USPC Required Equipment for Rallies

(Click on each section for details.)

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Some Horse Management rules regarding Required Equipment:

• 14c. Tack Room Equipment: Tack room equipment, which must be clearly labeled, includes all items on the Required Equipment List and those items not otherwise specified, such as saddles and bridles. Amplification: All equipment used in competition, other than clothing, must be kept in the team tack room unless otherwise instructed. Labeling: Items must be labeled in such a way that it is easy to identify the owner of that equipment, so the item can be returned to the team or individual who owns it.



• 14d. Required Equipment List: Each team member is responsible for knowing the location of each item on the Required Equipment List, and how to use each item on the Required Equipment List. Amplification: The Required Equipment List (refer to Appendix D, HM Score Sheets #2A and #2B), lists items most commonly needed and/or used when traveling and/or competing with a mount. All items have a specific purpose. Each team must have all items listed. In the event of missing or incorrect equipment, each team (but not each separate member of the team) or each individual competitor sharing a tack room will be penalized, unless they have just used the item to replace something broken or missing.

Labeling: USPC requires individual and team rally equipment be labeled to make it easier to return items lost or misplaced. Labeling equipment is an important skill for children and young adults to learn because it teaches them responsibility and instills ownership. Some items in the Required Equipment list are difficult to label but suggestions are included on individual pieces. Labeling can be broken down into two categories:

• Individual competitor items: such as water buckets, grooming items, etc. These should be labeled with the competitor's name and/or competition number.
• Team equipment: such as the Equine First Aid Kit or Utility Kit items. These should be labeled with team name or initials (such as SPC for 'Smithville Pony Club') or the name or number of any competitor

Rallies always bring last minute surprises. One part of the rally shouldn't be left up to chance: Required Equipment.

Required equipment is the team's responsibility -- not the parents! Plan a day when everyone can get together and go through the checklist. Penalty points for missing equipment go to the whole team, so everyone needs to pitch in. The only thing worse than getting penalty points for missing equipment is needing something on the list and not having it!

Why does Pony Club have Required Equipment Checklists for rally?

Members are learning how to take care of their horses and ponies when they are away from home. The items in the Required Equipment kits are things every barn should have to take reasonable care of a mount, and include items that you should have with you when you travel away from home with your horse.

The Required Equipment List are included in the Horse Management Handbook. The expectation is that Required Equipment will be brought to rally clean and in good working or usable condition.

The Required Equipment List also reflects what you can expect to need in your barn at home to adequately and safely take care of your horse. Thus, the Required Equipment List should be helpful to those who are becoming first time horse care providers.