Whitford Pony Club rallies are fortnightly and run from September until after Easter (with a Christmas break). They mostly take place on Sat mornings: 10.00 a.m.-12,00 p.m. with a few twilight rallies early on in the season on a Thursday evening: 5.00 -7.00 p.m.
The rallies comprise of riding and Horse Mastership, in which young riders learn how to care for their pony/feed it/find out how different bits work etc. During the season, the riders do exams and receive certificates, as well as take part in club competitions and inter-club events. There are also opportunities to trial for national events such as NZPCA dressage, Show jumping and Horse Trials championships.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. We expect parents to take an active role in rallies- helping to put up jumps, carry equipment and cheer very loudly! A lot of these kids are pushing themselves and the ponies to try things that well outside of their comfort zone- and they deserve a lot of support.
The Head Coach divides the riders up into groups according to age/certificate level/experience. There tends to to 5-7 in a group.
Safety is very important and the kids must wear back protectors for cross-country training. The official uniform comprises of: cream/white jods, leather jod boots or long black leather boots, new blue/white shirt or old white shirt and a helmet of course. Both horses and riders must be be clean and tidy - no mud, dirty manes etc! Hair must be pulled back neatly. Instructors will do a gear inspection before each rally to make sure tack is properly fitted.
During summer months, the Pony Club has approximately 20 rallies (Wednesday evenings), with 4 of those being internal events (Club competition days).
The Club also runs events for the general public which vary each year (e.g. Showjumping day, Dressage, One Day Events and Open Days) and these are advertised in the local papers and to other Pony Clubs in Auckland.
Rallies are run by the Rally Co-ordinator with qualified instructors leading each group of riders. The rallies consist of riding and horse management and the members sit certificates, ranging from D+ right up to A&H.
Rules and Safety
Although Pony Club Rules and Regulations may at first seem petty and designed to make life difficult, and riding more expensive than it is already, they are here to ensure the safety of the horse and rider. Boots or shoes without heels may allow a foot to slip through the stirrups and get stuck during a fall, which may result in the rider being dragged. A long sleeved top for show jumping and cross country gives you extra protection. The wearing of body protectors is highly encouraged, and are now compulsory in cross-country riding. The riding helmet needs no explanation, and should comply to safety standards.
The pony’s tack will be checked at every rally and will be checked at one day events held at Pony Clubs. At formal rallies points will be awarded on “Turnout” for care and maintenance of horse and saddlery, and riders attire. Dirty and neglected tack can be a hazard to the pony’s health and may be unsafe if any of the stitching is worn. It is also essential that the tack is fitted correctly. If you are at all unsure, ask your Coach or one of the senior riders to check it for you.
Rally Nights
Pony Club rallies are held most Thursday evenings. If the rally is mounted (riding), you need to be mounted and ready to ride at the appropriate time. We assemble in front of the clubhouse and any important information and news will be given out then. Parents - if your riders are young or do not always remember messages, make sure you hear the notices as well. Formal coaching will be given for 1 ½ hours to include a turnout and/or gear check, HM (Horsemastership) session, warm-up exercises, ridden lesson and/or some games activity. Other activities, such as trekking together, and learning how to ride in a group can also be scheduled.
Unmounted rallies can involve learning about horsemastership and how to care for your pony. For your Pony Club Certificates you need to know this as well as being able to ride. In these instances, you can leave your pony in the paddock or at home, but do remember to wear your Pony Club uniform.
If for any rally you are late, go to your Coach and wait for him/her to tell you what to do. If you need to leave early, make sure you excuse yourself so no-one will worry where you have gone and send out a search party!
What about Certificates then?
Your Coach or Rally Coordinator will tell you when you are ready to go for your certificates. He/she will make sure you know all you need to, to pass the test. The club organises these exams and you want to look best on the day. Passing your “D” certificate will allow you to wear a little “D” on your pony club badge. The certificate grades are D, D+, C, C+, B, A & H. For B and above the exam is divided into two parts – riding and theory - you may choose to do only one part at a time.
How do Parents fit in at Pony Club?
Pony Clubs are youth organisations though we like to think of pony club as a family club. We are forever trying to raise funds to improve facilities and to be able to send teams away to external competitions. Events and ribbon days are one way the club makes money, but take a lot of preparation. Arenas and rings need to be set up, jumps need to be put up and cross country courses flagged. We need ring stewards, writers, time keepers, gear checkers, BBQ assistance and a variety of other roles. Again, here is an opportunity to learn a lot about the pony club movement. Many hands make light work and the more the merrier applies. Running a Pony Club is quite labour intensive. The grounds need to be looked after, the jumps need to be painted and the toilets need to be cleaned from time to time. Working bees are held to meet these needs. Working bees are a good opportunity to get to know some of the other parents, have some fresh air and exercise, and you might learn a bit too. Even if you think you have no skills, we will surely find something you can do. Our club is only going to be as good as the effort we are prepared to put into it. It is during working bees that we make life long friends and the kids have huge amounts of fun working together - children that are not involved in these working bees can feel left out so we encourage you all to join in.
