Pony Club HB/C3

[XCMachine]

Hi all! I’m a first time poster but a long time unlogged in lurker!

I’m a Maryland based 17 and looking to attempt my pony club HB/C3 this summer. I was hoping for some insight from people who have watched and/or completed these ratings.

Other than general advice I would really like clarification on these things

• I understand that these ratings are hard, but are there any numbers on how many people pass these? After reviewing the standards it seems fairly straight forward but thorough.

• I’ve been told that I should attend an upper level rating beforehand to watch by other parents whose children have completed these ratings. The only national ratings before mine would be across the country, would this be a necessary step and should I watch the ratings this year and then complete them next year?

• At this moment I am confident that I can pass the HB, while I may not receive exceeds standards on this rating I have exceeded standards on the hm portions of my C1 and C2. My C3 would feel more dicey. My horse and I are barely competing at novice and the dressage would be a struggle. We would need to make a huge step forward in dressage and refine our jumping. I’m not looking for training advice because I have an amazing trainer who is qualified to train riders and horses to upper level pc ratings. My trainer believes that we can get my horse ready for the jumping portion and that I should borrow a dressage horse. Is this normal at the C3? I would probably already have to bring my green horse for the longeing portion because said novice horse can be a nut on the longe line.

I would really love any general advice that anyone has too! These ratings are a big deal and I’m trying to set myself up the best I can.

[HeartsDesireEventing]

I took two horses to my C-3. I had to get permission from the examiners to do so, as it is not the norm, and I was told they had better both be good in their respective jobs to make it worth it. (In my case, while both horses were trained to the level, one was coming back from an injury and wasn’t fit for the jumping, and I had previously not passed the dressage on the older horse (downhill built QH but very solid jumper) and wanted to give myself better odds by taking the better dressage horse for my second attempt, which worked in my favor as I did pass my C-3). So if you are planning to take multiple horses, make sure the examiners are okay with it first.

I had not attended an upper level rating before my first one; I don’t think it would hurt, but if it’s not possible I don’t think it’s going to be a significant detriment to not go to one first. The structure isn’t that different from the other ratings you’ve done - it’s just a little bigger atmosphere/pressure since the examiners are less likely to be known to you.

[Highflyer1]

If there was one an hour away it would be a good idea to attend to watch but it’s not reasonable to travel across the country.

I failed the flatwork portion of my C3 the first time I took it (many years ago). I think about a third of the group failed some part of it.

Being able to explain what went wrong with your ride and how you are working to fix it is huge. It’s not something I’m good at even now which is why I don’t teach lessons very often.

[beowulf]

I took my C3 when I was about your age.

1. I do not believe there are statistics posted, simply because there isn’t the manpower to crunch numbers, but may be a question to reach out to USPC about. I am sure they can provide you with some guidance if that is a ‘need-to-know’. Your C manual is literally your guide: study and practice and know everything in there, and you will not be underprepared. There is nothing outside of that manual that will be asked of you. It is your rubric.

2. It would be helpful, but not necessary. I didn’t attend any other C-3s before I rated.

3. Can you borrow a horse for the C3 riding portion? I borrowed a horse for the lunging portion and I did not get any sort of trouble for asking. I had an extenuating circumstance - my long term partner had to step down just before the rating, so I took my VERY green 5 y/o OTTB. I had zero issues making this request, though my fresh little horse definitely tested both my and my swap-rider’s riding limitations ( ) . Maybe my DC really went to bat for me, but I remember the examiner being exceptionally understanding and kind and did not make me feel bad about it whatsoever.

The C3 flat work is not incredibly difficult. If you are not ready for Novice, you may not be ready to take your C3. Make it a goal for this summer to ride all three gaits without stirrups, jump up to three feet without stirrups, and be able to objectively examine your ride and what you need to do to get more out of your horse. Technically, the two go hand in hand - if you are capable of jumping 3 feet you should be capable of the flatwork.

At C-3 you are expected to be a critical thinker. Being able to explain the good and bad of your ride or lunging portion, and demonstrating clear, objective goals to work towards.

