About Parenga Pony Club

Parenga Pony Club was founded in 2011 by Kay Hogan and is proud to be one of New Zealand's newer Pony Clubs affiliated with the New Zealand Pony Clubs Association (NZPCA).

Kay established the club while she was Director of Equestrian at St Peter's School, Cambridge. Many students boarding at the school were Pony Club members but were unable to attend rallies because transporting horses to local clubs wasn't practical. Creating Parenga Pony Club allowed these riders to continue their Pony Club journey on-site, while also providing local riders with the opportunity to enjoy everything Pony Club has to offer.

The club was initially based at St Peter's School, Cambridge, alongside Phillips Equine Riding School. As the club grew, it moved to Phillips Equine in Matangi, and Horotui Road, Whatawhata, Waikato, where it continues to thrive today.

Now celebrating over 15 years, Parenga Pony Club has developed into a welcoming, family-focused club committed to providing quality coaching, excellent facilities, and a supportive learning environment. We are fortunate to have access to experienced coaches and outstanding venues throughout the Waikato region, helping riders of all ages and abilities achieve their goals.

Our focus extends beyond riding. Pony Club is about developing confident, capable horse people. Members build strong foundations in horsemanship, horse welfare, sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork while progressing through the nationally recognised NZPCA Certificate system. These skills provide a lifelong foundation for every equestrian pathway, whether riders choose Pony Club, competitive sport, recreational riding, or careers within the equine industry.

From first-time riders to experienced competitors, Parenga Pony Club is proud to provide a friendly, inclusive community where members can learn, grow, make lifelong friendships, and enjoy horses in a safe, supportive environment.

Life Members

KAY HOGAN

My own Pony Club journey started when I was aged 4 or 5years; my horse-mad sister, Diane, took me along with her to Pointways Pony Club. My parents soon succumbed to purchasing my first pony, and over the years I progressed through the certificate system, achieving my A Certificate on a horse that we had purchased as a yearling and trained ourselves. I was lucky to have lessons from legends like Suzanne Dicxkens, Elaine Knox-Thompson and Ted Harrison, which kept me on the right track. All senior riders at Pointways were encouraged to coach and this was the start of my coaching career, which I further developed by training in the UK and passing my BHS exams.

On returning to NZ, I became a National Coach, a role I continue in today. I’ve been fortunate to have experienced many roles in Pony Club – some memorable ones are: National Coaches Representative on the Committee of Management, Chief Examiner for A & H Exams, writing, editing and reviewing the Equestrian Coaches Training Programme (and presenting ECTP at the 2000 World Pony Clubs Millenium Conference in Toronto), and more recently restructuring the certificate syllabuses. Working with my fellow Nats and Association coaches is always rewarding and I value them greatly

I have had so many memorable “Pony Club moments”, but nothing tops being a part of the journey of a horse and rider as they achieve their goals in a safe and enjoyable way

Kay Hogan B.H.S.I.