Tetrathlon
Encyclopedia
A tetrathlon is a team competition organized by The Pony Club
for its members. It is a variant of the modern pentathlon
, without fencing. Thus it comprises the four disciplines of shooting
, swimming, riding and running
.
Teams typically consist of four members from one pony club branch competing against several teams from rival branches. Competitions typically last two days during the summer months, with shooting and swimming on the first day and riding and running on the second. The competitions are run using volunteers on a non-profit making basis and are often hosted by patrons of the host branch, such as farmers or local land owners.
There are three age categories, known as minimus, (8 to 11), junior (12 to 14) and senior (15 to 21). Boys and girls compete separately.
There is no minimum qualification standard to compete, but contests are only open to active pony club members, those who have attended at least three rallies that year.
At the end of the games, rosettes are awarded for the top scores in each discipline, for the highest overall scores, and for the best team performances in each of the age and sex categories.
air pistols from a range of 7 or 10 metres depending on their age. Younger (minimus) competitors are allowed to use two hands while older competitors are allowed to use only one. Ten shots are fired under timed conditions with a maximum of four seconds allowed per shot.
as far as they can in a pool during a fixed time depending on age category. Scores are measured according to distance covered.
including a number of fences (jumps) under timed conditions. The size of the fences ranges from 2 foot 6 inches to 3 foot 6 inches depending on the age category of the competitors. Each course also includes a hazard section, containing a swinging gate which must be opened and closed while remaining on horseback, and a slip rail, through which riders lead their horse after dismounting. This element of the course is timed and is similar to that found in hunter trials.
The Pony Club
The Pony Club is a voluntary organisation founded in England in 1929. It has now expanded internationally and Pony Club branches can be found worldwide...
for its members. It is a variant of the modern pentathlon
Modern pentathlon
The modern pentathlon is a sports contest that includes five events: pistol shooting, épée fencing, 200 m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3 km cross-country run...
, without fencing. Thus it comprises the four disciplines of shooting
Shooting
Shooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...
, swimming, riding and running
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
.
Teams typically consist of four members from one pony club branch competing against several teams from rival branches. Competitions typically last two days during the summer months, with shooting and swimming on the first day and riding and running on the second. The competitions are run using volunteers on a non-profit making basis and are often hosted by patrons of the host branch, such as farmers or local land owners.
There are three age categories, known as minimus, (8 to 11), junior (12 to 14) and senior (15 to 21). Boys and girls compete separately.
There is no minimum qualification standard to compete, but contests are only open to active pony club members, those who have attended at least three rallies that year.
At the end of the games, rosettes are awarded for the top scores in each discipline, for the highest overall scores, and for the best team performances in each of the age and sex categories.
Shooting
Competitors are required to shoot at stationary targets using .177 calibre.177 calibre
.177 caliber is the smallest size of pellets widely used in air guns, and is the only caliber generally accepted for formal target competition. It is also sometimes used for hunting small game, and in field target competition, where it competes with .20 caliber and .22 caliber rifles...
air pistols from a range of 7 or 10 metres depending on their age. Younger (minimus) competitors are allowed to use two hands while older competitors are allowed to use only one. Ten shots are fired under timed conditions with a maximum of four seconds allowed per shot.
Swimming
Competitors are required to swim freestyleFreestyle swimming
Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...
as far as they can in a pool during a fixed time depending on age category. Scores are measured according to distance covered.
Riding
Competitors are required to complete a cross-country courseCross-country equestrianism
Cross country equestrian jumping is an endurance test, and is one of the three phases of the sport of eventing; it may also be a competition in its own right, known as hunter trials or simply "cross-country" - these tend to be lower level, local competitions.The object of the endurance test is to...
including a number of fences (jumps) under timed conditions. The size of the fences ranges from 2 foot 6 inches to 3 foot 6 inches depending on the age category of the competitors. Each course also includes a hazard section, containing a swinging gate which must be opened and closed while remaining on horseback, and a slip rail, through which riders lead their horse after dismounting. This element of the course is timed and is similar to that found in hunter trials.