Disciplines

Skills

• Harmony and precision in dressage movements
• Courage, balance, and control of pace
• Accuracy and technique
• Assessing horse fitness and soundness
• Time management and strategic pacing
• Horsemanship
• Resilience, concentration, and determination under pressure
• Teamwork in rallies and events, plus sportsmanship

Competition

Competitions are one or two day events using the same horse-rider combination across all phases. Events range from club and zone trials through to the annual PCV Horse Trials State Championships and qualifiers for Pony Club Australia Nationals.

Scoring is based on cumulative penalties: Dressage (100 minus percentage score), Cross-Country (faults for refusals, falls, and time errors), and Showjumping (knocks, refusals, and time faults). Obstacle heights and required speeds increase with grade.

To compete in Pony Club Horse Trial Competitions, riders must be at least 8 years old and horses must be at least 4 years old. Pony Club sections require riders or guardians to submit a grading request form to club DC. If successfully graded, DC will record on membership card. Membership cards can then be presented to the Event Office at competitions to prove eligibility in Pony Club graded level.

Pony Club Victoria uses seven competition levels: PCV110 and Grades 1-6, each graded per horse-rider combination based on ability (see PCV Grading Guidelines).

• Beginners start at Grade 6 – smaller arenas and straightforward obstacles.
• Progress by completing competitions to gain exposure with minimal penalties.
• Pony Club sections require riders or guardians to submit a grading request form to club DC. If successfully graded, DC will record on membership card. Membership cards can then be presented to the Event Office at competitions to prove eligibility in Pony Club graded level.
• Pathways lead from zone events to state championships, with top riders eligible for Team Vic squad selection and national representation.

Progression

Grading Guidelines for Horse Trials

Skills

• Balance and Coordination
• Precision Control and Agility
• Mounting and Vaulting
• Confidence and Quick Decision Making
• Teamwork and Sportsmanship
• Fitness and Strength for Riders and Horses
• Equipment Handling
• Safe Riding at Pace
• Enrichment and Variety for Horses

Competition

Riders compete in teams, with flexible age mixes. Individual games, such as bending, mug, flag, and ball & bucket, are run as relays or timed challenges. Teams select any 6 games per event, maintain rider order once started, and aim for clean runs with no fouling.

Events range from club rallies and zone competitions through to the annual Kay Irving Games, Flat & Musical Ride State Championships and qualifiers for Pony Club Australia National Championships. Victoria’s top teams are represented nationally through Team Vic squads.

Progression

Games has no formal grading system — it’s team-based and open to all levels. Progression happens naturally through skill-building and competition experience.

• Start with Games activities at club rallies
• Step up to zone interclub competitions
• Compete at state championships
• Work towards national and international representation through Team Vic Mounted Games Squad selection — with annual skills clinics held throughout the year.

All activities follow Pony Club Australia Syllabus principles, with a focus on safety, fun, and progressive development for riders of all ages.

Skills

• Balanced jumping position (two-point and three-point seats)
• Control of pace, rhythm, and stride length
• Accurate approaches, lines, and departures over fences
• Quick reflexes and turns, combinations, and jump-offs
• Course walking and planning (distances, strides, rules)
• Horse fitness, soundness checks, and welfare practices
• Confidence under time pressure and in competitions
• Knowledge of fence types, penalties, and gear rules

Competition

Competitors ride individually or in teams (e.g., teams of 3-4 at states) over courses of 6-12 efforts, with penalties accumulated under Table A rules. Events include club/zone show jumping days, interzone challenges, and the annual PCV State Dressage & Show Jumping Championships (e.g., 2026 event on 21-22 February at Warrnambool Showgrounds, hosted by Wannon Zone).

Formats include against-the-clock rounds, two-round competitions, and jump-offs for ties. Qualifiers for Pony Club Australia Nationals involve zone processes and Team Vic selections. Freshman’s classes offer low-height intros (under 35cm).

Progression

Pony Club Victoria uses seven grades (PA to PG) based on horse-rider ability, per PCV Grading Guidelines:

• PG: Beginners (0.30m-0.40m heights, no spreads)
• PF: 0.40m-0.55m
• PE: 0.55m-0.70m
• PD: 0.70m-0.85m (spreads up to 0.85m)
• PC: 0.85m-1.00m (trebles allowed)
• PB: 1.00m-1.15m
• PA: 1.10m-1.25m (advanced, including 6-bar/Puissance)

Start ungraded at rallies (attend 2+ for initial grading). Progress by demonstrating competency (e.g., clear rounds at max heights), with DC approval via Grading Request Form. Upgrades for consistent performance; downgrades for confidence-building. Aligns with PCA Syllabus certificates (D* for basics to A for advanced). Pathways: Club rallies → zone events → state championships → nationals.

