Achievement Badges

Bandages and Rugs

To identify different types of rugs and when to use them. How to put on a tail bandage.

Beach Riding

Be able to help plan for an outing to the beach and choose a beach safe for group riding.

Birds

To be able to identify the following: Robin, Blackbird, Great-tit, Blue-tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Jay, Mallard, Mute Swan, Wren & Kingfisher.

Blue Cross Equine Welfare

Awarded to Members who have attained the 10 welfare-related badges listed on the syllabus.

British Native Breeds

To be able to identify British breeds of horses and ponies, where they originate and their physical characteristics.

Building Show Jumps

To be able to recognise and build various types of show jumps safely. To have an understanding of the different lines and how to build a simple show jumping course.

Camping

To be able to prepare for a camping trip depending on current conditions. To be able to set up a safe and effective campsite.

Care and Working of a Pony at Grass

To know how to look after a ridden grass-kept pony.

Care of the Foot

How to pick out a pony’s feet safely and be able to describe when a pony needs shoeing.

Clipping

The reasons for clipping, different types of clip, and what you need when clipping.

Colours and Markings

Knowledge of more colours and markings.

Correctly Fitting Tack

To be able to check that the noseband and throat lash of a snaffle bridle and the numnah are fitted correctly.

Countryside Access

To understand simple countryside access law in your country and be able ride confidently and competently in the countryside.

Dodson and Horrell

To increase nutrition knowledge, learn how to create a daily diet tailored to a horse or pony’s unique requirements, and understand why it’s beneficial to cater for individualities when feeding.

Dressage Arenas

To be able to place the letters in, and know the dimensions, of both a long and short arena.

Equine Behaviour

To be able to deal with ponies in and around the stable according to their behaviour and understand how and why they behave as they do under certain circumstances.

Equine Dentistry

More about ponies’ teeth, and some signs a pony needs his teeth checked by a vet.

Equine First Aid

To know how to treat minor wounds and illness. To be able to recognise signs of good/ill health and know about the necessary protection against Tetanus, Flu and Worms.

Equipment Safety

Created in conjunction with BETA (British Equestrian Trade Association). To know what to look for in a correctly fitting Riding Hat & Body Protector, when to replace safety equipment and to be able to carry out safety checks on tack.

E-Safety

To understand what E-Safety is and how to be safe online.

Farming

To be able to identify the most commonly grown crops and different breeds of farm animals in the local area. To be able to talk about the harvesting of named crops, including hay.

Feeding

To know the basic rules of feeding and to be able to recognise different feedstuffs.

Field Safety

Understand that some ponies may behave badly in a field, how to minimise the danger of being hurt by this behaviour

Fire Marshal

To have knowledge of how a fire is started, what action is to be taken in the event of a fire, fire fighting equipment (including different types of fire extinguishers) and ways to prevent fires. To understand the role of a Junior Fire Marshal at Pony Club camp.

Fitness

To understand why a pony shouldn’t be too fat/thin. To understand the work/feeding required to keep your pony in good condition and fit for the job he is about to do.

Fundraising

To understand the need for fundraising and be able to name a variety of recognised equine and animal welfare charities. Participate in a fundraising event for a recognised charity. This could be your Pony Club Branch or Centre.

Gold Achievement

This badge is awarded to Members who have successfully completed at least 21 Achievement Badges.

Grooming

To identify and use items of the grooming kit. How to put on a tail bandage.

How to be Lunged

Members must show the ability to sit straight and in balance while on the lunge in walk and trot, with and without reins and stirrups. To be able to show some simple suppling exercises on the move and rising trot without stirrups.

Human First Aid

Understand the importance of getting help quickly and giving the right information. Dealing with minor injuries, recognising more serious injuries and knowing the importance of keeping the injured person still.

Knots

To be able to identify and tie 6 recognised knots from a selection.

Learning Theory

To understand how ponies/horses learn and know what is meant by positive and negative reinforcement.

Loading

Be able to explain how to safely load and unload a pony into a horse box or trailer.

Lorinery

Aimed at a higher level candidate, this badge looks at all aspects of Lorinery from pre-bitting considerations to bit manufacture.

Map Reading

To be able to follow a route on an Ordnance Survey Map and to point out features marked on same i.e. railway, church, bridleway, footpath, quarry etc.

Mucking Out

How to skip out a stable and field. Some problems of not keeping ponies in a clean environment. How to lift to protect your back.

Perfect Paddock

To know what your pony needs from his paddock, from topics such grass type, fencing and poisonous plants.

Pet Sense

Be responsible for the daily care of a pet for 3 months. Produce a diary showing that you have provided: a suitable diet, a safe place for it to live and the appropriate amount of exercise.

Plaiting

To know the principles of plaiting a mane and tail, know occasions when the horse/pony should be plaited and recognise a well plaited mane and tail.

Points of the Horse

To know the points of the horse, colours and markings.

Poisonous Plants

Recognizing more poisonous plants and which of these are particularly dangerous.

