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There are several Team Competitions each year.

Below is an explanation for each.

Information is generally sent out prior to the upcoming events and will require you to register your interest in that event. Depending on the numbers of riders wanting to do the events, trials are sometimes held, and some of the events require you to have met certain criteria. You will also be asked to provide competition results, so remember to keep a record during the year. Ask an instructor if you require more information on any event or are unsure of something.

Please note:


The Riding Member must have attended a minimum number of working rallies in the twelve (12) months preceding the examination date or closing date for entries to inter Club, inter Area, National or International competition.a. Riders who do not hold a certificate must attend a minimum of five (5) working rallies. Three (3) of these attendances must be the combination of rider and mount that are sitting the examination or entering the competition.b. Riders who hold a D or D+ or C certificate must attend a minimum of five (5) working rallies. Three (3) of these attendances must be the combination of rider and mount that are sitting the examination or entering the competition.c. Riders who hold a C+ certificate must attend a minimum of four (4) working rallies. Two (2) of these attendances must be the combination of rider and mount that are sitting the examination or entering the competition.d. Riders who hold a B or H and A certificates must attend a minimum of three (3) working rallies. One (1) of these attendances must be the combination of rider and mount that are sitting the examination or entering the competition.

  • Events all have different rules regarding the age of the rider.

Some events can also be attended as draft riders or in composite teams. So if your branch is unable to field a team, or has surplus riders, let your instructor know if you are keen to go to something.

The most important thing of all, is to remember that teams’ events are all about taking part, having fun and enjoying being part of a team!

Events are listed in Calendar order;


South Island Show Jumping Champs

Held in the January School holidays.

This is a two day competition of team show jumping, and is held around the South Island, generally in the same venue for two years. Teams consist of a minimum of 4 riders and a maximum of 6 who compete in four show jumping competitions over the two days (2 classes per combination each day). All scores count, riders gain points for completing rounds e.g. 2 points for a clear first round, and 5 points for a clear jump off. There are individual placings in each class and overall team’s placings. Age of rider is at the first day of competition.Ages and levels are:

  • Junior 13 years and under - 85 cm

  • Intermediate 14 years and under 17 years - 95 cm

  • Senior 17 years and under 21 years - 1.05 m


NZPCA Teams Dressage Championships

Held in January

The competition is a teams’ event in dressage.

There will be two divisions:

  • Junior: Riders 15 and under, a maximum of three riders in each team.

  • Senior: Riders 16 until the end of the season during which they reach the age of 21, a maximum of three riders in each team.

There will be competition for individual titles in each division.The Championships are held at two venues (one North Island and one South Island)

over two consecutive weekends with the dressage judges travelling to each of the

venues in turn.

The object of the Competition is to stimulate interest and encourage enjoyment in Dressage and correct training of the horse, thereby encouraging members to improve their riding by acquiring and establishing an independent seat, and a true knowledge of the aids. Again, interested riders have to apply themselves for the area dressage trial (which often requires some qualifying dressage scores), to gain selection into the area dressage team.


NZPCA Horse Trials Teams Championships (Eventing)

Held in April.

The competition is a Teams Event, one team competing from each of the Association Areas, and comprising a maximum of six riders.

There are two divisions;

A1: Riders 17 years and under 21, maximum of 3 riders in each team (plus a travelling reserve rider).

DC: Riders 16 years and under, maximum of 3 riders in each team. The max height for these jumps is 1.05m, but this does not include spreads etc.

There is also competition for individual titles in each division.

The NZPCA are also provide a training division (95cm) championship class. This is a stand-alone event, which follows the same format as the classes above. There are a maximum of 3 riders in the team, plus a reserve rider.Riders can also compete individually in the 95cm competition.The competition is in the form of a Horse Trial comprising three tests: Dressage, Cross-country, and Show-jumping, normally in this sequence.

The Aim is to encourage a higher standard of riding throughout Pony Clubs in New Zealand and to stimulate interest in eventing as a sport, and as recreation, abiding by the principles of the NZPCA Fair Play Charter (which you can find in the front of your pony club manual).

This is a brilliant event which I think the younger riders should aspire to. It’s a great experience and you have to work and train hard to earn team selection at the area trial, and thus represent your area at these champs.


Scandal Trophy

The NZPCA Christchurch Pony Club Scandal Trophy is open to all levels and ages.

It is shared and run by 2 branches, One running it, the other assisting, then the assisting team will run it the following year with another branch assisting them and so on.

Dressage & Combined Training Day also includes the Huntley Cup teams event. This is a great day for gaining experience competing against other pony club combinations and receiving constructive critique from dressage judges.

There are led-rein, assisted, non-championship and championship level classes, to cater for riders of all levels as well. These dressage tests obviously vary in difficulty as you progress through the class levels.

Scandal Trophy is a challenging elementary level test, which you have to qualify for, before actually competing in. This is done in a qualifying test earlier in the day which you have to enter prior to competition day.

