SHOW HUNTER 
Cat A ponies 133cm and below - jumping 60cm with a 3.05m (10ft) stride
Cat B ponies  133cm-143cm - jumping 75cm with a 3.2m (10.6ft) stride
Cat C ponies 143cm-148cm - jumping 85cm with a 3.35m (11ft) stride
Hack jumping – starts at 85cm with a 3.65m (12ft) stride
This is like dressage over jumps. The horse is judged on its regularity, softness and roundness through the strides and over the fences. The fences are made up of heaps of fillers. The categories are based on pony height (see the showhunter manual that you can find online under the Equestrian NZ site) but is really about ponies’  length of stride. So, there are some 14.2 ponies that are better in Cat B than Cat C. There are also Equitation classes, which is like a rider over fences but, also deals with your ring craft. Using the whole arena, seeing your stride into fences, rider position and aids. Ideally, in showhunter you will ride mostly in 2-point and will stay there the whole round.  Turnout is as you would for a show, clean, trimmed, plaited, feet oiled etc. First impressions are worth a few points!
No dropped nosebands or flashes. A cavesson is fine.  If you are using a nice snaffle bit then you are fine, anything else then please check the rule book and make sure it's legal!
This is a wonderful start for the season.

DRESSAGE
This is a planned test (see the pony Club Blue Book that you can get from all the horse shops). The number of points that you get is based on your accuracy, ponies softness and willingness, ring craft (using the whole arena) and general impressions definitely play a part. So, for any dressage test, unless it is specified, it is worth the effort to plait and trim etc and for the rider to look very smart (hairnets girls) Check the test regulations for the use of spurs and or whip and the length of the whip. You are allowed a whip without a flap for dressage so long as its the right length and you are allowed whips in that particular test.

SHOW JUMPING
There are lots of different competitions to enter in for showjumping, and this is a very basic outline. If you want more information, follow your nose from the NZPC site showjumping to the NZ Equestrian website and go to rules.
Faults in Showjumping are:
A stop/runout – 4 faults
2nd stop – 4 faults
3rd stop – elimination
A fall - elimination
A rail down – 3 faults- needs checking
Time faults – 1 penalty for each second over optimum time. If you go at a nice canter and take a good line into fences, and don’t have too many problems you should be fine time wise.
Table 'A' This is the easiest showjumping event. It starts with a round of jumps which must be jumped cleanly, in the correct order and within the time limit (which is based on a normal canter speed). Riders without penalties including time penalties - go into a jump-off. The jump-off course is usually a shorter and higher course. The steward informs riders what the course is. A jump-off is usually against the clock, that is, the fastest clear round is the winner. The time is taken from when the horse's nose goes through the start flags until it goes through the finish flags. If your horse will turn smooth, tight corners and jump on slight angles there is no need to go too fast - this method is preferred as it is safest for the horse and rider. Some of these events will have an instant jump off. It will say IJO on the likes of the entry form or check the course plan or ask someone.
A1 – As above but the prizes are shared between those on the same points. The judge can ask for another round but again it’s for a clear round within the time.
AM3 – Again just aiming for a clear round but if the 1st placing is tied on points then those competitors may be asked to do another round against the clock.
AM4 – As above but 2nd round is not against the clock. If placings are still tied then a 3rd round may be asked for and that will be against the clock.
A2 – This needs a clear round and a good time to win. So it is a speed competition.
AM5 – This also needs a round that is clear and fast. There can be a jump off if necessary over a shortened course.
Table C. – All Table C events are scored in seconds. You again have a max of 3 stops or a fall before elimination. Poles knocked down are scored as 4 seconds per fence. So you win by having a fast time with no faults. There is a maximum time to complete your round.
Some Table C events have an instant jump off so please check the course plan to see.
IJO - Instant Jump Off.  If you jump a clear round, you may start your jump off as soon as the judge rings the bell.  You will need to know the jump-off course before you start your course.

