Working at a Pony Club

Staff members at pony clubs are required to be passionate about the welfare of animals and have a diligent attitude towards customer care. It is equally important that staff members are presentable, consistent, reliable and well-spoken, as they will be expected to comport themselves appropriately around the horses, children and parents.

The minimum age requirement for staff members is fifteen, while younger teenagers may be put onto a waiting list.  

Most pony clubs fully insure their staff members; they are also given full training and are paid well.

Young adults, for example interns and gap year students who have office management and information technology skills, can split their time at the pony club and gain additional experience from working within the office area.

Individuals who wish to work at a pony club will be expected to work on weekends and to be available throughout holiday periods. Working at a pony club often involves long hours, including evenings.

Staff are required to carry out a varied catalogue of duties which may include; directing and planning of riding programs, completing a daily system of horse tending and stable supervision and developing good working relationships with visitors and other similar operators - as ambassadors of the pony club.

Although a lot of time is spent working indoors, at some pony clubs it will be necessary to spend time working outdoors - caring for the horses and participating with activities.

Individuals who wish to coach or instruct young horses and their riders are required to understand the basics of correct equestrian tutelage. These include, for example; the need to progress the athletic capacity of rider and horse, while encouraging their enjoyment of the sport and the importance of the long-term health, protection and well-being of the horse.

Young coaches can take part in a two-year instructor course at pony clubs, which will enable them to progress to teaching horse-riding at every level.

During the course assessment, candidates are graded based on the level of helpful and appropriate influences on the horse and the level of inappropriate and unhelpful influences on the horse.

Volunteering at a pony club is another great way to have fun and meet new friends, gain fantastic skills, support the community, strengthen ones curriculum vitae and see and learn about the many different equestrian disciplines.

Volunteer tasks can additionally include constructing show jumping circuits, show and event stewarding and chaperoning on trips.