French Creek Pony Club was established over 20 years ago. Our members range in age from 8 on up and encompass a wide range of riding abilities from beginners riding over group poles to the older kids competing at recognized events.
It is not necessary for a child to own a horse or pony but they must have access to one when required. Programs are offered in dressage, cross country, show jumping, mounted games, tetrathlon. quiz, vaulting, fox hunting and polocrosse.
During "unmounted meetings" members learn about feeding, shoeing, vet care and other areas of horse management. French Creek uses a curriculum approach that is designed to teach horse management to the members based on the level that they have currently rated to. This allows for the older, more experienced members to receive the level of instruction appropriate for their goals as well as not overwhelming for the younger, less experienced members. One of the goals of French Creek is to not only develop the horse management and riding abilities of members but to also enable leadership skills -- this is developed as the members progress through the various rating levels (examples of this being oral presentations by the older members and the development of teaching skills -- both of horse management and riding instruction). The unmounted meeting program also includes the United States Pony Club Manual and club certification prep clinics and study groups.
During "mounted meetings" members are grouped according to their riding ability and are provided one to two group lessons per month typically on either Saturday or Sunday. The monthly lesson plans are developed to ensure adequate riding preparation of the members to support the United States Pony Club certification goals. Lessons over the year can include flatwork, jump exercises, cross country schooling, dressage as well as "fun events" including the annual Halloween party where mounts get dressed up in costumes too!
It is not necessary for a child to own a horse or pony but they must have access to one when required. Programs are offered in dressage, cross country, show jumping, mounted games, tetrathlon. quiz, vaulting, fox hunting and polocrosse.
During "unmounted meetings" members learn about feeding, shoeing, vet care and other areas of horse management. French Creek uses a curriculum approach that is designed to teach horse management to the members based on the level that they have currently rated to. This allows for the older, more experienced members to receive the level of instruction appropriate for their goals as well as not overwhelming for the younger, less experienced members. One of the goals of French Creek is to not only develop the horse management and riding abilities of members but to also enable leadership skills -- this is developed as the members progress through the various rating levels (examples of this being oral presentations by the older members and the development of teaching skills -- both of horse management and riding instruction). The unmounted meeting program also includes the United States Pony Club Manual and club certification prep clinics and study groups.
During "mounted meetings" members are grouped according to their riding ability and are provided one to two group lessons per month typically on either Saturday or Sunday. The monthly lesson plans are developed to ensure adequate riding preparation of the members to support the United States Pony Club certification goals. Lessons over the year can include flatwork, jump exercises, cross country schooling, dressage as well as "fun events" including the annual Halloween party where mounts get dressed up in costumes too!
