What is Testing?

Pony club achievement standards are set nationally, so that all members attempting to upgrade are given the same written tests, and are judged on the same standards in the practical tests of riding and stable management. At each level, the rider must first pass the written test which is generally arranged in April/May following Penticton Pony Club’s theory and stable management sessions.

It should be noted that Testing is not mandatory.

When first joining the branch, a rider usually starts at the E level (untested) and can challenge the level of test they feel confident with. They then must move sequentially through the testing levels.

The testing levels are, in order of achievement:

1. D
2. D1
3. D2
4. C
5. C1
6. C2
7. B
8. B2
9. HA
10. RA
11. A

Written testing is then followed by a Stable Management and Riding test. New rules recently introduced allow for members to test these areas at separate levels if they wish. For example – a member has achieved a higher level of competence in stable management but does not have the horse to complete a higher level – they can still test.

• All levels include a written test, oral questions on stable management and a riding test
• Testing for basic levels, D-C1 are organized by the Penticton Pony Club branch with independent Pony Club approved examiners.
• Higher levels are organized by the Regional Pony Club organization
• Penticton Pony Club will offer one combined test opportunity per year.
• After the Written tests are completed and passed – members will be provided an Application to Test – which must be signed off by the District Commissioner of the Club and the members riding instructor verifying that they are a qualified candidate for the level.
• Extensive information on testing procedures and requirements for each level can be found on the Canadian Pony Club website (find "Downloads") as well as our resources section. This includes knowledge and riding requirements for each level as well as resources. It is strongly recommended that you review this section prior to attending testing.
• If you have difficulty finding information please contact a member of the Penticton executive.

New - Members can test their stable management level above the level of ridden test. Example: a member can be a D2 tested ridden and a C2 or above in stable management.

For Manuals, Checklists and Worksheets please see our Resources Page.

How to Prepare for Testing:

Being tested means accomplishing the steps toward the aims and objectives of Pony Club. These are:

• to encourage young people to ride and to learn to enjoy all kinds of sports connected with horses and riding;
• to provide instruction in riding and horsemanship and to encourage in members the proper care of their animals;
• to promote the highest ideals of sportmanship, citizenship and loyalty thereby cultivating strength of character and self-discipline.

These tests are offered to encourage advancement and to have an efficient method to determine that Pony Club members are exemplary horse people.

Prepare yourself ahead of time by reading the Testing Procedures.

PHYSICALLY

Examiners can be very “picky” in this area. All must be scrupulously clean.

Self - CLEAN and safe clothes both riding (breeches/jodhpurs, boots with heel, hard hat with harness, neat shirt/turtleneck, pin or crest, gloves, whip/spurs) and stable; medical arm band; gloves; long sleeve shirt for cross country, safety vest, approved helmet; Stable management - pants/jean, boots with heel, neat shirt/hairnet/gloves/pin/armband).

INTELLECTUALLY

Be positive. Know requirements of test both Stable Management and Riding. Know terminology. Be prepared to answer questions in detail and confidently. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE - Be Prepared. Know format of test, where it will be, what is needed from you. Know how you'll get there - where, when, who, etc.

EMOTIONALLY

Practice all the requirements as outlined in the CPC testing procedures. You are only demonstrating what you know on this day not last month or next month. Examiners are there to help you onto the next level by confirming you have sufficient knowledge to progress to the next level. They do not know if you recently won at a show or event.

GENERAL

Go over test sheets and marking scale.

BE PROMPT • BE ON TIME • BE FRIENDLY • BE YOURSELF

Ask examiners to repeat or rephrase if you don't understand i.e.
Q. How do you groom a horse?
A. do you mean how do I do it or to name the tools?

At the conclusion of the test make sure you understand your strengths and weaknesses so you may fill in the gaps and go on.

The critique is the most important part whether you pass or fail — it is your time with the examiners and your time to have questions answered.

ATTITUDE is the most important factor.

Canadian Pony Club Turnout Guidelines:

OBJECT: to demonstrate the ability to present a horse to its best advantage as for a horse inspection, trot-up, vet check, etc.

TURNOUT: Handler: clean breeches/good repair, jacket, ratcatcher/shirt, hat with harness done up, hairnet, boots clean in good repair; whip optional - no more than 30" long.

Horse: bridle, clean/well fitted; mane braided, tail style optional; hooves oiled all the way around; trimmed, face/fetlocks/outside ears; sheath/udder/dock clean; eyes/nose muzzle clean.

