Club Rules

Rally Supervision:

All riders aged under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver who remains on the grounds at all times during rallies.  All riding at rallies must be carried out under the supervision of an instructor or other authorised person. No one may ride in a reckless or dangerous manner and all riders must regard the safety of others at all times.

Parental assistance is always welcome.

Hard Hats:

Approved safety hard hats MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES when riding on Pony Club grounds. Check the NZPCA website for safety approved numbers. Helmets must be tagged as safe for use (this can be done at the club).

Pony Club Uniform:

Pony Club uniform must be worn at rallies and when representing the club at internal and external events.

Rally uniform – jodhpur boots or long riding boots, neutral coloured jodhpurs, CHBPC long sleeved top, badge if obtained. Hair pulled away from face, and tied back. Approved helmet.

Formal Uniform – jodphur boots or long riding boots, neutral jodphurs, white collared shirt, plain navy tie, CHBPC long sleeved top, badge if obtained. Hair pulled away from face, secured in a hairnet. Approved helmet.

Concerns About Coaching:

Parents and riders may not interfere during any lesson being conducted by an instructor. If you have any complaints, criticisms or suggestions about rally coaching these are to be forwarded to the head coach or district commissioner. 

General Concerns or Suggestions:

Please email the club at centralhawkesbaypc@gmail.com with any general concerns, or suggestions. These will be presented at the next available meeting for review by committee.

Competitions and Certificates: 

For riders wishing to represent Central Hawkes Bay Pony Club at District or Area level, or those wishing to sit certificates, these are the NZPCA regulations:

15.4 Rally Attendance for Examinations and Competitions: 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.

Riders may qualify more than one mount with the required number of rallies for each horse.  If something happens to the horse or rider you must apply for a dispensation to compete at a District or Area competition with an un-qualified rider or mount.  This must be in writing setting out the reasons and presented through your Head Coach to the branch committee who will consider dispensation at the next district or area meeting.

Behaviour:

Bad language, excessive use of whips or spurs, or cruelty to horse/pony will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Gumboots:

The wearing of gumboots is not permitted for riding at any rally. 

Spurs:

Rowelled (sharp) spurs are not permissible. 

Kicking:

Any ponies or horses that kick or are likely to endanger other horses/riders must have a RED RIBBON tied to the tail. 

Unruly Horses:

All horses must be under control at all times. Owners of dangerous or unruly horses will be told to remove them.

Stallions & Horses under 4 years:

Stallions and horses under 4 years are not permitted on Pony Club grounds during rally time.

Reporting to your Coach:

Report to your coach before joining a ride if you are late. If you have to leave early, do the same. 

Cross Country: 

Back protectors must be worn when jumping cross country.  No jumping without supervision.

Tidying:

All hay and horse poo must be removed and put in the bin provided.

Tack:

All tack must be safe to use, fitted correctly and in good working order. Horses may only be ridden in bridles, no riding in a halter.

General riding conditions:
A horse, which is, in the opinion of the Coach, not fit for Club work for reasons of age, health or temperament, may be asked to retire from work that day. The horse may return to the grounds when the reason for it being retired has been remedied and approved by the branch committee.

Accidents:

All accidents on the grounds must be reported to the club's health and safety manager.  

Any breach of one or any of these rules, may at the discretion of the Club Committee lead to the termination of membership. (Two strikes and out with one week’s notice).

All Members are required to attend Working Bees. ​​​​​​​