INTRODUCTION AND GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE ROSEDALE PONY CLUB
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ROSEDALE PONY CLUB – an introduction
PARENTS:
This pamphlet is for all parents and members as an introduction to Rosedale Pony Club. Please do not hesitate to ask for advice if needed, your help is always appreciated no matter how small i.e. making cups of tea, helping to put out jumps, set up dressage arenas.
There are six Branches in the Waitemata District Pony Club –
Chelsea Pony Club, Eskdale Road, Glenfield
Coatesville Pony Club, Highway 18, Coatesville
Greenhithe Pony Club, Orwell Crescent, Greenhithe
Rosedale Pony Club, Bush Road, Albany
North Shore Pony Club, Awanohi Road, Redvale
Wainui Pony Club, Wainui
The Waitemata District Pony Club is part of the Waitemata/Rodney area. Other clubs in our area are –
Kumeu District Pony Club, North Harbour District Pony Club, Warkworth District Pony Club, Wellsford District Pony Club, West Auckland District Pony Club and Whenuapai Pony Club.
The word District means that the Club has Branches.
The Waitemata District Pony Club Officials are -
District Commissioner Pam Farrer (Chelsea)
President Christine Watt (Rosedale)
District Secretary Denise Parker (Coatesville)
District Treasurer Renet Roodt (Rosedale)
Club Chief Instructor Mary Dawkins (Coatesville)
The New Zealand Pony Club Association is our Governing body. There are 16 Areas in New Zealand. These are Northland, Waitemata/Rodney, Auckland, Franklin/Thames Valley, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, King Country, Taranaki, Gisborne/Wairoa, Manawatu/West Coast, Wairarapa/Wellington, Marlborough/Nelson/West Coast, Canterbury, Ashburton/South Canterbury/North Otago and Otago/Southland.
The Association Officials are –
President – Marge Steiner Vice President –
Area Delegate for Waitemata/Rodney – Dave Wilkinson
National Coaches - Kay Hogan, Jacque Williams, Peter Barke, Kevin Lawrence, Jennifer Howard Nicola Ward
HOW IT ALL BEGAN – In 1939 a lady called Mrs Dorothy Campbell watched her daughter riding over the Heretaunga Plains with only the dog for company and thought how much more she would enjoy riding with other children. She read in a magazine about the Pony Club movement which had started in England and its aims: -
- To encourage young people to ride, learn to enjoy all kinds of sport connected with horses and riding
- To provide coaching in riding and horsemanship and instill in members the proper care of animals
- To promote the highest ideals of sportsmanship, citizenship and loyalty thereby cultivating strength of character and self-discipline
- But then World War II came and it was January 1945 before Mrs Campbell’s dream came true and the 1st rally was held and the Pony Club has come a long way since then. It is one of the largest youth organisations in New Zealand with a membership of well over 10,000 New Zealanders.
COACHING and CERTIFICATES
Coaching works towards a series of proficiency tests. A member must have attended 5 working rallies, on the pony they will be doing their certificate on, and have a Certificate Record Card filled and completed before sitting certificate tests. Successful candidates receive a Certificate and are entitled to wear a clip on their Club Badge.
PONY CLUB SYLLABUS
PONY CLUB MANUAL NO 1 – Syllabus for D & C Certificate levels. - RIDERS WITHOUT HORSES PROGRAMME – Introduced to encourage young people to become involved with horses and how to care for them. A course of ten lessons, on completion a CERTIFICATE OF MERIT is awarded. A joining fee is required to do this Certificate.
- D CERTIFICATE – A simple test, rarely failed except in unusual circumstances. Recommended age is 8 or 9 years.
- D+ CERTIFICATE – This certificate is the 1st level of C Certificate.
- Recommended age is 9 or 10 years
- C CERTIFICATE – A higher standard of riding, horse care and knowledge is required, usually two seasons work after D. Recommended age is 11 years and over.
- PONY CLUB MANUAL NO 2 - Syllabus for C+, B, H & A Certificates.
- C+ CERTIFICATE – Introduced to bridge the gap between C & B. This Certificate is much harder than C and riders must show a good riding standard well on their way to B work. This Certificate may be sat in two sections. Horse Management and Riding. Riders must be able to feel and tell when they have achieved a movement. Riders will be assessed before being put forward for this exam. The exam is organized by the District. Recommended age is 12 – 13 years and over.
- O CERTIFICATE – A new Certificate. There is no manual and there are three levels: -
- Bronze – for holders of D Certificate and above
Silver – for holders of C+ Certificate and above
Gold – same as for Silver but a much higher standard is required
Riders have a variety of Riding, Horse Management and horse related topics they can do. They must also sit B Horse Management for Silver. A coordinator is in-charge of this Certificate. - B CERTIFICATE – This Certificate may be sat in two sections, Horse Management and Riding. On obtaining both sections the rider has her full B Certificate. Riders are assessed before sitting and the exams are arranged at District level. Recommended age is 14 - 15 years and over.
