Efficiency / Progressive Tests & Achievement Badges

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The Pony Club Training structure encourages members to take tests which enables them to learn progressively about horse and pony care and riding. The tests are taken at recommended ages and are designed with certain objectives in mind - see below for the order in which tests are taken.

Efficiency Tests are booked differently depending on the level being taken:

E, D, D+, Road Rider, C and C+ Tests

These are organised by Branches and Centres - contact your DC, Chief Coach or Centre proprietor if you'd like to book on to one of these

B, B+, Lungeing and AH Tests

These are organised by your club's Area Representative - get in touch with them if you'd like a book a test. Contact details for Area Reps are available on the Committees page.

A Test

These are booked centrally via The Pony Club Office. Visit the A Test Training and Test Days page for more details

Progressive Tests allow Members to work towards Tests in between Efficiency Test levels E and C+. There are four levels of Progressive Tests; Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

Bronze Award

Bronze Award 3 Objectives

• To start to learn about riding ponies
• Begin handling ponies and start to become confident around them

Bronze Award 2 Objectives

• Learn to have control when riding off the lead rein
• Start to understand how to care for ponies

Bronze Award 1 Objectives

• Make controlled transitions
• Ride independently from the rest of the ride
• Start to be actively involved in the care of ponies

Silver Award

Silver Award 3 Objectives

• Have a basic understanding of ponies
• Achieve confidence in handling and riding a pony
• To improve and enjoy learning about ponies

Silver Award 2 Objectives

• Start to develop a balanced seat
• Become more involved in looking after ponies

Silver Award 1 Objectives

• To be working towards developing a balanced seat independent of the reins
• Understand elementary aids and be able to apply them

Gold Award

Gold Award 3 Objectives

• Work towards an effective and balanced seat on the flat and over jumps
• Know how to behave when riding on the roads and in the countryside
• Understand the requirements of a pony at grass

Gold Award 2 Objectives

• Improve position on the flat and over jumps
• Understand the combined system of keeping ponies
• Understand the requirements of a stabled pony
• Be courteous to other road users

Gold Award 1 Objectives

• Be in control of the pony in all paces and over jumps
• Have control over a pony on the roads and in the countryside
• Know how to look after a grass kept pony, or a pony on a combined system
• Know the country lore

Platinum Award

Platinum Award 3 Objectives

• To work towards becoming an educated and practical horseman
• To be able to look after ponies kept at grass and have experience and knowledge of looking after stabled horses
• To be able to ride at all paces over fences and varying terrain
• To be able to ride a well mannered horse or pony out hunting and be able to prepare him before the day and care for him afterwards
• To have a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline to ride intelligently and safely in a group or alone
• Ride with due regard for others in the country and on the roads
• To be able to ride safely on the public highway

Platinum Award 2 Objectives

• To work towards becoming an educated and practical horseman
• To be able to look after ponies kept at grass and have experience and knowledge of looking after stabled horses
• To be able to ride at all paces over fences and varying terrain
• To be able to ride a well mannered horse or pony out hunting and be able to prepare him before the day and care for him afterwards
• To have a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline to ride intelligently and safely in a group or alone
• Ride with due regard for others in the country and on the roads
• To be able to ride safely on the public highway

Platinum Award 1 Objectives

• To work towards becoming an educated and practical horseman
• To be able to look after ponies kept at grass and have experience and knowledge of looking after stabled horses
• To be able to ride at all paces over fences and varying terrain
• To be able to ride a well mannered horse or pony out hunting and be able to prepare him before the day and care for him afterwards
• To have a knowledge of pace, distance and discipline to ride intelligently and safely in a group or alone
• Ride with due regard for others in the country and on the roads
• To be able to ride safely on the public highway

The Pony Club offers members the chance to work towards a range of equine and non-equine achievement badges designed to encourage them to engage with training, horse care and nature.

The current badges are:

• Bandaging and Rugs
• Beach Riding
• Bird Watching
• Blue Cross Equine Welfare
• British Native Breeds (Horses and Ponies)
• Building Show Jumps
• Camping
• Care of the Horse's Foot
• Countryside Access
• Dressage Arenas
• Equine Behaviour
• Equipment Safety
• Farming
• Field Safety
• Feeding
• Fire Marshall
• First Aid (Equine)
• First Aid (Human)
• Fitness
• Fundraising
• Handling and Grooming
• How to be Lunged
• Knots
• Loading
• Lorinery
• Lungeing Equipment
• Map Reading
• Mucking Out
• Perfect Paddock
• Pet Sense
• Plaiting
• Points of the Horse
• Poisonous Plants
• Public Speaking
• RDA Volunteering
• Rider Nutrition
• Road Rider
• Saddlery
• Security Awareness
• Sequence of Footfalls
• Shoeing
• Tack Cleaning
• Trees
• Turnout of Pony and Rider
• Understanding Training
• Wildlife
• Working Dogs
• Worm Control
• Yard Safety