United States Pony Clubs

What United States Pony Clubs does

United States Pony Clubs (USPC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1954 and headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, that operates as the largest equine educational organization in North America. USPC delivers structured horsemanship education, progressive certifications (D-level beginner through A-level advanced), and competitive opportunities across 11+ English and Western disciplines, serving members from age 5 through their 80s. The organization runs through a federated network of 41 regional associations, local Pony Clubs, and Riding Centers, supplemented by national events such as the biennial USPC Festival at Kentucky Horse Park (3,000+ participants) and an annual Convention.

USPC's product surface spans membership tiers (Club/Center, National, Professional, Corporate, Alumni, Friend, and Pony Club IQ E-Membership), a curriculum and certification program built on Standards of Proficiency, virtual competitions, a scholarship portfolio, and digital learning assets including the recently acquired Allpony.com platform and Pony Club IQ content (curated with TheHorse.com). Distribution is community-led through local clubs/centers plus direct national memberships and digital self-serve signups; Allpony.com extends reach to non-member consumers. Revenue mechanics combine recurring membership dues ($15–$1,000 depending on tier), one-time educational package sales ($30–$275), event registration fees ($65 per virtual competition), sponsorships with equestrian brands (LeMieux, Kerrits, Marshall & Sterling, Shapley's, Triple Crown, Wintec, Zoetis), donations, and endowment contributions (Life Corporate Membership).

Name

United States Pony Clubs

Legal name

United States Pony Clubs, Inc.

Website

https://ponyclub.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

United States Pony Clubs is the largest equine educational non-profit in North America, delivering structured riding and horse-management certifications, competitions across 11+ disciplines, and youth leadership programs through a network of 41 regional clubs and digital learning platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Equestrian Education

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

Keywords

• Equine education programs
• Youth equestrian training
• Horse riding certifications
• Equestrian competition organization
• Pony club membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Primary revenue from membership dues across multiple tiers: Club/Center Membership ($175-$185), National Membership ($195), Professional Membership ($95/year), Online Memberships ($0-$35/year), and Corporate Memberships ($60/year annual, $1,000 lifetime).
2. Educational Materials and Packages: Sale of educational packages including Horse Management Badge Program ($100), Riding Badge Program ($100), Complete Badge Program ($180), Complete Badge Program with D-1 Certification ($275), and Equine Management Curriculum ($135).
3. Life Corporate Membership Endowment: Life Corporate Membership dues ($1,000, discounted $375 for ages 18-25) go directly to Pony Club Endowment Fund to support future generations of members.
4. Allpony.com Subscriptions: Allpony.com platform offers subscription model to general public while USPC participating members receive free Single User Subscription as member benefit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

United States Pony Clubs is a non-profit equine educational organization that delivers a structured curriculum of riding skills, horse management, and horsemanship certification across D through A levels. It operates through a national network of local Pony Clubs and Riding Centers spanning 41 regions, supplemented by digital learning platforms, national championships, and youth leadership programs.

Product overview

The United States Pony Clubs operates as a unified platform with multiple integrated offerings: core participating memberships (Club/Center, National, Online, Professional, and Corporate tiers) providing access to progressive certifications (D through A levels), discipline-specific competitions and rallies, and educational programs. Key digital products include Allpony.com (acquired in 2025) offering interactive online courses, games, and quizzes; Pony Club IQ E-Membership providing curated equine educational content; and USPC Virtual Competitions for remote participation. The organization runs biennial USPC Festival (education + championships) and annual Convention events, plus leadership programs through National Youth Board and National Youth Congress. International exchange opportunities through PCIA complement competitive activities across 13 disciplines. Membership benefits include scholarships, the Member Achievement Program (sponsored by LeMieux), and partner perks through Allpony.com.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Allpony.com: Online equine education platform offering courses, interactive games, quizzes, and printables for learning about horses, riding, and horse care. Free to USPC participating members.
• Allpony by The U.S. Pony Clubs