The End of Season
.... will come too soon. There is the Closing Rally, a Prize-giving for the year, and the AGM to look forward to. Everyone should attend these. We discuss the year that has been and the year to come, any grizzles are aired and we can celebrate our Season. At the Prize-giving all the prizes and trophies are given out. There are a lot of trophies to be won, and not just for those who have been successful at competitions. Awards are given for those riders who have shown the Most Improvement, for those who have the highest score for Turnout and Attendance at Rallies etc.
In the meantime – have a happy, safe and successful season.
Working rallies will be held weekly during Pony Club season, and are available to all members under the age of 25 years. Instruction will be given at these rallies. At this stage the first rally night for the season will be Wed 15 October.
You must be tacked up and ready to go at 5.15pm on rally nights. We will meet for a quick roll call and update you on any news, and then the instruction will begin promptly at 5.30pm.
If the weather is bad we will have an unmounted rally in our club rooms. You will be advised by email or text by 4pm at the latest if this is the case.
If you are unable to attend a rally for some reason, please can you let your instructor or a committee member know before hand.
To qualify to sit certificates or to represent the Branch, District or Area at events, a minimum of five rallies must be attended in the 12 months directly before the event. Three of these rallies are to be with the horse to be ridden at the event. Riders with more than one horse must qualify both mounts at separate rallies, and they may only choose one mount to enter any one competition.
Combined rallies are held on several occasions though the season at one of the branches. All district members are welcome to attend, and they do count as a full rally. Dates for these rallies will be advised.
At the beginning of each rally we encourage the children to do as much as they can to get their horse ready to be ridden. The Gear is checked before the children start on any lessons, this check consists of checking that tack has been put on correctly and is safe to ride with also that the horse has been groomed and the hooves oiled. The child is also checked that they are wearing clothing suitable and safe to ride in, i.e. the helmet is fitting properly.
Lessons are of a varied type, the children are split into ability and lessons are geared to improve their riding and knowledge. We have lead rein ponies up to 16.2hh horses.
Dressage, show jumping and cross-country is taught as well as all other horsemastership and games are often played. The games are great fun for the kids and teaches them how to handle their horse with out them realising that they are learning!
The rally uniform consists of:
There ae also NZPCA certificates that the children work towards covering riding and horse care.
Amberley Pony Club enters into many competitions throughout the year and always welcomes members to take part. We do our best to include everyone. To be eligible the rider and mount must have attended a minimum of five rallies in the previous 12 months, three of which were on the mount entered and parent or care giver must have attended four meetings in the previous 12 months.
The rallies comprise of riding and Horse Mastership, in which young riders learn how to care for their pony/feed it/find out how different bits work etc. During the season, the riders do exams and receive certificates, as well as take part in club competitions and inter-club events. There are also opportunities to trial for national events such as NZPCA dressage, Show jumping and Horse Trials championships.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. We expect parents to take an active role in rallies- helping to put up jumps, carry equipment and cheer very loudly! A lot of these kids are pushing themselves and the ponies to try things that well outside of their comfort zone- and they deserve a lot of support.
The Head Coach divides the riders up into groups according to age/certificate level/experience. There tends to to 5-7 in a group.
Safety is very important and the kids must wear back protectors for cross-country training. The official uniform comprises of: cream/white jods, leather jod boots or long black leather boots, new blue/white shirt or old white shirt and a helmet of course. Both horses and riders must be be clean and tidy - no mud, dirty manes etc! Hair must be pulled back neatly. Instructors will do a gear inspection before each rally to make sure tack is properly fitted.
During summer months, the Pony Club has approximately 20 rallies (Wednesday evenings), with 4 of those being internal events (Club competition days).
The Club also runs events for the general public which vary each year (e.g. Showjumping day, Dressage, One Day Events and Open Days) and these are advertised in the local papers and to other Pony Clubs in Auckland.
Rallies are run by the Rally Co-ordinator with qualified instructors leading each group of riders. The rallies consist of riding and horse management and the members sit certificates, ranging from D+ right up to A&H.
Rules and Safety
Although Pony Club Rules and Regulations may at first seem petty and designed to make life difficult, and riding more expensive than it is already, they are here to ensure the safety of the horse and rider. Boots or shoes without heels may allow a foot to slip through the stirrups and get stuck during a fall, which may result in the rider being dragged. A long sleeved top for show jumping and cross country gives you extra protection. The wearing of body protectors is highly encouraged, and are now compulsory in cross-country riding. The riding helmet needs no explanation, and should comply to safety standards.
The pony’s tack will be checked at every rally and will be checked at one day events held at Pony Clubs. At formal rallies points will be awarded on “Turnout” for care and maintenance of horse and saddlery, and riders attire. Dirty and neglected tack can be a hazard to the pony’s health and may be unsafe if any of the stitching is worn. It is also essential that the tack is fitted correctly. If you are at all unsure, ask your Coach or one of the senior riders to check it for you.
