On Saturday, April 15, members from most Central Ontario Branches are expected to compete at the 2000 Central Ontario Regional Quiz at Henry Street High School in Whitby.

Pony Club is an international movement for young people (aged 21 or under), and is the largest equestrian organization in the world with over 120,000 members worldwide. It offers a wide variety of horse-related activities and competitions.

Quiz is different from most other Pony Club activities in that it does not require horses or ponies. Pony Clubbers compete as both individuals and teams, each Branch being allowed one team at each level of difficulty. D level is for the younger or less experienced members, C level for the intermediates, and the A/B level for the older and more experienced members.

There will be three phases: a written test, a visual test where competitors have to identify strange, obscure and unusual horsy objects by sight (older competitors often have to read an X-Ray) and an oral test. There will also be several "Quiz Stations". These are games that teams, helpers and spectators can play; they don't count for points, but they are fun for everybody. For example, one calls for the player to identify various horse-related objects that have been put into socks, by feel alone. Clubs may also compete in a "Projects" category, in which they prepare displays or exhibits based on assigned topics. This year, the topic for D projects is "Teeth and Aging", the topic for C projects is "Feeding", and the topic for A/B projects is "Annual Maintenance of your Horse".

To form a Quiz team, most Pony Club Branches hold meetings and try-outs over a period of about six weeks. Often, the A/B level Pony Clubbers coach the other teams.

The Regional Quiz takes a full day, and is traditionally the first competition of the new season. The top four individual competitors at the A/B and C levels qualify to compete at the National Quiz in October. This competition is held over the Thanksgiving weekend. This year, National Quiz will be held in London, hosted by the Western Ontario Region.

The competition starts at 9 am, and spectators are welcome without charge. Henry Street High School is just north of Burns Street.

For details call Liz or Bob Inglis, Central Ontario Regional Communications Co-Chairs, at 416-493-1223 (office) or 416-491-4230 (home), or via e-mail at bobinglis@technalysis.on.ca, or lizinglis@technalysis.on.ca, or call Robyn VanBerkel, Central Ontario Regional Quiz Chair, at 613-352-5576 (home).