Regional Quiz is an exciting day for pony clubbers to congregate for friendly competition with other clubs from all over our region, testing only their equine knowledge, not riding. Quiz is attainable for every member - even those without access to a horse can compete on equal playing ground with those who have a horse or pony. Quiz is a great chance for every member to be involved, and to promote team spirit!

For C2 level pony clubbers and above, the stakes are a bit higher as members are able to qualify for National Quiz. National competitions are held all over Canada, so qualifying is a great way to see a new part of our country, and meet and compete with pony club members from all regions across Canada. National Quiz competitors can expect to be tested in more obscure categories, such as Olympic horses, Book authors, Hunting Terms, and Rules of pony club. Competitors who do well at the National level may even qualify for the International Quiz Exchange - allowing members to compete against teams from all over the world!

Typically held at a school or recreation center, Quiz is a one day competition hosted by a club in our region. Parents are asked to volunteer as chaperones or to help run the games on the day of the Quiz. Don't worry ...every February, Penticton Pony Club runs several practice sessions to help prep our members and parents as to what they can expect at Quiz. Members may participate in Quiz at any level, regardless of their "tested" level - although they may not test below their tested level. Example - a D2 pony club member may go to quiz as a D2 or higher level competitor, but a D1 rated member cannot go as a D competitor. If a club does not have enough members to field a balanced team, "mixed" teams are created, with members from other clubs filling in the required levels. This way, no one gets left out.

Teams are grouped according to level — D teams, C teams, and A/B teams.

• D Team — one D, one D1, two   D2's
• C Team — one C, one C1, one C2
• A/B Team — Ideally, there would be three members to the A/B team, 1 B, 1B2, and 1 A — however, because there are fewer members who attain this level, teams are often made up at the regional level of whoever can make it, often mixing members from other clubs.

Quiz consists of a written test similar to the test the member would write for their testing level exam. This is done individually, and typically performed in the morning of the Quiz. Younger members are allowed to have a scribe or reader, to help them through their test.

The afternoon of Quiz is the most fun part of quiz — the teams compete in a variety of games focused on horse related knowledge. Teams can expect to play Jeopardy, Pictionary, Crossword puzzles, Charades, and a variety of other challenging games to showcase all of the information they have taken in throughout the winter with their theory lessons.

The other component to individual scoring is the ID table – this is a silent test performed individually. Each member will identify a table filled with horse related items such as various tack, veterinary items, farrier tools, feeds — and at the senior level, specifics such as worms in formaldehyde, identifying veterinary ointments by smell, etc. Typically there are about 30 items to identify at the regional level. At a National Quiz, a member can expect to identify over 150 items! National quizzes generally have 10 tables of items by category, such as feeds, bones, horse shoes, bits, etc.

Finally the day is concluded with an awards ceremony – sometimes Quizzes will have crafts or the opportunity for each club to present a skit before the awards ...this is a relaxed opportunity for members to hang out with their fellow pony clubbers after all of the competition is over. Awards are presented to members both as a team and as individuals so there is lots of opportunity for members to come home with ribbons for their efforts. Often the awards are accompanied by draw prizes or raffles and the final presentation of goodie bags to every participating member.

Quiz gives our pony club members a chance to practice their know-how in a friendly, fun oriented way. It encourages group efforts and promotes the pony club motto "Loyalty, Character, and Sportsmanship". For Photos and Information on past Quizzes, you can check out the Canadian Pony Club Website and look under "International and National Events"