How Pony Club Kickstarted My Professional Career

By Charlotte Tincher, National Youth Board member

National Youth Board member Charlotte Tincher shares how her Pony Club experiences helped her get started in her career within the horse industry.

The United States Pony Clubs (aka, USPC or Pony Club) is an incredible educational and engaging organization that has found its way into the hearts of many equestrians of all ages. For me personally, Pony Club found its way into my life when I was about 12 years old. I had just gotten my first horse, an off-track Thoroughbred named Indigo. After attending my very first lesson with the local Whidbey Island Pony Club, you could say the rest is history.

My name is Charlotte Tincher. I am 18 years old, and a C-2 certified member of Emerald Hills Pony Club in the Northwest Region and a member of the USPC National Youth Board (NYB). I started riding horses when I was four years old, and ever since, all I have ever wanted to do was be involved with horses. Just horses, horses, horses. From a young age, I realized that I wanted to have a professional career in the equestrian world. I knew there were several things I wanted to do over time, but my biggest goal was that I wanted to ride and compete professionally.

I quickly realized that to ride professionally I didn’t just need to be a good rider or athlete, but I needed to have the knowledge essential to be the best steward I could be to these animals and take the best care of my partner as possible. That’s where Pony Club came in.

I fell so in love with the focus on horse management and the Pony Club curriculum. I have spent the last six years as a member, I am still pursuing my certifications whenever I can, and I become an educator within my local club. I haven’t always been able to progress the way I like through my own certifications due to the lack of a horse to ride at times, but I still love to and am able to continue teaching horse management in my local club nonetheless.

Throughout high school I had several jobs, all in barns and with various equestrians, both professionals and owners. A lot of my job opportunities never would have come to me if it weren’t for Pony Club. Employers have consistently been impressed when I said I was a member or they saw my certification, as well as the involvement and leadership roles I have had, on my resume. It’s a big part of what helped me to really get my feet wet more professionally in this industry.

Over time, I have had several different jobs, and worked with many different equestrians, including with professionals, trainers, and owners over the years, and I have also developed many new goals and interests that I have pursued thanks to Pony Club. While I still wanted to ride professionally, I have tried on different disciplines and events as I looked for the best fit for me. I started in Dressage, then converted to Eventing, then I sprinkled in some Western and Show Jumping, competed in hunters, and even tried Trail and mounted archery. I have found that I really am an all-around rider at heart. The programs that Pony Club offers are so versatile that I can go virtually any direction I want with not only my riding, but also my horse management knowledge, as well, and for a career!

In November of 2023, after I graduated high school, I began going to the Northwest School Of Animal Massage to study equine massage and become an equine massage therapist. In January of 2024, I was hired by Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital as an equine vet assistant.

I have always struggled with my confidence and being sure of and trusting myself and my judgment. Pony Club has helped me to become more confident and self-assured. If it were not for Pony Club, I would not have had the confidence to apply for school or even my current job. If I hadn’t, I never would have gotten to experience all the things I have now with my job and furthering my education. In fact, if it weren’t for Pony Club, my job application may not have even been considered at all.

As a result of all of the experience, knowledge, and skills that I have gained as a direct result of Pony Club, I have been able to pursue the career and life of my dreams. I have been able to pursue my education and become a better and bolder version of myself. I owe my success and many of my best experiences to Pony Club. It is what has helped me to start my professional equine career, and the same can happen to you if you put in the work! Pony Club really is where it all begins!