What is Run O’ the Mill Pony Club?
Run O’ the Mill Pony Club is a 501c3 nonprofit equestrian group based out of Waukesha, WI. Our club offers equestrian opportunities to youth members ages 5-25. We also have a horsemaster membership for adults who would like to be involved. Members must have access to (own or lease) a horse to use for club activities. Our club was founded in 1977 and has helped create well rounded equestrians who have gone on to become Olympians, doctors, and even fashion designers. We strive to teach our members about respect, kindness, teamwork, and fun! Although these are learned in an equestrian setting, they help our members succeed throughout their lives. Our club is a chapter of the national organization The United States Pony Club (USPC).
What is The United States Pony Club?
The United States Pony Club (USPC) is a national equestrian organization offering equestrian opportunities and instruction to youth (5-25) and adult members. Members join and participate at the club level. The regional level offers completions and opportunities for the entire region. Our region is the Lake Shore region which covers most of Wisconsin and some of the upper peninsula of Michigan. The USPC is the national governing body offering national championships and national level educational opportunities. USPC’s core values are:
- Horsemanship with respect to healthcare, nutrition, stable management, handling and riding a mount safely, correctly and with confidence
- Organized teamwork including cooperation, communication, responsibility, leadership, mentoring, teaching and fostering a supportive yet competitive environment
- Respect for the horse and self through horsemanship; for land through land conservation; and for others through service and teamwork
- Service by providing an opportunity for members, parents, and others to support the Pony Club program locally, regionally and nationally through volunteerism
- Education at an individual pace to achieve personal goals and expand knowledge through teaching others
What opportunities does USPC offer?
USPC offers members the opportunity to compete regionally and nationally as a team in:
· Dressage
· Eventing
· Mounted Games
· Gymkahna
· Polocrosse
· Quiz (horse knowledge competition)
· Show Jumping
· Tetrathlon
· Western Dressage
· Western Trail
USPC also offers members learning opportunities such as mounted lessons, clinics, camps, and unmounted horse management instruction. USPC offers a national camp every three years in Lexington, KY that offers instruction from equestrian greats and Pony Club alumni such as Gina Milles, Lendon Gray, and Richard Lamb.
As members develop their riding and horse management skills they can take one take one of USPC’s certification tests to prove their knowledge. Pony Club offers horse management testing’s that span from basic horse knowledge (breeds, markings, tacking up) to advanced (vet knowledge, barn management, teaching riding lessons). Riding certifications are offered in several disciplines as well as Horse Management:
· Horse Management
· Eventing
· Dressage
· Hunter Seat Equitation
· Showjumping
· Western
These test range from basic skills (posting, jumping position, and keeping the horse on the rail) to advanced (USEF Level V-VI showjumping, Preliminary eventing, and third level dressage).
· Dressage
· Eventing
· Mounted Games
· Gymkahna
· Polocrosse
· Quiz (horse knowledge competition)
· Show Jumping
· Tetrathlon
· Western Dressage
· Western Trail
USPC also offers members learning opportunities such as mounted lessons, clinics, camps, and unmounted horse management instruction. USPC offers a national camp every three years in Lexington, KY that offers instruction from equestrian greats and Pony Club alumni such as Gina Milles, Lendon Gray, and Richard Lamb.
As members develop their riding and horse management skills they can take one take one of USPC’s certification tests to prove their knowledge. Pony Club offers horse management testing’s that span from basic horse knowledge (breeds, markings, tacking up) to advanced (vet knowledge, barn management, teaching riding lessons). Riding certifications are offered in several disciplines as well as Horse Management:
· Horse Management
· Eventing
· Dressage
· Hunter Seat Equitation
· Showjumping
· Western
These test range from basic skills (posting, jumping position, and keeping the horse on the rail) to advanced (USEF Level V-VI showjumping, Preliminary eventing, and third level dressage).
Interested in joining?
Members must be at least 5 years of age, and the mount they use must also be at least 4 years of age (no stallions allowed). We recommend that you attend an unmounted meeting to meet the other members and learn what Pony Club is all about to ensure it is the right fit for you. If you are interested in learning more about our club, or would like to attend and unmounted meeting please contact our District Commissioner Shelley Nevins - runothemillponyclub@gmail.com.