PONY CLUB RALLIES

WHAT IS A RALLY?

Rallies are the backbone of Pony Club! A rally is a structured, supervised day, where lessons are conducted on horse riding and horsemastership. Rallies provide clubs with the opportunity to explore all sorts of horse sports and present them to their riders.

Rallies should be fun, family orientated occasions where both rider and parent can learn more about the proper maintenance of their horse or improving basic riding skills.

A club will hold at least eight rallies each PCV year. Rallies are open to all Club members and may include visiting members (PCV Members who are members or another Pony Club) or Come & Try Members.

Members must attend two rallies each year to be eligible to compete at Pony Club competitions.

PCA / PCV APPROVED COACH LIST

The PCV Approved Coaches list provides clubs with access to coaches who are:

• Qualified (EA, PCA or other)
• Child Safe (have provided WWCC and completed/understand Child Safe requirements)
• Victoria Direct Coach Members for 2024 (PCA Approved)

This list will be updated at the end of each month with names of coaches who agree to publicly share their details on our website, therefore not all coaches will be found on this list.

Any coaches who would like to be added to this list should complete this online form https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/22RVJQH

You can access the latest list herePCV-Website-Approved-Coach-List-as-at-06/10/24 (1)

MEMBERSHIP CARDS – HOW TO FILL IN.

Click here to access the guide for completing a members card: Membership Card Guidelines

GEAR CHECKING

Pony Club Australia now gives members the opportunity to become an accredited gear checker.  Pony Club Victoria is delivering training and assessment in all zones.  Check our website events calendar to find one near you.

Read more about the process here Gear Check

Download easy to use form to track member gear issues.  The PCV gear check report form here PCV Gear Check Report Form

GRADING GUIDELINES

Grading was first introduced in 1969 for the discipline of show jumping but later adopted for the disciplines of dressage, eventing and combined training.

The aim of a grading system is to provide Pony Club Victoria members with fair and safe competition.  All members should be able to expect to go out and meet riders of a comparable standard to themselves in a competition field.

The appropriate grading is achieved by assessing the ability of the horse and rider as a combination, irrespective of the age of the rider or the size of the horse, to perform safely and competently at a specific standard in their chosen discipline.

Download the PCV Grading Guidelines V2024 here: UPLOAD HERE

Download the PCV Rider Grading Application form here: UPLOAD HERE

ATTENDANCE REGISTER

Clubs must keep accurate records of people who attend their rallies & other activities.  Click here to download a copy of attendance register: Attendance register

TRAIL RIDE GUIDE

Does your club provide members with trail ride activities off grounds?  If so, we suggest you read the PCV Trail Ride Guide first and also make sure you complete the Trail Ride Form and keep a copy with your club risk management documentation.

It is also good practice to include ‘risk management’ as a regular agenda item at your committee meetings.  If you are hosting a trail ride, ensure you minute the ride.  Happy trail riding!

Horse trail riding guide – PCV 2023

Horse trail riding guide – checklist

JOINT RALLYS

Sometimes neighbouring Pony Clubs will join together to have a rally, this is a great opportunity for riders to meet other Pony Club members and can open the door to offer different learning opportunities for members.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A RALLY?

Clubs are limited only by their imaginations!

Some clubs over the journey have offered all sorts of learning opportunities to their members outside of the standard olympic disciplines such as campdrafting, vaulting, polocrosse or carriage driving.

Plenty of opportunities to improve horse management knowledge too with Clubs often getting a vet, horse dentists, farrier or master saddlers to educate on horse health and proper fit of gear.

Pony Clubs can offer any approved horse sport and should be aiming to teach the latest in horse care and management!

PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATES

All pony club riders will achieve Pony Club Australia Proficiency Certificates as part of their journey at pony club.  The certificates begin at E, D, D*, C, C*, K, B and conclude at A. The A certificate is recognised internationally.

Riders aged 14 years or old and who have been at pony club for more than 2 years, must have achieved the C at a minimum in order to compete at state events.

Clubs should use the Pony Club Victoria Certificate Assessment sheets when developing their rally plans for riders so they progressively worth through the levels.  These assessment sheets have directives for assessors and guide the rider on the requirements to achieve competency.