About the 3 Rivers Hunt Pony Club

Young Rider The Three Rivers Hunt Pony Club is a member of the Great Lakes Region of the United States Pony Club. We have mounted and unmounted meetings throughout the year at various locations in the vicinity of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The United States Pony Club is a leading youth equestrian organization that teaches riding skills, horse care, responsibility, leadership and good moral judgment. There are older members, younger members, very experienced members, very new and inexperienced members, and some in between. No matter what your age or experience, we have people just like you and hope you will come to one of our meetings and see for yourself what USPC is all about! Contact our DC and ask to attend an upcoming meeting. (See the schedule for the next scheduled meeting, or call for info) Our club colors are turquoise and bright pink!
 
We alternate locations for our meetings both mounted and unmounted so as to share equally in the burden of travel among all members, regardless of location. We have no "club" or "resident" trainer, but rather employ the services and time donated by a variety of numerous local and not so local trainers.
 
We embrace ALL riding disciplines including (but not limited to) Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Games, Vaulting, and Natural Horsemanship. There is no minimum age requirement and members need not own a horse or pony to participate.

About the United States Pony Club

United States Pony Club is the leading youth equestrian organization in the United States. Founded in 1954, currently has over 630 local clubs and almost 13,000 members. USPC teaches horsemanship, not just riding, to its members who range in age from 4 to 25. Members progress through a standardized rating system that teaches riding skills and horsemanship knowledge. Many of the US Equestrian Team members started in Pony Club. The name pony club is a misnomer, while some ride ponies, most ride horses and instruction programs teach dressage, eventing, showjumping, vaulting, games (contesting in team format), and more!
"Among the participants in Pony Club's activities, the child of modest means is the one who stands to benefit most. We must seek out this child with his backyard pony and invite him to participate in our activities. We must emphasize to him that fancy clothes and expensive tack are not required. In addition to combating his shyness, we must arrange activities that interest and entertain this child whose horse may never compete in a show or make a rally team. If Pony Club is to fill the hunting fields of tomorrow, it must keep its base broad by encouraging all interested youngsters."
– Howard J. Morris Jr. USPC President, 1964-1966
 
"Let me remind you that our purpose is not to make Olympic riders, though we will take great pride in any Pony Club member who can reach that height. It is not to turn out highly polished riders mounted on expensive horses, though we all admire the picture when treated to it. It is not to turn every child into an 'A' rider.
 
It is to provide every child with a backyard horse or pony the opportunity to develop his or her skill in riding and horse care…It is to instill in them a love for horses and an ability to care for and enjoy horses for the rest of their lives and through this contribute to their development as well-rounded, self-disciplined, responsible citizens. If we have done these things, we will have done our job."
– Rufus Wesson, USPC President 1970-72