Kids Riding Academy @ Barnes Paddock in Angier / Coats, NC

Pony Club is one of the leading junior (children's) equestrian organizations in the world, represented throughout 30 countries! The United States has over 600 individual Clubs spread throughout 48 states and the Virgin Islands, with more than 12,000 members. 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, eventing, show jumping, mounted games (gymkhana, speed events), tetrathlon (riding, swimming, running and shooting), endurance/trail, foxhunting, and polocrosse.

PC also has a non riding competition called 'quiz'. During "unmounted" meetings members learn about feeding, shoeing, veterinary care, and other areas of horse management. Under adult supervision, the more experienced Pony Club members instruct and assist younger members.

BARNES PADDOCK & USPC

If you are reading this we will assume you have read our general information regarding standard riding lessons at Barnes Paddock.

For more information about USPC as a national organization, read more about the USPC in general, about their educational, rating & testing system and their new badge program. This is a fantastic horse program for kids!

The (USPC) program has not yet been implemented at Barnes Paddock. We are in a 'pre application' research phase. By becoming a Pony Club RIding Center, we will be authorized to use their curriculum system, and have the benefits of the support of the National USPC. If you are interested in the program after reading the information provided on this web page, please contact Barnes Paddock.

Plans for a Barnes Paddock program: Currently we plan to cater to the novice or unrated rider to a C1 level. We welcome participation by C2 and higher, we simply do not have C2 or higher school horses or in-house instructors. If you are C2 or higher you may want to consider the Shady Lane Pony Club. Our Jr Pony Club program will serve children ages 4 to 10, while the main PC will serve kids ages 10 - 21.

Our riding focus will be on versatility in english riding sports (sport horse). Before you think 'english riding' is for girls, please consider the following sports we hope to participate in aside from the standard dressage and show jumping; (opens in new window)

• tetrathalon a Pony Club is a multi activity sport including riding versatility type jump course, swimming, running and target shooting/air pistol
• eventing dressage, cross country jumping and show jumping
• gymkhana games on horse back, speed events
• endurance distance riding on trails and a timed event

USPC RIDING CENTER MEMBERSHIP

If you are already familiar with the United States Pony Club, you may be wondering what the RC program offers VS the traditional USPC 'club' membership.

RC status is awarded to facilities. Unlike traditional clubs it does not have elected adult board members (such as a DC/District Commissioner, Treasurer etc). The USPC RC does not move from facility to facility for its activities. The USPC RC does not hold the 501c non-profit status, it CAN NOT hold fund-raisers, and it CAN charge reasonable fees.

The USPC RC with-in an established riding facility was meant to fill the void for NON HORSE OWNING MEMBERS by providing the use of horses, equipment and facility as a service (not a right of membership). This was done to moderate the quality of facilities, personnel at the facilities, school horses, etc.. Barnes Paddock will have school horses, equipment, and an in-house full time instructor and facility to offer to the USPC RC program.

Membership in the USPC National Program is $90.00 for the year and the youth (child) member will receive such things as a pin, the quarterly USPC magazine, and record keeping of their progressive achievements.

Things to consider for potential members

1. For the standard PC, youth members should be ages 10 - 21 years
2. For the Jr PC, child members should be ages 4 - 10 years with hands on parental support
3. RC members will be eligible for the same membership opportunities as traditional USPC 'club' members, including National programs (ratings, badges, educational contest, learning opportunities) Carolina Region events (rallies, clinics, learning opportunities) and possibly shared activities with other chapters
4. Members will have access to D level horses, equipment and facility for USPC activities on a club/local level through services offered by Barnes Paddock
5. Members will receive a discount on riding lessons at Barnes Paddock, if they are active and in good standing
6. Members will receive a discount on boarding at Barnes Paddock, if they are active and in good standing
7. Members will be eligible for Pony Club group educational classes at Barnes Paddock (not available to standard lesson students) in all horse related topics
8. Members will have social opportunities such as field trips (not available to standard lesson students)

Some member obligations include...

1. Yearly USPC dues renewal
2. Some parental support in the form transportation to field trips or the farm, providing such items as riding apparel (see below), the USPC Handbook (or other reading materials), etc.
3. Members MUST own proper equestrian/riding foot wear, a ASTM-SEI certified safety helmet, and suitable clothing for riding or working at the barn
4. Being active as a rider and member

WHY CONSIDER THIS PROGRAM?

For families who do not own a horse:
The cost of an average horse that is safe and sound enough for your child to enjoy will start around $1,500 with no upward limit. The cost of a pre-purchase health exam for a horse costs between $250 - $700. The yearly average maintenance and health care costs of a healthy riding horse can range between $300 to $600 per year (deworming, twice yearly vaccinations, dental care, rabies, coggins testing, and hoof care). An emergency can cost you more than you paid for the horse. The cost of equipment such as saddles ($300+), bridles, grooming tools, a first aid kit, blankets, can be steep. The cost of monthly food can average between $45 - $100 (depending on the size of the horse) and board (if you do not own property) costs between $100 for 'no frills - no food' services all the way up to $400.00 per month for full care.

For families who do own a horse:
The cost of lessons in our area of Harnett, Johnston or south Wake county averages about $35.00 - $45.00 for a private one hour lesson to about $20 for 1/2 hour private or 1 hour group lessons.