Look at the test sheet here for a good idea of what will be expected of you:

TS%20C-3%20Trad%209%2016.pdf

Just remember that the goal here is to learn and demonstrate your knowledge. If you fail, it is not a black mark on your record. You will be given feedback and your club should work to help you succeed.

[Carried_Away]

I took a pretty tough horse to flat to my C3 and did well because I was able to explain everything I was doing to get the best from the horse on that day. She was straightforward to jump, but I’d say being close to moving up to Training/solid at Training are more in line with the jumping standard expected for C3. Keep in mind you also have to jump without stirrups and jump a switch horse - I’m not sure what your experience is riding other horses but you want to be really comfortable with both of those things as well. It might make sense to borrow a “jack of all trades” that you can longe, flat and jump easily just to take the pressure off trying to feel ready on your own horse/having to bring multiple horses.

I would not say you need to attend another rating to watch - the examiners tend to stick to the test parameters so if you are really comfortable with those you should be fine. Good luck!

[lcw579]

Your DC shouldn’t give you permission to attempt the certification if they don’t think you can pass it so that should give you a boost of confidence.

Does the MD region do a ratings and standards clinic? EPA used to hold one that was very informative and included riding demonstrations at each level. It was usually held during the winter months IIRC - it’s been a while since I was DC. If your region doesn’t host something similar reach out to EPA and see if you can attend theirs.

There are also a number of national examiners who also teach lessons and clinics both for pony club and for “civilians” finding one in your area would be a great way to make sure you are prepared and will allow you to get feedback from someone who really knows what the examiners are looking for. We used to bring in Cherie Gaebel at our pony club both as a regular instructor and for ratings prep. She was a huge help. Perhaps your club could get her or another national examiner in.

In the meantime keep studying your manual and if your instructor isn’t familiar with Pony Club standards see if they will be willing to take a look at what’s expected of you in the testing too. As we all know , there’s the right way, the wrong way, and the Pony Club way!

Good luck

[Cowboy_Girl]

I took my C3 a long time ago at 16 - and passed (very well,) on a catch ride-borrowed horse.
The skills needed are equivalent to a solid Novice rider that is schooling training. The horse should be able to perform the basic test minimums so that it can illustrate your skill set. If the horse you own can’t then borrow - and explain why to the examiners.
All skills are related - fitness, nutrition, vet, lunging, dressage, grids, arena jumping and in the open AND how they are different between a green/young horse vs. mature/schooled horse vs. a horse in re-training (OTTB.)
It’s not just knowing how to leg yield properly but how and why you would approach, perform and reward the exercise on each of the above types of horses. Being able to ride the exercise, discuss the pros and cons, and then re-ride and demonstrate change/improvement but not necessarily perfection. This is the heart of the test at this level - maturity, judgment and communication
Work with your trainer on the WHY of everything. Audit all the clinics that you can and learn the WHY then go home and practice the ride, and the explaining too.

[Janet]

This makes me feel old. When I was in PC, neither of those levels existed.
D1, D2, C1, C2, B, A were the only levels, and C2 was roughly equivalent to Training level Horse Trials.

[DGEventing]

I am a National Examiner. I’m happy to talk to you more one-on-one if that would help, as I’m also in MD. Have you purchased the flashcards? That makes most sections easy since you know what the examiner will ask. You don’t HAVE to have gone to a testing; it would certainly help… Taking a flat horse is not unheard of, but we typically don’t see that for the C3.

It is very much like kids taking a test… some come prepared, and all can pass the rating, some are prepared, but then anxiety takes over, and you can’t remember the parts of a foot, and some kids did not prepare and wing it.

I would suggest you ride with multiple people who are familiar with the ratings (we have a ton in this area). You/your trainer, I’m sure, have a rapport, and they may focus on specific things, while another examiner may want something different or ask you questions in a different way that may “throw you”.

Also, good for you to be pursuing this! It is a challenging task but a fabulous notch to your belt.

[EventerAJ]

I passed my C-3 back before B & HB was separated.

