Frequently Asked Questions

Suitable Pony Club Mounts

  1. Stallions are not considered suitable mounts.
  2. Mounts must be serviceably sound, in good overall health and in condition for the activity in question.
  3. Mounts must be appropriate for the rating level of the rider and must be at a level of training to participate safely in the activity.
  4. Mounts must be at least five (5) years of age in order to participate in USPC competitive, instructional, and recreational programs and activities. Bs and above are allowed to participate in noncompetitive programs on horses or ponies that are four(4) years of age. In establishing the age of mounts, the first year is considered to be January 1 following the date of foaling.

Arena Etiquette

(Both in the Competition Warm-Up and “Just at Home”)

  1. Pass left shoulder (hand) to left shoulder.
  2. When walking, stay well to the inside of the track, so that those who are working may make use of it. Also, if you are going to halt, rein-back, etc., either come in off track or do it on the short ends of the arena.
  3. Lateral movements (especially the shoulder-in and the haunches-in which usually are done along the wall) have the right of way.
  4. Do not cut someone off.
  5. Look where you are going and where others are going.
  6. If you notice that someone is not looking where they are going, say in a loud voice, “heads up!”
  7. If you should lose control of your horse, warn others by saying in a loud voice, “heads up!”
  8. Never assume just by saying “heads up!” that you automatically are safe or free to do anything you want.
  9. Do not gallop around in a crowded arena (or near places where people are warming up or where horses might be tied to trailers, etc.).
  10. Longeing a horse in the Warm-up arena at a competition is not allowed. Find out where longeing is permitted. It is also not a good idea to longe in an arena where other people are riding as it often is very dangerous (or selfish since it takes up an enormous amount of space!).
  11. Remember – be polite and forgiving – we all make mistakes!

Information about Junior Board Scholarships

Regional Camp: $200
Eventing: $150
Show jumping: $75
Dressage: $75
D1 Jamboree (North): $50
D1 Jamboree (South): $50

Applications will be at Quiz Rally on March 1st & 2nd. The deadline for return is April 25th. Notification of winners will be publicized by the latest May 25th. You may only win one scholarship. Please see Evelyn (Bits and Saddles PC), Bree (Lake Superior PC) or, Kelly (Lake Superior PC). All three will be at quiz, and will have scholarship applications with us. Return addresses will be on the Application forms.

Have Fun and Decide which Scholarship you would want!!

Upper Level Testing Deadlines

To date we will be using the application deadlines for upper level tests that were in effect in 2007. These are listed in the Testing Information 2007 (located on the USPC website> Forms Page> under ‘T’) and on the Candidate application. Application deadlines that fall outside of this are noted on the Testing Schedule (located on the USPC website> Front Page> under ‘Opportunities and Events’ > Testing Schedule).

Note: The January 15th deadline has been extended to Feb. 1st

Upper Level Testing Application Deadlines (postmarked by):
For H-B, C-3, B, H/H-A and A:
(tests held between January 1st – May 31st )..January 15th
or 8 weeks prior to test date as indicated on the Testing Schedule
(tests held between June 1st – December 31st)..April 15th
or 8 weeks prior to test date as indicated on the Testing Schedule

Note: The Testing Information document for 2008 will be updated and posted on the Forms Page immediately following the Annual Meeting. We are following the Testing Information 2007 until that update. Thank you and we send best wishes to your upper level testing candidates in 2008.

Credit for Pony Club Activities

This is in response to a request to obtain high school PE credit for Pony Club activities. On the web site forms page, under “R,” there is a document called “RS Recommendation Letter.” While it is usually used for youth looking for National Honor Society credentials or college recommendations, the letter could be ‘tweaked’ a bit by the RS (or perhaps the DC) to highlight the level of equestrian expertise of a member wishing PE credit.

As mentioned in the letter as it currently reads, I would suggest sending a copy of the Standard of Proficiency for which the member aspires. For example, if a member is working on a Traditional B rating, that member must be able to do: (list or highlight requirements). Additionally, copies of the member’s Horse Health and Maintenance Record Book pages on riding activities, conditioning activities and general riding notes should be included. List lessons, competitions, warm up schedules—anything that pertains to the level of training necessary as the member prepares for the next level.

It is also recommended to list any lessons the member may be teaching and daily hands-on health care of the member’s horse. Also mentioned in the RS Letter is a suggestion to include a copy of the ‘USPC Facts’ sheet; it wouldn’t hurt to send in the page of USPC Alumni Olympians at the same time. Both of these are available under “P” for PR.