But...does your instructor offer a program that will;

• offer a truly progressive cirriculumm
• reward their achievements and note it on a national record
• test not only what your child has learned but what he/she is teaching them

The biggest benefit of this program to parents is the system of 'checks and balances'. If the instructor is falling short of offering quality tutoring, how do you know? Pony Club not only has a fantastic curriculum, but their badge program and rating/testing system is laid out in such an organized way a parent could easily read it and judge for themselves it the instructor is doing a good job, or not.

USPC RIDING CENTER LESSON PROGRAM

Though standard riding lessons will be provided by Barnes Paddock, the lesson program tries to adhere to the USPC program, and help guide the member student in the USPC ways/methods.

Member students receive a discount on lessons / classes once they reach a D1 level and/or over 10 years old. Member students can choose which 'classes' he/she wishes to participate in, and how often! This will allow a family to pick a riding program that will suit their time and finances.

Starter Lessons (ages 10 and older, Non rated through D1) - Private 1 hr 15 minutes
Grooming, handling the horse on the ground around the stables, tack and equipment, general basic riding skills on the lunge line and/or riding arena. Through the D1 rating these longer lessons give the student/member the one on one attention IN THE STABLE to develop good skills in horse handling, equipment use, and general safety.
$35.00 our horse / $30 your horse.

Intermediate (D-2 through C-2) - Private 45 minutes riding
(this assumes the D2 member will be adequately skilled to catch, groom and tack up their horse with moderate to little guidance in the stable) Advancing riding skills, combination of lunge line and/or arena riding. $25.00 our horse / $20.00 your horse.

Intensive Equitation Lunge Line Lesson- Private 30 minutes
To address strength, balance and flexibility . Can be tailored to encourage relaxation and develop confidence, or to MAKE YOU WORK!
$14.00 our horse / $12 your horse.

Group Clinics 1 1/2 hours - regular scheduled activity.
Group clinics (not necessarily USPC activities) will address all kinds of topics and skills from ground handling, to general riding skills both in and out of the arena. Topics will be broad range and suitable for novice to intermediate. Fun, informative and social!

This will be a 'regularly scheduled' activity (ie every 2nd Saturday and 3rd Thursday). We do not yet have a schedule for these - but this class/topic will be repeated two times in the month. Repeat participation depending on available space. Auditing members always welcome (and encouraged)! Suggested fees may vary depending on guest speakers or guest instructor.
$20.00 our horse / $15.00 your horse.

Practice Riding / School Horse 'Lease'
Available to approved D2 and above members, ages 10 and older, who are in active status, and take more than 2 lessons or classes per month. $10.00 per average riding session (1 hour), fees vary for use of horse to participate ratings, competitions, seminars/clinics away from the farm, trail rides etc.

USPC Unmounted Meeting / Lesson

1 hour - regular scheduled USPC activity
Non riding, limited horse involvement. These lessons are sanctioned USPC and will adhere to all USPC standards. Typically a class room or barn yard session for a hands on demo, lecture, video etc, on horse care topics, riding and training theories. This is to supplement riding lessons and to prepare the member/student for Pony Club activities such as rating testings, rallies, etc. Prices vary but average/aprox $5.00 per person for supplies.

USPC Rating Testings

scheduled as wanted/needed - an official USPC activity.
Estimated fee approximately $10.00 and will include bringing in an outside examiner (often a > B level Pony Club member). Use of horse/tack NOT included.

JUNIOR PONY CLUB parent and child

The Junior Pony Club is a program for kids ages 4- 10. This program covers material similar to D1 and the badge program. This program will require parental participation, and for the older age division parental supervision. This is a wonderful way to get a parent and child involved together! Children will be required to have proper foot wear, safety helmet and books.

USPC Jr Program Lesson, ages 4 -5 and 6-7

This program is laid out to last for a several months. Classes will be offered once or twice weekly (depending on demand).Classes last between 1 hour to 1 hr 20 minutes and will have between 2-4 children participating. This program has its own study guide with worksheets, and will be combined with the badge program. Children and parents will learn safety, general pony care, grooming, ground handling and stable etiquette. Children will be taught introductory riding skills.Activities will be very hands on. Children this young will need parental/guardian participation in every activity. We suggest at least 3 classes per month.
$15.00 per class

USPC Jr Program Lesson, ages 8 - 9

There will be 4-6 classes per month and the program moves at a bit more intensive pace. Classes will be offered once or twice weekly (depending on demand). Classes last between 1 hour to 1 hr 20 minutes and will have between 2 -4 children participating.

This program has its own study guide with worksheets. Children and parents will learn safety, general pony care, grooming, ground handling and stable etiquette. Children will be taught introductory riding skills that can carry over into the main Pony Club program, the D1 rating and badge program.

 

A Jr member in this age group who shows adequate maturity will be encouraged to participate in the traditional USPC unmounted monthly lesson/meetings. Parental supervision is required and some participation necessary. We encourage regular participation with at least 3 classes per month.
$15.00 per class

USPC Jr Program Monthly Meeting - all ages

A once a month opportunity for all the PC Jr members to get together, have a light classroom lesson or perhaps watch a video, socialize, play games, do pony related crafts, and simply be at the barn with the ponies (no riding) doing average barn things (like cleaning tack, cleaning a stall etc). Parental chaperones required (ratio 1 adult per 2 children). 2 hours in length (average). Snacks and most supplies included.
$15.00 per child

Please see the General Lesson Info or Adult Club page for detailed information.