Tetrathlon

What is Tetrathlon?

Tetrathlon  is a team and individual competition comprised of  Shooting, Swimming, Running and Riding. It is a variant of, and major recruiting ground for the Olympic sport Modern Pentathlon. Competition levels progress with age. The Shoot involves shooting with air pistols at targets between 7 and 10 metres, the Swim is the distance swum in 2 to 4 minutes, the Run is normally cross country over a distance of between 1000m and 3000m, and the Ride is over a cross country course, the most exhilarating phase for many.

Classes are arranged as follows:

• Open (25 and Under)

• Intermediate (25 and Under)

• Junior (14 and Under)

• Minimus (11 and Under)

• Tadpoles (9 and Under)

• Beanies (7 and Under)

Tetrathlon punches well above its weight in terms of fun, inclusiveness, team ethos, training, parties, voluntary parent involvement, International competitions and exchanges, the development of enduring, geographically widespread friendships and the commitment until the last minute possible of many senior Pony Club members.

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Tetrathlon Rulebook 2024

How Do I Get Involved?

Tetrathlon is well-represented across the UK, so have a chat with your Branch/Centre to see what events they have coming up. If your club doesn’t offer Tetrathlon training or competitions, don’t worry – speak to your Area Tetrathlon Coordinator who will point you in the right direction (see contacts at the bottom of this page)!

If you’re a non-riding member (or just want to focus on the non-riding sections), you can still get involved by competing in The Pony Club Winter Triathlon (Shoot, Run and Swim). Its open to competitors from 8 years old upwards and is a great introduction to Tetrathlon.

Please see below a link to the Tetrathlon Area Competitions.

How Do I Progress Further?

Tetrathlon offers a number of great opportunities for members wanting to progress in the sport:

Many branches host competitions throughout the year. The Pony Club Area Tetrathlon competitions are held from May to July in each Pony Club Area in the country, though some Areas club together to run a combined competition. Teams and Individuals that do best at these competitions qualify for the Tetrathlon Championships.

The Pony Club Tetrathlon Championships, held annually in August, attract several hundred members from across the UK to compete each year.

The Pony Club Tetrathlon International Exchange is an invitational competition occurring every other year, where members are selected to represent the UK and visit a host country to compete against other nations

Former Pony Club tetrathletes have also enjoyed success elsewhere. Kate Allenby won a bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Modern Pentathlon, Gorgs Geike won pistol shooting bronze medals in the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games, while Laura Deas swapped her horse for a bobsled and won skeleton bronze at the 2018 Winter Olympics!

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Key Competitions & Events

Area Competitions

Generally between May and July, the Area competitions are the qualifiers for the Pony Club Championships. Areas run their competitions over this period, where members can qualify for the Championships through various different qualifying routes (please see rulebook for qualifying rules).

Tetrathlon Championships

Generally staged in early August, the Championships are the culmination of the Tetrathlon year. Those who have qualified at their Area competitions converge from all over the UK to compete for top honours as Individuals and Teams over a four day period.

Winter Triathlon

The Winter Triathlon consists of the running, shooting and swimming phases of Tetrathlon. Qualifying competitions take place in each Area and the qualifying members are invited to compete at the finals in March. There are 3 levels of competition which are: Minimus for the 8-11 year olds, Junior for the 14 and under and Open for all members 25 and under. Each level is split into a boys and a girls competition. Click on the link below to access our dedicated Winter Triathlon page.

Winter Triathlon
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Regional Competitions

Tetrathlon at Royal Windsor Horse Show

We have been fortunate to be invited to compete at Windsor for many years. The prestigious show, generally staged in early to mid May, is an opportunity to showcase Tetrathlon, and indeed The Pony Club to a wider audience. Teams of three are selected to represent eight UK regions, namely Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Borders, and then Northern, Central, Eastern, Southern and South West England. This is only open to Junior Members who haven’t competed in Tetrathlon at Royal Windsor Horse Show before.

Junior Regionals

2025 Date – 30th May – 1st June
The Junior Regional Tetrathlon Competition is one of the most exciting competitions on the Tetrathlon Calendar. Held annually at Moreton Morrell, it attracts talented young athletes from across the UK and Ireland, offering a challenging yet fun environment for participants to showcase their skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship on an international stage.

Senior Regionals

The Senior Regional Tetrathlon is a competitive multi-discipline event for older Pony Club members, featuring shooting, swimming, running, and a demanding cross-country riding phase. This event allows Senior athletes to demonstrate their skills and endurance, competing at a high level while fostering camaraderie and team spirit. With challenging courses and intense competition, it serves as a key event for riders looking to excel in tetrathlon and build valuable life skills.

Stepping Stones Competition

This class is now firmly established as a fixture for Mini Tetrathletes to cut their teeth at the Championships. The ride course is an 80cm Arena Eventing Test in a grass arena over a mixture of show jumps and fixed cross country fences. A slip rail and halt box is included. This is great for Tetrathletes who are aiming to ride over the 90cm cross country course the following year.

The Pony Club International Alliance Tetrathlon Championships 2024

The Tetrathlon International in 2024 was shared with the UK Pony Club and Republic of Ireland. Competitors were invited from the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland). The Pony Club Exchange started at the Irish Tetrathlon Championships the last weekend in July. It then moved North to the Senior International Tetrathlon at Necarne, before coming to England for the Tetrathlon Championships at Offchurch Bury. As joint hosts, the UK will had two teams of boys and two teams of girls, all with five members in each team.

Pony Club Tetrathlon Exchange – Australia 2026

The Tetrathlon International in 2026 will be hosted by Australia. Competitors will be invited from the United States of America, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland).

Places for these teams will be decided following a selection event in early 2026 (exact dates to follow). Places on the training weekend will be by invitation, following the Championships in August 2025. Full selection criteria is available through the link below.

Find out more about International Pony Club Competitions Tetrathlon Exchange Criteria 2026

Need More Information?

Area Coordinators

The Tetrathlon Co-ordinators are the eyes and ears in each of their areas overseeing competitions, training and events; and can help Branches and Centres get started in Tetrathlon or progress up the levels. They can also help with preparing for new rule changes.
Below are the contact details for each Co-ordinator

Diving Certificates

From the 1st April 2024, all competitors who wish to dive, either from blocks or from the side of the pool, will need to have the relevant Swim England or Swim Teachers Association certificate as stated in the 2024 rule book. This is for all competitions. There is, of course, no restriction on competitors starting in the water.

Shooting Coaches/Instructors

Please see the sport-specific training page for more information about shooting coaches and instructors.

Tetrathlon Coordinators Tetrathlon Shooting Courses

Contacts

If you need more information, please see the contacts to the right.

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Ellie Saunders

Sports Assistant
T: 02476698300 E: tetrathlon@pcuk.org
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Mandy Donaldson

Tetrathlon Chairman (Volunteer)
E: tetchairman@pcuk.org