Welcome to Celtic Cross Pony Club Riding Center

Celtic Cross Pony Club Riding Center is excited to announce our 2023 program. Marilee Tussing has been involved with the United States Pony Clubs for over 40 years and her Assistant Tori Medlock participated in USPC for 20 years. They are looking forward to working with all our Pony Clubbers to help them grow both as riders and horse lovers.

The Celtic Cross Riding Center Program will include 1 mounted and 1 unmounted lesson to total of 3 hours of training! Lessons will concentrate on working on rating standards for riding – including riding on the flat and jumping. Unmounted lessons will cover a variety of topics including horse anatomy, veterinary care, bandaging, nutrition, competition rules, farm management, and developing future leadership and teaching skills.

Pony Clubbers will have the opportunity to participate in rallies throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

Pony Club is held every Monday from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.


History of United States Pony Club (USPC)

U.S. Pony Clubs started in 1954 to teach the English style of riding and the proper care of horses. It is an offshoot of the British Pony Club, which was created in 1929 as a junior branch of the Institute of the Horse. Since then, Pony Club has expanded to many countries around the world. The main purpose is to promote sportsmanship, stewardship, and leadership through horsemanship.

In the last decade, U.S. Pony Clubs has made a consorted effort to strengthen its program to meet the needs of today’s horse-involved youth. This has included, raising the age of graduation from 21 to 25, offering Pony Club through an established riding lesson business, expanding certifications to include the disciplines of Dressage and Show Jumping, bringing in Western disciplines, and including land conservation in the Standards of Proficiency. Please join us as we continue our mission of developing character, leadership, confidence, and a sense of community in our youth, thereby developing strong leaders for tomorrow.

USPC is a non-profit organization that was formed in Feb. of 1954. The founders were enthusiastic fox hunters who recognized the need for providing sound instruction to youngsters who have horses about safety on and off the horse, proper riding skills, and how to take proper care of their horses. This was especially important to those who could not afford lessons. The format has changed over the years with more students who do not own their own horse and are taking lessons at riding facilities. Pony Club standards are not taught in many riding facilities, which is why PC Centers are important. About USPC Riding Centers

Our Core Values:

Horsemanship with respect to health care, nutrition, stable management, handling, and riding a mount safely, correctly, and with confidence
Organized teamwork including cooperation, communication, responsibility, leadership, mentoring, teaching, and fostering a supportive yet competitive environment
Respect for the horse and self through horsemanship; for land through land conservation; and for others through service and teamwork
Service by providing an opportunity for members, parents, and others to support the Pony Club program locally, regionally, and nationally through volunteerism
Education at an individual pace to achieve personal goals and expand knowledge through teaching others


Costs:

$180 per year – All Pony Clubbers must join the United States Pony Club (USPC).  

$40 per year - Membership fee to the Red River Region.

$50 per year  – Celtic Cross Local fee

$30 per Mounted Pony Club Meeting/ $10 for current Lesson Students - 1 hour of instruction including mounted and unmounted alternating every Monday from 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm.