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IRISH PONY CLUB STANDARDS OF EFFICIENCY TEST SHEET 2010
'C' STANDARD

OBJECTIVE

• To work towards a secure seat in balanced position, independent of the reins on the flat and over small fences.
• To know how and be able to apply correct aids for simple movements in an even rhythm.
• To have a knowledge of the care and working of a pony kept in a field and in a stable.
• To be in control of the pony and show courtesy and respect to other people and their property.
• To be working towards Riding & Road Safety test.

The practice of bringing pressure to bear on Area Representatives, D.C.s, Examiners and other I.P.C. officials to treat as special cases those who happen to be using the test as an entry/competition qualification is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

RIDING

• Turn-out of pony and rider.
• Mount and dismount correctly.
• Show a balanced and correct position at walk, trot (rising and sitting on either diagonal, change of diagonal) and canter.
• Ride without stirrups at walk and trot.
• Adjust stirrups when mounted.
• Adjust girth when mounted.
• Understand the meaning of the word "aids" and know the natural & artificial aids for

(i) transitions.
(ii) turns and circles.
(iii) canter on a named leg on a circle.

• Walk on a long rein.
• Ride up and down hill.
• Show a balanced position over small fences.
• Jump a short course with a variety of simple fences (max. height 80 cm.), no combinations.
• Jump small fences on slopes, banks and small ditches in open country
• Show a balanced position out of the saddle at cross country pace.

HORSEMASTERSHIP

• Care and working of a pony kept in a field and/or in a stable.
• Recognise a suitable field for your pony.
• Basic knowledge and rules of feeding and watering.
• Know what and how much in kilos your own pony eats.
• Grooming - items of grooming kit and show how to use them.
• Shoeing and care of feet - know when a pony needs shoeing and what to look for in a well shod hoof.
• Discuss your pony's shoes.
• Basic care and cleaning of saddlery.
• Outline indications of a healthy pony.
• Basic knowledge of treatment of minor wounds.
• List essential items of a travelling first aid kit for your pony/horse.
• Describe signs of an unwell pony including: colic, laminitis, coughs and colds, lice, sweetitch.
• Know when to seek adult advice.
• Recognise when pony is lame - how to trot-up for lameness.
• Lead in hand - walking, trotting and turning.
• Discuss the importance of protecting legs while travelling.
• Explain how to take pony in and out of a horsebox with an assistant And do and don't of leaving a pony/horse in a horsebox.
• Show how to saddle and bridle (snaffle bridle only).
• Know the name and action of one's own pony's bit and own tack.
• Put on and take off a rug. Recognise a stable rug, turn-out rug, anti-sweat sheet and cooler.
• Put on a tail bandage.

READ the following Pony Club Publications:
'Keeping a Pony at Grass' - The whole book.
'The Manual of Horsemanship':
Points of the horse
Mounting and dismounting (Omit 'to dismount using the stirrup)
The stirrups
The position of the rider in the saddle.
Holding the single rein
Position of the rider in motion.
The aids
The basic paces (Omit 'the rein back')
Jumping
The correct approach Fig 19
Handling and leading a horse.
To lead in hand
Classification and identification.
Saddlery - General considerations
Saddling up
Putting on and fitting a bridle, unsaddling (Omit 'fit and adjust the curb chain')
Care of saddlery
The signs of good health
Lameness - Identifying the lame leg.
Loading - with an assistant.
Unloading.
The Pony Club Publication 'Junior Road Rider'
Notes on Taking C Test - Anthea Rainsbury

VIEW
The Pony Club DVDs, Stablemanagement Series
Top Rider Parts 1 and 2,
Junior Road Rider, DVD

Minimum age 12 (in year of test). Disc Colour - Green

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