The 2010s and Beyond for the United States Pony Clubs 

By Elizabeth Moyer, USPC’s Fundraising and Marketing Coordinator

Moving at the speed of the 21st Century, the United States Pony Clubs has been in a constant mode of growth and change, moving forward with excitement about the future.

In 2010, Pony Club was in the international spotlight when the Kentucky Horse Park hosted the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Pony Club education was on display, and members volunteered throughout the competition. A grant from USA Equestrian Trust helped to construct a new large-scale equine educational exhibit, which made its debut at the International Horse Show in Omaha, Neb., in April of 2013.

All Ages

While historically USPC has been a youth organization, the success of the pilot for the USPC Horsemasters Program for Adult Volunteers led to expanding the age of membership in USPC. In 2015, Pony Club membership officially opened to all ages, and the term Horsemasters was dropped in 2018. Pony Club now provides equine education for everyone, and members of all ages can enjoy everything USPC has to offer.

Safety Awareness Expands

In 2010, USPC forms the National Safety Committee to focus on all aspects of safety for members, beyond riding and working with horses and ponies. In 2012, required trainings on concussions, return to play, and member protection began as a way to increase awareness for equestrian health and safety. Heat illness training was added as a requirement for volunteers and leadership in 2013, and by 2014, safety awareness is included in all USPC Standards of Proficiency. In recent years, the SafeSport Trained Core course was adopted to fulfill the member protection requirement for all participating members over 18, as well as leaders, instructors/clinicians, and volunteers working regularly with members.

While ASTM/SEI-approved helmets have been required for all USPC members since the 1990s, Pony Club continues to keep up with new advances in safety. The requirement for a medical armband during Pony Club activities was added in 2011, and then expanded to include bracelets in 2015. By 2019, all USPC members are required to wear body protection when jumping solid obstacles. Through USPC’s Safety Committee, advances in safety awareness, training, and protection continue.

Evolving Education

New editions of the USPC Manuals of Horsemanship at the D and C levels were available in 2012/2013, and the updated USPC Manual of Horsemanship H-B – A levels was released in the fall of 2014. Around this time, the former USPC Bookstore made its transition into ShopPonyClub.org and moved out of the physical space in the USPC national office and became online only.

The Online Membership category was approved in 2012 to engage individuals who do not have horses but are interested in learning about them, to promote Pony Club education, and to engage future Pony Club members. There are various types of Online memberships, including Pony Club IQ, which provides additional education to those members and other membership types.

In 2017, USPC announced a new Professional Membership to provide equestrian instructors, professors, and other educators, with access to ready-to-teach Pony Club educational materials for their students. The Professional Membership offers flexible options to customize equine education for different learning situations, with proven curriculum for the classroom or barn.

New Technology

During this era, digital communications evolved at a rapid pace. Pony Club joined social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. TikTok, Pinterest, and LinkedIn would follow later. Pony Club also began the Pony Club Blog (originally called “The Pony Club Pizza—where we pile on the knowledge”) and the Pony Club Podcast launched in 2021.

Webinars emerged as a popular online learning tool early on during this time of digital growth, with members logging in for educational seminars known as “Tutoring Tuesdays.” In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom becomes a way for members to connect at all levels, from unmounted meetings of local clubs and centers to national USPC events. A virtual Quiz rally held via Zoom in 2021 wildly exceeds expectations, with nearly 900 participants across time zones from Maine to Alaska, and the 2021 USPC Convention is held virtually through a dedicated online event platform.

Pony Club Adds Certification Tracks

In 2012, Pony Club officially added Western riding as an educational track. Western Dressage was the first Western discipline offered at regional rallies, and the 2017 USPC Festival hosted the first Western Dressage national competition. It was approved as a new certification track in 2023. Trail and Gymkhana followed as official Pony Club disciplines in 2019, welcoming more Western riders to participate in Pony Club.

The Hunter Seat Equitation Standards and Certifications track was also approved and launched in 2012. 

In 2020, Pony Club announced an updated certification path focused entirely on Horse Management, from the beginner level all the way through the most advanced level.

In addition to the H-A in Horse Management, Pony Club members can now aspire to earn advanced A-level riding certifications in Eventing, Dressage, and Show Jumping. A few members have been able to garner all three. In 2013, Ashley Anderson Glynn, of Peace Point Pony Club in the Tri-State Region, became USPC’s first “Triple A” certified member, earning A certifications in Eventing, Dressage and Show Jumping. Attaining Pony Club’s highest certification level requires dedication and a significant level of skill and knowledge, and to achieve this honor in multiple disciplines shows extraordinary commitment. Others to earn triple A status include Ema Klugman (Seneca Valley Pony Club, Capital Region) in 2019 and Alexa Ehlers (National Member) in 2021.

Organization Evolution

The organization continued to expand through the Riding Centers Program, which was approved as a permanent program. USPC currently has more than 100 Riding Centers.

Online renewal options were introduced for the first time with much success in 2012. In 2013, the USPC National Office converted to a new membership database to facilitate membership renewals, Championships registration, and year-end reporting. In 2015, USPC launched the new centralized financial reporting system for clubs and regions.

Events also continue to be a focus for USPC, with approximately 3,000 attendees for the 2021 Festival. Due to popular demand, Festival will now be held every other year instead of every three years, beginning in 2024. The USPC Convention has also grown from its humble beginnings as a meeting for a new organization to include dozens of educational sessions for attendees and Pony Club leaders and a whole host of activities, banquets, and special events.

As we celebrate Pony Club’s 70th year in 2024, the future is bright, and we honor the many members, volunteers, and leaders who have been part of this organization and made it what it is today.

USPC Presidents in the 2010s–2024:

• Tom Adams
• Daniel G. Murphy
• Nancy Pittman
• Ben Duke
• Jennifer Sweet 

Support the Future of The United States Pony Clubs 

In honor of USPC’s history, consider showing your support with a gift to the Annual Fund. A gift of any amount helps ensure the future of Pony Club’s mission for generations to come.

In addition, help us fundraise by starting a Facebook Fundraiser. All proceeds go toward the USPC Annual Fund. 

To order the limited-edition USPC 70th Anniversary commemorative pin, visit https://shopponyclub.org/products/pin-70th-anniversary