Bisley & Sandown Chase
A Branch of the Pony Club
Disciplines
What are ‘the Areas’? and what are the requirements you need to meet to be able to compete at them?
The Pony Club has divided the UK and southern Ireland into 19 different Areas or regions; we are in Area 13, with nearly 20 branches, stretching from the Isle of Wight to Newbury and Bracknell.
From April on wards branches start turning their attention to the most prestigious of the inter-branch team competitions, in dressage, show jumping, eventing (horse trials) and tetrathlon known as ‘the Areas’ – the climax to all the competitions that have been taking place over the past year and the qualifiers for the Pony Club Championships, which are held at the end of the summer.
(Please note that we are NOT forgetting Mounted Games here, but MG has its own specific set of rules that organizes branches into Areas and Zones.)
The disciplines that are relevant here, are those of Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping and Tetrathlon. All the branches in our Area 13 meet to compete against each other in each discipline, together on the same day.
The levels at which you are able to compete are: Novice, Intermediate and Open, all of which are explained on our web site. If you need clarification over your eligibility, please ask Philippa or the Discipline Manager.
How we select our teams:
There is one standard Pony Club rule, which applies to you all. It states that, as a bare minimum, each member should have attended at least 3 rallies since 1st July last year, and at least one has to have been this current year. Ponies should have done likewise, though not necessarily with the same rider for all, nor even in the same branch, but at least one rally has to be with the combination of horse and rider. Camp last year counts as one rally.
That you have competed ‘at the level’. We may use recent competition results to help our decision.
That you have been a regular and committed ‘team player’. That you are prepared to stick with your team throughout the day, being tolerant and supportive of each other and happy to follow any instructions you are given by the team manager.
That your parents support and encourage you in your team’s efforts and that they too, respect our decisions or those of the team manager.
Selections will be made by our District Commissioner
Members transferring from another Branch must belong to Bisley and Sandown Chase for 14 months (unless they have moved house) before they are eligible for any Area Team.
In order to compete are the Regional and Area events, horses must have a 6 month flu vaccination.
Dressage
Dressage tests vary from a simple Walk Trot test to Open which is roughly equivalent to BD Elementary. There are lots of opportunities to compete at all levels throughout the year.
If you would like to compete in a team competition for dressage or would like more information, please contact:
Dressage Co-Ordinator
Eventing
PC60 This is S/J max height 65cm & X/C max height 60cm
PC80 This is S/J max height 85cm & X/C max height 80cm
PC90 This is S/J max height 95cm & X/C max height 90cm
PC100 This is S/J max height 1m5 & X/C max height 1m
PC OPEN This is S/J max height 1m15 & X/C 1m10
There are dressage tests to also take into consideration with this as well, but they can vary on the competition. Please always check the eligibility rules as again you can jump yourself out of this as well. Always read the small print on the schedules to ensure you are entering the correct class and abiding by the rules.
You must ensure that your hat and body protector complies with current PC rules and you must always wear a body protector with medical armband when riding cross country.
The full Eventing rule book can be downloaded here
Of particular interest to everyone is the Eligibility Section on page 52 for Area Competitions, so if you want to take part, please ensure you read this carefully to ensure you stay within your levels.
If you would like to compete in a team competition for eventing or would like more information, please contact:
Eventing Co-Ordinator: Bethany Cole
Tel: 07454 935321 Email: bethanycoleeventing@gmail.com
Show Jumping
Mini - This is generally anything under 75cm
Novice - This is generally 90cm (in the 1st round)
Intermediate - This is generally 1m (in the 1st round)
Open - This is generally 1m10 (in the 1st round)
These are rough guides as some branches sometimes confuse us with the names. On the schedules there will normally be stated heights and any age restrictions. When deciding what height to jump please consider a few details i.e.the 2nd phase or “jump off” height will always be bigger than the size stated for the first round at least 3″/8cm, also will you jump yourself out of competitions that you would like to do in the future (eg. mini champs ..no one is to have competed at 85cm’s or over, novice area’s cannot have competed at Intermediate level or above in Eventing or Show Jumping)
The full Show Jumping Rule book can be downloaded here
If you would like to compete in a team competition for show jumping or would like more information, please contact:
Eventing Co-Ordinator: Ali McGrath
Email: alimcgrath50@gmail.com
Tetrathlon
This is an excellent and fun sport covering four different disciplines – Running, Swimming, Shooting and Riding.
