CANADIAN PONY CLUB ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDS

Achievement Standards are the heart of Pony Club and deserve considerable coverage. This page serves as a focus for standards requirements and related information.

Very brief descriptions of the Canadian Pony Club achievement levels and testing procedures are included here and links are provided in the outlines of each level to more detailed requirements and lesson plans. Additional information such as qualifications, tips and hints, reading lists, and specific Regional information is also available.

The official Canadian Pony Club Testing Procedures including all forms are available for free downloading. Most people with a laser or inkjet printer should be able to print them out so make sure you or your branch have the most up to date information. Due to the large size, the testing procedures are split into an A/B Testing Procedures package and a C/D Testing Procedures package.

General Testing Procedures

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 can be done orally if the rider has difficulty with reading or writing).

All tests for achievement standards of B and higher must be done by a panel of examiners who have been recognized by the Canadian Pony Club National Testing Committee as National examiners. All National Examiners are assigned a grading which limits the highest achievement level at which they may test and must meet training and experience requirements before upgrading. Most National Examiners are past Pony Club members of A, HA, or RA standing.

The accreditation and selection of examiners for achievement tests from the D to C2 level are under Regional control. Some Regions require that achievement tests at the C1 or C2 level be done at one or two centralized locations in the Region and they may require that one or more National Examiners be included in the panel of examiners.

Each Region sets specific requirements for the testers in that Region who will carry out the basic level tests. In most cases, these testers are current Active Pony Club members who have achieved a level several grades above the ones they are allowed to test and who have attended clinics or taken other instruction as required by the Region to qualify.

At the basic levels, the achievement tests are carried out at the candidate's local branch. At many branches, testing opportunities are offered twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, so that a rider can take two tests a year. Where this twice a year pattern presents difficulties, branches may offer only one opportunity, or may join forces with another branch nearby to test jointly.

D and D1 candidates can be tested by an accredited Pony Club Tester from their own Branches. From the D2 level on, the Tester must be from another Pony Club Branch.

The Canadian Pony Club marking system for practical tests is: 

10+  Outstanding
10   Excellent	
 9   Very Good	
 8   Good	
 7   Satisfactory
 6.5 Sufficient
 6   Almost sufficient
 5   Insufficient
 4   Unsatisfactory
 3   Poor
 2   Bad
 1   Very bad
 0   Not executed

The passing mark in all Canadian Pony Club written and practical tests is 65%. Passing marks in the written test and in all phases of the practical test are required for a successful upgrading. There are usually 2 phases to the practical test, riding and stable management, however at the higher levels, other phases such as teaching are added. A mark of 90% on the written test, 90% in riding, and 50% in stable management is NOT a pass.

ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS IN THE CANADIAN PONY CLUB

The Canadian Pony Club has 12 levels of achievement, E, D, D1, D2, C, C1, C2, B, B2, HA, RA, and A

The following are extremely brief descriptions of each level so that visitors can determine whether or not they wish to look at the more detailed requirements for each stage. Since they are brief, they do not include all of the requirements for each stage.

E Level

The E or ungraded level is the level at which all members enter the Pony Club. There are no requirements for entering this level other than membership in a Canadian Pony Club branch.

D Level

The D test is the first level which has test requirements. Each candidate who passes the D test is given a certificate and a yellow disc which is worn as a backing for their membership pin at all Pony Club competitions and at all further testings. The requirements for this level are quite minimal and are mainly safety oriented. All riding work is done at the walk or trot (knowledge of diagonals not needed) and no jumping is required. Work over single poles on the ground is required. Formal riding dress is not needed at the D level.

Detailed D Level Standards and Lesson Plans to help in attaining them are available.

D1 Level

At the D1 level, the candidates are expected to have a better knowledge of grooming and handling their pony and to have a basic knowledge of the reasons for grooming. Turnout should include jodhpurs or breeches and a riding jacket is optional. The D1 candidate should be able to canter in an enclosed area but does not need a consistent knowledge of leads. At the trot, the candidates should know their diagonals but are not expected to be able to ride consistently on the correct diagonal. Candidates must demonstrate basic jumping position over ground poles and over an 18" jump. A successful D1 candidate will be able to ride safely over varied open terrain (up and down hills) and along roadways.

Detailed D1 Level Standards and Lesson Plans to help in attaining them are available.

D2 Level

At the D2 level, candidates must have the beginnings of knowledge about tack, feeding and nutrition, equine first aid, and the good and bad points of stables and pastures. In riding, the candidates must have good position at the walk, trot, and canter and consistently ride on the correct trot diagonal and canter lead. The D2 test is the first in which riders are asked to jump a course of fences and also the first at which the riders must be able to safely jump in the open (cross country). From this point on, all tests include both stadium and cross country jumping. At this level, the maximum jump heights are 2'6" for both stadium and cross country jumps.

