Education & TESTING

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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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.swer to this item.

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, un-soundnesses,  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.

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. item.

The A level is the highest level and rarely achieved.  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.