category for any individual or
entity that contributes to the support of the Club through cash or
in-kind donations. These donations are tax-deductible. Friends of
Pony Club do not vote on club policy.
The success of
the Pony Club program depends on parent participation in Club
activities.
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Definition of
“Parent”. The term "Parent" in this document can be defined
as a Pony Clubber's own parent, legal guardian, or
parent-substitute. Should a Pony Clubber have a parent-substitute
in lieu of a parent or legal guardian, the parent-substitute will
enjoy all the rights of the parent or legal guardian and fulfill
all obligations of the parent to the Club. The parent thereby
relinquishes all rights within the Club. A Parent Substitute form
must be signed by both the parent or legal guardian and the
parent-substitute prior to the membership application or renewal.
Any changes in parent-substitutes need to be made in writing.
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Meeting
Attendance. Attendance at 50% of the scheduled meetings is
required, whether or not a parent is a sponsor. A parent should
try not to miss two consecutive meetings. When a parent is
absent, it is his/her responsibility to find out the information
given out at the meeting, e.g. regional and Club calendars, rally
sign-ups, volunteering for various activities, etc.
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Mandatory
Participation. Each Pony Club family/parent is expected to
participate in the running of the club by:
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assisting with
the Club's annual fund-raiser/ horse show (and workday the day
before);
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assisting
with the Club's regional effort for that year; and
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taking
responsibility for at least one position within the Club each
year.
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Parent in
Charge. Parents will establish a weekly rotation schedule for
the job known as "person in charge" (PIC). The responsibilities
of the PIC are to arrive at least 30 minutes before the lesson,
familiarize himself or herself with the location of the medical
releases and first aid kit, and help the instructor as ring crew
or in any other way asked. The PIC must stay until all instruction
is completed, both mounted and dismounted. It is the
responsibility of the scheduled PIC to trade with another parent
if he/ she is unable to attend. If there is no PIC, the group will
not ride.
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Boots, tall
or paddock boots.
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Gloves are
recommended, but not required.
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Shirt tucked
neatly into pants with well-fitting sweater of jacket if
weather so indicates; no loose clothing. Shirt must cover
shoulders.
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Belts must be
worn if pants have belt loops.
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Properly
fitted Pony Club approved hardhat with the ASTM standard (SEI
sticker to be left on the inside of the hat), with chin strap
to be fastened at all times the rider is mounted.
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Appropriate
breeches, jodhpur pants with leather garter and elastic straps
or suitable tight fitting (and comfortable) pants. Chaps with
paddock boots, half-chaps with paddock boots or Equijeans with
suede knee patches.
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Hair neatly
combed off face. Shoulder length or longer hair should be
fixed in a ponytail, braid or hair net.
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Sturdy shoes,
which do not come off easily and cover the ankle, are
recommended for work around the barn. Proper footwear is
important to avoid foot injury.
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No tennis
shoes are permissible.
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No jewelry
(with the exception of USPC pins, watches, and stud earrings
(as per USPC Policy).
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No chewing
gum.
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English
saddle fitted with leathers, stirrups, girth and pad.
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English
bridle with snaffle bit (exceptions to be discussed with
Coordinator of Instruction or instructor).
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Appropriate
whip (dressage or jumping) if necessary.
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Grooming box
with required brushes, etc. per USPC policy.
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Tack cleaning
per USPC policy.
A
candidate must have access to his/ her own mount. Families must
provide safe, well-kept, suitable mounts for Club participation. The
horse must be properly shod or trimmed and must be regularly
groomed. The horse's comfort and care are always the prime
considerations. Horses must be at least five years of age. Horses
must be deemed suitable by the DC, the Coordinator of Instruction,
and/or the instructor, who reserve the right to disqualify, at any
time, a horse deemed unsafe in a group situation. No stallions are
allowed. It is the member's responsibility to get their mount to
and from Pony Club functions.
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Purpose.
