Horsemanship

What Is Pony Club Horsemanship?

Pony Club Horsemanship is all about learning how to care for, understand, and enjoy ponies while having fun and building knowledge. It includes activities like the Dengie Quiz, where members work in teams to answer questions about ponies, riding, and Pony Club values; learning about Blue Cross Horse and Pony Care, which teaches the importance of pony welfare, health, and responsible ownership; and taking part in creative events such as the Thelwell Art Competition, where members show their love of ponies through drawings inspired by the famous Thelwell cartoons. Horsemanship helps members become confident, caring, and knowledgeable around ponies, both in and out of the saddle.

Horsemanship Rulebook
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The Horsemanship Home International

Four Nations. Ultimate Horsemanship.

England • Northern Ireland • Scotland • Wales

The Horsemanship Home International brings together the very best Pony Club knowledge and practical ability in an exciting Four Nations competition. Being held at The Pony Club Championships on Wednesday 19th August 2026.

 

Teams will compete across 8 rounds, rotating through:  4 Horse & Pony Care rounds which are practical and theory based knowledge linked to the B-AH tests. 4 Quiz rounds testing depth of knowledge, teamwork and quick thinking.

Applications close 4th May 2026 and can be found below, Please ensure once application has been completed that a CV and reference are sent to quiz@pcuk.org before the closing date for your application to be considered.

 

 

Members Application
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The Pony Club Quiz & Horse and Pony Care Kahoot Revision Sessions

Are you looking to expand your knowledge of ponies, horsemanship, and Pony Club life? Or perhaps you’re thinking about taking part in the Quiz Area Competitions this season? The Horsemanship Committee, together with our brilliant Horsemanship Youth Representative, is here to help!

We are excited to announce a series of Kahoot Training Sessions — fun, interactive, and the perfect way for Members to test their knowledge, learn new facts, and practice for upcoming competitions.

The Horsemanship Committee is delighted to welcome Abi as our new Youth Representative! Abi has been an active member of the Angus Branch in Area 1 for around 18 years and has taken part in a wide range of Pony Club activities, including show jumping, mounted games, Horse and Pony Care, and Quiz. Some of her proudest achievements include Best Senior Individual for Horse and Pony Care (2019), 1st placed Senior Team (2023), and passing her AH Test this year.

A recent graduate with a BSc (Hons) in Veterinary Physiotherapy, Abi credits much of her knowledge and confidence to her years of Pony Club horsemanship. She is passionate about equine welfare and is excited to share her expertise and enthusiasm with the wider Pony Club community.

In her new role, Abi will act as a voice for young Members, ensuring their views are heard and supporting initiatives across the Horsemanship Committee. She looks forward to working with the Committee to help make Pony Club experiences engaging, educational, and fun for all Members.

This year, Abi, will be supporting the Horsemanship Committee in hosting these sessions and to help prepare Members for the upcoming Areas and the Championships. 

  • National Quiz Final: April 19th Holywell Conference Centre Loughborough University.
  • Horse and Pony Care Championships at Pony Club Champs

These sessions are open to all Members looking to expand their knowledge, whether you’re entering the competitions or just want to brush up on your horsemanship skills. The cost is per screen, so gather your team, join in together, and put your knowledge to the test!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, have fun, and get quiz-ready for the season ahead!

The Pony Club Dengie Quiz Kahoot Revision Sessions Enter March 11th 2026 Here!
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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 for more clarification of this competition.

 

Horse and Pony Care Resources

All Horse and Pony Care resources can be found in the Resource Hub . 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 2026

  • Area Organisers Webinar – Tuesday 13th January 6:30pm (invitation only)
  • Trainers, Members and Parents Webinar – Tuesday 20th January 6:30pm
  • Assessors Webinar – Thursday 29th January 6:30pm

Please follow the link below for registration links. 

 

Horse and Pony Care Resources Blue Cross Horse & Pony Care Website
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The Pony Club Dengie Quiz 2026 National Final

Sunday 19th April

Loughborough University
Holywell Park Conference Centre
LE11 3GR

 

The Pony Club Quiz Area Competitions

Sunday 1st March 2026

Full details, including timings and venues, will be available on the relevant Area websites, so please make sure to check these regularly for the most up-to-date information.

The Pony Club Dengie Quiz is designed to be an inclusive and engaging competition, open to both ridden and non-ridden Centre and Branch members. It offers a wonderful opportunity for young people to come together, share their enthusiasm for horses and ponies, and put their equestrian knowledge to the test. Working in teams, members can challenge themselves, learn new facts, and celebrate their passion for the equestrian world in a supportive and friendly environment.

Not only is the Quiz a chance to showcase knowledge, but it also helps develop confidence, teamwork, and communication skills—qualities that are valuable both within and beyond Pony Club life. Whether members are seasoned competitors or taking part for the first time, it is always a fun and memorable experience.

Area Quiz Rounds 2026 Dengie Quiz Website
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The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition 2026 Theme

Get ready for an explosion of creativity in the PCUK Thelwell Art Competition 2026, themed:

“Pony Club Fun Memories”

 

Every participant will be able to download a special certificate of participation to commemorate the occasion. We can’t wait to see what exciting prizes await this year!

This is your chance to let your imagination shine! We’re so excited to see all your colourful creations and celebrate the fun of Pony Club together. Let’s make this competition a super memorable adventure!

Entries for the competition will shortly, so be sure to keep your eyes open! You’ll have until April 30th, 2026, to submit your masterpieces! You can upload your entry online right here on our website, found at the bottom of this page.

 

“It was a privilege and great pleasure to be involved with The Pony Club competition and I was amazed at the range of members’ artistic talents in all age categories.   That made judging the best entries very difficult as they were all so good and varied, many showing great imagination.” – Penny Jones, Thelwell.

The Pony Club Thelwell Art Competition 2025 The Thelwell Art Competition Website
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🎨 The 2026 Thelwell Pony Club Art Competition is OFFICIALLY OPEN! 🎨

This year’s theme is “Pony Club Fun Memories” — celebrating all those special moments, friendships, and adventures that make Pony Club so unforgettable.

We can’t wait to see your creativity shine as you bring your favourite Pony Club memories to life through art!

A huge thank you to all our talented Members who took part last year — your incredible entries truly impressed our judges, and we’re so excited to see what you create this time!

🕛 Deadline for entries: Midnight, 30th April 2026

Participation Certificate

The 2026 participation certificate is currently being updated and will be available to download shortly. This is where you’ll be able to access it once it’s ready — stay tuned!

Enter Here Find out more about The Thelwell Art Competition Here