Local riders earn certification

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Pony Club announced the certification of Hannah Bauer, 10, at D1, Devon Davis, 11, at D2 and Shelby Murray, 14, at C2 at a testing Oct. 13, at Fallbrook Riders field.

These Pony Club members have worked hard to achieve their new certification levels and to move on to the next stage in their Pony Club curriculum. The pony club also had Jane Oatman and Julie Murray, two of its adult horse masters, also receive their D2 rating that same weekend.

To earn the certification, they each passed an examination that tested both horsemanship skills and equine knowledge. Each of the Pony Club certification levels is more difficult than the preceding one and requires Pony Club members to learn more about horses and their care and to become increasingly accomplished riders and teachers to younger members.

The top certification level is the A level and is reached by fewer than one in 300 club members. It denotes throughout the international horse industry a highly competent and knowledgeable horse person.

The United States Pony Clubs Inc. was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. Many of the nation's top equestrians, including several Olympic team members, business professionals, government leaders and career military officers, have roots in Pony Club.

Youth members range in age from as young as 4 through age 25. Pony Club also offers educational opportunities to a growing number of adults through its Horsemasters program.

There are approximately 9,000 Pony Club members in over 600 clubs and riding centers in 42 regions throughout the country; for more information, visit http://www.ponyclub.org.

Fallbrook Pony Club was founded in 1979 and is one of the oldest clubs on the West Coast. It has called Fallbrook Riders field its home from the very beginning. Along with an emphasis on helping its members learn to ride and care for horses, Fallbrook Pony Club promotes teamwork, a sense of responsibility, safety, good moral judgment and self-confidence.

Anyone interested in learning more about Fallbrook Pony Club and its programs can contact Julie Murray at (760) 310-3725.

Submitted by Fallbrook Pony Club.