- H CERTIFICATE – A horsemanship test requiring a high standard of knowledge. Mainly for candidates whose riding is not up to ‘A’ standard. Minimum age is 16 years and over.
- A CERTIFICATE – The ultimate goal. Very few reach this very high level. Minimum age is 16 years. Both H & A Certificate exams are done at National level.
- RALLY TURNOUT -
RIDER – Clean boots or shoes (with heel), helmet, pale blue shirt and mid blue tie or jade polo shirt with or without navy sweatshirt, Pony Club badge, clean jodhpurs or pants, tidy hair and no jewellery except a watch.
HORSE or PONY – Clean body, clean and well brushed mane and tail, clean eyes, nose and dock, shoes in good order and clean and oiled hooves.
SADDLERY and EQUIPMENT (TACK) – Clean bridle in good repair, clean saddle in good repair, clean bit of correct size, clean and soft girth and numnah/saddle blanket, bring and use a halter.
CLUB UNIFORM – The W.D.P.C. uniform, which must be worn at all exams and Team events is the same for all branches. You can also wear this to rallies if you wish.
Shirt pale blue, long sleeve is preferred
Tie mid blue with Club Badge and Clip where needed
Jodhpurs light coloured in good repair
Boots long or short, clean and in good repair
Sweatshirt navy blue, or a woollen jumper (long sleeve or sleeveless)
Helmet an approved safety helmet is required for all riding at all times
BRANCH UNIFORM – This may be worn at rallies.
Shirt jade polo shirt with Club Badge and Clip where needed
Sweatshirt navy sweatshirt or our old jade sweatshirt with Club Badge
Jodhpurs light or coloured in good repair
Boots long or short with a heel for safety (NO muckers or sneakers)
Helmet an approved safety helmet is required for all riding at all times
If you have just joined Pony Club you will also need to purchase Pony Club Manual No 1 and a badge – available from the Treasurer. The District uniform may be worn at Open Ribbon Days and ODE’s with or without a jacket.
CLOSED COMPETITION DAYS, DISTRICT OR BRANCH UNIFORM IS TO BE WORN.
JUNIOR MEMBERS 16 years and under
SENIOR MEMBERS 17 to 20 years
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS over 21 years (Coaches, Adult Ride and Committee)
DEFINITIONS
DRESSAGE – This is training on the flat and is an essential foundation for jumping or any other work. The main objects are to improve the horse balance, rhythm and suppleness and the response to the lightest possible aids or signals from the rider.
DRESSAGE TESTS (Competitions) – For these a set test is ridden in a dressage arena. Such tests are designed to show how well the rider has trained the horse, and include movements learnt at Pony Club – such as circles, turns and change of pace. A book of tests is available from the Secretary for $10.00
RIDER ATTIRE for TESTS – Pony Club uniform (blue shirt and tie) or any other pale shirt and dark tie, a jacket may be worn. HELMET. NO spurs for Junior Riding Tests unless stated in test but you may carry a whip.
HORSE – Mane and tail plaited, clean horse and tack.
NOVICE RIBBON DAYS – These are held locally by Clubs to raise funds with a flat event held in the morning and jumping held in the afternoon. A Novice is usually a horse/rider combination who has not won a red ribbon in a corresponding event – but not always. It pays to check carefully each ruling as they do differ.
Rider Attire – Pony Ring- pale shirt, jacket and tie, light coloured jodhpurs, HELMET, jodhpur boots, gloves (if you have any) string back, leather grips the same colour as your jodhpurs, for girls – hairnet or plait. Hack Ring – same as for Pony but long boots.
Horse or Pony – Clean and well brushed body, mane and tail plaited, an even number of plaits along the neck and then plait the forelock as well, oiled hooves (underneath as well). Vaseline or baby oil around the dock, nose and eyes (not too much, wipe off excess with a clean dry towel).
Saddle and Bridle – Clean and supple, clean and soft girth, clean bit, clean and soft numnah/saddle blanket, polished stirrup irons. Snaffle bridle only.
OPEN RIBBON DAYS (ORD) – Anyone can enter including Novices but competition is tougher. Prizes are ribbons only and a fixed sum is paid to cover a half day or a full day. An ORD may have the following Rings: -
Kindy Ring – usually 10 years and under, novice level for beginners. Lead Rein and non Lead Rein classes. Rider Attire – as above, the jacket is optional. Pony – as above but the plaiting may be optional.
