Ai longed for PC as a teen. Read all the books and stories, made sure I could do things the “Pony Club Way” and just really wanted to know other kids who rode and ride with them. I got their manual and read it like a bible. So what I love as an outsider is this: there is a Correct way to do things. I still clean my tack after every ride and hang it up wrapped PC style. I still think that there is such a thing as Horsemanship and I should always strive to ride correctly, keep my horse correctly and honor them by being well turned out. I never was a Pony Clubber, but that ideal still lives with me in my 13 year old self.
I also loved this book “Fly By Night” by K.M. Peyton and it was about a poor girl who gets to join Pony Club. I read it over and over.
Oh, this is so cool! How regularly do you see Senior members at national-level certifications? (I imagine that most of those who go are the over-18s/under-25s who would at one point have been aged out, but if you happen to have an idea of how many > 25yos, I’m very curious about that too…)
I’m also super curious about this. I Wendy back and got my B at 23 when the first upped the age limits. I’d like to go back for my A since for the first time in my life I have a horse who might actually be able to do it.
Since I did my ratings under the old system I think I would be considered on the Eventing tract? And I suppose I need to get my H first. I’d love it if I could do my testing with some other mature ladies, but at the national level exams those kids are pretty serious horsemen anyway.
I’ve attended four national ratings in the past 4 years. At least one of them involved an examiner from SC, so maybe DURAMAX? I did not see any older adult candidates at any of them. There were plenty of young adults (18-25 or so), and I don’t think anyone younger than 15. However, it’s not like you’re hanging out and having a good time at upper level ratings. They’re pretty full and stressful days.
@jonem004 Yes, you would still be on the eventing/traditional track. If you wanted to switch to something else, you’d have to take the earlier tests for that, too. I think you’d have to go back to that specific track at C1 or C2. I can’t seem to find the answer on the USPC site at the moment. So, your rating could potentially by HB-HM, B-Eventing, C1-Dressage, or something similar.
You mean it isn’t sitting about drinking pina coladas and getting foot rubs? Well, I quit!
Just kidding, of course. In all seriousness, really useful data point–thank you! Should I make it to that point, I have zero problem being the only overgrown PC’er at a national rating, but I was curious as to how many fools like me aspire and also make it. Sounds like not a lot.
I can’t wait for my life to calm down enough that I can join the Serendipity Adult Pony Club. Between my PhD and work and my son’s Pony Club/4H/FFA obligations I can’t do it right now. But maybe in two more years if things will slow down…
