The Pony Club is an international youth organisation dedicated to teaching young people to ride and care for horses and ponies. With over 100,000 members in the United Kingdom alone and branches in more than 30 countries worldwide, it is the largest equestrian organisation for young riders on the planet. For generations of equestrians in the UK and beyond, Pony Club has been the entry point into a lifetime of horsemanship.
History and Structure
The Pony Club was founded in the United Kingdom in 1929, growing out of the Institute of the Horse as a way to introduce young people to riding and horse management. It expanded rapidly throughout the 1930s and was established in countries across the Commonwealth during the post-war decades. Today it operates as an independent charity with a headquarters in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, and is governed by a board of trustees.
Membership is open to anyone up to the age of 25. Younger members (under 12) may be classified as “Mini” members in some branches, with activities tailored to their age and ability. Members join a local branch, each run by a volunteer District Commissioner (DC) who organises rallies, camps, and competitions throughout the year.
The Pony Club Proficiency Tests
One of the most recognisable aspects of the Pony Club is its structured system of proficiency tests, known as the Achievement Badge Scheme and the Efficiency Tests (D through A*). These progress logically from absolute beginner through to a demanding standard that rivals lower-level affiliated competition:
D Test: Entry level. Basic walk and trot control, simple horse care knowledge, catching and leading safely.
C Test: Established trot and simple canter work, rising and sitting trot, basic schooling figures, stable management foundations.
B Test: Independent canter work, transitions, introduction to lateral work, basic jumping, more detailed horse care.
A Test: A demanding examination of riding ability, stable management, veterinary knowledge, and horse care at near-professional level. The A Test is considered a significant equestrian achievement and is held in high regard by the wider industry.
Members can also work towards a wide range of Achievement Badges covering specific areas such as stable management, saddlery, first aid, and horse health.
Pony Club Activities and Competitions
The Pony Club calendar is rich with activity. Branch-level rallies — typically held on weekends — involve group riding lessons, instruction in horse care, and social time. Annual summer camps are a highlight for most members: a week of intensive riding, stable management, games, and team competitions.
Competitively, the Pony Club runs its own championship programme covering eventing, show jumping, dressage, polo, polocrosse, mounted games, tetrathlon, and more. The Pony Club Championships, held annually at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, draw thousands of combinations from across the UK. Area competitions act as qualifiers, meaning members work toward these events throughout the season.
Mounted games — a fast, exciting discipline involving relay-style races on horseback — has become one of the Pony Club’s most popular disciplines. It develops agility, confidence, and a brilliant bond between pony and rider, and the World Mounted Games Championships are contested between national Pony Club teams.
The Pony Club in the UK: Key Facts
In the UK, the Pony Club has strong links with the British Horse Society and British Equestrian (formerly the British Equestrian Federation). Many of the country’s top riders — including Olympic gold medallists — began their equestrian careers in Pony Club, and the organisation proudly publicises these alumni as evidence of the quality of its training pathway.
Members are not required to own a horse or pony. Loan animals and shared arrangements are common. Some branches maintain links with riding schools where members can participate without their own horse. The Pony Club actively promotes accessibility to ensure that cost and horse ownership are not barriers to participation.
For information on joining, finding your local branch, or accessing the testing curriculum, visit the official Pony Club website at pcuk.org.
Pony Club vs Riding Clubs
An adult equivalent of the Pony Club exists in the form of Riding Clubs, also affiliated to the British Equestrian Federation. Riding Clubs are open to members over 17 and follow a similar structure of local branches, tests, and competitions. Former Pony Club members often transition to their local Riding Club when they age out at 25. The two organisations share many values and frequently collaborate on regional events.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age can children join the Pony Club?
There is no strict minimum age — branches welcome very young children, often from around four or five years old, for walk-only activities and early horse handling. The formal proficiency tests begin at D level, which suits children who have developed enough balance and coordination to walk and trot independently. Some branches offer dedicated mini-member programmes for younger children.
Do you need to own a horse to join the Pony Club?
No. The Pony Club welcomes members who borrow, loan, or share a horse or pony, and some branches have links to local riding schools where members without their own animal can take part. Owning a horse is neither required nor expected, particularly for younger or newer members. As members progress and work toward higher tests, having consistent access to a suitable mount becomes increasingly important.
What is the Pony Club A Test?
The A Test is the highest standard proficiency test in the Pony Club system. It is a comprehensive examination covering advanced riding ability, in-depth knowledge of stable management, equine health, saddlery and equipment, and horse care at a near-professional level. Passing the A Test is a notable achievement and is respected across the equestrian industry. Only a small percentage of Pony Club members reach this level, and many professionals point to their A Test as a pivotal moment in their equestrian development.