Detailed D2 Level Standards and Lesson Plans to help in attaining them are available.

C Level

C candidates should have a more advanced knowledge of equine first aid including the normal pulse, temperature and respiration rates and require a basic understanding of foot care and of tack care and adjustments. In riding, the C candidate should have developed the skills and confidence to ride stadium (Max 2'9") and cross country (Max 2'6") jumping courses with good judgement of pace and control. The successful C candidate is given a green disc to replace the yellow D disc.

Detailed C Level Standards and Lesson Plans to help in attaining them are available.

C1 Level

In the stable management phase, a C1 should have a knowledge of unsoundnesses, a more developed first aid knowledge including treatment of minor wounds, a basic knowledge of conditioning a horse for work, and a basic knowledge of conformation. In riding, C1 candidates should have an understanding of pace and the ability to increase and decrease pace. They should understand the sequence of legs at all paces and the quality of paces and be able to execute 20 meter canter circles on either leg. They should be able to manage 3 foot Stadium jumps with pace and authority and in cross country they should be able to negotiate a course including steep hills and banks and various types of solid obstacles to a height of 2'9" at a controlled pace.

Detailed C1 Level Standards and Lesson Plans to help in attaining them are available.

C2 Level

C2 candidates are able to work efficiently in a stable, know the principles of watering and feeding and how to put them into practice based on the conditioning and level of work for individual horses. Knowledge of care of the horse before and after competition including shipping, tail, and stable bandages is required as is a solid knowledge of shoeing, bitting, teeth and aging, and confirmation. In riding, the C2 candidates should be able to achieve some lengthening at the canter and know how to handle evasions including refusals. They should understand the principles of warmups and suppling exercises and be able to handle small fences and ditches without reins or stirrups. Candidates must negotiate stadium jumps to 3'3" and cross country obstacles to 3'0"

Detailed C2 Level Standards and Lesson Plans to help in attaining them are available.

B Level

Starting with the B test, all tests are conducted by a panel of Nationally approved examiners. The degree of competence required in both the riding and stable management areas increases rapidly as one progresses through the stages.

B candidates are required to negotiate stadium fences to 3'6" and cross country to 3'3"

A normal B test can be expected to take a complete day.

The following is the description of a B from the Examiners Handbook

What is a 'B'?

  • A young horseperson capable of carrying out the orders given him/her in the stable and of exercising a schooled horse without disturbing or unsettling him/her.

  • Performance in all practical phases to be carried out in an efficient, workmanlike manner, demonstrating that (s)he has developed these qualities through experience combined with thoughtfulness.

Proper interpretation of the standards for B and up requires much more information than for the D to C2 levels. Some of that information is provided in the B Level Standards and links to much more detailed information are available from that page.

B2 Level

The B2 level requires a further considerable increase in both riding and stable management ability.

B2's must jump stadium fences to 3'9" and cross country fences to 3'3"

A typical B2 test will take up a full day - virtually from dawn to dusk.

The following is the description of a B2 from the Examiners Handbook

What is a 'B2'?

  • An intermediate stage between 'B' and 'A' Standards. Candidates will maintain efficiency achieved for the 'B' Standard, plus acquire additional skills and knowledge.

  • Candidates will be able to demonstrate the fitting of lungeing equipment, discuss and demonstrate the lungeing of a horse for exercise. Candidates will demonstrate they are gaining experience in teaching young Pony Clubbers.
More information is provided in the B2 Level Standards and links to much more detailed information are available from that page.

HA Level

"The HA level is the highest non-riding certificate awarded by the Canadian Pony Club and is not given lightly"

The successful HA candidate must be extremely competent in stable management and have a high degree of knowledge about equine anatomy, health, feeds and nutrition, illnesses, unsoundnesses, and foot care as well as many other items related to the care and management of a stable.

A typical HA examination is extremely thorough and is about three days in duration!

The following is the description of an HA from the Examiners Handbook

What is an 'HA'?

  • Able to take sole charge of a stable in all phases of stable and horse management in an efficient and workmanlike manner for at least two weeks. These qualities are developed through experience as well as theoretical knowledge. An 'HA' can school and exercise trained and green horses on the lunge showing sound knowledge of equipment, theory and demonstrating competent lungeing skills. An 'HA' is capable of teaching a safe, interesting and fun lesson to riders up to and including 'C' levels.
More information is provided in the HA Level Standards and links to much more detailed information are available from that page.