SHOWING
Pleasure horse – He doesn’t fit the profile of the ‘Show Pony’ but he has nice conformation, is a pleasure to ride, well schooled and versatile. He is ridden in a snaffle bridle and doesn’t need a whip or spurs to keep him moving forward. You are going to present him beautifully, plaiting and cleaning and oiling feet etc, and wear your jacket, tie, helmet and for the girls - a hairnet. No chaps, martingales, breastplates or boots.  Most of our Pony Club ponies are Pleasure ponies.
Show Pony – He is very fine and very well schooled. He can work nicely in a double bridle when required. He has beautifully straight and sideways movement. Both the horse and the rider are turned out to perfection!
Saddle Hunter – He is a little bit more solid in type than your show pony. He looks like he can jump (and occasionally can be asked).  Movement is the same as a show pony and so is turnout.
Novice – never having won a 1st ribbon in an A&P show, sports day, Gymkhana etc. Please be honest! So, if you win a novice pleasure pony event, then next time you go out you will enter the open pleasure pony class. But you will still be eligible for the novice Paced and Mannered or Novice rider if you haven’t won in those classes before.

GAMES
Snaffle bridle, no whips or spurs, a smile and pony club uniform. Safety as above. You must be very disciplined in games so that there is no team disqualification. Self-correct any error!

EVENTING
Consists of a dressage test, a showjumping course and a Cross country course.
You need to get your gear checked for every discipline or risk elimination.
You are usually given a time for your dressage but, just be aware that there are now disclaimers that indicate that if there are scratchings ahead of you, your time will be earlier. At most events you will then do your Showjumping. There is usually time to walk the Cross Country after your Showjumping, but work out the schedule and you may find that it is less stressful to walk it after dressage and before SJ and that gives you a chance to walk it twice if you are worried. Cross Country is usually after lunch but again, read your programme.
Dressage- The score that you get for your dressage test is your faults. So, if you get a score of 64% on your test, then you will lodge a score of 36 faults on the scoreboard. Turn your pony out well for the dressage; it makes a huge difference to your score! Do a nice accurate test and you will do just fine.
Showjumping - The same rules apply for showjumping as a discipline. The course that you jump is a Table A1. So, just go for a clear round within the optimum time. That pace is a nice relaxed canter and lovely approaches to the fences. There are no rewards for taking risks. Your SJ faults are then added to your dressage/CC faults. You need to wear a Medical Armband for Showjumping. Jumping boots or bandages need taping. Electrical tape will do the trick.
Cross Country – Red flag always on your right!
You are allowed 4 stops before you are eliminated. If you are eliminated, you will be asked to walk back to the start. If you come across someone who started in front of you, you are within your rights to shout ‘horse coming through’ and pass. You cannot pass close to a fence. If there has been an accident then the jump steward must put the stopwatch on you as you wait for the accident to be cleared and then make a note of it. You will not be penalised. The pace you need to be going is a lovely rolling fast canter/gallop. Shorten it up through the fences and let them go on the straights. You need your Medical Armband and an approved Back Protector for Cross Country. Tape your boots and or bandages. Also, check the rule book to make sure that your preferred bit is allowed.

ETIQUETTE
For all disciplines, safety is paramount.
Check that:

• Your stirrups are 2cm bigger than the child's foot when the foot is placed in correct position.
• Stirrup leathers are stitched completely. No loose cotton or flappy bits at the buckle - Make sure there is still lots of thickness in the stirrup leather where the stirrup rests.
• Your girth points are well stitched and aren’t worn where the girth buckles in.
• The throat lash is not too big. It should fit 4 fingers between the jaw and the leather. No more!
• The reins are well stitched and again don’t have loose cotton or flappy bits at the bit buckle or the rein buckle.
• A red ribbon on a ponies tail means that he might kick. Give him some space!
• When you are working in your pony with people you don’t know make sure that you pass each other left shoulder to left shoulder if you are going in opposite directions.