Rally Nights
Pony Club rallies are held most Thursday evenings. If the rally is mounted (riding), you need to be mounted and ready to ride at the appropriate time. We assemble in front of the clubhouse and any important information and news will be given out then. Parents - if your riders are young or do not always remember messages, make sure you hear the notices as well. Formal coaching will be given for 1 ½ hours to include a turnout and/or gear check, HM (Horsemastership) session, warm-up exercises, ridden lesson and/or some games activity. Other activities, such as trekking together, and learning how to ride in a group can also be scheduled.
Unmounted rallies can involve learning about horsemastership and how to care for your pony. For your Pony Club Certificates you need to know this as well as being able to ride. In these instances, you can leave your pony in the paddock or at home, but do remember to wear your Pony Club uniform.
If for any rally you are late, go to your Coach and wait for him/her to tell you what to do. If you need to leave early, make sure you excuse yourself so no-one will worry where you have gone and send out a search party!
What about Certificates then?
Your Coach or Rally Coordinator will tell you when you are ready to go for your certificates. He/she will make sure you know all you need to, to pass the test. The club organises these exams and you want to look best on the day. Passing your “D” certificate will allow you to wear a little “D” on your pony club badge. The certificate grades are D, D+, C, C+, B, A & H. For B and above the exam is divided into two parts – riding and theory - you may choose to do only one part at a time.
How do Parents fit in at Pony Club?
Pony Clubs are youth organisations though we like to think of pony club as a family club. We are forever trying to raise funds to improve facilities and to be able to send teams away to external competitions. Events and ribbon days are one way the club makes money, but take a lot of preparation. Arenas and rings need to be set up, jumps need to be put up and cross country courses flagged. We need ring stewards, writers, time keepers, gear checkers, BBQ assistance and a variety of other roles. Again, here is an opportunity to learn a lot about the pony club movement. Many hands make light work and the more the merrier applies. Running a Pony Club is quite labour intensive. The grounds need to be looked after, the jumps need to be painted and the toilets need to be cleaned from time to time. Working bees are held to meet these needs. Working bees are a good opportunity to get to know some of the other parents, have some fresh air and exercise, and you might learn a bit too. Even if you think you have no skills, we will surely find something you can do. Our club is only going to be as good as the effort we are prepared to put into it. It is during working bees that we make life long friends and the kids have huge amounts of fun working together - children that are not involved in these working bees can feel left out so we encourage you all to join in.
The End of Season
.... will come too soon. There is the Closing Rally, a Prize-giving for the year, and the AGM to look forward to. Everyone should attend these. We discuss the year that has been and the year to come, any grizzles are aired and we can celebrate our Season. At the Prize-giving all the prizes and trophies are given out. There are a lot of trophies to be won, and not just for those who have been successful at competitions. Awards are given for those riders who have shown the Most Improvement, for those who have the highest score for Turnout and Attendance at Rallies etc.
In the meantime – have a happy, safe and successful season.
Working rallies will be held weekly during Pony Club season, and are available to all members under the age of 25 years. Instruction will be given at these rallies. At this stage the first rally night for the season will be Wed 15 October.
You must be tacked up and ready to go at 5.15pm on rally nights. We will meet for a quick roll call and update you on any news, and then the instruction will begin promptly at 5.30pm.
If the weather is bad we will have an unmounted rally in our club rooms. You will be advised by email or text by 4pm at the latest if this is the case.
If you are unable to attend a rally for some reason, please can you let your instructor or a committee member know before hand.
To qualify to sit certificates or to represent the Branch, District or Area at events, a minimum of five rallies must be attended in the 12 months directly before the event. Three of these rallies are to be with the horse to be ridden at the event. Riders with more than one horse must qualify both mounts at separate rallies, and they may only choose one mount to enter any one competition.
Combined rallies are held on several occasions though the season at one of the branches. All district members are welcome to attend, and they do count as a full rally. Dates for these rallies will be advised.
At the beginning of each rally we encourage the children to do as much as they can to get their horse ready to be ridden. The Gear is checked before the children start on any lessons, this check consists of checking that tack has been put on correctly and is safe to ride with also that the horse has been groomed and the hooves oiled. The child is also checked that they are wearing clothing suitable and safe to ride in, i.e. the helmet is fitting properly.
Lessons are of a varied type, the children are split into ability and lessons are geared to improve their riding and knowledge. We have lead rein ponies up to 16.2hh horses.
Dressage, show jumping and cross-country is taught as well as all other horsemastership and games are often played. The games are great fun for the kids and teaches them how to handle their horse with out them realising that they are learning!
The rally uniform consists of:
- A yellow shirt - can be purchased from Postie Plus.
- A yellow fleece - can be purchased through the club.
- Any colour jodhpurs, but cream is correct.
- And jodhpur boots (gumboots are not permitted.)
- Pony club badge - purchased through the club.
- A riding helmet. (approved)
There ae also NZPCA certificates that the children work towards covering riding and horse care.
Amberley Pony Club enters into many competitions throughout the year and always welcomes members to take part. We do our best to include everyone. To be eligible the rider and mount must have attended a minimum of five rallies in the previous 12 months, three of which were on the mount entered and parent or care giver must have attended four meetings in the previous 12 months.