It starts with a love of horses, but it’s about so much more. You, or a child you know, wants nothing more than to be around horses…to pet them, groom them, feed treats, and maybe to ride them. You’ve caught the horse bug, and we totally get it. But where do you begin?
Begin your journey with the United States Pony Clubs (also known as USPC or Pony Club). Or if you’ve been away from the equestrian world for a while, you can continue your journey with us, as well. Pony Club is for everyone who loves horses and wants to learn all about them.
Through the Pony Club program, develop a solid foundation in horsemanship as you balance horse knowledge and safety with riding skills. Horses are amazing animals with so much to offer, and there’s so much to learn about riding and horse management through Pony Club’s all-encompassing curriculum. You won’t want to miss all the fun and fascinating activities…from mounted and unmounted meetings, clinics, camps, rallies, certifications, and even national-level events, such as USPC Festival and the annual USPC Convention. No matter your horse goals, Pony Club has something for everyone. And you’ll meet friends who feel the same way. It’s where lifelong friendships are made.
Find your tribe of like-minded friends, decide what you want your horse journey to look like, and then experience the equestrian world in your own individual way while you learn things that will shape your life with horses and far beyond. After all, Pony Club offers transformational opportunities to learn, lead, and succeed. It’s a chance to be part of something bigger than yourself.
If you are trying to decide whether to sign a child up for an activity, we know your child—and you—will love Pony Club. It’s not just about learning to ride. Pony Club teaches participants a multitude of skills through our team atmosphere and develops them into well-rounded individuals who can set and reach their goals and who make a difference within their communities, and we do it all with a focus on safety and inclusivity.
As your child learns to care for a horse, they learn organization and a strong work ethic as they care for another being beyond themselves. As your child learns to ride on a team, they will be mentored by dedicated volunteers along with more experienced Pony Club members, which builds a bond and a sense of camaraderie and teamwork not found in many sports. And when a member is experienced enough to mentor others, this builds self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment and responsibility. All of the activities within Pony Club work to build confidence and character for youth members as they take these life skills into other educational experiences—such as middle school, high school, or higher education—and then into their careers. Many former youth members of USPC credit Pony Club with giving them the skills to succeed in life.
However, Pony Club isn’t just for youth anymore. Pony Club membership is open to all ages, and many adults are either returning to Pony Club or finding it for the first time and taking advantage of all it has to offer. Pony Club allows you to become a well-rounded and knowledgeable horse person at any age, while you learn transferable skills for all areas of life. From age 5 to equestrians in their 80s, Pony Club truly is for everyone.
Hear more about the member experience
When you join Pony Club, you become part of a national organization that’s also part of an international community of Pony Club organizations around the world. With instruction and competition in more than 11 different English and Western equestrian disciplines, Pony Club lets you explore and try new things. Whether you want to experience the thrill of eventing, the beauty and grace of dressage, the fast-paced fun of mounted games, the challenge of a show jumping or hunter equitation course … Pony Club offers activities you won’t find anywhere else.
