About Loudoun Hunt

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., develops character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.

Loudoun Hunt Pony Club in Leesburg, Virginia, is a member of the Virginia Region Pony Clubs and the United States Pony Clubs, Inc., an educational organization for youth that teaches riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies, thereby developing responsibility, sportsmanship, moral judgment, leadership and self-confidence.

In Pony Club, the word "pony" reflects the youthful membership and not the size of the mount.

Pony Club supports the ideal of a thoroughly happy, comfortable horseperson, riding across a natural country, with complete confidence and perfect balance on a horse or pony equally happy and confident and free from pain or bewilderment

Pony Club Pledge

As a member of the United States Pony Club:

I stand for the best in sportsmanship, as well as horsemanship.

I shall compete for the enjoyment of the game well played and take winning and losing in stride, remembering that without good manners and good temper, sport loses its cause for being.

I shall endeavor to maintain the best traditions of the ancient and noble skill of horsemanship, always treating my horse with the consideration due a partner.

The Club was founded in 1958 and is one of the oldest in the country and has an active membership of over 40 young horse enthusiasts. We have a wonderful partnership with the Morven Park Equestrian Center and are fortunate to use their fabulous facilities for our mounted activities.

Each year the Club organizes a week long summer camp, six Spring and six Fall group mounted lessons as well as winter unmounted lessons. These activities are funded by the proceeds from our spring and fall horse trials. The entire membership is encouraged to volunteer at the horse trials in order to make them a success.

Certifications to evaluate horsemanship (both riding and knowledge) are held throughout the year. Following the USPC guidelines, members are awarded certifications for mastering specific requirements. These certifications range from D-1 for beginner riders, through C for more active and independent horsemen, up to B, HA and A levels for competent, all-around horsemen. If funds are available, the Club covers the expense of the certification once for each member at each testing level.

Rallies are held for a variety of disciplines such as knowledge, dressage, eventing, show jumping, games and tetrathlon. These are based on the certification level of the rider and are team competitions held at various locations throughout our region. Rallies give the members an opportunity to work together as a team and further develop their skills. As the members advance through the levels of horsemanship, the rallies also serve as the qualifiers for National Championships teams.

Other activities include our annual sponsors' and parents' meeting where the next year's Club officers are elected. In addition to the elected officers, the Club relies on parents to volunteer for the many other positions needed to keep the Club operating. At our Holiday Party the Club presents the certifications earned throughout the year and the special recognition awards.

Visit the Pony Club website to learn more about the Pony Club educational program, national events, activities and opportunities for members.