The Loudoun Hunt Pony Club was founded in 1958 and today has an active membership of over 40 young horse enthusiasts. We are a recognized by the United States Pony Club and part of the Virginia Regional Pony Club. The goal of our local club reflects our parent organization and is outlined in the USPC Mission Statement and Guiding Beliefs. Our local Club is run in accordance with the LHPC Policies.

Our local organization is fortunate to have the use of the fabulous facilities of the Morven Park Equestrian Center for the majority of the mounted and unmounted activities. Morven Park is located on Route 15 on the north side of Leesburg, Virginia.

Each year the Club organizes week long summer camps, 6 spring and 6 fall group riding lessons as well as winter ground schools. These activities are paid for by the proceeds from the spring horse trial held at Morven Park and the fall horse trial held at Oatlands Plantation. The participation of the entire membership is required to pull off these fund raising activities. For those members and their families that participate in the clean up of the grounds and at the weekend competitions, the spring and fall lessons as well as summer camp, are included as a part of membership with no additional charges.

Ratings to evaluate horsemanship both riding and knowledge, are held throughout the year at the discretion of the District Commissioner for D-1, D-2, D-3, C-1 and C-2 candidates. Following the USPC guidelines, members are awarded ratings for mastering specific requirements. These rating range for D-1 for beginner riders, through C for more independent and accomplished horsemen, up to B, HA and A levels of superior accomplishments. The expense of the ratings is also covered by the Club once for each member at each testing level. The upper levels of testing, from the C-3 level and up are held at the regional or national level with scheduling done by the appropriate governing body.

Rallies are held for a variety of disciplines such as knowledge, dressage, games, show jumping, eventing and tetratholon. These are offered based on the rating of the rider and are team competitions held at various locations within our region. These give the kids a chance to work together as a team and further develop their skills. As the children advance thorough the levels of horsemanship, the rallies also serve as the selection for National and Regional competitions, again, as team competitions.

Other yearly activities include an annual business meeting for parents. The years events are reviewed and the election of officers takes place. Besides the elected officers, the Club relies heavily on the active participation of parents. Everyone gets in on the action with an assigned activity ranging from maintaining the LHPC library, collecting required paper work from members or organizing job assignments at the horse trials. This is a Club for kids that works because of a lot of parent participation. And with any luck, it is as much fun for the parents as it is for the kids.

Related links:

>> Morven Park Equestrian Center

>> United States Pony Club

>> Virginia Regional Pony Club