Wakatipu Pony Club Membership Information
- Welcome to The Wakatipu Pony Club
- Our aims and objectives of the NZPCA
- Pony Club Parent Volunteers
- Management
- The rules of our branch
- Annual subscription
- Rallies
- Pony Club manuals
- Competition
- Trophies
- Safety
- Accidents
- Pony Club Camp
- Instructors
- Uniform
- Wakatipu Pony Club's One Day Event
- NZPC Association Code of Conduct
- Administrators, Instructors And Parents
- Riders
- NZ Committe of Management
- Download PDF of The Wakatipu Pony Club Membership Information
- Download PDF of Membership Form
WELCOME TO THE WAKATIPU PONY CLUB
Information for members and prospective members (children and parents)
The Wakatipu Pony Club was formed in 1951, and is a Branch of the Central Otago Pony Club, which is part of the Otago Southland Area. We are affiliated to the New Zealand Pony Club Association through the Otago Southland Area.
Central Otago Pony Club has 5 branches, Hawea-Wanaka, Cromwell, Clyde, Wakatipu, and Maniototo. The COPC is run by a committee made up of delegates from each branch.
The District Commissioner oversees all activities and responsibilities of the Club and it’s Branches, so ensuring that the Central Otago Pony Club runs smoothly and everyone is kept happy and interested.
The Aims and Objectives of the NZPCA are as follows:
To promote and encourage the Pony Club’s Fair Play Charter cultivating respect, loyalty and a strength of character and self-discipline in all members along with the proper care and welfare of their horse.
To foster a pleasant learning environment for young people to expand their equestrian knowledge and skills.
PONY CLUB PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Naturally, our pony club branch can only function with the help of the parent volunteers. This parental support is crucial to ensure that the effort the children and their instructors put into their time with pony club results in enjoyment and successful outcomes. All parents are required to attend pony club rallies. Parents are expected to assist with the following:
- manning our rally BBQ
- stewarding during jumping and games practice
- setting up and putting away jumping and games equipment
- coaching (or assisting)
- attending working bees
This pony club offers an opportunity to enjoy and learn for both parents and riders. Whilst we are delighted to support children who go on to higher achievements during their time with us, the main goals and objectives are to ensure that our children ride safely, understand and care for their ponies with the help of their parents, and enjoy the whole experience.
The Wakatipu basin provides an extraordinary beautiful and peaceful setting for our pony club, for all equestrian events and trekking.
MANAGEMENT
Our Branch is managed by a Committee elected annually, in accordance with the NZPC rules, and consists of:
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Head Instructor and other Office Bearers elected at our Annual General Meeting by current financial Adult, Senior Riding and Life Members.
THE RULES OF OUR BRANCH
- All riders must wear an APPROVED and properly fitted riding helmet, either PAS 015, BSEN 1384, EN 1384, AS/NZ 3838, or ASTM F1163 and APPROVED footwear, ie. Riding boots, when riding at pony club.
- Any child riding at pony club must be a financial member.
- At least one parent per family must be a financial member, if the rider is under 16 years of age.
- At pony club rallies all riders must be accompanied by a parent. Riders are supervised, but children ride at their own risk.
- Members must observe the rules of the road when riding to/from pony club.
- Saddlery: saddles and bridles must be safe and fit the pony to the satisfaction of the instructors. Stirrup irons must be 2cm wider than the widest part of the rider’s boot.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
| Riding member | $ 90 |
| Adult member (one per family with rider under 16) | $ 30 |
| 2 riders in one family | $170 |
| 3 riders in one family | $220 |
| Non riding member (newsletter only) | $ 10 |
Our financial year runs from 1st April to 31st March.
LEVIES: All NZ pony club branches are required to pay membership levies to the national organization. From each membership subscription received we pay approximately 50% to the NZPC, so fundraising for our branch activities is ongoing.
RALLIES
Rallies are held at our club grounds on the corner of Hunter and Speargrass Flat Roads. This is private farm property belonging to Duncan and Jan Robertson. We have the use of this paddock on rally days on these conditions:
- NO DOGS -- No exceptions
- Keep gates shut.
- Report any damage
- Cross Country Course – Out of Bounds
- Grounds are for members only
- Show respect for ground conditions
- Shift arenas and jumps regularly to avoid making tracks in the grass.
