HOW TO PREPARE FOR TESTING

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

 - 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 instill 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 PC members are good all-round horse people.

Prepare yourself ahead of  time by reading the Testing Procedures (handout)
Discuss PIE wheel - (handout)

PHYSICALLY

 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 management (pants/jean, boots with heel, neat shirt/hair).
 Horse - clean, mane/tail trimmed and clean, feet newly trimmed or shod, horse to be capable of test requirements, preferably own.
 Tack - clean, repaired, nothing brand new, all fitting
 Equipment - halt/lead, grooming kit, bandages, tools, FA kit, pin, passport/certificate

Prepare well ahead of time - like a conditioning program (know goal date - work back)

INTELLECTUALLY

Be positive     Know requirements of test both SM and riding   Know terminiology (put up, turnout) ASK
 

PRACTICE   PRACTICE   PRACTICE
Know format of test, where it will be, what is needed from you
Know how you'll get there - where, when who

EMOTIONALLY

Practice all the requirements (see TP)   Clean your mind of anything else (friends, parents, fights, bad breakfast, no breakfast, etc.). 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 base progression on

GENERAL

Go over test sheets and marking scale
BE PROMPT
BE ON TIME      BE FRIENDLY   BE YOURSELF

Smile!  You won't crack.

Identify self frequently.

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.