Tetrathlon

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Tetrathlon is a very demanding competition with four parts: swimming, running, riding, and shooting.  Tetrathlon encourages, promotes and develops a Pony Club member's  interest in horses and horsemanship by combining riding with other  athletic activities.

Tetrathlon provides pony club members with a challenging  competition requiring sound practical horsemanship, general athletic  ability and sportsmanship.

Tetrathlon is based on the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon  which has been included in the Olympics since 1912. The Modern  Pentathlon was based on the King's Messengers who set off across country  on horseback until met by the enemy when they had to fight their way  through with a sword to finally escape and deliver their message on  foot, swimming across a river on the way. The sport has been used by the  military colleges of many countries to develop the character of their  young officers.

In 1969, Tetrathlon, which omits fencing, was started  in the Pony Club. It became a national program in Canada in 1975 and is  now enjoyed by hundreds of members from coast to coast who participate  in Club, Regional, National, and International competitions.