Club Activities
OPRC is based on United States Pony Clubs (USPC). USPC has been in existence in this country since 1954. Our local club rules are based on the rules of the National Old People’s Riding Club. A requirement of membership is that each member be rated prior to participation in any mounted club activity. The rating is required to establish the member's ability to safely participate in club activities. The requirements for the D1 rating can be found on the National OPRC website: oldpeoplesridingclub.com. In OPRC, there are variations to accommodate riders of different disciplines. After the initial rating, there is no pressure to move up – only opportunity to learn.
Monthly Lessons
OPRC-Piedmont schedules mounted lessons, weather permitting, on the second Sunday of each month. Winter sessions are typically held in an indoor arena. Please arrive on time, ready to ride. You, your tack, and your horse should be reasonably clean--no unnecessary jewelry or flying hair!! There are safety reasons for this. We also enjoy many “extra curricular” activities.
Musical Rides:
What is Musical Ride? This goes by several different names – Quadrille, Musical Dressage or Drill Team. Pick One! It’s all the same thing here – just lacking the pretense normally associated with Dressage or Quadrille. All saddles and riding styles are acceptable. You and your horse will ride with other horses and riders to scripted patterns and movements. Most of the movements will be single file – nothing crazy to memorize – and each group will have an experienced leader.
Summer Camp
One of our most popular activities is Summer Camp started in 2006 and held over a three-day weekend in Sepember. This is an overnight camp at Penmerryl Farm, near Staunton, VA, with lovely accommodations, facilities and trails. There are daily dressage and jumping group lessons with our wonderful instructors. In addition to riding, there is also fishing on the lake, tennis, and swimming.
OPRC National Rally
Every two years, OPRC hosts a Rally for members only. The classes include Dressage - Intro thru First Level, Gambler's Choice Show Jumping - Trot Poles thru 2'-18", Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Trail Class and Stable Management. At the end of the rally the results are submitted to the National OPRC to be compiled along with other chapters' results and the overall results are announced at the end of the year. Our chapter has always done well in the Dressage, Trail and Stable Management classes.
What our members say:
"I joined OPRC in 2004 when we had about 15 members and as I have watched the club grow over the years, I look back and see how many friends I’ve made and the wide range of wonderful lessons and clinics I have attended. Summer camp is definitely my favorite weekend of the year when we have tons of fun with lots of lessons, trail rides and hanging out with our friends around the pool. Another thing I love about this club is all the support and encouragement members give each other, both in and out of the saddle."
Miranda K, OPRC Piedmont Member
