MIDDLE CALIFORNIA REGION
UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS, INC.
2008 Middle California Ratings Information
USPC Rating System
The United States Pony Clubs has established Standards of Proficiency within the framework of the international Pony Club movement as the curriculum for a program of instruction and testing of its members. The Pony Club rating system is designed to measure the progress of each member's riding ability and horse handling and stable management skills.
Each member joins USPC as an unrated member and progresses through the lower-level ratings (D1 through C2) within the local club. The HB, C3, B, H/HA, and A are all National ratings, administered by the National Testing Committee.
Rating tests are positive educational experiences that consist of riding evaluations and verbal knowledge of horses and stable management as members progress up the levels ladder established by the USPC Standards.
Felt color backing for Pony Club pins signifies the rating of the Pony Club member.
The color for each rating level is as follows:
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D |
Yellow |
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C1 and C2 |
Green |
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HB |
Brown |
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C+ |
Pink |
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C3 (Traditional / Dressage / Show Jumping) |
White |
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H |
Purple |
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B (Traditional / Dressage / Show Jumping) |
Red |
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HA |
Orange |
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A (Traditional / Dressage / Show Jumping) |
Royal Blue |
The following is a brief overview of each rating level:
D Rating
The D ratings are an introduction to the fun and challenge of riding, establishing a foundation of safety habits and knowledge of the daily care of a mount and tack. The D1 through D3 Pony Club member learns to ride independently and with control, maintaining a reasonably secure position at the walk, trot and canter over low fences. All D ratings are awarded at the club level.
Please refer to the USPC D Standard (revised 2007)
C1 and C2 Ratings
The C1 and C2 is a Pony Club member learning to become an active horseman , to care independently for pony and tack and to understand the reasons for what he or she is doing. The C1 and C2 show development towards a secure, independent seat and increasing control and confidence in all phases of riding. The C1 and C2 ratings are awarded at the club level.
Please refer to the USPC C1 & C2 Standard (revised 2007)
The C3,HB, B, H/HA and A Ratings
These ratings are scheduled on a national
basis and require a greater depth of knowledge and proficiency than the
earlier ratings. Successful candidates are competent, all-around horsemen,
active and contributing members of USPC, who participate in a variety of
Pony Club activities. They are also thoughtful leaders who set an example
for all levels.
The HB Rating
(effective 8/2007)
The HB rating covers Horse Management knowledge that demonstrates increasing knowledge and competence in the care and handling of horses. Candidates will be able to take the HB rating either before or after completing the C3. A member completing a C3 riding test before passing the HB is called a C+ until the HB is passed.
Please refer to the USPC HB Standard
Specialty Ratings
Effective 8/2007, Pony Club members may choose to follow one or all of three riding tracks. They are Traditional Eventing, Show Jumping or Dressage. The Specialty Ratings will begin at the C3 level. Pony Club members will have the opportunity to take the C3, B and A test in Eventing, Dressage or Show Jumping. To view a navigational chart of these new ratings, click here
The C3 Rating
The C3 rating reflects a basis of competence in riding and horses care that will make possible a lifetime of pleasure with horses.
Please refer to the USPC Traditional (Eventing) Standard
Please refer to the USPC Dressage Specialty Standard
Please refer to the USPC Show Jumping Specialty Standard
The B Rating
The B is for the active horseman and Pony Club member who is interested in acquiring further knowledge and proficiency in riding and horse care. The B is able to ride experienced mounts with confidence and control. The B should be able to ride and care for another person's experienced mount, maintaining proper mental and physical condition without undoing any of the mount's education. The B understands and is able to explain the reasons for what he or she is doing and to contribute to the education of younger Pony Club members.
Please refer to the USPC Traditional (Eventing) Standard
Please refer to the USPC Dressage Specialty Standard
Please refer to the USPC Show Jumping Specialty Standard
The H/HA Rating
The A Rating, the highest rating is divided into two parts: the H/HA, which covers horse management, teaching and training and the A, which tests the riding phase.
The H/HA has the knowledge, experience and maturity to evaluate and care for a mount's needs efficiently and in a variety of circumstances, and to teach riding and horse care to others.
Please refer to the USPC H/HA Standard
The A Rating
The A Rating, the highest rating is divided into two parts: the H/H-A, which covers horse management, teaching and training and the A, which tests the riding phase. The A is able to ride mounts at various levels of schooling with judgment, tact and effectiveness; to train young mounts; and to retrain spoiled mounts.
Please refer to the USPC Traditional (Eventing) Standard
Please refer to the USPC Dressage Specialty Standard
Please refer to the USPC Show Jumping Specialty Standard
Ratings Tests
Each club offers ratings at least twice a year and more often if the number
of candidates warrants it. Since a club's instruction program is based on
the Standards of Proficiency, a rating test measures a child's progress in
that program.
Approximately four weeks prior to the rating, notification about the date, place, time, attire, what to bring, meal arrangements, cost (if any), etc., will be sent. Copies of the particular Standard and Test Sheet are distributed to candidates.
Whenever possible, ratings are completed in one day. At the D1-C2 levels, if
it is necessary to conduct a test over several days, all requirements must
be completed within a four-week time period.
Oral examinations are used for the Horse Management sections at all levels.
Orals are conducted on a one-to-one or small group basis at the D level, and
in very small groups of three to four at the C level. Candidates are
afforded an opportunity to express what they know.
Ratings tests cover the requirements listed on the Standards of Proficiency
for that rating level, and candidates can be tested on any prior rating
levels.
A safe and reliable mount is required for ratings tests at all levels. Any
candidate's, parent's, or DC's concerns about a given horse or pony should
be discussed with the Organizer or the Examiner well before the rating test.
The borrowing or sharing of suitable mounts is allowed at the D1 through D3 level, but only if the rider is familiar with the mount and has ridden it - prior to the testing - on the flat and over fences safely and successfully at the level being tested. At the C1 and C2 levels, a mount may not be shared for a full testing by candidates at the same testing. The exchange of mounts for testing purposes is not allowed below the C3 level.
A new USPC member who is young and inexperienced may become a D1 and then
take two to four years to achieve the D3. An older, more experienced rider
may be capable of passing several rating levels at the first testing.
However, the D1 to C2 Program Committee strongly suggests that a new
member be rated no higher than D3 at a first rating, so that he or she can
gain a broad experience of USPC.
In the event a candidate receives permission to try for more than one level
at the first rating, both candidate and examiner must have copies of all
Standards and Test Sheets up to and including the level desired. Each level
of horse management will be covered. The oral sections of each level
will be covered first. If any part is not passed, the candidate will take
the riding test at the rating level at which the oral requirements were
completed. If successful, the candidate will be awarded that rating;
if not, the rating appropriate to the riding standard achieved will be
awarded. Once the first rating day has been completed, a USPC member may
take only one rating at a time, and each rating must be fully completed
before the next one is attempted.
Subsequent testings: Candidates are responsible for, and can be tested
on, the requirements of any previous level.
Orals: Oral questioning can take place in a quiet room or under a tree,
although many questions will be asked while the horse is present in order to
demonstrate skills. Often one examiner will do the actual "hands-on" and
riding sections, while someone else does the oral questioning. In a testing
that includes several rating levels, one group might ride while another is
doing orals, and vice-versa.
Sample Ratings Test Schedule:
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Required Rider Equipment for Testing:
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D1 and D2 Levels:
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D3:
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C1 and Above:
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C2:
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C3,HB, B, H/HA, A: Please refer to the USPC Standards of Proficiency |