Novice Ring – can be any age or divided into Novice Hack or Novice Pony. A Novice Rider is any rider who has not won 3 red ribbons for riding in Novice Rider, Maiden Rider or Open Rider. Combination does not matter as it is the rider. Novice Hack or Pony – a combination of horse and rider who has never won 3 or less red ribbons in a corresponding event. Novice Rider over Hurdles – any rider regardless of horse who has never won 3 or less red ribbons in a Novice Rider over Hurdles, Maiden Rider over Hurdles or Open Rider over Hurdles at an ORD or A&P Show. Novice Hunter or jumping events –any horse/rider combination who wins 3 red ribbons in an event must not ride in that event again at Novice level. They may still enter other events. After winning several events it is time to move up to the Open Ring, you are now a maiden. Novelty events i.e. Best mount black or brown, Tip and Out – combination may stay Novice after 3 wins. Rider Attire – as for Novice Ribbon Days. Helmet must be worn at all times.
Open Pony or Open Hack Rings – Maiden Rider on flat or Maiden Rider over Hurdles, any rider who wins one of these events must move up to Open Rider in that particular event. Maiden Pony, Maiden Hack, Maiden Paced and Mannered, Maiden Hunter –any winning combination must move up to Open classes in the corresponding event.
Riding Attire, Open Pony –
Rider – Velvet Helmet, hair in a net, long hair in plaits tied with ribbons, pale coloured or white shirt and matching tie (whole colour), jacket – dark coloured, pin stripe or plain, light coloured jodhpurs with jodhpur clips under boots, black jodhpurs boots, gloves - leather with string back same colour as jodhpurs. Helmet must be worn for all jumping events.
Saddle and Bridle – Matching, clean, soft and supple, clean leather girth, black treads in well polished irons or no treads, matching numnah, clean, soft and supple bridle, double or snaffle, clean bit. Showing cane to match.
Pony – Clean and well groomed, plaited mane, pulled or plaited tail, blackened hooves oiled underneath, blackened chestnuts, baby oil, Vaseline or makeup around nose and eyes.
Vaseline around dock. Ears trimmed.
Riding Attire, Open Hack –
Rider – Velvet Helmet, Hair in a net, pale coloured or white shirt, tie – whole coloured to match jacket, jacket – black, navy or dark, very fine pin stripe allowed, pale coloured jodhpurs, long black leather boots, spurs – black leather straps, gloves – leather with string back same colour as jodhpurs.
Saddle and Bridle – as for pony ring.
Horse – as for pony ring.
Please note: - white or coloured jodhpurs are not correct attire unless showjumping or hunting.
Ponies are 14.2hh and under. They can be run in height groups i.e. 12.2hh & under, 13.2hh and under and 13.3hh to 14.2hh.
Hacks are 14.3hh & over. They can be run in height groups i.e. Park Hack – 14.3hh to 15.2hh.
Hacks over 15.2hh can also have weight classes i.e. heavyweight hack. This denotes the weight that the horse should be able to carry with comfort.
ES – stands for Equestrian Sports which is the organisation that controls riding competitions at the International level. In New Zealand the organisation is called Equestrian Sports NZ (E/S), controls all Horse Trials, Dressage and Showjumping at events that are run under ITS’ rules. In E/S Showjumping competitions the courses and fences are varied with at least one change of direction. In Showjumping, the rider is not judged on style but there are penalties for refusals and knocking down fences.
Attire – a jacket will be required, you may wear a tie or stock. Helmet must be worn.
ROUND THE RING JUMPING – The jumps are round the outside of the ring and the event is judged entirely on style and rhythm of the horse based on hunting requirements. This is the sort of jumping found at ribbon days.
ONE DAY EVENTS (ODE) – This event consists of three phases – Dressage, Cross Country and Showjumping. A Dressage Test is nominated in advance with a winner decided on points (the lowest score wins). Riders then go on to do either their Showjumping or Cross Country with any faults added to their Dressage score. The lowest score of the day is the winner. In the event of a tie for places, the riders time taken on the Cross Country is used with the rider nearest to the time allowed being declared the winner. Because of the limited number of riders that can be coped with, entries are sent in before a due closing date and a draw made to determine riding order. These are run in the following levels: - - INTRODUCTORY 50cm – height maximum – 50cm. After four placings of 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the combination must move up to –
- INTRODUCTORY 65cm - height maximum – 65cm. After four placings of 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the combination must move up to –
- PRE-TRAINING - height maximum – 80cm. After four placings of 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the combination must move up to –
- TRAINING - height maximum – 95cm. After four placings of 1st, 2nd or 3rd, the combination must move up to –
- OPEN - height maximum – 1.05cm. Pony Club riders may stay at this level as this is the highest level in Pony Club.
