The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching people about how to ride and care for horses. The program originally focused on young riders under 18, but in recent years, membership has opened to equestrians of all ages. The organization presents both mounted and unmounted educational opportunities through the networks of regions and individual clubs across the country. Participants may complete a series of certifications, advancing to the highest “A” level, demonstrating the ability to care for and train a horse with a deep level of knowledge.

Christie achieved her “A” certification in 2013 and is passionate about providing education to the next generation of equestrians, whether they be young or young-at-heart.

If you’re interested in joining a Pony Club in the Northern Virginia region, please visit the Virginia Region Pony Club website to find a club near you: VRPonyClub.org

Current Pony Club members seeking their Horse Management certifications, please view the upcoming clinics or reach out to schedule private prep sessions!

Horses may display unusual behavior or puzzling symptoms of illness, and can be somewhat accident-prone. Learning to identify and manage a horse’s care in all of these areas is sometimes referred to as “horse management,” and is a lifelong study for any equestrian.

The Grounded Horsemanship program at Aspen Equine provides an educational platform for these topics and more. Learn more here: Grounded Horsemanship

Three-day Eventing is an equestrian sport comprised of three phases: dressage, show jumping, and cross country. Originally developed as a cavalry test, Eventing has evolved since its inception into the Olympic Games in 1912, but the heart of the sport remains a test of precision and endurance for a horse and rider.