Club History

1961 - On the 16 March the inaugral meeting was held and the Kaiapoi Pony Club officially began as a branch of the Christchurch Pony Club. The main founding members were Morwenna Power (nee Allin), Robyn Monopoli (nee Anderson), Annette McMillan (nee Moore). Fortnightly rallies were first held on the property of Mr D B C Allin. The first jumping show was held on the 23 September at the Yaldhurst grounds (home of the Christchurch Pony Club). September has continued to be the month for KPC's jumping show day. Some of the prominent early members were the Allin, Cox, Cooke, Blackadder, Forde, Topp, Carroll, Moore, Storer, Begg, Hyslop, Johnston and Ballantine families. Everybody in the families pitched in and helped at all events and of course, there was always a party at the end of the day.

1962 - Kaiapoi's first jumping show was held at Forest Ford, Kaiapoi (now covered with Northern Motorway) with a total prize pool of £50-60. Kaiapoi was the first club to ever offer prize money.

1963 - Rallies were now held at Mr and Mrs Moore's property. Our jumping show was also held at the Moore's property. The Fleetwing Challenge Cup was first presented for Most Points in Pony Jumping. Pony club colours were a white shirt and black tie.

1964 - A one day event was held at Mr Allin's property. The uniform now included a yellow jersey.

1965 - One Day Event on the property of Jane and Keith Wakeman, Lees Road, Pineacres.

1967 - The one day event was then held at Mr F Moody's property near Pineacres on Main North Road. Many enjoyable Pony Club treks were had riding out from Kaiapoi. Great times were also had at the Fleming's property, Mount Grey Downs with evenings spent around a huge camp fire listening to the music of Cliff Storer's button accordian.

1973 - The jersey colour was changed to orange.

1974 - KPC is now a branch of the newly formed North Canterbury Pony Club.

1976 - The one day event was first held on Ballantine's property at Clarkville, where it was held until 2013.

1977 - KPC moved to the present grounds on South Eyre Road and the present club house was donated by Bob Hawkins as depicted on the plaque above the door.

1982 - A dance was held in the Clarkville Hall to celebrate 21 years of the Kaiapoi Pony Club, with 90 adults and 60 children attending.

2001 - 40th Anniversary.

2014 - Long standing member and club mother Nellie Smith passed away.

2016 - Our new clubrooms are located on site following our insurance payout for earthquake damage.

2017 - Our first ODE is run on our grounds and Silverstream Reserve. 

2022 - Our Patron Sylvia Ballantyne sadly passed away, and the great Nana Taane sadly passed away              also.  Brent Jury was invited to become the new KPC Patron.

Kaiapoi have had many representatives who made the Canterbury team to compete at the New Zealand Pony Club Championships including Ross Blackadder (Todd's dad), Russell and Lynn Topp, Mary Wakeman, Brent Jury, Christine Begg and Anthea Gunner to name a few. Some other strong riders from Kaiapoi were Morwenna Allin, Robyn Hyslop, Johnny Carroll, Connie and Angela Mayhew, Carrie Findlay, Marie Ballantine and Annette Moore.