DC 2016 Annual report

A very warm welcome to the 2016 Wairoa Pony Club Annual General Meeting.

A lot has happened over the past 12 months.  Our members participated in regular rallies, treks the A&P Show, Wairoa Riding Club dressage competition, and hunting with Mahia Hunt Inc.   I have been collecting a scrapbook of Wairoa Star articles and looking back at the articles, the publicity can only be positive.

Thanks to Mandy Jarden who travelled to Wairoa and took the children through some of the mounted games. The football was the jewel  - and I think needs to go our shopping list.

It was so good to see our members with ribbons at the A&P show and the dressage competition. A huge step for some who hasn’t competed in that environment before.

We had a lovely weekend at Tahaenui – thanks Sara and Humphry for opening up your home and the barn.

A highlight for me was the camp at Patunamu - thanks to the Newton family for your hospitality. It was tough having to go home!  Thanks also to the Mahia Hunt for adding a Pony Club Hunt to the card. It was encouraging to see other keen children joining in as well.

Our fundraising trek was a great day  - but the clash of events in Gisborne meant there wasn’t so much raising of funds  - but still a fantastic day to get out on farmland and enjoy the wonderful vistas. The younger children had fun after their shorter trek and a few of the older members have benefited from Jo’s instruction.  Thanks Hilton and Jo, we love invading your lovely home! 

Congratulations to Olivia Morunga, Hamish and Oliver Newton who gained their D Certificate and to Annabel Alexander for her lead rein achievement. I look forward to seeing some more members achieving their certificate in the not too distant future.

Our new uniform has finally arrived! I’m looking forward to the next rally where the children can wear their very smart shirts.  I have purchased some green ties that can be worn with white ‘suit’ shirts for our formal uniform.  The next step is to look at options for a green vest, which can be worn with the dress uniform, or the rally/games shirt.  Thanks Tamsyn for managing the uniform order  - what a relief for you, when our order was found somewhere in a Chinese storeroom!   I would like to also take the opportunity to thank First Light Foundation Trustees for supporting the pony club with a grant towards the uniform.

It is timely to thank the Wairoa A&P Society for allowing Wairoa Pony Club to have free use of the grounds. 
Many other Pony Clubs (including Gisborne) pay lots for ground rental.  The A&P committee appreciated our donation and sponsorship and if our finances allow, I feel we should continue to sponsor the equestrian classes.  Thanks to those who steward or helped in some way during showtime. The show has grown over the past few years  - which means more volunteers over the show days. 

As a member of the HB area, Wairoa Pony Club has more opportunities to participate and gain knowledge in a wide range of activities.  Attending Area meetings can be a long day  - but the committee is very encouraging about our club! A  D certificate coaches course is on the agenda!  And so is our H&S plan!

A huge thank you to our coaches  - Kendra, Sue Cook, Karen and Robyn.  We said farewell Sue Cook, who has moved to Hastings with Richard however Sue is willing to come back to help with examinations.
Thanks to Kendra  - your dedication to the club and children doesn’t go unnoticed. I know you will feel a huge sense of achievement getting the first group of certificates completed. You are also very brave having to detail with us Pony Club parents!

In saying that  - we have a great bunch of parents. Your company, encouragement and enthusiasm has been instrumental with the growth of the club.  Parents run Pony Club!  And simply - what we put in is what we will get out!  There are so many choices and opportunities for our children in today’s environment and sometimes we need to juggle lots of hats!

Thank you to Karen and Amanda our secretary and treasurer. Your ease of doing the roles efficiently is outstanding.

It has been a huge team effort  - thank you! I look forward to some fresh ideas for the next season.

Sue Wilson
Wairoa Pony Club DC    May 11, 2016