Strategies to Prevent Heat Stroke in Horses & What to do if it Happens

  • Provide ample fresh clean water. Check daily that buckets or troughs are not contaminated with bird droppings, insect larvae, chaff, or algae growth. Try to keep the water cool. Horses may not want to drink warm water. Ponies and foals may have trouble reaching to the bottom of a shallowly filled trough. Make sure everyone in your paddocks can reach the water.
  • Sponge or hose down the large blood vessels along the inside of the legs, belly, and neck. Don’t spray the horse’s face or get water in its ears—sponge them down gently.
  • If you must work your horses hard try to schedule your session for early morning or late evening when it is cooler.
  • After riding or driving in hot weather cool your horse down slowly. Loosen girths or belly bands immediately after a work out. Offer sips of cool, not cold water and walk the horse slowly. Muscles are more apt to stiffen if the horse is allowed to stand and moving muscles dissipate heat better than stationary ones.
  • Consider using electrolytes if your horse is sweating hard such as when the combined humidity and air temperature exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit or your horse will be working hard (a long trail ride or competition). Electrolytes replace salts lost in sweating. They are similar to human sport drinks. You can put electrolytes in the horse’s feed, or use a large ended syringe to squirt into the mouth. Use electrolytes made for horses. Electrolytes made for other livestock may be unsuitable.
  • Make sure there is a place for your horse to avoid the sun—either a building or a shade tree.
  • Clip horses with heavy coats. Be careful not to clip too close however, since exposed skin can sunburn.
  • Apply zinc oxide cream to horses with pink noses to prevent and treat sunburn.
  • Mid to late summer weather often means that grass growth slows down and pasture quality declines. Make sure your horse is getting enough fodder and consider supplementing with hay if necessary. Horses need energy to stay warm and cool. Adjust your feed mixture if your horse begins to loose condition in hot weather.
  • During very hot weather consider keeping your horses stabled during the day, and let them out at night.
  • If your barn becomes hot and stuffy consider setting up a fan. Make sure the horse can not reach the cord or fan itself, it can’t be tipped, and that it is plugged into a ground fault interrupt electrical receptacle if there is any chance of electrical wiring coming into contact with moisture, such as a spilled water bucket or a curious horse’s mouth.
  • If hot weather brings clouds of biting insects that keep your horse pacing and stomping try using fly sprays, masks, and sheets. Water based fly sprays may be less harsh on the coat hairs as oil based ones can cause bleaching.
  • Whether you are at home riding, or competing a bucket full of ice water and old towels can help refresh you and your horse. Place them over your horse’s neck, and your own. A drop of lemon, mint, or citronella essential oil on the people towels is an energizing touch.
  • Take care of yourself. If you get overheated and tired you may not be able to take care of your horse effectively. And you could miss warnings that your horse itself is showing signs of heat stress.
  • Heat stroke can happen to horses whether they are working hard, or standing in stuffy stables or traveling in trailers. Call a vet and take immediate action if your horse exhibits any of these symptoms:
  1. Elevated respiration in an inactive horse (normal range is 4 to 16 breaths per minute)
  2. Elevated pulse in an inactive horse, or pulse that does not drop after several minutes or climbs once exercise has stopped
  3. Profuse sweating or no sweating at all
  4. Elevated body temperature above 103F
  5. Irregular heart beat known as ‘thumps’
  6. A depressed attitude
  7. Dehydration. Test for this by observing your horse’s flanks. If they look caved in, he is probably dehydrated. Pick up a pinch of skin along your horse’s neck. If the skin snaps back quickly the horse is sufficiently hydrated. If the pinched area collapses slowly the horse is dehydrated

What to Do Until The Vet Arrives
Use shade, cool water, breezes or fans as best you can. Stand your horse in a pond or stream. Sponge or spray the large blood vessels along the inside of the legs and belly. Offer sips of water.

Half-Chaps: Isn’t “rough leather” and suede the same thing?

The final word, and the word from the beginning of the acceptance of half chaps for competition in USPC is found on the website under Frequently asked questions-Activities and states: “Attire: Half Chaps: Regarding the use of half chaps, in competition. Paddock boots with a matching smooth leather leg piece are acceptable for competition at all levels, including qualifying rallies and Championships, as well as for C-3 and above ratings. At D rallies, ratings and lessons as well as C-1 & C-2 ratings and lessons, any style, type of smooth or rough leather, material or color of Half Chap is acceptable. It should be noted that using half chaps with riding sneakers is not appropriate, unless the riding sneaker has a clear depth of heel that would ensure the chap strap would stay in place. As with all equipment, half chaps should be in good repair and safe. A worn and stretched piece of elastic on a half chap is as unsafe as worn stitching on a stirrup leather.”

A smooth leather leg piece is exactly that, smooth leather. Suede is not considered smooth leather. This can also be found on the Attire for Turnout chart on page 31 of the HM Handbook.