Information About SVRC

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MEMBERSHIP

• The Club was formed in 1990 in response to a demand for an organisation that would teach children to enjoy the many aspects of riding in a relaxed and family atmosphere. The Committee (details of which are overleaf) all have considerable experience in running Pony Club type activities. We select our instructors for their ability to teach and their sense of fun. We very much hope that all families that do decide to join us will do something active to promote our well being along similar lines.
• About half our members do not belong to a Pony Club branch, whilst the other half do! We welcome both categories. Our Open activities attract support from all, whilst an increasing number of PC branches organise competitions which include classes for Riding Clubs, like ourselves. Being an affiliated BHS Riding Club allows us to enter teams in Dressage, Show Jumping, Hunter Trials and Horse Trials competitions, which enable less talented rider/pony combinations to participate, without feeling outclassed. From 1992 onwards there has seldom been a year without either individual or team representation at the finals. In 2003 our Show Jumping team came second in the championship.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

• The subscription rate for the current year is £32 for Adults, £27 for the Juniors, and the second or more family member, and if three or more members from the same family join, the rate is £22 each. The majority is passed to the BHS Riding Clubs and thus ensures that we have third party indemnity insurance cover of up to £5 million, with all members, instructors and organisers covered for Club activities. A rolling membership of 365 days is in operation and renewal reminders are sent out monthly. Tests
• We organise Riding Club tests - predominately junior grades 1, 2 and 3 which roughly correlate to Pony Club D, D+ and C, as well as adult grades 1 - 4 which at the upper end, are close to the B test. Successful candidates receive a test pass certificate together with the RC lapel badge edged in the colour appropriate to the test.

CAMP

• We run a four day Junior Camp for those on and off lead rein up to 10 years of age (ponies residential) and a seven day (optional residential) Senior Camp for those over 11 years. All parents are asked to - and normally do - take on some aspect of administration and organisation required for these activities, as their commitments will allow.

FUNDS

• Fundraising is an ongoing challenge to enable us to acquire and maintain our show jumps, dressage markers, competitors' back numbers and other paraphernalia so necessary to the running of activities, and to enable us to sponsor out representative teams. To this end we run a number of fundraising events - both social and equestrian - and you are encouraged to attend.

FLU VACCINATIONS

• As a general rule, we would like every SVRC member to have their pony/horse inoculated against the 'flu virus, to help reduce the spread of an outbreak and to improve the well-being of the animal. They are obligatory for Riding Club Qualifying competitions.
• Unfortunately, such steps are not always possible and we do not want to turn away borrowed ponies whose owners have not provided such treatment. Many Riding Establishments do not demand the production of 'flu certificates at the rallies which they host, but please be aware of the unhappiness it will cause if your horse is responsible for spreading the virus to those whose livelihood depends on being able to offer riding opportunities to others. May your conscience be your guide!

DRESS

• We do expect a respectable level of dress at which point an introduction to our constitution, and in particular paragraph 18, would seem appropriate. Please see the attached sheet.

Finally, if you do decide to join us, the only way we are going to learn whether our program us suitable for you is by telling us what you do and do not enjoy!!