MeadowView Reins is proud to be a Canadian Pony Club Riding Centre.
Canadian Pony Club offers riders the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of horses, develop practical horsemanship skills and work toward nationally recognized levels, badges and achievements.
At MeadowView Reins, Pony Club complements our Riding Academy rather than replacing it.
Our Riding Academy provides regular mounted instruction and practical horsemanship development. Riders who choose to become Canadian Pony Club members can build on that foundation through additional Pony Club education, monthly unmounted sessions, badge opportunities and, when they are ready, Canadian Pony Club level testing.
Riders may participate in Riding Academy only, Pony Club only, or both.
Canadian Pony Club is a national equestrian organization dedicated to developing knowledgeable, responsible and capable horse people.
Pony Club education goes well beyond learning how to ride.
Members develop knowledge and skills in areas such as:
🎖️ Members can also work toward Pony Club badges and nationally recognized level testing as their knowledge and abilities develop.
Our regular mounted lesson program is the MeadowView Reins Riding Academy.
Riding Academy develops many of the mounted and practical horsemanship skills riders need as they progress through Canadian Pony Club.
Riders learn to safely handle, groom, tack and care for horses while developing balance, communication, independence and increasingly advanced skills in the saddle.
However, Canadian Pony Club has its own curriculum and testing requirements, including structured unmounted knowledge that goes beyond what can reasonably be covered during regular riding lessons.
1. Participate in Regular Riding InstructionFor most MeadowView riders, this means participating in Riding Academy. Riding Academy provides regular mounted instruction and develops the practical horsemanship foundation that supports Pony Club progression. Riders who receive regular riding instruction elsewhere may also participate in Pony Club through MeadowView Reins. |
2. Become a Canadian Pony Club MemberRiders who wish to participate in Pony Club activities, badges and level testing must hold a current Canadian Pony Club membership. Canadian Pony Club membership is separate from MeadowView Reins Riding Academy registration. |
3. Attend Monthly Pony Club Horsemanship SessionsMeadowView Reins hosts a dedicated unmounted Pony Club session once each month for current Pony Club members. These sessions focus specifically on the knowledge and stable-management components of the Canadian Pony Club curriculum. Depending on the riders and levels attending, sessions may include topics such as horse health, feeding, anatomy, tack, stable management, safety, horse behaviour, first aid, testing preparation and badge work. |
We believe strong horsemanship education should be encouraged and accessible.
That’s why MeadowView Reins provides our monthly unmounted Pony Club sessions at no additional charge to current Pony Club members.
This is our way of investing in young horse people and supporting horsemanship education within our community.
There is no MeadowView Reins lesson fee to attend these monthly unmounted sessions.
Riders are still responsible for their annual Canadian Pony Club membership and any applicable Pony Club testing, event or certification fees.
For riders who want to pursue both regular riding development and Canadian Pony Club, Riding Academy + Pony Club is the pathway we recommend.
Riding Academy provides consistent mounted instruction and practical horsemanship experience.
Monthly Pony Club sessions provide additional structured education specific to the Canadian Pony Club curriculum.
Together, riders have opportunities to develop:
Mounted Skills + Practical Horsemanship + Horse Management Knowledge + Pony Club Theory
Riding Academy will cover many skills and concepts that overlap with Pony Club, but the two programs are not identical.
Pony Club members are responsible for learning the complete requirements of the Canadian Pony Club level they wish to pursue.
Riders do not have to participate in MeadowView Reins Riding Academy to become a Pony Club member through our Riding Centre.
Current Pony Club members may attend our monthly unmounted sessions even if they receive their regular riding instruction elsewhere or ride their own horse.
However, participation in the monthly sessions does not automatically qualify a rider for Pony Club mounted level testing through MeadowView Reins.
Riders who receive their mounted instruction elsewhere and wish to pursue testing through MeadowView Reins will need to arrange a riding assessment with a MeadowView Reins coach.
Canadian Pony Club level testing provides riders with an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have developed.
Riders wishing to pursue mounted Canadian Pony Club level testing through MeadowView Reins must receive a recommendation from a MeadowView Reins coach before registering for their mounted assessment.
A recommendation is based on demonstrated readiness — not simply the rider’s age, how long they have been riding or whether they have completed the required theory work.
Before recommending a rider for testing, we consider whether they can consistently demonstrate the:
Our goal is not to move riders through Pony Club levels as quickly as possible.
