USPC New Member Booklet a GUIDE to MEMBERSHIP USPC New Member Booklet a GUIDE to MEMBERSHIP
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USPC New Member Booklet A GUIDE TO MEMBERSHIP USPC New Member Booklet A GUIDE TO MEMBERSHIP This book belongs to Mounted and Unmounted Meetings Important and other club activities Information _____________________________ January _____________________________________ _____________________________________ District Commissioner (DC) _____________________________________ Name _________________________________________ February _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Address _______________________________________ _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ March _____________________________________ Phone_________________________________________ _____________________________________ Email _________________________________________ _____________________________________ April _____________________________________ Regional Supervisor (RS) _____________________________________ Name _________________________________________ _____________________________________ Address _______________________________________ May _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ Phone_________________________________________ _____________________________________ Email _________________________________________ June _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Instructor _____________________________________ Name _________________________________________ July _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Address _______________________________________ _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ August _____________________________________ Phone_________________________________________ _____________________________________ Email _________________________________________ _____________________________________ September _____________________________________ Club website _____________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Other Names and Numbers October _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ November _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ December _____________________________________ ______________________________________________ _____________________________________ _____________________________________ USPC New Member Booklet A GUIDE TO MEMBERSHIP Welcome from the Welcome from the USPC President Executive Director Welcome Dear New Member’s Family, Dear Pony Club Family, It is with great pleasure that I Welcome to The United States Pony welcome your entire family to Clubs, Inc.! membership in The United States Pony Clubs, Inc (USPC). You have In addition to becoming a member taken a step that will change your of your local club, you are joining lives! And that means all family over 12,000 other young people members, as Pony Club is definitely who are now members of USPC. family oriented. Your participating This is the largest youth organi- member(s) will be offered a wide zation in the country dedicated to variety of activities and experiences, the teaching of riding, mounted from local Club rallies to Inter- sports and horse management and national competition. You, as parents, will be asked to vol- the care of horses and ponies. unteer and support, but not in such a manner as to interfere Every three months a copy of our quarterly newsletter, with the opportunity for your child to learn leadership USPC News, will be mailed to you, bringing you informa- skills, teamwork, responsibility, and independence – all in tion on USPC activities around the nation. In addition, an age appropriate and safe environment. other equine resources are available from the USPC is a unique organization. We have a As national office, as outlined in the USPC paid staff of 18 in the National Office at Bookstore Catalog, and on www.ponyclub The Kentucky Horse Park, most of .org. whom are respected professionals in a member of The United We hope you will enjoy taking part the equine world, and all of whom States Pony Clubs, Inc., I stand in the United States Pony Clubs. are dedicated and caring individ- for the best in sportsmanship as well As you progress from one rating uals. This small group works level to the next, you will learn cooperatively with literally thou- as horsemanship. I shall compete for the many things about horse care sands of volunteers, some of enjoyment of the game well played and take and riding. which are also equine experts, winning and losing in stride, remembering but many are just interested and The best way to get the most out that without good manners and good temper, helpful parents such as your- sport loses its cause for being. I shall of USPC is to ask questions, make selves. friends and participate in as many endeavor to maintain the best traditions of I urge you to help your children to the ancient and noble skill of club, regional and national activities take advantage of the many opportuni- as possible. Talk to your District horsemanship, always treating myCommissioner (DC) and other members ties to learn not only horsemanship, but horse with the consideration horsemastership as well – including the care due a partner. and adult volunteers. and management of the horse, and the many varied Above all, we hope you and your family have a memo- activities in which they can participate, both mounted and rable, fun experience in the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. unmounted. Sincerely, Your Club leadership, the District Commissioner(s), can help to guide you wisely, so do take full advantage of their experience and knowledge. I welcome you with an open heart, and hope to meet you Peggy Entrekin and your family at a Pony Club activity in the near future. USPC Executive Director Sincerely, Margo Leithead 1 USPC New Member Booklet A GUIDE TO MEMBERSHIP Instruction The Standards The USPC Standards of Proficiency provide a core curriculum for indi- vidualized instruction. The Standards describe a clear progression of skills in riding and horse man- agement. The Standards also provide opportunities for goal Horse Management setting, as members are encouraged to proceed through USPC has three basic goals for members: riding instruction, those skills at a pace that is comfortable for them. development of horse care responsibilities, and participa- Clubs use the Standards of Proficiency as a plan for instruc- tion in various mounted sports. USPC is unique because its tion programs. Therefore, rating tests (see page 4) are an educational programs place equal emphasis on the teach- evaluation of the members’ progress through the rating lev- ing of riding skills, horse-care fundamentals, and team par- els. At the same time, USPC stresses that the rating tests ticipation with sportsmanship. From the moment children should be a positive educational experience. Ratings are join USPC until they graduate, they are part of a broad net- designed to encourage the candidate to “show and tell” work of activities and educational programs that promote what he or she knows. the health and safety of both horse and rider. USPC is ded- icated to developing knowledgeable, competent, responsi- Riding is a hobby, something to do for fun! Ratings are ble, and caring horsemen. USPC prepares its members in given in an effort to recognize achievement and encourage two ways to take on the responsibilities of horse care. USPC members to gain confidence, independence and good safety habits while working with mounts. Goal set- First, all clubs have a Horse Management program ting, teaching and testing are good ways to accomplish this designed to teach skills and provide knowledge as mem- purpose. bers progress through the ratings in accordance with the USPC Standards of Proficiency. The style of Horse The Standards of Proficiency describe the specific require- Management instruction varies from region to region and ments for each level. A USPC member is ready for a rating from club to club; however, every program is developed on test if he or she is able to perform the requirements for that the basis of the Standards, and the result is a common level level in a supervised teaching situation. After passing a test, of knowledge for young- a member may or may not be ready to attempt skills sters at any given rating required at the next rating level. If not, he or she continues level. to receive instruction appropriate to the earlier level until a greater degree of proficiency is achieved. Second, USPC prepares members for the respon- All USPC members are encouraged to progress at a pace sibilities of horse owner- that is comfortable for them. Older members or knowledge- ship by judging Horse able adults will assist in preparing for the rating tests. Management practices at all rallies. The competi- Knowledgeable care tors are judged within their respective rating of horses and ponies, levels on their knowl- edge and application of horse management, is basic to the sound, practical horse well-rounded horseperson. care principles acquired 2 USPC New Member Booklet A