Pony Club is an international youth programme that combines horsemanship, pony care and personal development. At Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, children learn how to handle and interact safely with ponies while developing confidence, responsibility and a deeper understanding of horse care. ADEC is an official Overseas Pony Club Centre, giving members the opportunity to work towards Pony Club badges and internationally recognised Efficiency Tests. Riding is not included in the programme; classes focus on horsemanship and equestrian education.

ADEC Pony Club is currently open to children aged 6 to 12 years old. Children are placed in small groups of up to eight members to support learning and individual attention.

Children develop skills and knowledge in communicating effectively with a pony; grooming and basic pony care; safe handling and leading; understanding pony behaviour; stable management; pony health and welfare; tack and equipment; general horsemanship; and confidence, responsibility and teamwork.
Pony care and stable management are a central part of the programme: children learn practical skills such as grooming, safe handling and understanding what ponies need to remain healthy, comfortable and well cared for, along with the equipment and routines involved in caring for them.
Learning to communicate with and care for a pony also encourages children to become more confident, responsible and independent, alongside qualities such as teamwork, resilience and leadership.

No. Riding is not included in the ADEC Pony Club programme. Sessions focus entirely on horsemanship and equestrian education, including groundwork, handling, pony care and stable management, so that children develop a broader understanding of ponies and how to care for them.

No. Previous experience is not required, and Pony Club is suitable for complete beginners as well as children who already ride elsewhere. Children join at an appropriate level and develop their horsemanship, pony care knowledge and confidence progressively through regular sessions, in a structured and supervised environment.
While the programme does not include mounted riding, children who already ride build horsemanship knowledge, pony care skills and ground-based experience that complements their riding elsewhere. Our coaches work with each child according to their individual experience and level of development.

Pony Club badges are awards that recognise children’s knowledge and skills in different areas of horsemanship, providing fun, achievable milestones as children learn more about ponies and their care. There are two types: Mini Badges are introductory awards designed to help younger or newer members learn about different aspects of pony care and horsemanship, while Achievement Badges recognise knowledge and skills in more specific areas, across a range of topics and levels. At ADEC, members can work towards both as part of their Pony Club journey.

ADEC Pony Club runs during term time, with one 45-minute session each week. There are currently 10 sessions per term and three terms each year: Term 1: September to December; Term 2: January to April; Term 3: May to August.

Pony Club is not a riding programme. Rather than developing mounted riding skills, children learn about grooming, handling, stable management, pony health and welfare, tack, behaviour and general horsemanship, following a structured progression towards Pony Club badges and Efficiency Tests. Families looking for mounted riding instruction should speak to the Riding School team about riding lessons separately.
Pony Camp, by contrast, is a short, fun holiday experience that introduces children to riding, pony care and stable management through a mixture of riding, hands-on activities and games. Pony Camp can be a great introduction to ponies, while Pony Club provides an ongoing journey during term time for children who want to continue developing their horsemanship.

ADEC Pony Club groups have a maximum of 8 children. Keeping groups small allows coaches to provide appropriate attention and support while children develop their horsemanship skills.

Children should wear comfortable, well-fitted clothing that allows them to move safely and easily during horse-handling and stable-management activities.

Loose or baggy clothing should be avoided, and closed-toe footwear must be worn. No specialist clothing or equipment is required to participate in the programme unless otherwise advised by the ADEC team.

Parents and guardians are welcome to remain at the Club during Pony Club sessions. There are several cafés onsite providing comfortable areas to wait. Some Pony Club activities may take place in areas with restricted parent/guardian access. However, children will remain under the supervision of the ADEC team at all times and within close proximity to the designated waiting areas.

That’s completely normal, particularly for children who are new to ponies. Our coaches introduce children to ponies in a structured and supervised environment and help them develop confidence gradually. If your child has specific concerns or additional needs, we encourage you to speak to the Riding School team before registering.

For further information about Pony Club, applications or your child’s suitability for the programme, please contact the ADEC Riding School team. Email: riding.school@adec.ae Phone: 056 905 0001.