A working rally is 11/2 hours of instruction. To participate in any pony club team event it is necessary to have completed 5 rallies, three of which are on the mount to be competed. Notification of the rally schedule is posted in the newsletter. Upon payment of subs every member will receive a key to the grounds.
PONY CLUB MANUALS
It is a requirement that every family purchase Manual No 1 when joining Pony Club. This is available at Alpine Saddlery. Not only is there a section for Parents (P11…) but it is also an essential aid to the Riding and CARE OF THE PONY. Parents can also support their children by referring to their lessons from the syllabus.
Riders are encouraged (with the help of their parents) to study for and sit the various pony club certificates from D for beginners, to D+, C, C+, B, H and A. The O (for options) certificate may be taken after a member has gained their D. There is provision for a rider to sit a test approximately every 2 years.
Manual No 2 covers the CARE OF THE HORSE, and everything the older members need to know as they go through Pony Club. Children who are eventing their ponies will find the chapter on CONDITIONING and FEEDING essential reading.
COMPETITIONS
As a branch of the Central Otago Pony Club, we are obliged to support Central Otago Club competitions days, which are run for the benefit of all Central Otago members during the season. These consist of a weekend camp, a Games day, two One Day Horse Trials, a Show Jumping day and a dressage day. At these, riders compete against riders from other branches in a fun and friendly competitive atmosphere, especially where an inter-branch trophy is up for grabs.
Otago Southland Area Trials are held and from there a team is chosen to go on to NZ Championships. Our branch also endeavors to send our riders to Dressage, Show Jumping and Games Championships in the Otago Southland Area, as well as the annual Southern Teams Event in Invercargill each May, and to the Springston Trophy Event in early spring.
TROPHIES
Our members compete at rallies (and PC events), for the following trophies:
| Best Senior Rider | WPC Cup |
| Best Intermediate Rider | Faul Trophy |
| Best Junior Rider | Macauley Cup |
| Responsibility and Attitude | Dennison Trophy |
| Most Improved Senior | Hillock Cup |
| Most Improved Intermediate Rider | Faul Trophy |
| Most Improved Junior | Hillock Cup |
| Most Points – Turnout at Rallies | Benmore Trophy |
| Most Points, Trotting Races, Juniors | Dagg Shield |
| Most Points Trotting Races, Seniors | Thompson Trophy |
| Best Score at our ODHT | Pip Robins Cup |
| Horsemastership - Pony Care and Knowledge | Mt Creighton Trophy |
| Show Jumping, Most Points, WPC Member | Douglas Trophy |
| Show Jumping, Most Points, Open | Black Cup |
| Attendance – at Rallies | Morris Cup |
| Special Achievement | Bartlett Trophy |
| Games – Junior Rider | Puss’n’Boots Trophy |
| Best All Round Pony Club Pony | Mayson Trophy |
| Closest to the Optimum Rime— Wakatipu ODHT | Jackson Trophy |
To qualify for a trophy, riders must have attended a minimum of 5 rallies during the previous season.
SAFETY
When dealing with such unpredictable elements as children and ponies, occasional falls and accidents are bound to occur. Some precautions are necessary.
- First Aid boxes for riders and ponies are available in the shed.
- Instructors must be made aware of any disabilities of riders eg diabetes, asthma, old injuries.
- Parents and instructors should have first aid certificates.
- Road gates must never be left open
- No jumping without adult supervision
- Ponies are only to be ridden at WALK in the vicinity of the club hut/shed.
- All rallies start with inspection. Unsafe gear is to be replaced before the rider may take part in any activity. Points are awarded for pony club turnout.
- Instructors are to be made aware of young or difficult ponies.
- Safety factors in handling ponies (Manual No 1, page 141, and Manual No 2) must be taught, and observed at all times, at pony club. Parents please ensure you and your child know these rules.
- Proper tying up facilities have been provided and should be used. Ponies to be correctly tied up when not being ridden.
- Electric fencing is not to be used for pens at pony club and pony club events.