Our responsibility is to recommend riders when we believe they are genuinely prepared to demonstrate the standard expected at that level.
Riding Academy provides much of the regular mounted instruction and practical horsemanship foundation riders will need for Pony Club.
Our monthly Pony Club sessions help riders develop the additional structured knowledge required for Pony Club levels and testing.
As riders begin preparing for a particular level, their coach can help identify skills or areas of knowledge that require additional work.
Some riders may be ready through their regular Riding Academy and Pony Club participation.
Others may benefit from additional preparation.
Riders may book private mounted or unmounted sessions to work on specific skills or knowledge required for an upcoming Pony Club assessment.
These sessions can be particularly useful when a rider:
Private preparation sessions are optional and are booked separately at MeadowView Reins’ regular private lesson rates.
Booking additional sessions does not guarantee a recommendation for testing. Riders will be recommended when they can consistently demonstrate the required standard.
Pony Club isn’t only about level testing.
Throughout the year, MeadowView Reins may offer additional opportunities including:
These activities give members additional opportunities to develop their skills, build friendships and explore different areas of horsemanship.
Additional events may have separate registration fees depending on the activity.
Our once-monthly unmounted Pony Club sessions are provided by MeadowView Reins at no additional charge to current Canadian Pony Club members.
Riders participating in MeadowView Reins Riding Academy pay the applicable Riding Academy fees.
Optional private mounted or unmounted sessions are available at our regular private lesson rates.
Canadian Pony Club membership is required to participate as a Pony Club member.
Annual membership fees are separate from MeadowView Reins lesson fees and are determined by Canadian Pony Club and the applicable provincial organization.
Additional fees may apply for testing, certifications, camps, clinics or special events.
Both programs help riders become knowledgeable, capable horse people, but they have different structures and goals.
Riding Academy is MeadowView Reins’ ongoing riding and horsemanship program. Riders follow our Rider Progression System, working through Little Riders, Beginner Rider, Ranch Rider, Horse Partner, Trail Boss and Performance Rider, with Bronze, Silver and Gold achievements within each level.
Academy sessions emphasize regular riding while also developing practical horsemanship through challenges and leather achievement badges.
Canadian Pony Club is a nationally recognized equestrian education program with its own curriculum, badges, level testing and certification pathway. Pony Club requires more structured horse-management and theoretical knowledge in addition to mounted skills.
Riders don’t have to choose one or the other.
Riding Academy can provide a rider’s regular mounted instruction and practical horsemanship development, while Pony Club adds another layer of structured equestrian education, achievement and nationally recognized testing.
Some riders may participate in Riding Academy only, some may choose Pony Club, and others may enjoy both.
No.
Riders who receive regular instruction elsewhere may still become Pony Club members through MeadowView Reins and participate in our monthly unmounted Pony Club sessions.
However, riders wishing to pursue mounted Pony Club testing through MeadowView Reins must be assessed and recommended by a MeadowView Reins coach.
Yes.
Our once-monthly unmounted Pony Club horsemanship sessions are offered at no additional charge to current Pony Club members as a gift to our horse community.
Canadian Pony Club membership and any applicable testing, event or certification fees are separate.
Riding Academy develops many of the mounted and practical horsemanship skills riders need for Pony Club, but it is not designed solely around the Canadian Pony Club curriculum.
Dedicated Pony Club sessions allow members to work on the additional theory, stable-management knowledge and specific requirements of their Pony Club levels.
Some riders may also benefit from private preparation before testing.
Riders pursuing mounted level testing through MeadowView Reins require a recommendation from a MeadowView Reins coach before registering.
We will recommend a rider when we believe they can consistently demonstrate the skills, knowledge, safety and independence expected at that level.
That’s okay.
They may still participate in our monthly unmounted Pony Club program as a current Pony Club member.
If they would like MeadowView Reins to recommend them for mounted testing, they will need to complete a riding assessment with one of our coaches so we can evaluate their readiness.
No.
Pony Club offers lots of opportunities to learn without racing toward the next certification. Riders can participate in education sessions, badges, activities and events while progressing at a pace appropriate for them.
Whether your rider is just beginning to discover the world of horses or wants to work toward nationally recognized Pony Club levels, Canadian Pony Club provides another opportunity to learn, grow and become a more knowledgeable horse person.
At MeadowView Reins, we’ll provide opportunities to learn and prepare — while making sure riders move forward when they’re genuinely ready.
