Interested in joining?

How Pony Club Fits Together

What Pony Club is: Pony Club is an international organization that teaches equestrians about horse care, riding, and equestrian sports in a structured and supportive environment.
Who is Pony Club for: Anyone! Pony Club is not just for kids- It’s also adults! Whether you are in college, retired, or even somewhere in between. Just the passion to increase your horsemanship is all you need!
How USPC, our region, and our local club connect and interact: Wasatch Pony Club is a local chapter of Pony Club: We are an English-style riding club, focusing on Eventing as our primary discipline. We are a part of the Intermountain region. But Pony Club also goes national and international with many different disciplines! We are always open to trying new disciplines!
Benefits: As a Wasatch Pony Club member you could get awesome benefits such as free education in the form of horse management and mounted lessons, reduced entry fees to shows, clinics, and of course all the other great benefits that come with Pony Club!
A general overview of events: On our Events page!

What Our Pony Club Is Like

Where meetings take place: We have online and in person meetings. For in person meetings we are based in the Ogden area but have lessons in many locations from Ogden, Morgan, Layton, Bountiful, and Eden. We take polls to vote on lesson locations every year.
How often we meet: In the Winter we meet 1-2x a month for unmounted meetings and some mounted meetings. During months of good riding weather we meet 3+ times a month for mounted meetings.
Who our instructors are: For mounted lessons we take lessons with local dressage and jumping trainers, many whom are pony club alumni. For unmounted lessons most often we have our upper level members teach our lower level members!
What our members are: Each Pony Club is different! Membership is open to all ages. Our current pony club has members from their teens to their 60s!
Fundraisers we host and how proceeds benefit members: We host fundraising shows every year to fund our lessons, clinics, etc. These include rated shows like Golden Spike Horse Trials to schooling shows like like The Pumpkin Event!
Our organizational structure, including officers and the importance of sponsors: Each Pony Club is led by a District Commissioner (DC), and in some cases a Joint District Commissioner (JDC). The club also has key officers, including a Secretary and Treasurer, who help manage communication and finances. Members may also take on leadership roles within the club, such as coordinating mounted lessons, organizing unmounted education, or supporting specific activities throughout the year. Families can choose to become club sponsors, which allows them to participate in voting on how club funds are allocated. Sponsors play an important role in helping guide decisions that benefit the membership as a whole. Together, officers, members, sponsors, and families work collaboratively to keep the club running smoothly.

Costs & Typical Expenses

USPC Dues ($155 a year to the Pony Club website)
Regional and club dues ($90 a year to our PayPal USPC DBA Wasatch Pony Club)
Optional: Club sponsorship fee ($15)
Estimated costs
- Unmounted lessons online and in person: Free
- Mounted Lessons: Free (Occasionally a haul in fee depending on location)
- Clinics: Some are free, some may be discounted
Rallies, Clinics, Camps, Certifications: Some are free, some inquire costs.

Expectations Before Joining

USPC has a code of conduct for members and their families
Safe equipment and attire are required for Pony Club activities, including:
- Approved helmets
- Cross-country safety vests (For cross country lessons and competitions)
- Medical arm/wristbands
- Proper footwear
Members 18+ must complete SafeSport training and members 21+ must pass a USPC background check
Members get out what they put in — everyone progresses at their own pace
Members are evaluated against a standard, not compared to others
We value teamwork, collaboration, horsemanship, and care for one another
Pony Club can feel complex at first — that’s normal! Our families are supportive and happy to help. Ask questions anytime.

Volunteering

Pony Club thrives on family engagement and involvement
We are powered by volunteers, which keeps costs low and opportunities accessible
- Family contributions look different for everyone — and that’s what makes it work
- Many hands make light work!

As you see Pony Club is about more than just riding!

Q & A

Q- Is there an age requirement?

A- There is no at age requirement to join any Pony Club. We welcome members of all ages here at WPC. However anyone 18+ complete Safesport training and anyone 21+ must pass a background check to join.

Q- Do I have to own a horse to be a member?

A- No. We welcome all members! However if you want to participate in mounted lessons you will need to own, lease, or borrow a horse. But you do not need a horse to learn from unmounted lessons, participate in rallies, quiz, etc.

Q- What is the difference between Pony Club and 4-H?

A- 4-H emphasizes community service, personal development, and projects (Like agriculture/non-horse), while Pony Club is strictly focused on riding, horse management, and has a structured, progressive certification levels. Pony Club lays the foundation for good, well-rounded horse people with extensive knowledge. Many of our Pony Club members are also part of 4-H.

Q- What is eventing?
A- Eventing is an Olympic equestrian triathlon that tests horse and rider pairs across three distinct disciplines—dressage, cross-country, and show jumping—over one to three days. Originating from military cavalry tests, it demands extreme endurance, precision, and trust. The pair with the lowest score wins.