I took my green-ish horse, he was competing Novice and schooling Training. However I had competed up to Training level on another horse the year prior. I was a solid Training level rider, capable of bringing along another horse to the level. Keep in mind the examiners will ask you to switch horses, and will probably choose the one that is most opposite of yours. (which worked out for me, because my switch horse was VERY similar to my earlier Training level QH!). As others said, you need the skills, but most importantly the knowledge of WHAT went wrong and WHY.

The girl that rode my horse as her switch horse over fences failed. My horse swapped leads behind (former barrel horse) on two turns and the girl was completely oblivious. He did the same thing with me, too, but I broke to trot, re-established my canter, and continued on my course. The switch rider had no idea he swapped behind, or that she should correct it. The examiners do not expect you to be perfect at all, but they want to see awareness of your mistakes and the knowledge of how to correct it.

Go to some prep clinics if they are available to you. It is helpful to ride under a national examiner who will expose your weaknesses, and give you solutions to work on prior to your rating. In my experience, having “the perfect horse” for each phase (flat, jump, lunging) was not necessary at all. You just needed a horse good enough to allow you to demonstrate the skill and knowledge behind it.

I think it’s a bit sad that ratings have turned into “horse shows” where riders feel pressured to have a suitable Big Eq mount to perform their skills. Ultimately, PC is not trying to create rider robots-- it’s looking to create smart horse people who can train a horse and teach a rider, someone who recognizes mistakes and can talk their way through fixing it. I wouldn’t bring an ultra green horse, or a committed stopper, or something that isn’t sound enough to go Training level; but it doesn’t have to be a machine to make you look good.

[trubandloki]

@EventerAJ

I think it’s a bit sad that ratings have turned into “horse shows” where riders feel pressured to have a suitable Big Eq mount to perform their skills

I did not take the OP’s post that way.

[EventerAJ]

@trubandloki

I did not take the OP’s post that way.

This isn’t coming from OP, but from a couple current Pony Clubbers that I’ve talked to. It could just be the region (southeast), but I’ve recently learned “leasing horses for ratings” is very much a thing now, that would have never crossed my mind 20yrs ago.

[Cowboy_Girl]

Amazing how things have changed - a C3 in the 1980’s was capable of bringing along an OTTB with supervision. You had a seat, where aware of practicing proper aids, could ride in the open and could be a competent ride-a-along to your vet (which most of us did.)
That OTTB wasn’t ready for your C3 test so you often borrowed from within your club, but that horse was ready for your B and A test - which was how you passed those levels, because you could train them.

[FrittSkritt]

Hopefully the examiners have also gone through some sort of training themselves on how to work with children. I had one examiner who was downright nasty and feared by all PCers as a result. It’s one thing to be tough but fair, but they were tough, preferential, and downright rude. Really soured my experience with the upper levels in PC and I continue once I went to college.

That being said, I was riding a borrowed tough appendix QH who was a stopper and crummy at dressage, so we were probably destined to fail. However, the girl with the packer passed just fine despite her horse management and knowledge skills being subpar, so I can see why people might be inclined to just lease horses.

[Highflyer1]

I don’t think paid leasing was common but we definitely borrowed horses. I got mine in 1997 or 98 on a borrowed horse I’d only ridden once after my own mare got hurt. I was lucky enough to get to ride a lot of very nice borrowed horses throughout my pc career though!

[EventerAJ]

I agree borrowed horses happened. I borrowed a horse for my C2 when my own horse was sore with a stone bruise. I think catch riding is a great skill. But the borrowing wasn’t “I need this specific horse to pass my rating” but a matter of “sh!t happens, let’s use whatever horse we can.” I don’t remember anyone feeling like their everyday horse wasn’t good enough to pass a rating; perhaps an older gelding couldn’t jump high enough, so they borrowed one who could.

From what has been described to me, there is beginning to be a culture like the BigEq, where a well-trained, skilled robot horse is “necessary” to pass the ratings. Instead of the kid working hard on the flat to make the little QH be the best he can be, kid borrows a 2nd level WB to pass the flat portion.

