The Pony Club is fully committed to the principles and practice of equality of opportunity for all and ensuring that equestrianism sport and learning is accessible to everyone.

In The Pony Club Strategy 2021-2025, we have outlined that we seek to promote inclusion, equality and diversity amongst members, volunteers, and staff. Aiming to recruit, engage and retain irrespective of age, race, disability - including both visible and non-visible, neurodiversity, sexual orientation, how they identify, underserved socio-economic position or religion. 

Further details on Equality & Diversity can be found HERE

The Pony Club is committed to ensuring that, wherever possible, members are able to access all aspects of the Branch and Centre activities we offer. Reasonable Adjustments are any actions that help to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty. They are needed because some disabilities can make it harder for members to take part in activities than it would have been had the member not been disabled. A Member does not necessarily have to be disabled (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) to be allowed an access arrangement.

Reasonable adjustments are intended to increase access to Tests and other activities and are intended to assist Members in demonstrating their attainment without affecting or circumventing the Test requirements. All Reasonable Adjustment Plans will be treated confidentially and only shared with permission from the member and their parent (if under 18yrs old).

Reasonable Adjustments can be used for the Pony Club Tests and should be approved in advance of the Test taking place. Reasonable adjustments are changes made to an assessment or to the way an assessment is conducted that reduce or remove a disadvantage caused by a student’s disability. Reasonable Adjustments will not affect the reliability or validity of the Test outcome nor should they give the Member an assessment advantage over other Members undertaking the same or similar Tests. Where possible the reasonable adjustment should reflect a Member’s normal way of working. The Reasonable Adjustment is intended to give all Members a level playing field in which to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding.

Reasonable Adjustments can also be used to allow Members to take part in activities or competitions. As with Tests these adjustments should be approved in advance of the activity or competition.

Some Members may already have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) which can be used to help plan Reasonable Adjustments. However, the Pony Club will strive to ensure inclusivity for any of its Members who need additional support whether or not they have an official statement.

At East Sussex we are committed to doing all that we can to ensure that every child is able to participate in activities, regardless of their physical, medical or emotional needs, or their neurodiversity. We have a number of instructors, parents and carers who have direct experience in this area. We encourage you to complete a Pony Club Personal Profile for any Member that has additional needs (of any type) and to use this as a basis for completing a Reasonable Adjustment Form if required. 

More information, including examples of the forms, and templates for completion can be found on the official PC website HERE

Please send completed forms to Lucy Dixon-Thompson (lucy@sussexpianos.co.uk / 07875 390868). Lucy is the ESPC contact for any issues to do with additional needs and Reasonable Adjustments. She is happy to help and / or advise with the forms and will do her best to answer any questions. Lucy will work with you to establish what information can and should be shared with instructors and other branch adults (as appropriate) to ensure that your child is best understood and supported. No information will ever be shared about your child without your consent.