Skill Certifications

Pony Rider Skills Certification

Test out your skills by taking on the Pony Rider Skills Examination!
You will receive a special badge for each level of the exam which you pass!
  • Level 1
    Level1
  • Level 2
    Level2
  • Level 3
    Level3
  • Level 4
    Level4
  • Level 5
    Level5

Overview of Skill Certification

Name Pony Rider Skills Exam (License)
Objective The objective of this exam is for children who have a goal in mind to enjoy and to feel enriched by horseback riding while interacting with ponies. In addition to that, it strengthens their minds and bodies through the activities and increase their understanding about horses and why horses are great.
Levels of Certification Five levels of certification spanning from Pony Rider Level 5 to Pony Rider Level 1
Eligible Individuals Junior high school students or children of a younger age
Horses Used Horses of heights roughly 147 cm and under
Items Evaluated Horse handling, stable work and horseback riding
Method of Implementation Riding instructors certified by the NRCA conduct evaluations for the evaluation items contained in the Pony Rider Skill Certification Criteria (appended)
Examination Fees 3,240 yen for each level
For Individuals Passing Their Exams Special badges are issued for each level

*If you would like to submit an application to take the Pony Rider Skills Exam, please send an application to the club conducting the exam you wish to take.

Evaluation Criteria for Each Level

Individuals taking the exam will be deemed to have passed if they can successfully handle the fairly standard items as shown below.

Evaluation Criteria for Each Level
  • Pony Rider Level 5 (Green) Pony Rider Level 5 (Green)
    Handling Skills
    • The individual is able to touch the horse. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to give the horse carrots. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to conduct brushing of the horse. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to conduct care of the hooves. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to ready the tools needed for horse care and to put them away properly. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to lead the horse. (Assistance OK)
    Stable Work Skills
    • The individual is able to conduct sweeping and cleaning. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual knows where all the tools used in stable cleaning are and how to use them. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to conduct stable cleaning. (Assistance OK)
    Horseback Riding Skills
    • The individual is able to ride a walking horse for a certain amount of time. (Assistance OK)
  • Pony Rider Level 4 (Purple) Pony Rider Level 4 (Purple)
    Handling Skills
    • The individual is able to conduct brushing by themselves.
    • The individual is able to conduct care of the hooves by themselves.
    • The individual is able to lead the horse by themselves.
    • The individual can attach a halter to a horse, bring the horse out from the stall, and bring tie up the horse at the hoof washing area. (Assistance OK)
    Stable Work Skills
    • The individual is able to conduct sweeping and cleaning by themselves.
    • The individual is able to conduct stable cleaning by themselves.
    Horseback Riding Skills
    • The individual is able to have the horse start and stop walking. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to conduct simple maneuvers, such as turning the horse to the left and right while walking. (Assistance OK)
  • Pony Rider Level 3 (Yellow) Pony Rider Level 3 (Yellow)
    Handling Skills
    • The individual is able to attach the saddle. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to attach the bridle. (Assistance OK)
    Stable Work Skills
    • The individual is able to say all the types of feed used.
    • The individual is able to prepare horse feed. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to feed the horse. (Assistance OK)
    Horseback Riding Skills
    • The individual is able to have the horse start and stop walking.
    • The individual is able to conduct simple maneuvers, such as turning the horse to the left and right while walking.
  • Pony Rider Level 2 (Red) Pony Rider Level 2 (Red)
    Handling Skills
    • The individual is able to bring the horse out from the stall, get the horse equipped with its gear, and bring it to the riding grounds by themselves.
    • The individual is able to remove the bit correctly when attaching and removing the bridle.
    Stable Work Skills
    • The individual is able to prepare horse feed by themselves.
    • The individual is able to feed the horse by themselves.
    • The individual is able to name the different pieces of horseback riding gear.
    • The individual is able to conduct maintenance of the bridle and saddle (take them apart, put them together, and clean them) (Assistance OK)
    Horseback Riding Skills
    • The individual is able to adjust the stirrup prior to riding the horse.
    • The individual is able to start and stop trotting. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to conduct simple maneuvers such as turning the horse to the left and right while trotting. (Assistance OK)
    • The individual is able to have the horse post the trot while lunging.
  • Pony Rider Level 1 (Blue) Pony Rider Level 1 (Blue)
    Handling Skills
    • The individual is able to conduct all handling of a horse. (Tack up, care, horseback riding gear, feeding, etc.)
    Stable Work Skills
    • The individual is able to conduct all of the stable work by themselves.
    • The individual is able to conduct maintenance of the bridle and saddle (take them apart, put them together, and clean them) all by themselves.
    Horseback Riding Skills
    • The individual is able to mount and dismount the horse, ride the horse and properly adjust the stirrups.
    • The individual is able to start and stop trotting.
    • The individual is able to conduct simple maneuvers such as turning the horse to the left and right while trotting.
    • The individual is able to do a posting trot.
    • The individual can move back and forth between a posting trot and a sitting trot.
    • The individual can start a canter.