Skills

• Practical horsemanship and control in jumping/cross-country riding
• Endurance and pacing in running distances
• Swimming technique and stamina (freestyle)
• Precision and focus in laser pistol shooting
• Time management across multiple phases
• Physical fitness, including strength, agility, and cardiovascular health
• Mental resilience and strategy for scoring points
• Teamwork in training and sportsmanship in competitions

Competition

Competitors participate individually, scoring points per phase (e.g., riding faults converted to points, running/swimming times to scores, shooting accuracy). Events are typically one- or two-day formats, with all phases completed.

Key events include zone training days, the annual PCV State Tetrathlon Championships (e.g., 2026 event on 28-29 March at Dandenong Ranges Horse & Pony Club, Southern Metro Zone), and qualifiers for Pony Club Australia National Championships (biennial). Equathon classes for under 10s. International exchanges available, like the PCIA Tetrathlon International Exchange for representing Australia. Recent notes: 2025 state event postponed due to low entries; 2026 entries opening soon via zones.

Progression

Tetrathlon is age-based rather than graded, with categories like Sub-Junior, Junior, and Senior, aligned to Pony Club certificates.

• Beginners start with Equathon (under 10s) or introductory clinics
• Progress to full Tetrathlon at club/zone levels
• Advance to state championships via qualifiers
• Top performers selected for national championships and international teams (e.g., representing PCA abroad)
• Pathways to related sports like modern pentathlon or biathlon

Progression follows PCA guidelines, with emphasis on safe development and horse welfare. Minimum certificates may apply for higher levels.

Skills

• Judging and maintaining horse speed accurately
• Developing a feel for pace
• Enhancing balance, control, and rhythm at speed
• Time management and strategic riding
• Horse fitness and welfare practices
• Confidence on professional tracks
• Riding safely in open environments
• Sportsmanship

Competition

Competitors ride individually in Maiden or Open grades over 1000m, with the closest to the optimum time winning (differences calculated in seconds/milliseconds). Events include zone qualifier series often hosted at local racecourses like Kilmore, Yarra Valley or Horsham, and the annual PCV State Ride to Time Championships (typically first Saturday in September at Moonee Valley Racing Club).

Each zone enters one combination per grade for states. Qualifying requires at least two successful qualifiers in the year, with a maximum of three 1000m rides per event (familiarisation, practice lap, qualification). Times are recorded precisely (e.g., 1:59:22). Riders are welcome to attend and potentially qualify for State in different zones, however their result in a different zone will not count towards the zone series overall winners. National pathways exist through Pony Club Australia.

Ride to Time is proudly sponsored by Racing Victoria.

Progression

Ride to Time uses two grades based on ability: Maiden (beginner-friendly, 120s optimum) and Open (advanced, 109s optimum, mandatory for riders with racing experience).

• Start with club training and supervised sessions (ungraded riders can’t compete but can train)
• Ask your District Commissioner (DC) to be graded for RTT
• Progress to zone qualifiers and series
• Achieve qualifications for State Championships (minimum two qualifiers, C Certificate required by August 1 unless exemption)
• Top performers may pursue racing industry roles
• Upgrades: Maiden state competitors within 2s of optimum move to Open; zone coaches recommend changes

Progression follows PCV grading guidelines and PCA Syllabus, with no limit on qualifiers entered. Riders can compete across zones if needed.

Skills

• In-depth knowledge of horse anatomy, health, and care
• Understanding Pony Club rules, history, and certificates
• Quick recall and problem-solving under time pressure
• Teamwork, communication, and strategy in group phases
• Practical application (e.g., identifying tack or demonstrating bandaging)
• Research and study habits for certificate levels
• Confidence in public speaking or buzzing in answers
• Sportsmanship and handling ties/protests fairly

Competition

Competitors participate in teams of four (mixed gender), divided by age: Sub-Junior (10-12 years), Junior (13-16 years), Senior (17-25 years). Events feature selected phases (always including Written, plus team elements), with individual and team scoring.

Key events include the PCV Hygain Interzone Quiz Challenge (e.g., online or onsite sessions like the 2024/2025 editions), State Quiz activities, and qualifiers for Pony Club Australia National Championships (e.g., 2025 event with Team Vic squads). International opportunities exist, like the annual International Pony Club Quiz. Scoring totals points across phases, with the highest overall winning. Recent highlights: 2025 Interzone Quiz winners announced in July 2025, showcasing zones’ top teams.

Progression

Quiz uses age-based categories rather than formal grades, with proficiency certificates as benchmarks:

• Sub-Juniors: Minimum D* certificate (or equivalent), focus on basics
• Juniors: Minimum C certificate (or equivalent), intermediate topics
• Seniors: Minimum C* or K certificate (or equivalent), advanced knowledge
• Start at club rallies with practice quizzes
• Advance to interzone challenges and state events
• Qualify for nationals via selection (50% rally attendance, possible written assessments)
• International pathways for top performers

Progression follows Pony Club Australia Syllabus of Instruction, with annual clinics and resources for skill-building. Riders in other disciplines can cross-nominate for Quiz at nationals.