About Cranberry Country
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., develops character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.
About The Cranberry Country Pony Club - We're all about Horses and Ponies and kids!
Cranberry Country Pony Club (CCPC) was established in 1991 & currently meets in Berkley, Massachusetts. We are part of the Central New England Region . CCPC has 12 members ages 8 to 22 -- . Members ride on the flat & jump while developing good balanced seats - the foundation for all riding disciplines. Members are expected to take lessons on their own outside of our meetings (they do not have to change instructors if they already have one). Members do not have to own a mount, but if they have regular access to one it makes getting to participate in rallies much more fun. We hold unmounted meetings 1-2X month learning good horse management, pony & horse care & safety, "rulebooks" from disciplines such as quiz,dressage, showjumping, eventing & more. Pony Club does follow the USDF & USEA rules so when our members ride in other shows, they have already learned many of the "rules" & have great horsemanship.
Earning a Standard of Proficiency Certificate
Pony Clubbers are encouraged to work their way through a series of progressive stages of the Standards of Proficiency in ridden skills & knowledge. Certificates start at a D1 & work through horse management, flat, jumping and/or hunt seat skills with members working toward passing the standards of competency recognized throughout the world. Members are not required to participate in every certificate testing & only do so when they are readily prepared.
About Rallies
Our club competes at pony club rallies for Quiz, Dressage, Showjumping, Eventing, & possibly games although USPC does offer more disciplines. Our rallies, unlike shows, are teams of 5 members & are at the trailers with their ponies responsible for their care while overseen for safety & helped by knowledgeable adults (no parents are allowed in the competitor area). They learn to prepare equipment, tack, grooming kits, equine & human first aid kits & care for their mounts throughout the day. They are responsible for watching over hay, water, & safety with a "stable manager" who is an unmounted team member solely there for helping her teammates.
Rallies are judged by licensed, professional judges. Top scorers in a qualifying rally have the opportunity to attend Championships in VA or Kentucky Horse Park.
Safety
Pony Club was one of the first organizations that collaborated on the creation of equestrian helmets & continues the REQUIREMENT of wearing one for its members safety. The ASTM/SEI, et al, safety inspection stamp must be present in the helmet as well as properly fitted. Parents should be prepared to purchase this along with safe riding boots & proper riding attire. Medical Armbands are also MANDATORY to be worn on members upper left arm during many events for safety in the event of an injury.
Andrea Crespi
DC, Cranberry Country Pony Club
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USPC Pony Clubs and Riding Centers are assigned to one of 41 geographical regions, which are administered by a volunteer Regional Supervisor (RS) and other appointed and elected officers. Regions offer additional activities and opportunities for members and support for the club and center leaders under their administration.
Cranberry Country Pony Club is part of the Central New England Region.
Visit the region's website for the contact information for the Regional Officers.
Visit the Pony Club website to learn more about the Pony Club educational program, national events, activities and opportunities for members.