The Pony Club A Test, the highest Test within The Pony Club training structure, has enjoyed a pleasing pass rate, with thirteen Members gaining the prestigious award, and several more passing modules towards the qualification.
Providing a comprehensive assessment of Horsemanship and Training of Young Horses, the Pony Club A Test is recognised worldwide and helps open many doors for progression in an equestrian career. Several international riders hold their A Test including Nick Gauntlett, Francis Whittington, Ben Way and Sarah Parkes.
Candidates have to ride a number of unknown horses on the flat, over show jumps and cross-country fences during the test. Alongside this they must demonstrate a practical knowledge of lungeing to improve a horse’s way of going and training young horses.
The latest names to join the list of Great Britain’s top-level riders and coaches who also reached the pinnacle of Pony Club achievements are:
– Saskia Davies (Ledbury Hunt)
– Franki Jarvis (Essex Hunt North)
– Diana Bevan (Burghley)
– Alexander Tordoff (Cottesmore Hunt)
– Eleanor Simes (East Sussex)
– Greta Mason (Burghley)
– Mary Pearson (Eglington Hunt)
– Rosie Boulton (Pytchley Hunt)
– Mabel Crampton (Bramham Moor Hunt)
– Tiffany MacTaggart (Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt)
– Camilla Ramsoy (Caithness)- pictured
– Sally Butler (Quorn Hunt)
– Katie Aspinall (Eridge Hunt)
Camilla Ramsoy was the first Member from the Caithness Pony Club to achieve the A Test. Camilla said: “It was such an honour to be the first person from my Branch to pass. I drove and flew to various training sessions so it made the many tanks of petrol worth it!”
As well as working full time as a vet, Camilla is undertaking assessor training for Pony Club and studying towards BHS coaching exams.
William Blane, Chairman of Pony Club Training, said: “We were very impressed with the knowledge and expertise the candidates showed this year. They trained exceptionally hard, and our congratulations go to everyone who achieved this much admired qualification.”
A Test assessments were held throughout the Spring and Autumn on five dates across the venues of Moreton Morrell College, Warwickshire, Quob Equestrian Centre, Southampton and The Talland School of Equitation, Gloucestershire.
The A Test is the highest of the Pony Club Efficiency Tests, which begin with the E Test. They provide a staircase of knowledge and progression to give Members skills as they work their way through each level. AH and A Tests allow Members to take a direct entry to the British Horse Society (BHS) Stages 4 and 5.
For more information about The Pony Club A Test click HERE
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.