1. Rally Info 2015

2. New Rulebooks! All new rulebooks this year except Polo! All rallies will recite the Pony Club Pledge at briefing.

3. “As a member of the United States Pony Club, I stand for the best in sportsmanship as well as in horsemanship. I shall compete for the enjoyment of the game well played and take winning or losing in stride, remembering that without good manners and good temper, sport loses its cause for being. I shall endeavor to maintain the best tradition of the ancient and noble skill of horsemanship, always treating my horse with consideration due a partner.” — The Pony Club Pledge

4. 2015 Newsletter Updates Dressage Qualifying tests now are the 2 nd and 3 rd test of the level If passed starting in 2016 to qualify must have a 55% at the highest level test (2017 will be 60%) Lendon Gray’s Youth Dressage Festival— USPC team USDF/USPC Recognition Awards

5. Western Dressage will be added this year to both Championships East and Championships West. Qualifying criteria is: 12 yrs. or older; D-3 Flat/DR and D3 HM and up. They will ride test 2 once and test 3 of their level twice plus a freestyle. For regional qualifying rallies, they may ride as part of a regular dressage team At Champs, they will compete as a separate division but will be run along with the regular Dressage classes.. As always, should a region not hold a qualifying rally for Western Dressage, the RS may request an exemption for the individual with proof of competition from outside Western Dressage competitions and a current HM score from any discipline rally. Rules for Western Dressage and the Attire and equipment are posted on the rulebook page. Western Dressage

6. SUBSTITUTE HORSE REQUIREMENTS Since qualification for Championships is based on the horse and rider combination, any substitution of a horse for championships must meet the same requirements expected of the original horse and rider entry with a valid reason for the change and approval of the RS. Eventing Qualification Recommendations for Championships USPC strongly urges that two different cross country courses are utilized for the qualification. At Championships If an inflatable vest is worn, a regular protective vest must also be worn under the inflatable vest at Championships unless it is a hybrid

7. Games GAMES TO BE PLAYED AT 2015 CHAMPIONSHIPS Ball and Bucket, Ball and Cone, Balloon, Bending, Carton, 5 Flag, 5 Mug, Litter, Pony Express, Ring, Rope Race, Spillers, Stepping Stone, Sword, Tack Shop, Windsor Castle. Tie Breaker: Ball and Cone NOTE CHANGES FOR PINNIES AND ATTIRE: Teams will wear their team pinnies, NOT regional pinnies. Pinnies must be approved by Games Organizer to avoid duplication. Senior and Advanced teams will have the option of either wearing traditional jodhpurs/breeches over paddock boots with elastic straps OR tall socks over breeches with paddock boots. All members of the team MUST dress the same, whether traditional or tall socks.

8. Celebrity Polocrosse Match at Championships: After the success of this match in 2014 we will once again try to offer it at 2015 championships. Wayne Quarles is trying to fit it into the schedule. Required Equipment: Two 5 gal buckets, sponges & scrapers are required at the cool out area during play. Horse Eye Protection Recommended: Protection may be in hood or goggle form, and must allow 365 degrees of unobstructed viewing. Curb Chains: A chain chin strap that is open at one end must be taped to prevent injury to the horse and from getting caught on rackets or other pieces of tack. Best tape to use is an elastic cohesive type. Polocrosse

9. Quiz H-B EDUCATIONAL DIVISION Quiz will again be offering an HB Educational Division to the championship experience. This is a noncompeting division Offers H-B candidates practice in an environment similar to the real test. This will not replace a Regional HB prep, but will be a review session to revisit topics that should have already been studied prior to an HB test. Every region is encouraged to add this division to their own regional Quiz Rally. Information about entering the H-B prep division will be included in the goldbook.

10. Introductory Division has been permanently added to The USPC Show Jumping Championships It is intended to be just that –as a way for less experienced riders and horses to start the process tomove up the ladder of success to the higher level divisions that makeup the National Championships. No TYOL round and jumping speed for the Introductory Division will be 300 MPM and will not be scored but will be used and posted for educational purposes only. Show Jumping Please note that the committee recommends Championship competitors in ALL divisions are riding at least at the top of their certification skill level over fences.

11. NEW! - 2015 Show Jumping RULEBOOK Includes clarifications of existing rules published in the 2015 Show Jumping Rulebook. Also where appropriate, the USPC SJ Rulebook has been brought more into alignment with the USEF SJ Rulebook NOTE: If a regional qualifying rally has more than 3 rounds, qualifying rounds must be designated by the rally organizer as of the Official rally briefing and must be stated on the championships entry information sent to the SJ secretary.

12. Tetrathalon HORSEMASTERS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN CHAMPIONSHIPS EAST AND WEST This division will allow all Pony Club Horsemasters to compete at different skill levels all on the same playing field. Horsemasters Division would be divided into Male and Female. Qualifying for Championships would be at the recommendation of the RS or similar to qualifying for the existing 4 divisions whereby participants would have to score 2200 points or higher at a qualifying Regional Rally offering the Horsemasters Division.

13. ODRPC Rally Info March 21: Quiz Rally Hosted by: Bedford Hunt, Roanoke Valley Location: CVCC, Lynchburg, VA Silent Auction: Buffalo Creek May 15-17: Dressage/Polocrosse Rally Dressage Hosted by Sinking Creek Polocrosse Hosted by Mt. Skyline Hospitality: Holston Location: Lexington Horse Center June 19-21: Show Jumping/Games Rally Show Jumping Hosted by Mt. Skyline and James River Games Hosed by Crescent Bay and Healing Strides Location: Lexington Horse Center August 29-30: Eventing Rally (2016 USPC Champs Qualifier ) Hosted by: VA Starter Trials and Terry Abrams Hospitality:???? Location: Lexington Horse Center USPC Champs: July 22-26

14. FEEDBACK What are you interested in seeing happen?