Products and services

• Allpony.com Online Learning Platform An online equine education platform offering interactive lessons, courses, games, quizzes, and printables for riders of all ages and experience levels. USPC participating members receive a free Single User Subscription.
• Pony Club IQ E-Membership An interactive online membership tier providing access to Pony Club publications and equine educational materials written by TheHorse.com experts and reviewed by veterinarians, organized according to the USPC curriculum and Standards of Proficiency. Priced at $15 per 365-day term.
• Club/Center Membership Primary participating membership through local Pony Clubs and Riding Centers including D-1 to C-2 education, local and national-level testing, and discipline tracks in Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping, Hunter Seat Equitation, and Western. New Member $185, Renewing Member $175.
• National Membership Participating membership for former members aged 18 and over with C-2 Horse Management certification or above, allowing national-level participation without a specific region, club, or center affiliation. Priced at $195.
• Professional Membership Membership tier for riding instructors, camp directors, and educators providing lesson plans, instructional materials, and access to educational packages including Horse Management Badge Program, Riding Badge Program, D-1 Certification materials, and Equine Management Curriculum. Priced at $95 per year.
• Corporate Membership Supporting memberships for leaders, instructors, and volunteers including Annual Corporate Membership at $60 per year and Life Corporate Membership at $1,000 (discounted to $375 for ages 18-25), offering voting privileges and subscription to the print magazine.
• Online Memberships Bundle Includes Alumni Membership at $35 per year, Friend Membership at $35 per year, and the free Introductory E-Membership (with promo code JOINUSPC) for continued connection to Pony Club and access to digital publications.
• Educational Curriculum Packages Standalone educational packages including Horse Management Badge Program at $100, Riding Badge Program at $100, Complete Badge Program at $180, Complete Badge Program with D-1 Certification at $275, and Equine Management Curriculum at $135.
• USPC Festival A biennial week-long national event held at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, featuring mounted and unmounted clinics, workshops, National Championships in eight disciplines, and open competitions in three additional disciplines. Over 3,000 members participate.
• USPC Convention An annual national convention with hands-on educational workshops, Anatomy Room, Horse Management Room, leadership trainings, trade fair, and Meeting of the Corporation, held in rotating locations around the United States.
• USPC Virtual Competitions Virtual competitions in Dressage, Show Jumping, Trail, and Western Dressage offered during non-Festival years, open to members of all ages and certification levels at $65 per member.
• Member Achievement Program A points-based program sponsored by LeMieux allowing members to earn points for participating in USPC activities, regional, national, and international events. Awards based on national rankings with recognition certificates and pins. Cost $30 per member, award period January 1 to December 31.
• Standards of Proficiency Certification Program A progressive certification system spanning D-level beginner through A-level advanced covering riding and horse management skills across multiple disciplines. Each certification level builds depth of knowledge and abilities.
• International Exchange Program Cultural and competitive exchanges through Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA) including in-person exchanges in Dressage, Eventing, Foxhunting, Mounted Games, Quiz, Show Jumping, and Tetrathlon, plus virtual exchanges.
• College Scholarship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• A-level certification signifies a highly competent equestrian who has dedicated themselves to the highest level of knowledge and skills
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Allpony.comcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2025USPC acquired Allpony.com, an educational horse care website, to expand its online learning resources. The platform offers courses, games, printables, and a subscription model, targeting both USPC members and the general public. USPC participating members receive a FREE Single User Subscription to Allpony.
• LeMieuxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of USPC Member Achievement Program. LeMieux App offers special discounts and community for Pony Club members.
• KerritsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerApparel partner displayed on Pony Club website homepage with logo linking to kerrits.com.
• Marshall & SterlingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquine insurance sponsor displayed on Pony Club website. Marshall & Sterling offers insurance coverage for equestrian pursuits.
• Shapley'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrooming and horse care products partner displayed on Pony Club website.
• Triple Crown FeedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquine nutrition sponsor displayed on Pony Club website. Also provides Triple Crown Nutrition Scholarship to Pony Club members.
• WintecminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSaddle manufacturer partner displayed on Pony Club website homepage.
• ZoetisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEquine health products sponsor displayed on Pony Club website homepage.
• Equestrian Land Conservation ResourceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Anson W. H. Taylor Memorial Scholarship for members committed to land conservation efforts.
• Western & English Sales AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of National Youth Congress (NYC), which recognizes outstanding Pony Club members and builds leadership skills.
• Dreamers and SchemersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of National Youth Congress with Western & English Sales Association.
• Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSPC participates with other nations within PCIA for international exchanges. Exchange countries include Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and United Kingdom.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United States Equestrian Federation (USEF): USEF is the national governing body for equestrian sport in the U.S. and a broader incumbent covering multiple breeds and disciplines. It overlaps with USPC through competitions, certifications of officials, and youth programming, but operates at a wider industry level rather than youth education.
• American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA): AQHA is one of the world's largest breed registries and runs a comprehensive youth program with competitions, scholarships, and an affiliate network. It overlaps with USPC on youth equestrian development but is breed-specific rather than discipline-neutral.

Direct peers

• The Pony Club (UK): The Pony Club UK is the originating organization that USPC was modeled after in 1954. It operates the same membership-based structure, progressive certification system (D through A levels), and rallies/competitions across the United Kingdom, making it the most direct peer and global benchmark.
• Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA): CHA certifies riding instructors and stable managers across the U.S. using a standardized curriculum and certification framework. It is a direct peer in equine education/certification, serving a similar professional and instructor audience as USPC's Professional Membership tier.

Emerging players

• National 4-H Council (Equine Programs): 4-H is a major U.S. youth development organization that runs equine projects, competitions, and curricula. It competes for the same families and youth attention as USPC, but with broader (non-equine) programming and a different delivery model (extension/university-based).
• American Morgan Horse Association (AMHA): AMHA is a breed association that offers youth programs, scholarships, and educational events around the Morgan horse. It is an emerging peer in the equestrian youth education space, with comparable membership-based programming but breed-specific scope.
• National Reining Horse Association (NRHA): NRHA is the global governing body for reining competitions and offers youth programs, certifications, and educational content. It overlaps with USPC's Western Dressage and Western discipline tracks but focuses narrowly on reining rather than broad equestrian education.

Regional players

• Equestrian Canada: Equestrian Canada is the national equestrian federation for Canada, running coaching certifications and discipline programs. It is a regional peer comparable in mission (national equestrian education and competition governance) but operating in Canada, not the U.S.
• Pony Club Australia: Pony Club Australia is the Australian equivalent operating the same progressive certification and rally model across a national network. It is a regional peer within the PCIA alliance, comparable in structure but operating primarily in Australia rather than the U.S.
• The Pony Club (Canada): Pony Club Canada is the Canadian branch of the global Pony Club movement and a PCIA exchange partner. It is structurally identical to USPC with certifications and rallies, but serves Canadian members rather than competing in the U.S. market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/USPonyClubs
• Facebookfacebook.com/USPonyClubs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ponyclub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United States Pony Clubs