Mini-Mini (Tadpole) section is usually for those who are under 10. It is more to encourage the younger ones to have a go and therefore there is not a strict standard of disciplines. This is usually a mixed class of boys and girls. It is a taster and if you enjoy it you go on to the mini classes.
Mini is not usually mixed and you need to be under 12 on the 1st January of the year of entry.
Shooting – This usually takes place first and is fun and easy – all you have to do is shoot two handed at a target 7 meters away, 10 shots in total giving you hopefully the top score of 1000, which is not often achieved! You also have 5 shots at the beginning to settle your nerves.
Swimming – you need to swim as many lengths as possible in 2 mins any stroke you want. If you manage to get 5 lengths that is fantastic and you get 1000 points. It is not a race and you are swimming for yourself.
Running – this is usually cross country and 1000m. If you do it under 4 mins you get another 1000 points which is fab. You don’t all run together but individually.
Riding – the cross country course should be up to 2’6″ and you start off with 1400 points – aiming to finish with them! However if you refuse you get 60 knocked off. During the course there is a slip rail to be negotiated within a minute and also a gate to open and go through, then shut while you’re still mounted – also all within a minute. If you have trouble doing any of this you are not eliminated but will have points deducted and can continue the course. (This can sometimes be replaced with Show Jumping depending on availability)
Junior is not usually mixed and you need to be under 15 on 1st January of the year of entry.
Shooting – This is the same as the minis but you have to shoot with one hand, 7m away from the target, which turns in between each shot.
Running – You have to run 1500m cross country and try to do it within 5min 40secs
Swimming – You need to swim for 3 mins any stroke
Riding – This is over a 2’9″ cross country course with a slip rail and gate to negotiate.
Open/Intermediate is not mixed and you need to be under 21 on the 1st January of the year of entry.
Shooting – this is single handed, turning target from 10m
Swimming – 3 mins (4 mins for Open Boys)
Running – 1500m within 5min 20secs for 1000 points for Open and Intermediate Girls. 3000m in 10min 30secs for 1000 points for Open Boys.
Riding – This is normally over a 3’3″ XC course but can vary in order to encourage
The best three scores in the team count and overall the scores to aim for are:-
Riding – 1400 points
Swimming – 1000 points or more
Running – 1000 points or more
Shooting – 1000 points
The full rule book for the Tetrathlon can be downloaded here
If you would like to compete in a Tetrathlon competition or would like more information, please contact:
Tetrathlon Co-Ordinators: Simon Barker & Pablo Hadden-White
Tel: 07949 170840 Email: barkersofbalham@btinternet.com , pablohaddenwight@icloud.com
Mounted Games
Mounted games are for children of all ages and abilities on ponies 14’2 and under. Lead reining beginners to galloping mad ones, no experience required.
Those wishing to learn more and start to understand what games are all about do come and join in at one of the workshops.
Adults are expected to be hands on to help with their child and equipment used.
Correct clothing, hairnets must be worn, no hoodies or earrings. These are all for safety reasons so do not be surprised if you are sent back (nicely) to your vehicle and asked to present correctly. See rally attire on the website.
Anyone repeatedly not complying with the rules will be asked politely to leave.
At Bisley and Sandown Chase we are really trying to promote games in our area 13 and 11 as we had so few clubs last year. Covid has not helped the decline of interest and we would like to stress that this weekend can be for novices in juniors and seniors and those new to games. As well as having a mini's competition to really encourage some new clubs to give it a go. Pairs will also have a section. We will be hoping, if entries are good enough, to divide the clubs into abilities (A, B, C heats and finals) to make it competitive and fun.
Please email philippa.westphal@centora.com or call 07956 688318 for further details or any questions you have.
Take a look on our Bisley & Sandown Chase Pony Clubbers Facebook page for lot of fab results and photos!
Our weekly summer training has started, every Saturday afternoons 2.30 – 4.30 pm, competitions over the winter and the area qualifier in 22nd May.
If you would like to join in or would like more information on Mounted Games, please contact:
Mounted Games Co-Ordinators:
Karen Sinclair Williams Tel: 07802 766423, Philippa Westphal (trainer) Tel: 07956 688318 philippa.westphal@gmail.com