The Pony Club program is designed to enrich the education of young
equestrians, but is not intended to be the sole source of riding
instruction. Members are strongly encouraged to have regular
lessons from professional instructors
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Punctuality.
Since Pony Clubbers exemplify good sportsmanship and courtesy,
they arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to scheduled
instruction. Pony Clubbers who arrive after the lesson has started
will be allowed to ride in that day's lesson at the discretion of
the instructor. If a member has been scheduled for a lesson with
a clinician who charges a fee, the member is responsible for the
fee, even if they are unable to ride.
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Instructional
Program.
Woodside Pony Club provides mounted and dismounted education to
its riders. Club members who are rated as a C1 or higher are
expected to fully participate in the WPC Assistant Instructor
Program.
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Saturday
Riding Program. The Saturday Riding Program is the
primary instructional program. Riders are assigned to riding
sessions based on their rating. Riders may not ride in a
riding group above their rating level. However, if there is
space available at a lower level, and the instructor approves
it, a rider may opt to ride at a level below their rating.
Such scheduling arrangements must be pre-arranged through the
Instructional Coordinator. This program runs during the
months of January, February, March, April, May, September,
October, November, and December. Riding fees are paid in
advance. Riding during Winter, Spring, or Summer break period
is optional and does not count toward the 25% riding
requirement for active participation in the Club.
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Weekday
Open Ring Program.
The Weekday
Open Ring
Program is open to all levels unless otherwise posted. This
program runs during the months of January, February, March,
April, May, September, October, November, and December. Open
Ring is optional and does not count toward the 25% riding
requirement for active participation in the Club.
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Summer
Riding Program.
The Summer Riding
Program is
open to all levels unless otherwise posted. This program runs
during the months of June, July, and August. Riding fees are
split equally among the riders attending the session. The
summer program is optional and attendance does not count
toward attendance requirements.
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Other
Riding.
All other Club riding sessions must be
coordinated through the DC and comply with USPC insurance and
other applicable regulations.
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Dismounted
Program. The Dismounted Program will include education
sessions on horse management at a minimum of once per month for
each level of rider during the months of January, February,
March, April, May, September, October, November, and December.
Instruction will be provided by Pony Club members who are two
levels above the group being instructed whenever possible. The
program may be enhanced by inviting knowledgeable guests.
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Be an active
member of Woodside Pony Club.
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Enter with
his/her own regular Pony Club mount.
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Attend the
regular prep sessions and rally wrap-up sessions.
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The parent must
complete the rally packet and pay the fee by the deadline. Any
equipment deposit must be included with the other fees. The
deposit will be returned after all the equipment has been
returned clean to the equipment monitor, within two weeks
following the rally. If equipment is missing or damaged, team
members will pay equally out of their deposit for replacement or
repair. All rally equipment must be checked out through the
equipment monitor appointed for each rally.
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Multi-disciplinary Rallies. It is highly recommended that the member participate in
one mounted “mock rally” or one single discipline mounted rally
to be eligible for a multi-discipline rally (e.g., an eventing
rally).
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WPC encourages
participation of its members in rallies. Each WPC member who
qualifies to participate in a rally, will have a $50 scholarship
contribution toward one rally each year.
Woodside Pony
Club (WPC) will comply with the following procedures for a member to
participate in ratings. In compliance with the United States Pony
Club (USPC) policy, WPC will offer at least two D1-C2 ratings per
year, in the fall and spring. Active members only will be considered
for ratings.
Notification
1. If
a member wishes to be considered for the upcoming rating, they
must notify the DC in writing of their intent to participate and
intended rating level.
2. The
DC will notify all members in writing of the scheduled rating
date.
3. A
new member rating shall comply with USPC guidelines, which
encourage the first rating to be as soon as the member meets the
standards. In accordance with USPC recommendations, new members
may initially rate at two levels, starting from D1 (i.e., D1 and
D2). Subsequent ratings must be one level per rating.