[Mango20]

I got to H-A myself, back in the olden days.

Years later, I was a club DC, and got my kid through the C-3. I brought two kids to their HB (approx 2015), and at that one, only about 3 out of 12 passed, including both from my club. Some did well enough that they could retest a section, or redo and turn in their record books again. Many were just unprepared, and many couldn’t explain their reasons, which goes a long way. A few years later, three girls from my club tried and only one passed.

My kid failed the C3 before passing the next year (2019). It was really pretty minor things the examiners thought just weren’t quite up to the standards. I did not disagree, but it was close enough to go for it and hope for the best. In the failing year, they got a bad deal on the horse swap for jumping and were not able to polish that turd for a good ride, but that wasn’t the only section they didn’t pass. We brought a 14.3 hand training level eventer speed demon to both tests but rode a lot of other big, slow horses in preparation for the test, assuming the examiners will want to test you on a horse very different than your own. Strangely, in the successful rating, their group had two ponies in it, which were the switch rides for dressage and jumping that time. It was suggested that maybe we should borrow a different horse, but we stuck with the horse we have until they were both prepared to meet the standards. In that testing, I’d say 1/3 to 1/2 passed.

I would definitely not suggest doing both the HB and C3 in the same weekend. They are both a lot, and a huge step up from the C2. Go for the HB first since you feel better about it, then focus on the C3. Go to any prep clinics you can! The Virginia region used to have good ones if your region doesn’t. Get local instructors who are national examiners to see how you’re doing as you prepare. Practice your bandaging over and over again for the C3, and get a national examiner to check your work. Lots of people have to redo these or fail on the bandaging. Build a binder separated by tabs of each section in the HB standards. Make sure you really know and can explain all of the subjects and are not just parroting back answers from the flash cards. Go to barns and practice assessing conformation and age by teeth on real horses that you don’t own. Ask your farrier to show you how to remove a shoe and let you try removing one. Good luck! It’s a lot of work, but if you put in the time preparing, you can do it.

[Blugal]

I did Pony Club from 1993-2001. There was occasionally a substitution for a lame horse in the C levels and below. Once I got to B level, various people were borrowing or leasing horses as needed. Back then you could only test until you were 21, so there was a real time crunch to get testing done.

I borrowed a “made” horse for my B2, because my OTTB was too green. The “made” horse wasn’t an easy horse to ride, and the person who got him as a switch horse at our test failed her flat on him. She was quite philosophical about it, she understood what happened, and persevered with her riding, going on to event at Advanced with a young horse she brought along, fairly shortly after.

My OTTB progressed and I did my A test on him. Wasn’t easy though - I failed my flat the first time as we both were just “on the edge” of being competent at the level, and had a few bobbles.

All of that is to say - an experienced horse may or may not be helpful, and it certainly isn’t necessary. Take everyone’s advice, prepare as best you can, do your best on the day. If it doesn’t go your way - it’s ok. Sometimes it doesn’t all come together on the day. With no age limit, hopefully you can plan the best path for yourself!

[DGEventing]

You want a horse that can show you off as a rider. However, I’ve had multiple students go with stereotypical pony club horses (think backyard pony clubbers) and they have done fine with unconventional horses because they could analyze and talk through their ride.

[joiedevie99]

My horse was injured weeks before my C3 (in the 90’s). My RS offered to let me test on her daughter’s horse (having seen me ride at the regional prep clinic earlier in the season, which is how you got approved to attend a regional/national rating back then in my region). We weren’t perfect after two practice rides, but we passed. The common guidance back then was that you had to be competing novice to do your C3.

There is no harm in focusing on one rating in a year. I took my B and HA (HB didn’t exist yet) in the same season, and while the HA went fantastic (exceeds on teaching, longing), I ended up failing the flat work on my B (on a jumper that I leased solely for the rating because he was the only horse I could afford that could jump the height - my horse never came back from said injury the year prior). I was burnt out and frustrated with meshing some of the pony club way with my newfound pursuits in the jumpers, and never went back to retake that section.