Contact Us

Phone: (707) 312-1119
E-mail: natalie@fourstarfarm.com

Four Star Farm Pony Club Riding Center

USPC Member #130800

Welcome to Pony Club!

Four Star Farm Pony Club meetings are held on the first and third Sundays of every month, 9:00–11:00 a.m. Members and parents take turns providing snacks and drinks. Meetings typically rotate between riding and a tack room or learning event. There’s more to Pony Club than sitting on a horse!

United States Pony Club Requirements

Things to do, or that are required, to join the United States Pony Club and Four Star Farm Pony Club Riding Center.

1) Fill out the 2011 Riding Center member application form. (Four Star Farm Pony Club Riding Center is USPC Member #130800.)

We are in the Sierra Pacific region
Print three copies of the application form
Sign all three copies (both applicant/rider and parent/guardian)
Have Natalie Rooney Pitts, as Center Administrator, sign all three forms

2) Write three checks:

$125 to the USPC national organization (annual fee as of 2011)
$55 to the Sierra Pacific Pony Club chapter (annual fee as of 2011)
$300 dues for use of horses, made out to Four Star Farm (Every six months, $200 if using your own horse.)

(Natalie or Linda will handle posting the copies and checks to the necessary recipients.)

When your membership has been processed, the USPC will send a welcome packet containing information, a Pony Club pin, some coupons for discounts on various items, a copy of their store catalog, etc. This usually takes about a month.

3) Obtain a medical armband (required for riding at any Pony Club event)

Via the USPC online store or check to see if your local tack shop carries them
Download and read information about the Medical Release Card
Download, complete and print the Medical Release Card for the armband

4) Obtain a copy of the "D" Standard instruction manual

This covers D1, D2 and D3 ratings
Necessary to know the skills and information to pass the rating tests

5) For USPC events your rider will want to be properly dressed. In addition to the medical armband and the club pin, USPC attire includes:

An ASTM/SEI certified helmet, preferably a Charles Owen JR8*
For the youngest/newest rider, USPC offers a package of helmet, boots and gloves
Paddock boots—necessary nearly all the time anyway—or tall riding boots
Appropriate apparel as defined in the Horse Management Rulebook (see below for FSF’s uniform which meets these requirements)

*Note, some of this apparel is less expensive to buy online while other equipment may be less expensive at a tack shop. It is recommended that you shop around before buying. Do not buy a used helmet. Everything else can be a hand-me-down, assuming it is in good condition. Never trust your child's head to a helmet that hasn't come right from the factory.

6) Four Star Farm Pony Club Riding Center Requirements

FSF has a specific uniform for Pony Club members. In addition to the requirements of the USPC this will include:
- Tan riding breeches (If they have belt loops, your rider will need a black belt as well.)
- An FSF Pony Club shirt (Linda Betts will arrange this)

Online Resources

Websites you may wish to bookmark:

The United State Pony Club forms page
SmartPak (Recommended source for tack, helmets, etc.)
Bit of Britain (Recommended source for tack, helmets, etc.)

Some of our fellow Pony Clubs in the region include:

Have Fun!

Start riding! And start studying! Parents, your younger children (pre-rating and D1 in particular) will greatly benefit from your assistance in studying for rating day. There's quite a bit to learn, but it is not overwhelming with your help.

To help with study and preparation, download copies of the rating flow charts so your young rider may learn the various things necessary to know for the rating tests. You’ll find all of the flow charts, test sheets, guidelines, etc. on the Pony Club forms page. Given that every ratings test exactly follows the flow charts, it is easy to study and prepare—there will be no surprise questions during a rating event.