Diversity and Inclusion
US Pony Clubs Equal Opportunities Statement (Policy #110, adopted 27 January 2019)
In order to ensure that the mission of USPC, Inc. is carried out in a non-discriminatory manner, it is the policy of the Board of Governors that membership in the United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (USPC)shall be open to eligible persons without regard to age, nationality, race, color, religion, culture, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
US Pony Clubs - Diversity, Inclusion & Access Committee
In Spring 2021, USPC set up a new sub-committee of the Board of Governors to recommend policies and practices to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility to the Pony Club program nationally. The committee is currently chaired by former National Youth Board member Devyn Hinkle who welcomes emails from members with ideas and suggestions for broadening access to Pony Club.
Middle California Region Diversity & Inclusion Working Group (formed September 2020; currently on hiatus)
The Middle California Region Diversity and Inclusion Working Group considers questions of diversity, equity and inclusion within the Region, concentrating on race/ethnicity, gender, age, and ability, with a view to making MidCal Region a welcoming and supportive environment for current and potential members, parents, and instructors. The group will generate, select, and prioritize realistic, actionable proposals; and provide encouragement and oversight on behalf of the Region, in consultation with the Regional Supervisor.
The working group formulated recommendations around helmet fit/safety, natural hair, and head coverings which were shared with the USPC Safety and HM committees in October 2020. These included specific recommendations for amendments to the HM Rule Book and the Safety guidebook.
The working group noted that USPC does not collect any information about disability or the race/ethnicity of its membership. It therefore also created and piloted (within the Region) a survey for the collection of demographic information from existing and new members, and shared that with the USPC executive director and board president in March 2021, recommending that the collection of such information be implemented immediately as part of new member registration and subsequently through the membership renewal process.
The working group also supported the RS with a memo expressing our desire to work with the new board of governors' committee to roll out new policies coming from National.
We are always looking for new working group members and particularly welcome interest from members, parents and supporters who represent demographic groups currently underserved by Pony Club. The MidCal working group went on hiatus in April 2021, pending recommendations from the Board of Governors DIEA committee.
For more information, please contact the group chair, Michelle Cale, at mscale86 @ gmail.com.
Diversity, Inclusion & Equity in the Equestrian World
Strides for Equality Equestrian - An allyship program based in Eventing aimed at addressing the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the discipline.
US Equestrian - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
US Hunter/Jumper Association - Diversity and Inclusion Advocacy Committee
USEF: Para-Equestrian resources - information for disabled riders interested in para-equestrian dressage and para-equestrian driving.
US Para-Equestrian Association - An affiliate of US Equestrian, supporting eligible equestrians with physical disabilities.
Paralympics: Equestrian - Official website of the Paralympic movement. Para-dressage became an official Paralympic discipline in 1996.
Black Reins Magazine - An online bi-annual publication celebrating African-American equestrians and especially honoring the history and traditions of Black cowboys.
Young Black Equestrians: The Podcast - Abriana Johnson and Caitlin Gooch talk about diversity, riding, race, inclusion, and having fun with friends.
Hope in the Saddle - Inspirational stories of how horses help people meet life's toughest challenges; includes stories of veterans, disabled, and BIPOC riders.
Equestrian Nonprofit Organizations Serving BIPOC and Marginalized Youth in California (not affiliated with USPC)
City Horse - connects urban youth to horses and animals; in the east Bay.
The Humble Project - a nonprofit riding and horsemanship program aiming to expose underprivileged and marginalized communities to the horse world; in the east Bay run by Brianna Noble.
Compton Junior Equestrians - Serving inner city youth in the city of Compton, CA, who are at risk of dropping out of school, incarceration or other negative effects of poverty and social exclusion. (SoCal) Partner project of the USPC National Youth Board in 2018.
Taking the Reins - Supporting girls in Los Angeles to grow with confidence and courage through engaging with horses.
We Ride Too - engaging BIPOC youth with horses to promote diversity and inclusion in equestrianism; based in Oakland, CA.
Therapeutic Horse Riding Programs (not affiliated with USPC)
B.O.K Ranch, Woodside
National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT), Woodside