7/16/2018 Adelaide “Addy” Toll, a rising seventh grader at TMI Episcopal, successfully passed her D-3 rating examination for the United States Pony Club (USPC) on June 16 at Pine Hill Equestrian Center in Bellville.To reach this level, Toll, on her horse Passin’ the Class, had to demonstrate riding skills in dressage, show jumping and cross-country. The exam includes a horse-management section for which she answered questions and presented a record book on horse care (feed, exercise, finances and health).

By performing tests before a USPC examiner, riders achieve ratings and measure their progress through the Pony Club curriculum of mounted and unmounted skills. At the D-1 through D-3 levels, riders form a foundation of safety habits and knowledge of daily care of a horse and tack, while learning to ride independently and with control at the walk, trot and canter, and over low fences.

Established in 1954, the United States Pony Clubs Inc. was created to teach riding and the proper care of horses, promoting sportsmanship, stewardship and leadership through horsemanship. The term “pony” formerly was used to describe the mount of a youth equestrian; Pony Club continues to focus on education and care of both horses and ponies.