There is also a combined training class, which is an age group class dressage test, followed by a show jumping round (set at an age-group-specific height). So the lowest decimal score or highest percentage score wins.

The Huntley Cup teams event is also run in conjunction with this event. Entry of the team can be made on the day to the secretary before the given cut-off time. Pony clubs can enter more than one team in this competition. 

The Huntley Cup teams are made up of four riders and their mount who can be entered in non-championship and or championship dressage classes. Best three placings count towards the final score. Only one placing per rider counts.

Scorers will count the highest placing for each team member.

Pony club uniform or dressage jackets are to be worn for this competition, which is run under NZPCA and NZEF rules and regulations. So it’s a good idea to look these up on the respective websites: Click here and Click here


Collier Trophy

Collier Trophy is a Canterbury wide competition and is run like a one day event – Dressage followed by cross country and a show jumping round.Teams of six riders (min. 4 riders) compete and the best 4 scores (one from each level then the next best one) contribute to the team’s final overall score for the event.  4 riders must have “live” scores, i.e. they must not get eliminated, to allow the team to stay “live” and vie for a place in the competition. A wooden spoon competition, comprising of dressage and show jumping will be held for those teams eliminated in the cross country phase.

The team of riders are divided into 3 age groups:

  • Senior: 16 years & under – 80cm

  • Intermediate: 14 years & under - 65cm

  • Junior: 12 years & under – up to 65cm

So if there is a full team of six riders, there will be 2 riders in each age group.   

The competition is typically run by a Christchurch branch, with or without the help from the branch which won the competition in the previous year.


  • RULES FOR HOSTING & RUNNING OF COLLIER TROPHY


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Amberley Cup

Held in August and hosted by Amberley Pony Club.

Amberley Cup is a team dressage competition and includes 2 sections one for pony clum members under 25 & the other section is for adult members of pony club.

Teams are made up of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 riders who compete in two dressage tests.

The riders are not decided on age but on ability so a rider of any age (section dependent) can ride in any rider position to allow for all PC riders to participate.  Turnout/ horsemastership is also awarded.


Stringer Trophy

Held in late September.

Stringer Trophy is a combined training teams event, aimed at providing teams’ competition experience for inexperienced pony club combinations. The competition consists of one dressage test and one show jumping round per combination in each team. Teams are to consist of four riders – one in each age group. The final team score will be determined by adding the three best rider’s scores together. At the conclusion of the first round of show jumping, another round will be held. However results from this class, will not contribute towards the Stringer Trophy.

  • Class 1: 21 years & under – up to 75cm

  • Class 2: 16 years & under - up to 75cm

  • Class 3: 14 years & under – up to 65cm

  • Class 4: 12 years & under – up to 45cm



Springston Trophy

Held in the September/October school holidays over three days.This is the premier eventing competition, which is a South Island wide competition. It is hosted in a different venue around the South Island each year. Teams consist of a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 riders who compete in dressage, cross country and show jumping. The best 4 scores (one from each level plus the next best one) contribute to the team’s final overall score. 4 riders must have “live” scores, i.e. they must not get eliminated, to allow the team to stay “live” and compete for a place.

This is purely a team’s competition with no individual prizes. A wooden spoon competition, comprising of dressage and show jumping will be held for those teams eliminated in the cross country phase.

Ages and levels are:

  • Junior 14 years and under - 80 cm 

  • Intermediate 17 and under - 95 cm

  • Senior 24 and under - 1.05 m 

Two-age group teams can also be entered – that is 2 riders from any level, can start with a 25 point penalty for team. The competition is also open to riders from the north island.One fall anywhere on cross country results in elimination according to NZPCA rules, which can be found in annex 5 of the ESNZ rule book.


​​​​​​​Christchurch Games

Held in November.

Teams of at least 4 (can have a couple of extra riders to reserve and or change between, because some games require more than 4 riders in a team to play and some ponies are more suited to particular games than others)Teams compete in a variety of games in the morning, which require much skill, accuracy (and some speed) and results are judged by time taken for the last rider of the team to cross the finish line.The top 3 teams placed in the morning’s games, go on to compete against the North Canterbury teams in the afternoon, for the Prince Phillip cup. This is a really fun event and you can gain lots of valuable skills and make great new friends in the process.


Windsor Teams Show Jumping

This event is held in November and run by North Canterbury.  Held on November 27th 2016.

Teams are made up of a minimum of 4 riders and a maximum of 6, who compete in two show jumping classes. Two riders are required at each level. All scores count, riders gain points for completing rounds e.g. 2 points for a clear first round, and 5 points for a clear jump off. There are individual places in each class, as well as overall team’s placings.

Levels and ages are:

  • 13 years and under - 75 cm

  • 16 years and under - 85 cm

  • 17 and under 21 years - 95 cm

Age of rider is at the closing date of entries.