Q- Do I have to do only eventing with WPC?
A- Nope! Eventing has 3 disciplines so you can choose to do just dressage or showjumping. And we also have the horse management only route! If there is interest we could also branch into other disciplines as Pony Club offers over 20!

Q- Does Wasatch Pony Club have a barn where members keep their horses?

A- We are not a pony club center so we do not have a dedicated barn. Our members transport their horses to the location of the mounted lessons, shows and rallies.

Q- Can Wasatch Pony Club transport my horse to lessons/shows/rallies for me?

A- WPC does not transport horses, but we do often carpool with one another. If you are located near another member we could help with transport!

Q- How often does the club meet?

A- WPC holds unmounted instruction 1-2 times a month during the winter. This instruction focuses on horse management knowledge needed to pass horse management Pony Club ratings. From late spring to late fall (Depending on weather) WPC holds mounted lessons and unmounted lessons for members. Lessons average 2-3 times a month when school is in session and may occur more frequently during the summer.

Q- When and where does the club meet?

A- WPC conducts annual surveys of members to determine best days and locations for mounted and unmounted lessons. We are mostly based around the Ogden region.

Q- What kind of mounted lessons are provided?

A- WPC focuses on the English discipline of Eventing, so our mounted lessons are typically jumping, dressage, cross country, and conditioning.

Q- Do parents of children in pony club need to "know" horses?

A- No, they don't need to "know" horses, but they will be involved.

Q- Do I need to/can I take riding lessons in addition to Pony Club?

A- Most members take riding lessons in addition to Pony Club, often with our Pony Club instructors. The Pony Club program is designed to be a supplement to any other formal individual training a member is receiving.

Q- What makes Pony Club different?

A- There are three things that make Pony Club unique: 1) Horse Management: we teach you how to care for your horse & equipment, both at home and while traveling 2) Progressive curriculum: our Standards of Proficiency (SOP) build skills and confidence 3) Team-based competition (rallies), and 4) Certifications in horse management and riding that show how much you know!

Q- How much parent participation is needed?

A- Pony Club is a volunteer organization and many hands make light work! Ideally, parents (or supporters) should be present during meetings. All families are encouraged to work to make our clubs and region successful. And the rallies, quiz, and fundraisers require volunteers.

Q- What is a Certification?

A- Pony Club Members demonstrate their skills and express an appropriate level of knowledge at each certification. Members are evaluated based on the Standards of Proficiency for each section of understanding. Encouraging comments will be noted and shared for the members to review and absorb after completion of their certification.

Q- What are the Standards of Proficiency ?

A- The Standards of Proficiency (SOP) outline a clear progression of skills in riding and horse management. Members progress at their own pace. The levels of certification start at what is called D Level (beginner), progressing to C Level (intermediate) then to B Level and A Level (advanced).

Q- What is a rally?
A- A Pony Club rally is an educational competition where members participate in mounted riding phases while also being evaluated on horsemanship, horse care, and safety. Riders compete by Pony Club rating level rather than age, and are scored against a standard instead of directly against one another. Rallies emphasize learning, preparation, teamwork, and sportsmanship, making them different from traditional horse shows. They are designed to help members build confidence, independence, and practical skills while receiving feedback from experienced Pony Club professionals.

Q- What is Quiz?
A- Pony Club Quiz is a team-based educational competition that tests members’ knowledge of horsemanship, horse care, stable management, and Pony Club standards. Participants work together to answer questions and complete practical tasks appropriate to their Pony Club rating level.

Q- What is Pony Club Championships?

A- Pony Club Championships are national-level competitions that bring together qualified Pony Club members from across the country to compete in their chosen discipline. Members earn the opportunity to attend by participating in and qualifying through regional rallies and events. Championships emphasize riding ability, horsemanship, teamwork, and sportsmanship while allowing members to represent their club and region on a national stage.

Interested in joining Wasatch Pony Club?

Contact the club's District Commissioner (DC), Morgan Heiner, at morganheinerwpc@gmail.com for sign up information.

Membership Fees

For new and returning members

Wasatch Pony Club Yearly Membership Fee: $90
- Pay through Paypal to USPC DBA Wasatch Pony Club with a note that says "members first and last name 2025 membership fee."
- Do not combine with any other transactions.
Optional: WPC Sponsor Yearly Fee: $15
- To be a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old and be accepted by the DC.
- Pay through Paypal to USPC DBA Wasatch Pony Club with a note that says "sponsors first and last name 2025 fee"
- Do not combine with any other transactions.
United States Pony Club National Dues: $155
- To be paid through the USPC website.