- DISTRICT COMPETITIONS –
MERCER CUP – The 1st Mercer Cup event was held in 1968 for Trophies presented by Mr & Mrs Mercer for competition between W.D.P.C. branches. The competition is an ODE at Pre-Introductory, Introductory and Pre-Training levels in which the essential nature of the event is one of the Team rather than the Individual participation. It was the Mercer’s wish that teams be selected from the Junior and Novice section of each Branch. You may not enter Mercer Cup if you are doing Area Trials, Training Trials, if you have been in an Open ODE, are holders of C+ or above Certificates and have been a member of a winning Mercer Cup Introductory Team. Rosedale has a policy of new riders each year for Pre-Introductory & Introductory level. The aims are to promote: 1. Team Spirit, 2. confidence in ability and 3. Friendly rivalry between Branches.
Attire – Formal Pony Club uniform or competition uniform and Branch uniform.
ROSEDALE SHOWJUMPING SERIES –- Competed over two days, three rounds each day, the three count towards points for a cup.
- Classes Day 1 - Beginners - 13 years and under - start height 55cm
Beginners - 17 - 20 years and adults – start height 65cm
- Classes Day 2 - Trophy day as for beginners, but the jumps are much higher.
13 yrs & under 80cm- 14-16yrs 90cm- 17 & over-1m
Adults may compete for rosettes but are not eligible for Trophies.
Attire – Pony Club uniform with or without a jacket, HELMET.
INTER-BRANCH QUIZ –
Started in 1984, teams are selected from each Branch in Certificate groups. Questions are on Horsemanship pertaining to each level. An Adult Team also competes.
INCA CUP – This is a games day held within Area. Teams are selected from our Closed Games Days. The events are chosen from the Pony Club Mounted Games Rule Book – these could include – Barrel race, 3 Mugs race, Bending race, etc. Anyone from Pony Club can try for a place in the team. There are 3 age levels – 13yrs & under, 14-16 yrs., 17 -20 yrs.
Attire – Pony Club competition uniform is provided; approved helmet.
District selection day –The highest scored riders go into a Team, which riders for District at Area on the final day.
Attire – Area uniforms will be provided; approved helmet.
ZONE GAMES – This is a Games Day. Teams are of 4 or 5 riders 20 years and under. Riders compete as a Team and if successful at Area day go to the Zone final.
DISTRICT DRESSAGE SELECTION DAY – Introduced in the1994-95 season to select a Team for the AREA DRESSAGE TEAMS EVENT. An easier test than Dressage Champs. Classes are 12 years and under, 13-15 years and 16-20 years. You may enter this if you have not been placed at Zone Dressage.
Attire – District Pony Club uniform. Team chosen goes on to the Area Dressage Teams Event.
AREA TRIALS DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS – Area holds one Dressage Competition to choose a Team consisting of Senior (16-20 years) and Junior (15 years and under) members to go forward to a Zone Championship. Riders need to be able to do Novice (Junior) and Elementary (Senior) Dressage Tests. Senior Elementary Level and Junior Novice Level.
Attire – Pony Club Shirt, tie and jacket. HELMET.
AREA ODE - (Introductory, Pre-Training and Training level ODE). Each District sends a Team to contest the Kelly Thomson Trophy.
AREA TRIALS ODE – (Open level ODE). An Open ODE runs annually by the Pony Club on an Area basis. Entry is restricted; riders must have done 3 Open ODE’S with a score of 70% or under. Waitemata/Rodney Area Trials to choose the final Team. This is run in two classes; 1 – D.C. or Dorothy Campbell (after founder), 16 years and under. 2 - A.1. For those 17 -20 years. From the results a Team of six, three from each class, plus one reserve for each, is chosen to represent the Area at the Pony Club Championships which are held in a different Area each year. The next highest scorers in the Waitemata District are chosen for a Team to go to Timberlands, Tokoroa. There is also a Training Level section introducted in 2010
PONY CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS – Since 1945 the New Zealand Pony Club Championships have been held every year. Dressage, Cross Country and Showjumping are involved. The Area takes turns hosting the Championships. These are run in two classes - D.C. and A.1.
WAITEMATA/RODNEY TEAM won the 1997/98 Team Championship with Ann Davies (Greenhithe Branch) winning the D.C. Cup and Sarah McDonald (Wainui Branch) coming 2nd in the A.1. Cup. In order to be considered for any Team Event a rider must have attended 5 working rallies, 3 of these on the same mount. To qualify for Area Trials riders must do 3 approved Open ODE’s with a score of 70% or less at each one.
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