If you have never had the opportunity of competing in a rally, and if you are completely clueless on how a rally runs, the information below will guide you through the process of competing in a rally. These activities should be fun and educational. Don't be scared of the rules. Simply follow the information, ask questions, and rallies should create memorable experiences for both member and parent.

Rally Overview
One of the greatest activities that Pony Club offers is its rallies. There are five different rally disciplines: eventing, dressage, show jumping, games, tetrathlon, polocrosse, and quiz. Rallies are just like the local horse shows, except that Pony Club members are tested on more than just their riding skills. Rallies include two judging categories: horse management and riding. The riding phases per discipline are judged similarly to horse shows, and the horse management phases are judged based on a member's knowledge of safety, responsibility, time-management, cleanliness, and behavior. Both the horse management and riding are coordinated together, helping Pony Clubbers learn responsibility in taking care of themselves and concentrating on their riding tasks.

Rallies are team competitions. Generally, each club within the region sends members grouped in teams to the various rallies. If there aren't enough competitors from one club to make a complete team, scramble teams (made up of competitors from different clubs) are then made. Teams earn ribbons based on their overall scores (riding scores plus horse management scores from all team members) and horse management scores from all members of the team.

Beginning of Rallies
Rallies can be held in one day, or can last overnight. Rallies will always begin with a Briefing, which is where the organizer of the rally will hand out schedule information, pinnies, nametags, and rally information. The Chief Horse Management Judge also gives an introduction at the briefing to introduce themselves and to give competitors an idea of what will be expected during the rally. Competitors and parents will be able to ask general questions about the rally at this time.

After the briefing, the rally will officially begin! Parents must then be asked to not help their child in any way (except for emergencies or during meal times). This is so that the competitors learn to do things on their own.

Jog-Outs
Jog-Outs are the first task that riders must do. A jog-out is where riders must bridle their ponies, put on their helmet and gloves, and walk their horses to the Jog-Out Area where a veterinarian and the Chief Horse Management judge will be standing. Once a competitor is called, they are to make their ponies trot in a straight line in front of the two officials and the officials will look to see if the pony is sound enough to be ridden in competition. Riders are to jog on the left side of their ponies, and when they need to turn their ponies around (i.e. if the jog-out area is in an arena), then they need to turn their ponies to the right (or away from them). Points will be deducted if a pony is turned the wrong way.

Moving In - Then Time to Ride!
Once riders are cleared from the jog-out, they can un-bridle their ponies and wait until it is time for their formal inspection (being if it is a one-day rally). If jog-outs are the only task for the first day of a rally, riders can put their ponies away in their stalls, feed at the appropriate feeding time, set up two 5-gallon buckets of water for their ponies, make sure their stalls are clean and properly bedded, check out with their teammates, and go to their lodging. The next day, riders will feed their horses breakfast, clean their horses' stalls and water buckets, and prepare for their formal inspection. The formal inspection is just like a safety inspection that is done at mounted club meetings, except that safety of rider, horse and tack; cleanliness; and condition of horse and tack are examined, and if they are below what is deemed the standard for a rider's rating level, points will be deducted. Once a rider is through with their formal inspection, they are cleared to warm-up for their ride.

Turnbacks
After riders return from their ride, they are to untack their ponies and make sure they groom their ponies to where they are cooled out properly and sweat is removed. They are then to clean their tack to their rating's standard. Once their tack and pony have been cleaned, they are to find a horse management judge to check their equipment. This process is called a "turnback inspection." This is another opportunity where points could be deducted, so it is always important to look for any green smudges on bits or hidden sweat-spots on ponies. Turnbacks are executed after a rider has finished his/her last ride, so if a rider returns before his/her last ride, they are to simply ask for a safety check before returning to ride again.

Once riders have finished their turnback inspections, they are to maintain the cleanliness and safety of their stall/tie-up area. Sometime during a rally, horse management judges will come and ask to do an "equipment check." Every team at a rally needs to come prepared with the proper equipment so that they are prepared for any occasion. Required Equipment sheets can be found in the USPC Horse Management Rulebook which can be found online on the Publications page on the USPC Website. Equipment requirements include extra stirrups, cleaning equipment, veterinary and human first aid kits, etc. This teaches riders to be prepared for any equipment they might need in order to stay tidy or to handle an accident.

And the Winner Is...
After all judging and riding has finished, scorers will tally up the final scores, and the competitors will be awarded their places and ribbons. Once all awards have been given out, the rally is officially over. Competitors are expected to clean their stalls and tie up areas as well as pick up any trash on the rally grounds before they leave. Pony Club upholds its standards to leave a place cleaner than when they found it.

Hopefully this guide has been helpful. If you have any questions about competing in a rally or any other general Pony Club questions, feel free to contact Lynn B. She has competed in multiple rallies for many years, as well as competed at the USPC National Championships in Quiz, Eventing, and Show Jumping.

Print off a Pony Club Rally Checklist