Public Speaking

Giving a two-minute talk on any one of the achievement badges. The badge is designed to help aid candidates to speak clearly for Pony Club tests.

RDA Volunteering

For Members aged 12 years and over. To have a basic understanding of the work of the Riding for the Disabled Association and volunteer on four occasions at a local RDA Group.

Rider Fitness

What to do to improve fitness.

Riders Minds

Understanding mental health; what it means to be okay; recognising if you or those around you might not be feeling ok; and how to get support.

Rider Nutrition

To understand the importance of eating a balanced diet to maintain health & fitness leading towards more effective riding. To know what foods are included as part of a balanced diet.

Road Rider

To be able to apply the ‘Green Cross Code’ and Highway Code as a road user. For more information and assessors’ notes, go to the Coaching Resources page.

Saddlery

To be able to name parts of, and to put on, a snaffle bridle. To know about the care and cleaning of tack. To be able to identify common bits.

Security Awareness

To be aware of the security issues related to keeping horses and relevant crime prevention methods.

Shoeing

To know the indications that a pony needs the farrier, what to look for in a newly shod foot, and to know the blacksmith’s tools.

Showing

To understand which types of ponies are shown and how to present them to a judge.

Social Licence

To know what is meant by ‘social licence’ and to understand how it affects the
handling and riding of ponies.

Spurs – This has now been replaced with The Spurs Test.

Tack Cleaning

To know the equipment needed, the importance of a clean bit and be able to undertake a daily and weekly clean.

Trees

To be able to identify the following: Oak, Ash, Beech, Sycamore, Lime, Holly, Yew, Horse Chestnut, Sweet Chestnut, Birch, Hazel and Larch.

Trimming

How to stay safe whilst trimming and how to trim the legs, the jaw and how to bang/shorten a tail.

Turnout of Horse and Rider

To be able to turnout rider and pony to The Pony Club standard. To understand why it is necessary to be clean and tidy

Wellbeing

To know what is meant by wellbeing.

Wildlife

To be able to identify the following: Badger, Fox, Hare, Mole, Otter, Rabbit, Stoat, Weasel, Red/Grey Squirrel, Red/Fallow/Roe Deer.

Working Dogs

To be able to identify any twelve breeds of working dogs and describe in which sphere they are traditionally used.

Worm Control

To understand the main worms affecting horses, how we aim to manage worm burdens in horses and ponies and the most effective and sustainable ways of achieving this.

Yard Safety

How human and pony behaviour can influence other pony’s behaviour. Simple actions that will help to keep you safer on the yard

Bandages and Rugs

Which ponies might need rugs. To identify a tail and stable bandage.

Basic Needs of a Pony in Summer and Winter

To know what ponies need to live and be comfortable in summer and winter.

Beach Riding

Be able to help adults plan an outing to the beach and know what to take and who could help on the day.

Birds

Recognise and colour the five most seen birds in the UK: House Sparrow, Starling, Blackbird, Bluetit, Chaffinch.

Blue Cross Equine Welfare

This badge is awarded to Members who have successfully completed the relevant Mini Achievement Badges (see syllabus for full list).

British Native Breeds

To be able to recognize British Native Breeds.

Camping

To be able to assist with setting up and taking down a campsite. To have a basic working knowledge of safety and the Countryside Code.

Care of the Foot

Recognise and point to three parts of the foot. Know how and why to use a hoof pick and skip bucket. Know how and why to apply hoof oil. Know if the pony is shod or unshod.

Clipping

No badge info.

Colours and Markings

Learn about the basic colours and markings you find on ponies.

Dressage Arenas

To know the letters around a dressage arena.

Dressage Movements

The simple school movements that are used in an arena.

Farming

Identify five farm animals E.g. Pigs, Cows, Hens, Sheep and Goat.

Feeding a Pony

Feed from a flat hand. Clean and fill a Water Bucket. Recognise Hay / Haylage, Chaff and Salt. A basic understanding that water and fibre are essential to the pony’s diet.

Field Safety

To create awareness of the appropriate way to act when dealing with ponies which are turned out to ensure safety and welfare of both ponies and other people.

Fire Safety

Knowledge of possible causes of stable fires. Know what to do if you discover a fire. Recognise basic fire fighting equipment. Be aware of what you can do to help prevent a fire.

Gold Achievement

This badge is awarded to Members who have successfully completed at least 14 Mini Achievement Badges.

Grooming

That pony’s feet should be picked out every day, to recognise some articles of grooming kit and how to comb a mane and tail.

Horse Clothing

Recognise at least two types of rug. Recognise at least two types of exercise boot. Recognise a tail bandage. Know how to fasten a rug. Have knowledge of how to measure a pony to fit a rug.

Leading and Handling

How to put on a head collar, lead and tie up a pony.

Learning Theory

What a reward is for a pony and when to give a reward.

Loading

Understand how to help and be safe when your pony is being loaded or unloaded by an adult.

Mucking Out

Why stables and fields should be kept clean. What tools to use. How to skip out a stable and field.