Preferably, use firm level ground.

IN HAND

• Reins held in two hands - hip in outside hand
• Must release the head during movement and keep the neck straight. Walk/trot must be relaxed but forward. Try to emulate the rhythm/stride of the horse.
• Must move straight away from the "judge/examiner", checking over shoulder occasionally to see if still straight.
• Move straight toward a marker (or assistant) so hind end can be seen.
• Halt. Turn 1/4 to right so side view can be seen. Finish with 1/4 turn to right so front view can be seen.
• Trot directly back to the "judge/examiner".
• Keep eyes up at all times and look at point or person where you are headed.
• When standing a horse up for observers, stand the horse to show off its best features: i.e. viewing from near side, place off fore slightly behind the near fore to show off the shoulder to best advantage and the off hind slightly ahead of the near hind to show the hip/hind leg well.

Can stand from the front - with one hand on each rein, or to the side of the head - in both cases ensuring that you are not between the observer and horse at any time - i.e. move as the observer moves.

Decide whether the horse needs practice or warmup by doing so ahead of time. Possibly have a helper assist the trot up. Smile and say "Good morning!"

These guidelines are just that — a guide. Examiners are looking for an alert, sharp presentation of an immaculate horse and handler so be sure your turnout and body language reflect this.

Bandaging Pointers:

C1 - Shipping 
C2 - ship/Stable/Tail 
B - Ship/Stable/Tail/First Aid Protective
B2 - Ship/Stable/Tail/First Aid Pressure

HA - Ship/Stable/Tail/First Aid /poultice/spider

Bandaging material, both wraps and padding, must be clean, of correct size and rolled correctly with a plan of two methods to secure (i.e. tie tapes/pins/velcro/tape- masking or electricians type). Be sure horse is groomed and tied correctly with halter and lead either in the aisle, or a stall with the bedding raked back. Be aware of your position around the horse - bending or crouching, not kneeling, with materials neatly on a stable rubber in arm's reach.

SHIPPING

Suitable padding to ensure a castlike appearance when finished; able to conform to the shape of the leg, thick and protective. Cover the leg from knee to coronary band, including well over the heels with pad and wrap. Front legs are often easier to do shipping bandages on for test purposes. Padding should show 1-2 cm. At top and front of bottom, but the heel padding will be covered by the wrap in order to secure the heels. For test purposes, contrasting wrap/pad will show good bandaging to advantage

STABLE

Suitable padding conforming to the leg, thick and protective with wraps not more than 4" wide (and 8'12' + long); should cover down to and including the fetlock joint - or below to include the pastern if the suspensory or pastern need support or protection. Tension is crucial - evenly over the leg - one finger should slip easily under the pad and wrap. Both legs should be wrapped in the same direction, i.e. clockwise on off legs and counter clockwise on near legs. Finished bandage should have a stovepipe appearance - straight and wrinkle free with no more than 1-2 cm. Of pad showing at top and bottom. Should finish wrap on the outside and toward the top. Tape should secure the wrap with the same tension as the bandage itself.

TAIL

There are two types of tail bandage:

1.  TO LAY THE TAIL - this bandage covers the tail from the top of the dock to below the point of the buttock; the tail may be dampened although the wrap must be dry. This bandage would stay on no more than an hour or two prior to riding and is removed by pulling the entire bandage straight down from the top.
2. TRAVEL - This bandage covers the tail from the top of the dock to the bottom of the dock and has a small number of hairs turned up at intervals to present the bandage sliding down when in the trailer. This bandage would stay on only for the duration of the trailer ride and would have to be unwrapped to be removed.

In both cases, the tail must be "laid in" to provide comfort for the horse.

FIRST AID

Think of a scenario for the first aid bandage and make a plan for care from the ‘wound' outward, i.e. bruise on the knee from hitting a jump rail, hosed then poulticed and covered with a figure 8 bandage over the knee and secured by a stable bandage below. The bandage would stay on for 5-6 hrs. Before being hosed again. Poultice/gamgee/wrap etc.

First Aid bandages could be: foot poultices, hock or knee injuries, pastern injuries or other problem which require specialized bandages. Sweats should not be used for the Level exams as they do no show enough difference between a stable and a sweat.

A spider bandage is used on knee or hock and is an excellent exam bandage as it has a very professional appearance when done well and does have the level of expertise required.