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West Waterford Hunt Branch | ||
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You might have heard about pony club tests. Don't worry - they are all voluntary, i.e. you only do them if you really want to.
Tests are important if you want to do IPC competitions. If you look in the Irish Pony Club Guide to Competition Ages you will find for which competitions you need to have passed which test.
If you do decide on taking a test you start with the D Test since all tests have to be taken in order. An exeption is the B+ test introduced in 2007. You can do your B Test and H Test without taking the B+ test.
There are recommended minimum ages for all tests and there are also achievement badges you can do if you don't feel ready for your next test yet.
When you pass a test you get a coloured disc that you put under your IPC badge. This way everyone will know which tests you have passed. The Road Safety Test is an exception in that you'll get a separate badge if you pass this test.
If you are already past the recommended ages for the easier tests and you are an accomplished rider when you first join the pony club the club officials may allow you to do your D and D+ Tests and sometimes even your C Test on the same day - but remember if you fail e.g. your D+ you won't be allowed to take your C Test then - so come well prepared!
A lot of the pony clubs will offer the easier tests at camp. Our West Waterford Hunt Branch offers the D and D+ Tests at camp, whereas the C test is usually done the week after camp. The C+ Test is quite advanced and has to be done outside of summer camp. We don't offer it every year - only when we have a sufficient number of candidates - and it usually takes place in September. The Road Safety Test must be passed before the C+ Test can be handed out. From the B Test up tests are done at area level. We are in Area 3 and the B and H Tests are usually done in Kildalton College. The A Test is really only for those who want to become professional horsewomen and men and is run at national level if there are candidates.
For each of the tests there are test cards that specify exactly what you must know and which sections of the Pony Club Manual you should have read. You will also have to be able to demonstrate your riding skills. You will need to know the contents of the entire Manual of Horsemanship for your B Test! From B Test up you will also be expected to ride horses other than your own. The Pony Club Manual and the test cards are available from the IPC Shop.
D Test (yellow disc)
D+ Test (white disc)
C Test (green disc)
Road Safety Test (Road Safety Badge)
C+ Test (pink felt disc)
B Test (red disc)
H Test (orange disc)
B+ Test (lilac disc)
A Test (blue disc, honours: purple disc)
D Test
Your first test. It covers the very basics of riding and handling your pony.
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D+ Test
More sophisticated than the D Test but still has a very high pass rate.
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C Test
The C Test is the first of the more difficult tests. It is done at club level. Our club generally does one every year because there are usually candidates since this test is needed for Junior eventing and thus everyone who turns 12 this year and wants to do Junior eventing next year has to do it. Ridingwise you are expected to have an 'independent' seat in all three paces (if that tells you anything). You would e.g. definitely have to be able to feel wether you are doing a right or left canter. In our club training will be done at camp where you will be allocated to a C Test group. The test itself is usually done the week after camp if at all possible. Fail rates can be as high as 50% so make sure you know your stuff!
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Road Safety Test
As the name suggests this test teaches you as a rider to use the roads safely. It is not a very hard test ridingwise and more to do with traffic rules and behaviour on the road. It is done at club level. Our club usually organises one every other year. We have to get a garda officer and an examiner for this test which will be done on a public road. Among other things you need to learn traffic signs and rules of the road for this test.
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C+ Test
Serious Test! Highest test done at club level. You will need to know the same subjects as for the B Test just not in as much depth. Ridingwise you need a turn on the forehand. You also need to know the parts of a double bridle and be able to take one apart and reassamble it. This test cannot be handed out before you have done your Road Safety Test. Our club doesn't do one every year - only if there are enough suitable candidates. Special training for this test is arranged outside of your normal rallies and the test is usually done in September.
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B Test
For this test you will have to know your entire Manual of Horsemanship by heart. Ridingwise you would be expected to do a demi-pirouette and be able to ride in a double bridle among other things. The test also comprises some longing. It is very advanced and few people take it. It is done at area level. Our area 3 B Test is usually done at Kildalton College near Carrick-on-Suir at the end of July. This test allows you to teach (e.g. at summer camp or at rallies) under supervision of a senior instructor.
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B+ Test
This test was designed mainly as a 'teaching' test, i.e. it was felt that the B Test was a bit wanting on the instruction on how to teach others. This test should give you a better approach to teaching than the B test alone.
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H Test
This test is done at national level, usually in Gurteen Agricultural College, Co. Tipperary at the end of August. Only the most determined take this test.
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A Test
Seriously advanced - very few candidates since this is a test that is of an extremely high standard and only suitable for those who want to pursue a career in horses. If there are candidates the A Test usually takes place at the beginning of September. It is done at national level.
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Achievement Badges
When you don't feel ready for your next test yet you can get an achievement badge in one of many areas. These are also great fun to prepare for and you increase your knowledge of your pony and how to take care of it or of another area you are interested in. You can let your club officials know if you are interested in doing an achievement badge but they might also approach you. Our club usually does achievent badges at summer camp.
An Achievement Badge Guide can be bought from the Irish Pony Club Shop (2007 price: €10.70)
Bandaging & Rugs
Bird Watching
Farming
Feeding
First Aid - Equine
First Aid - Human
Handling & Grooming
Loading
Map Reading
Native Breeds
Mucking Out
Plaiting
Points of the Horse
Road Safety
Poisonous Plants
Saddlery
Shoeing
Trees
Wild Flowers
Wild Life
Working Dogs
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