Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care

What is the Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care Competition?

The competition features teams of three Members who demonstrate their knowledge and practical horsemanship skills taken from the Pony Club Tests over a number of rounds.

Teams compete at their Area Competition with the aim to qualify for the Championships.

There are 3 Levels:

  • Minis: Questions to be based on the Care section of the E, D and D+ Test cards and Mini Horsemanship Achievement Badges. At the Championships a small number of questions will cover all of the D+ syllabus.
  • Juniors: Questions to be based on the Care section of the D, D+, C and C+ Test cards and Horsemanship Achievement Badges. At the Championships a small number of questions will cover Advanced Achievement Badges and all of the C+ syllabus.
  • Seniors: Questions to be based on the Care section of the C+, B and AH Test cards. Questions at AH Test level should be used sparingly as not all Branches/Centres will have AH Test level competitors.

Please see the Horsemanship Rulebook on the right for more clarification of this competition.

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Horsemanship Rulebook 2024

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Eligibility:

Mini Competition – Teams to consist of three Members. Ages to be 10 years and under on the 1st January of the competition year, with one Member to be 8 years or under on the 1st January of the competition year.

Junior Competition – Teams to consist of three Members. Ages to be 14 years and under on the 1st January of the competition year, with one Member to be 11 years or under on the 1st January of the competition year.

Senior Competition – Teams to consist of three Members. Ages to be under 25 years on the 1st January of the competition year. One Member to be 16 years and under on the 1st January of the competition year. Of the remaining two Members, one may be between 21 and 24 on the 1st January of the competition year.

Image: Atherstone Pony Club – The winning Senior Competitors at the 2024 Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care Championships

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How the competition works?

Teams make their way around different ‘stations’, each of which will comprise of a different theory or practical based topic. Ten minutes are spent at each ‘station’, during which time Members are asked a series of questions to be marked by the Assessor.

Points will be allocated per section, as well as for the manner in which Teams approach the competition. One round will be chosen, at random, as the ‘tie-breaker’. In the event of a tie, the Team with the highest score in that particular round will be declared the winners.

Horse and Pony Care Area Competitions and Qualifiers

Area competitions take place between March and June, where qualifiers are based on number of entries in each class. Good luck to all still training to compete at their area. Congratulations to those that have already qualified. Competitor information will be sent to all qualifiers once all of the area competitions have taken place. The last area competition is scheduled for 23rd June.

Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care Championships

The HPC Championships take place at the JCB Pony Club Championships in Offchurchbury, in August. Each Horse and Pony Care section (Mini, Junior & Senior) will take place on a different day. Each team qualifies through their area competition, where the numbers to qualify depends on the number of entries in each area. Teams are then invited to enter the JCB Championships. For the minis, this is a great opportunity for them to go to Champs and discover all that Pony Club has to offer, before they get a chance to ride there.

Horse and Pony Care Resources

All Horse and Pony Care resources can be found in the Resource Hub via the link button below. These resources include previous years Championships questions, question templates, achievement badges related to this competition and sample questions for all levels.

Horse and Pony Care Webinars – January 2025

Trainers, Parents and Members 21st January 2025
  • Meet the Team
  • Sponsor – Blue Cross
  • What is the competition?
  • Questions/Scores
  • Assessors
  • How to train for the competition 
  • Rules 
  • Results
  • Qualifiers
  • What else is on offer this year? 
  • Q&A
Horse and Pony Care Assessor Training 30th January 2025
(by invitation from Area Organisers)
  • Meet the Team
  • Sponsor – Blue Cross
  • What is the competition?
  • Rulebook
  • Roles and Qualities of an Assessor
  • How to become an Assessor
  • What does the day look like for an Assessor
  • Rounds and timing
  • Questions
  • Sample Questions
  • Scoring
  • Ponies
  • Dos and Don’ts
  • Thank you to the Assessors
  • Q and A

Please follow the links below to sign up:

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TRAINERS/PARENTS/MEMBERS 21st JANUARY 2025

 

 

Sign Up Here!
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ASSESSOR TRAINING 30th JANUARY 2025

 

 

Sign Up Here!
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ACHIEVEMENT BADGES RELATED TO HORSE AND PONY CARE

A list of the achievement badges that will be needed to train for Horse and Pony Care.

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2024 HORSE AND PONY CARE RESOURCES

 

Resource Hub
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Competition Sponsor

The Blue Cross have been providing specialist care, services and support for pets and people throughout their lives together for over 125 years. They provide veterinary care, offer expert behavioural help, and find loving, happy homes for pets in need. Visit their website via the link below.

Blue Cross Website

Need more information?

Please see the contact details to the right.

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Ellie Saunders

Sports Assistant
T: 02476 698300 option 2 E: horseandponycare@pcuk.org
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Amelia Morris-Payne

Horsemanship Chairman
E: horsemanshipchairman@pcuk.org