About Ramona Vicente

The United States Pony Clubs, Inc., develops character, leadership, confidence and a sense of community in youth through a program that teaches the care of horses and ponies, riding and mounted sports.

Ramona Vicente Pony Club is in the Southern California region of USPC. We are located at the International Equestrian Center within San Diego Country Estates, in Ramona, CA.. Members need not board their horse but may choose to board elsewhere or have their mount at home and trailer to the ranch for lessons and other events.

The core of our program is the mounted and unmounted meetings. Club members come to these meetings with their mounts for riding lessons, horse management instruction, mounted games, and other activities. We also hold unmounted meetings where members learn about upcoming clinics, club events, and shows as well as receive unmounted instruction. More experienced members are encouraged to act in leadership roles and mentor new and younger members. Everyone is given opportunity to advance their leadership skills.

Ramona Vicente  sends teams of riders to local, regional, and national "competitive rallies" in combined training, show jumping, dressage, western dressage, western trail, gymkhana and vaulting. Teamwork, horse management, good horsemanship, and good sportsmanship are just as important as performance during all events.

There are nine certification levels in Pony Club, called "ratings." Members start out as "unrated." They learn at their own pace and take the test for each rating when they are ready. Ratings are scheduled throughout the year. Each rating includes riding tests, stable management, and oral testing. Testing for the first five ratings (D-1, D-2, D-3, C-1, and C-2) is done by local examiners. The C-3 rating is done by regional examiners, and the three highest levels (B, H-A, and A) are national ratings tested by national examiners, they require a high degree of skill, knowledge, and horsemanship experience, the equivalent of a college level education! 

In order to participate, RVPC pay national, regional, and local dues. Parents play a big role in Pony Club; without their help, it would not be possible. Two key memberships types available are: Youth members (under 18) and adult members (members over 18). Other supporting membership types are also available for those that are interested in learning about horses but perhaps do not have access to, or are not interested in, mounted riding.

USPC Pony Clubs and Riding Centers are assigned to one of 42 geographical regions, which are administered by a volunteer Regional Supervisor (RS) and other appointed and elected officers. Regions offer additional activities and opportunities for members and support for the club and center leaders under their administration. Rainbow of the Foothills Pony Club is part of the Southern California Region. Visit the region's website for the contact information for the Regional Officers.

Visit the Pony Club website to learn more about the Pony Club educational program, national events, activities and opportunities for members.