Junior Pony Club
offered intermittently-check availability
Our Mission is to introduce children ages 6 years to 9 years, to the joys of riding and horsemanship, through a series of mounted and unmounted lessons, in a safe and controlled environment, all within the framework of the United States Pony Club.
Our Method is to provide mounted lessons which are taught by the club’s upper level members, who are rated D3 or above, and are 13 years or older. Each rider has his or her own individual instructor who leads them around the ring, showing them proper position and control of their pony, at the walk and trot, over poles and small X’s. The goal is to get the riders to a point where they can ride confidently on their own, without a lead. The Head Instructor is present at all times to ensure a safe environment, and help the teachers with any issues that may arise. A number of unmounted lessons, including topics such as Parts of the Pony, Grooming, and Parts of the Tack are given by the club’s members 11 years or older who have obtained their D2 rating. We also invite a veterinarian and farrier to talk to the children about basic equine health and hoof care.
Our Teachers are members of our club who have undergone a training session with the Head Instructor of Junior Pony Club, focusing on safety, procedures, rider etiquette and teaching methods. Teachers prepare individualized lesson plans for their charges on a weekly basis. They are not only learning how to teach, a skill they require to move up in their ratings, but are encouraging our young riding enthusiasts to pursue this wonderful sport, with a safe and positive attitude. They also help teach the unmounted sessions, focusing on respect for the horse, safety and awareness around horses, gentle and proper care of their mounts, as well as preliminary equine and equestrian theory.
Our Schedule consists of 10-12 weeks in the spring and fall. We meet on Sunday mornings at select stables in the Barrington Hills area. All lessons are one half hour in length. We do not meet June-August, or December-February. Ponies may be provided for children who do not own their own mount.
Why Enroll in Junior Pony Club?
Our Method is to provide mounted lessons which are taught by the club’s upper level members, who are rated D3 or above, and are 13 years or older. Each rider has his or her own individual instructor who leads them around the ring, showing them proper position and control of their pony, at the walk and trot, over poles and small X’s. The goal is to get the riders to a point where they can ride confidently on their own, without a lead. The Head Instructor is present at all times to ensure a safe environment, and help the teachers with any issues that may arise. A number of unmounted lessons, including topics such as Parts of the Pony, Grooming, and Parts of the Tack are given by the club’s members 11 years or older who have obtained their D2 rating. We also invite a veterinarian and farrier to talk to the children about basic equine health and hoof care.
Our Teachers are members of our club who have undergone a training session with the Head Instructor of Junior Pony Club, focusing on safety, procedures, rider etiquette and teaching methods. Teachers prepare individualized lesson plans for their charges on a weekly basis. They are not only learning how to teach, a skill they require to move up in their ratings, but are encouraging our young riding enthusiasts to pursue this wonderful sport, with a safe and positive attitude. They also help teach the unmounted sessions, focusing on respect for the horse, safety and awareness around horses, gentle and proper care of their mounts, as well as preliminary equine and equestrian theory.
Our Schedule consists of 10-12 weeks in the spring and fall. We meet on Sunday mornings at select stables in the Barrington Hills area. All lessons are one half hour in length. We do not meet June-August, or December-February. Ponies may be provided for children who do not own their own mount.
Why Enroll in Junior Pony Club?
- It’s a unique opportunity to introduce children to riding, without them owning their own pony
- Children receive supervised and safe riding lessons, from the older members of Pony Club, with the goal of moving onto regular Pony Club
- It gives parents an opportunity to see if their child wants to commit to the Pony Club program prior to investing in a pony of their own
- It’s about having fun and learning about horses in a group setting, with other children their own age