THE PONY CLUB
STANDARDS OF EFFICIENCY
TEST SHEET 2009
ROAD RIDER TEST
AIM
The aim of the Road Rider Test is to promote safety on the road by recognizing riders who can
show that they ride with courtesy and responsibility, are aware of and obey the law, the Highway
Code and The Pony Club Road Rider book and British Horse Society Riding and Road Craft
Manual.
To be taken at C+ to B Test Level. Members should attain this level before going on to take
their ‘B’ Test. Those wishing to take their British Horse Society Stages will need to achieve the
British Horse Society’s Riding and Road Safety Test. For details of the BHS test contact the
BHS Safety Office.
Details of the training, running, organisation and administration of The Pony Club Road Rider
Test can be found on the Pony Club website www.pcuk.org
Riders must be over 12 years old and should have been well prepared by working up the three
Pony Club Road Rider test levels:
The Pony Club Road Rider Mini Achievement Badge (E/D Test)
The Pony Club Road Rider Achievement Badge (D+/C Test)
The Pony Club Road Rider Test (C+/B Test)
EXAMINATION PANEL FOR THE PONY CLUB ROAD RIDER TEST:
Riding Examiner: A Pony Club C Test Examiner or above who is also an experienced driver.
Road Safety Examiner: The Police or Road Safety officer or a Pony Club/BHS examiner who
has been on a one day course in basic Road Safety run by The Pony Club or BHS and is also
an experienced driver.
The Test - The Test is of the rider’s road craft and riding ability and not of the horse or pony.
NB. There is no such thing as a bomb proof horse or pony.
Test candidates are required to take the test in three parts consecutively:
Members should have achieved the previous level and be able to demonstrate understanding
of the following sections:
THEORY TEST
Designed to test the rider’s knowledge of the Highway Code and of the generally accepted
rules of riding on the highway as set out in the current edition of Junior Road Rider. Ten
questions may be given orally or in the form of a test paper and should invite factual answers,
not opinions. Recommended sample questions are given on the website. Candidates should
achieve 8 out of 10 to pass this section.
TACK AND TURNOUT INSPECTION
This inspection is entirely a safety measure carried out to make sure that the horse’s tack and
rider’s clothing are in a safe and satisfactory condition for riding. It is not a ‘show’ inspection.
Hats must be to the current BSI Standard(s) and properly secured.
Members should be able to demonstrate:
1. Dress accordingly for the road (horse and rider)
2. Know the importance of Be Seen to Be Safe
3. Necessary checks before going on the road
4. Recognition of common road signs
5. Understand the sequence of traffic lights and the meaning of the Amber light and how to
behave at traffic lights
6. Be able to explain what position a rider should take when negotiating a roundabout
COMPLEX SIMULATED ROUTE
Designed to test in safe but simulated road conditions, a rider’s precautions against and
reactions to a series of noises and sights which could be reasonably met with locally on the
roads and which might make a horse shy.
Road junctions must be included so that candidates may demonstrate their road craft and
ability to use arm signals. Hazards must be placed far enough apart to allow candidates to
show TROT between each or any of them. Trot must be shown by candidates at this stage of
the test.
To be ridden as a complete route:
Major to Minor and Minor to Major
Two Left Turns and Two Right Turns
A Stop and Give way sign, Hazards and Trot
Observation, Road Positioning and Signals
Correct sequence for making a Left or Right signal.
Look - Signal - Look Again (Life Saver Look) Manoeuvre.
How to say ‘Thank You’
MARKING
To be successful the candidate must pass in all three parts of the test. A candidate who fails
in either part one or part two may not take part three. The test is of the rider not of the horse.
To be successful the candidate must satisfy the examiners in all three parts of the test
consecutively. Eight out of ten theory questions must be correctly answered. A Test Marking
Sheet can be found on the website together with Notes for Examiners.
Any manoeuvre which is judged as dangerous to other road users, e.g. Failure to look behind
before a signal is given will result in instant failure.
ESSENTIAL READING
The Pony Club Junior Road Rider Book and DVD
Young Persons Highway Code
The British Horse Society’s Riding and Road Craft Manual
The Highway Code - current edition available from HMSO
Certificates and badges available from The Pony Club.
Caution
The Pony Club Recommend that young riders who have passed the Road Rider Safety Test
should be encouraged to take the BHS Road Safety Test before riding on the road
unaccompanied and even then only when the person responsible for their safety is entirely
satisfied that, in their opinion, it is safe for the young person(s) so to do.
© 2009 The Pony Club
All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of The Pony
Club.