Pet Sense

Be responsible for the daily care of a pet for one month. Explain how and when you feed and clean its home. Take photographs of your pet during exercise, play and training, if appropriate. Recognise if your pet was unwell or injured and where you would get help and advice.

Plaiting

Explain why you might plait horses’ manes or tails. Show how to plait using baling twine and a plaiting band. On a drawing of an outline of a horse, draw on plaits and colour in the picture.

Points of Tack

Show and name: Bridle: reins, noseband; Saddle: stirrup, girth and pommel.

Points of the Pony

Learn what the different parts of the pony are called.

Poisonous Plants

How to recognise some plants that are poisonous to ponies and how to dispose of these plants.

Ponies’ Teeth

That ponies have two types of teeth which gradually erupt from the jaw throughout the pony’s life and need to be checked ever year for sharp edges.

Pony Behaviour

Learn how your pony is feeling.

Pony Health

To know if your pony has signs of good health.

Rider Safety

What it is safe to wear around ponies, where it is safe to walk around ponies, how close it is safe to ride to the pony in front.

Road Rider

Learn the basics of riding on the road and how to keep yourself safe and communicate to traffic.

Sequence of Footfalls

Learn the amount of beats for each pace. In a group of four (one person per foot), shake a bottle of pebbles when that foot should touch the floor for each pace.

Social Licence

To know that we must be always kind towards our ponies, if we are not, people may
be watching us and think we should not ride ponies.

Tack Cleaning

Know why you should clean tack, the tack cleaning equipment needed and how to wash a bit and brush a girth.

Trimming

No badge info.

Wellbeing

To understand what you need to do to help your wellbeing.

Wildlife

Learn what eight species of wild animal look like, where they live and what they eat.

Working Dogs

To recognise at least four working dogs. Have knowledge of what a working dog does. Collect pictures from a magazine or draw the working dogs and say what job they might do.

Yard Safety

How to be alert for danger at all times, what steps to take to stay safe.

Bandages and Rugs

How to put on stable and travel bandages. How to apply travel boots. How to measure and choose rugs.

Care of the Foot

Know the names of the parts of the foot, recognising a hunter shoe and its functions, recognising lameness and some symptoms.

Colours and Markings

To recognise some less well-known colours. Know that colours and marking are used as a method to identify horses on their passports.

Conformation

To know and understand various equestrian terms used for describing a horse’s conformation.

Equine Dentistry

Know the structure and function of the teeth, recognize, and know how to manage problems, age horses.

Equipment Safety

Know the importance of correctly fitting, appropriate safety equipment and how to check for safety and recognise any issues.

Field Safety

Further understanding of how to enhance safety when handling horses/ponies in the field.

Grooming

Better understanding of why and how to groom and which items of grooming kit are suitable for some horses and ponies.

Learning Theory

To understand what learning theory is and how it can be used to train horses and ponies.

Lungeing Equipment

To be able to fit tack and equipment for lungeing correctly and be able to handle lungeing equipment safely and effectively.

Mucking Out

To be able to muck out, keep a stable area clean and tidy and talk about the effect of dust on condition.

Poisonous Plants

To know where some poisonous plants may grow and which are most likely to grow in your area. Further understanding of when horses and ponies eat poisonous plants and what some of the symptoms of poisoning may look like.

Sequence of Footfalls

To understand and show knowledge of the sequence of footfalls in all paces.

Social Licence

To know what a ‘social licence to operate’ is and to understand how it affects the way
we work with horses.

Understanding Training

To understand the importance of the way of going in horses and ponies, how to recognise the correct way of going and to understand the application of the Scale of Training.

Wellbeing

To know what points can help with a feeling of wellbeing.

Yard Safety

To become more aware of external influences that upset horse/ponies. How to be safer on the yard.

Intro to Dressage

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Dressage. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Dressage

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Dressage. It will help them to understand the rules of Dressage and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Endurance

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Endurance. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Endurance

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Endurance. It will help them to understand the rules of Endurance and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Eventing

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Eventing. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Eventing

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Eventing. It will help them to understand the rules of Eventing and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Mounted Games

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Mounted Games. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Mounted Games

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Mounted Games. It will help them to understand the rules of Mounted Games and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Polo

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Polo. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Polo

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Polo. It will help them to understand the rules of Polo and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Polocrosse

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Polocrosse. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Polocrosse

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Polocrosse. It will help them to understand the rules of Polocrosse and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Pony Racing

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Pony Racing. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Pony Racing

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Pony Racing. It will help them to understand the rules of Pony Racing and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Show Jumping

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Show Jumping. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Show Jumping

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Show Jumping. It will help them to understand the rules of Show Jumping and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.

Intro to Tetrathlon

For younger or less experienced members who are just starting out in Tetrathlon. This badge will help them understand the basics to help them get ready to compete.

Tetrathlon

For slightly older or more experienced members who are ready to or have already started to compete in Tetrathlon. It will help them to understand the rules of Tetrathlon and what is expected of the horse and rider in order to be successful in a competition.