RIC Program 2008

Objectives:

• Offer accessible education to Pony Clubbers of all levels and Pony Club instructors to advance teaching goals of region

• Develop teaching and leadership skills through a series of progressive workshops

• Illustrate the expectations at each rating level to improve understanding among candidates, club leaders, parents, and instructors

• Create mutually beneficial relationships between developing Pony Club instructors and regional clubs

Plan:

• Offer a clinic-based instructional curriculum to address the needs of our region's clubs and members, incorporating feedback from 2007 surveys

• Provide opportunities for Pony Clubbers to practice their teaching skills by linking them with clubs that would like assistance with instruction, ratings, etc.

• Build and enhance the regional instructors and examiners lists

Schedule: (note- times are approximate)

February 9th
"Teaching 101" Dismounted Instruction
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: San Ramon Marriott

2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, CA 94583

Click here for registration

February 9th
"Teaching 102" Mounted Instruction
Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: San Ramon Marriott

2600 Bishop Drive, San Ramon, CA 94583

Click here for registration

February 10th
"Beginning Teaching Skills" D-level
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Shiloh West Training Center

10250 Crow Canyon Road, Castro Valley, CA 94552

Click here for registration

February 10th
"Intermediate Teaching Skills" C-level
Time: 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Shiloh West Training Center

10250 Crow Canyon Road, Castro Valley, CA 94552

Click here for registration

April 5th
"Advanced Teaching Skills" all levels
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Westwind Barn, 27210 Altamont Road, Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

Hosted by Pacific Ridge Pony Club

Click here for registration

April 6th
"Standards and Ratings Clinic" all levels
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Kiely Equestrian Center, 3375 Tripp Rd, Woodside, CA 94062

Hosted by Woodside Pony Club

Click here for registration

General Information:

Clinics are open to everyone. They are free, but pre-registration is requested. Current Pony Clubbers, please read the clinic descriptions thoroughly and decide which clinics/levels are most appropriate for you. Instructors will find that the April 5th and 6th clinics are the best suited for continuing education and to remain current with the Pony Club curriculum.

Registration:

Links to register for the clinics will be emailed to the region and also provided on the regional website, starting in mid-January for the February clinics.

Clinic Descriptions:

Teaching 101- Dismounted Instruction:

This half-day clinic is intended as an introduction to teaching dismounted instruction. It is best suited for D-3 and C-1 level members who have little to no teaching experience. The clinic will cover the basics of developing lesson plans and teaching skills.

Teaching 102- Mounted Instruction:

This is a half-day lecture-based clinic to introduce mounted teaching skills. It is intended for members at the C levels who have already had experience teaching dismounted instruction. Participants from the morning session on dismounted lessons are also welcome to stay and attend this session. It will cover the teaching expectations at the HB and HA tests. Upon completion of this clinic, participants will be prepared to develop a mounted lesson plan that can be used for the next day's Teaching Skills clinic.

Beginning Teaching Skills- D level:

This half-day clinic is intended for participants who have completed "Teaching 102" and/or those who have an understanding of teaching skills but have had limited experience with mounted lessons. It is intended to provide a safe, comfortable learning environment to practice teaching beginning riders. This is a hands-on clinic and participants will have the opportunity to teach a small group of riders.

Intermediate Teaching Skills- C level:

This half-day clinic is for Pony Clubbers who have had some teaching experience and are ready to work with more advanced riders. It is an excellent preparation for H-A candidates as well as those looking to advance their teaching skills and gain useful feedback. Participants who complete this clinic will have the option of being added to the list of regional instructors.

Advanced Teaching Skills:

This is a day-long clinic intended for instructors and examiners. It will focus on evaluating riders to the standards to determine their readiness for ratings, as well as identifying exercises to improve riders at all levels. It will include hands-on practice. Participants in the February Teaching Skills workshops are encouraged to practice their skills in the intervening time and then attend this clinic to further develop their eye and communication skills. Participants who complete this clinic will be included on regional instructors and/or examiners lists if they choose.

Standards and Ratings Clinic:

This clinic is intended to illustrate the Pony Club Standards to candidates, parents, club leaders, and instructors. It will include demonstration riders at each level and a discussion of the expectations at each level. For those who have attended clinics in the past, it will be slightly modified to hopefully improve effectiveness.