Examiner Qualifications
1. D1
& D2 ratings: The examiner is selected by the D.C. from upper
level riders, and may be from within the WPC. The examiner
shall be at least two levels above the level of the rating level
being tested. The examiner shall be a member in good standing
of the USPC.
2. D3,
C1, & C2: The independent examiner shall be selected by the
D.C. from outside WPC. Examiners shall be A or B level rated
USPC members, A or B level graduates, or examiners who have
passed a USPC certification as an examiner. The examiner shall
not have provided instruction to the candidates being rated for
the previous six months.
Rating
Flowcharts (Rating Qualifications Sheets)
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WPC uses the Rating
Flowcharts as a tool to assist candidates in preparing for
Ratings. Rating Flowcharts must be completely signed off
and submitted to the Ratings Coordinator 30 days prior to
the scheduled Rating.
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Horse Management portions of
the sheets may be signed off by an instructor or a USPC
member that is at least 2 levels higher than the intended
Rating (e.g. if you are a candidate for D2, your HM may be
signed off by a C1 or above USPC member).
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Mounted portions of the
sheets must be signed off by a qualified Pony Club
instructor. More than one instructor must sign off on the
mounted portion so that the candidate’s skills are evaluated
by more than one instructor.
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C1/C2 candidates should take
their Rating on their regular mount.
Attire
1. The
member must comply with the USPC approved “informal” or “formal”
attire at the rating.
The District
Commissioner (DC) is proposed by the Sponsors of the local Club and
elected by the USPC Board of Governors.
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required.
Must have the ability to demonstrate sound judgment and diplomacy in
dealing with parents, sponsors and Pony Clubbers. Must be fair at
all times and not discriminate against Pony Clubbers on the basis of
talent or available mounts. The DC should delegate duties to the Jt-DC,
officers of the Club, and/or other parent volunteers. The DC has
complete oversight and responsibility for the local Pony Club, with
the concurrence and support of the Sponsors. The DC must be open to
suggestion. The DC is the Club's decision maker by the dictates of
the office. However, successful DCs maintain a high sense of
enthusiasm and participation in Club by encouraging members and
parents to question, make suggestions, and discuss new ideas. The DC
should be sensitive to the will of the Club membership in terms of
the program and calendar of activities.
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The
District Commissioner is a corporate member of USPC,
Inc. and a sponsor of the Registered Club. The District Commissioner
(DC) shall direct and manage all matters within the Club. The DC
with the concurrence and support of the Sponsors, has oversight and
responsibility for the Registered Club and acts as liaison between
the Club, Region, and National Office. The DC is responsible for
initiating, planning, guiding, and implementing the instructional
program of the Club. The DC clarifies Club expectations for the
members and encourages them to set appropriate goals for themselves.
Woodside Pony Club
acknowledges achievement by its members throughout the year.
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Rating Certificate. When members pass a rating to the next level, they are acknowledged
with a certificate and the Club is notified of the accomplishments.
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Annual Awards.
“High Point” awards are given to one rider in each rating category
(D1 through A) at the WPC Annual Holiday Party. If riders advance
in rating during the year, they will be categorized in the group in
which the majority of their time was spent. In addition, an award
is provided to the rider who has the most points overall. Points
are obtained on a weekly basis during Saturday inspections. The
Saturday inspection sheets should be evaluated annually and
presented at a sponsor meeting at least once each year.
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Other Awards. Additional awards may be granted to honor
specific accomplishments, i.e., most progress in riding, overall
contribution to the Club, etc. The award criteria should be
identified and defined on an annual basis. The award criteria
should be announced at a sponsor’s meeting within the first quarter
of the calendar year and will be awarded at the end of the calendar
year.
Woodside Pony Club has a scholarship fund to be used by members.
Scholarships are available to assist with fees. All parent and member
requirements apply.
The scholarship applications are found on the WPC website. The
application must be submitted to the DC prior to the scholarship fund
being awarded.
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