D1 Rating

So! You've joined Pony Club, and you are taking your very first rating! Well don't worry, because if you are already an experienced rider, the D1 is a breeze. Even if you are just starting out, researching a few of the questions will help you pass it. It's a pretty easygoing test. Here is a link to the D1 flowchart. (A flowchart is exactly what the judge will have and what they will grade you on. It also contains all the questions and things you need to be able to do.)

Turn Out
In this part, the judge will just look at how you and your horse look. Since the D1 is a low level test, you only need to look neat to pass. You can wear your Pony Club polo shirt and breeches. Even though they don't specifically say what you need to wear, here are somethings that I would recommend you wear, just to be sure you don't get docked points.

-Medical armband: Starting from this point on, an armband is required for practically any Pony Club event. It contains all your medical information, so in case of an accident, you can be identified and you will be given the right treatment.

-Tucking in your shirt: Always remember you tuck in your shirt. It just looks nicer.

-Belt: If your breeches has belt loops, put a belt in it. If it doesn't, don't worry about this.

-Footwear: Always wear correct shoes for riding! Even for the HM part, always wear safe shoes around horses. You don't need fancy footwear right now, but everything you wear needs to be SAFE.

For your horse, just be sure to brush him nicely and make him look clean. It would be nice if you bathed him the day before too. The higher the rating, the more they stress on how your horse looks. Remember to clean your tack. They don't have to be super shiny and pretty, but make an effort. On bigger ratings, they will sometimes take out your bridle and inspect if the bit is clean, or if the leather is clean and not cracked.

Riding on the Flat
Look at the flowchart, and you will know what to do. By 'shorten and lengthen reins' they mean to shorten your reins or to give it slack. So adjust your rein length according to your horse. The basic position is when you sit up straight, heels down, arms at an L shape, and chin up. You want your body to be straight from the bottom up, imagine you are carrying a book on your head, and don't let it fall. That's how straight you have to be.

Riding Over Fences
Don't worry, you aren't going to be really jumping over anything. You will just be going over ground poles, but still in jump position.

Conditioning
One reason to cool out your horse is so your horse won't catch a cold. Sometimes when it is chilly out, they sweat and then the cold wind blowing on them will make them cold, hence making them catch a cold. Another reason is imagine if you are hot and sweaty after a run, and you don't cool off by stretching or walking out. You would be breathing hard, probably dizzy, and tired. The same applies to your horse! Cool them out to make them feel better.

Nutrition
Always when you give a horse something, keep your palms flat. That way they won't accidentally nibble your fingers!

Stable Management
For the ten parts of the saddle and bridle, they mean ten parts total. So you could know 8 parts of the saddle and 2 parts of the bridle. Here is a link to a saddle parts image, and here's a link to a bridle parts image. Two reasons for cleaning tack is if you don't clean it, the dirty parts would rub on your horse, making them itchy and probably giving them sore spots. It is also unsafe because leather can crack after not being cared for properly, and sometimes when you ride it might break, being very unsafe.

Breeds, Parts of Mount, Conformation & Lameness
Here is a link to a picture of the parts of a horse. You only need to know ten parts. Here is a link to a diagram of colors of horses. For the breed of horse, you probably need to ask your instructor or someone to tell you.

Travel Safety
Some basic rules are the 'left-shoulder left-shoulder' rule. It means that whenever you are traveling in opposite directions from someone else, you pass each other 'left-shoulder left-shoulder'. So if you are right closest to the rail, when someone passes you you just stay to the rail. Another rule is always stay at least a horse length behind someone, as some horses might kick. Always remember to let someone know if your horse is going to hit them, or if they are going to hit you.

Record Book
Here is a link to a stall card example.

Health Care and Veterinary Knowledge
A vet is a person who cares for animals. A vet might treat your horse because of sickness, lameness, injuries, etc.

Land Conservation
List three places where you can ride around your area. You can probably search the web on some places around you.

Leading and Lounging
Put on a halter and lead your horse safely.

Foot and Shoeing
One reason you might pick out hooves is to get the dirty stuff out of them, sometimes it might cause infections or rot. If a sharp object is in your horse's hoof, it might cut them so be sure to always pick out the hoof.

Well, I hope you pass your D1! See, it wasn't that hard right? There were some parts where I left out some questions, and that's because they are self-explanatory. I hope you enjoy this guide!