RA Level

The RA is the highest riding award given by the Canadian Pony Club and is not given lightly.

The RA test is very comprehensive and typically lasts for two days

The following is the description of an RA from the Examiners Handbook

What is an 'RA'?

  • An all-round active and effective horseperson. Capable of carrying out the basic training of a young horse in accordance with the principles of the Pony Club. Capable of correcting faults in an older horse and improving his/her way of going. Able to ride an unknown and/or green horse on the flat and over stadium jumps at all paces. A high standard of riding in all phases, demonstrating good position, firm seat, ability to ride a horse freely forward on contact. Ability to perform all movements described in the 'Manual of Horsemanship' and 'Training the Young Pony'. Good feeling of rhythm and co-ordination, style and tactfulness allowing presentation of a polished performance.

More information is provided in the RA Level Standards and links to much more detailed information are available from that page.

A Level

The A level is the highest level which can be attained in the Pony Club, however there is no specific test or set of requirements for an A.

The A level certificate and a blue disk are awarded automatically to those candidates who have successfully passed both the HA and RA standards.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR UPGRADING

To qualify for any testing, candidates must:
  1. In the opinion of the Branch Instructor and the District Commissioner, be capable in all the requirements listed in the Testing Procedures for the Stage they wish to attempt.
  2. Have been Pony Club members for at least six months. (At the discretion of the District Commissioner, exceptions may be made for those who join at an older age.)
  3. Have attended at least 60% of Branch meetings since previous upgrading (or in the case of the Stage 'D' Test, since becoming a member). For candidates at the B level or higher, the attendance requirement is that their attendance is "reasonable".
  4. Be in good Branch standing (i.e. fees paid).
  5. Have passed all of the stages below the one for which they are testing.
  6. Have passed the Written/Oral qualifying test.
  7. Have attained minimum age requirements. Minimum ages for tests:
    (All ages below are as of January 1st. of the year of testing)
    • Stage D Test 7 years of age or over.
    • Stage D1 Test 8 years of age or over.
    • Stage D2 Test 9 years of age or over.
    • Stage C Test 10 years of age or over.
    • Stage B Test 14 years of age or over.
    • Stage HA or RA Test 16 years of age or over.
  8. HA and RA candidates must attend a screening clinic prior to the practical phase. Some Regions may require attendance at screening clinics for B and B2 candidates as well.
  9. B, B2, HA, and RA candidates must have completed a first aid course.
  10. B, B2, HA, and RA candidates must submit completed application forms together with fees and a copy of their first aid certificate.
The final year of eligibility for testing in the Canadian Pony Club is that in which the candidate is 20 years old as of January 1st.

TIPS AND HINTS

Candidate Should Bring
  • An ASTM/SEI approved helmet and shoes or boots with a heel. The helmet chin strap MUST be fastened whenever the candidate is mounted.

  • You MUST have a properly completed Medical armband for testing at all levels.

  • Candidates will NOT BE ALLOWED TO RIDE and hence will not pass the test if they do not have this minimal equipment.

  • A mount capable of doing the movements required for the test level. It is not the responsibility of the examiner to take into account the greenness of the mount etc. The mount should be suitably groomed for the test level.

  • Proper tack for the horse based on the test requirements. All tack MUST be safe and should be clean and in good condition.

  • Grooming kit appropriate for your test level, halter, leadshank.

  • Riding and stable clothing suitable for the test level. Many candidates wear sweat shirts and track pants over their riding clothes for stable work. This is acceptable. Running shoes, shorts, tube tops, etc are not suitable.

  • For all test levels above D, bring your old certificate.

  • Stable tools (manure fork, shovel, rake, etc) as required for test level. (check to see if there are some you can use already at the stable; there usually are)

  • Sufficient clean bandages and cottons if bandaging is included in your test requirements.

GENERAL TIPS--ALL LEVELS

  • RELAX! There has never been a reported case of the examiner biting a candidate.

  • THINK about your answer to each question but do not delay so long that the examiner thinks you don't know the answer.

  • Be prepared to give a REASON for your answer. This will be much more important at the higher levels.

  • PRACTICE at home. It's nearly impossible to do something under test conditions and look competent if you're not used to doing it.

  • BE ON TIME or a little early.

  • DON'T BRING anything you can't use or don't understand the use for. If your mount has a piece of tack and you don't know why, ask your instructor before you come to the testing

  • PARENTS should not normally be at the test site except to bring the candidates and pick them up. Your branch Testing Rep or D.C. will be present during the testing. If parents MUST be on the site, they should stay well away from the candidates and examiner.