What is a Rally?

A rally is a session of a minimum of two hours of coaching in a group relative to your child’s and their pony’s capabilities. Riders receive riding instruction, perhaps some horse management (caring for your pony and tack) and maybe a game on their pony. Depending on the rider’s age and ability, they will start off working towards either their Lead Rein or ‘D’ Certificate, and then D+, C, and so on. A book (NZPC Manual) pertaining to your current knowledge and Certificate level is really useful and an essential item.

We attempt to hold one to two rallies per month (sometimes more) dependent on the time of year and the wider district equestrian calendar. We set and discuss rally dates at our committee meetings, which generally fall on days when most of our coaches are available and when there isn’t a clash with a local event.

In Winter rallies are usually held on Sunday mornings (to work in with Saturday sport) and in summer we hold twilight rallies starting at around 4.30pm.  We also try to run extra rallies during school holidays when coaches are available.

On rally days please plan to arrive half an hour before the rally starts to give riders time to groom and tack up ponies and time for the parents to help set up equipment and jumps. It’s difficult when riders turn up unexpectedly or after a lesson has started, although we all know how things can go wrong – a flat tyre, pony won’t load, had to go back for the girth, etc.!

Before a rally starts, all ponies and riders receive a gear check to ensure tack fits properly, no loose stitching, girths tight, helmets fastened, etc.