ACCIDENTS
All riders fall off sometimes – it’s no big deal. Riders should try to curl up and relax as much as possible, and not throw out an arm to break the fall, or try to hang on to the pony. If there is no serious injury, sympathize, reassure, but make as little fuss as possible. Try to get the child up on the pony again quickly. If there is any possibility of concussion, the child must not be allowed to ride again that day. Rule 2.23 says a rider must not compete or participate in Pony Club activities for a minimum of 21 days following concussion without a Doctor’s written clearance.
- Apart from falls, the principal causes of accidents around horses are:
Incorrect or careless tying-up, kicks, being trodden on, or knocked over by a pony, occasionally bites. - Unsafe and incorrect loading and unloading of ponies into and out of their floats can cause terrible accidents for both human and pony. It is important to learn safe and correct techniques.
PONY CLUB CAMP
This event is often the highlight of our pony club year. We endeavour to take the children to a suitable camp for a few days during the summer holidays. Often local Station owners allow us to use their facilities. Again, this can only be achieved with parent help as hosts, support riders, cooks and drivers, so please offer!!
INSTRUCTION
Instructors are the foundation of Pony Club. Most are volunteers, they are enthusiastic and knowledgeable horse people willing to share their expertise with kindred young people who love horses. Without the dedicated work of our instructors, pony club could not function! It is essential that all parents help set up and take down the equipment for these instructors.
Training is available through the NZPC movement, for any keen parent or interested person, to gain the knowledge and confidence to join our roster of instructors. We are always wanting new parents to train as instructors.
UNIFORM
The official uniform of our pony club branch is:
- Hat, meeting current safety standards, (as above), correctly fitting.
- Jersey, long sleeved royal blue
- White shirt, long sleeved, collared.
- Gold tie worn with Central Otago Pony Club badge
- Jodhpurs, light coloured.
- Boots, jodhpur boots or long boots for seniors.
- Jewelry, ear-ring/studs must be removed or taped.
- WPC hat cover and saddle blanket.
- Cross country jersey
This is the uniform, which combined with CLEAN tack and pony will assist the rider to gain the maximum turnout points of 5 at each rally
The uniforms are available at Alpine Saddlery. They also carry the Pony Club Manuals, NZPC Dressage Books, and entry forms for local events.
Wakatipu Pony Club’s One Day Horse Trial
This popular event is held every year on the second Sunday in January – the day following the Lake Hayes Show. All parents are needed to attend working bees to prepare the Cross Country Course and also to help on the day of competition.
The event is a favourite with many Otago and Southland riders and, as well as giving our children a taste of eventing, is a great fundraiser for our branch.
NZPC Association’s CODE OF CONDUCT
ADMINISTRATORS, INSTRUCTORS AND PARENTS
- Provide the environment conducive to upholding the objectives of the New Zealand Pony Club and its Fair Play Charter.
- Ensure that equal opportunities are made available for participation of all riders regardless of ability of either the rider or their mount.
- Enhance the need to respect the landowners property and facilities and requests.
- Leave the grounds and facilities in a tidy condition.
- Compliment both winners and losers for their efforts.
- Be consistent, objective and courteous at all times.
- In the event of a protest, raise the issue through the appropriate channels, rather than question the official’s judgement or honesty in public.
- Ensure one’s behaviour on and off the field is consistent with the principles of good sportsmanship.
- Make a personal commitment to know the rules, always adhering to the spirit of its intention.
- Do not ridicule a rider for make a mistake.
- Support all efforts to remove any abuse – verbal or physical.
- Recognise the value and importance of volunteers.
- Emphasize the importance of both rider and horse being physically fit.
- Ensure that rider’s attire and pony’s saddlery are secure and safe and ensure all facilities are safe.
RIDERS
- Ride for enjoyment.
- Always consider your horse’s welfare.
- Ride safely and play fair by the rules, be a good sport
- Do not argue with the instructor or official
- Control your temper.
- Work equally hard for your club as for yourself.
NZ COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT
- Ensure the needs of all members are paramount.
- Serve their community to the best of their ability and be honest, reliable and trustworthy in all matters relevant to their individual roles and responsibilities.
- Respect the integrity of the President and Executive.
- Be loyal to the Pony club name, its Charter and the directives of the Committee.
- Act as good employers.
- Respect other kindred Equestrian organizations.
- Ensure all media interviews or releases of a controversial nature are discussed with the National President or Secretary before implementing.