The Wakatipu Pony Club was formed in 1951, and is a Club of the Central Otago Pony Club Region. We are affiliated to the New Zealand Pony Club Association through the Central Otago Area.

Central Otago Pony Club Region(COPCR) has 5 branches, Hawea-Wanaka, Cromwell, Clyde, Wakatipu, and Maniototo. The COPCR is run by a committee made up of delegates from each branch.

We have around 15 Rallies a season with our season begining September to May and then the ponies rest! Rallies are generally at the Pony Club Grounds but we also have some rallies off site.

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
PLEASE SEE MEMBERSHIP FORM TAB
Our financial year runs from 1st April to 31st March.
LEVIES: All NZ pony club branches are required to pay membership levies to the national organization. From each membership subscription received we pay approximately 50% to the NZPC, so fundraising for our branch activities is ongoing.

Our club members compete in all disciplines.

In 2006/7 the club successfully raised over $120k for a new cross country course to be built with 6 different courses of varying difficulty from Introductory to One Star.

The Branch also raised money for a new set of show jumps and trailer. This fundraising, plus an estimated $50k of voluntary labour from club members, meant we were able hold to our first event in January 2007.

The Aims and Objectives of the NZPCA are as follows:
To promote and encourage the Pony Club’s Fair Play Charter cultivating respect, loyalty and a strength of character and self-discipline in all members along with the proper care and welfare of their horse.
To foster a pleasant learning environment for young people to expand their equestrian knowledge and skills.

FAIR PLAY

SPORT CHARTER

OF NEW ZEALAND

ALL MEMBERS – RIDING, NON-RIDING, COACHES, OFFICIALS

AND PARENTS BELONGING TO THE

New Zealand Pony Clubs Association

UNDERTAKE TO UPHOLD THE PRINCIPALS OF GOOD

SPORTSMANSHIP AND FAIR PLAY:

TO ACT WITHIN THE SPIRIT AND INTENTION OF THE RULES

RESPECT COACHES, JUDGES AND OFFICIALS

RESPECT OTHER RIDERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS

RESPECT THEIR HORSES AND CARE FOR THEIR WELFARE

BE GRACIOUS WINNERS AND DIGNIFIED LOSERS

PLAY HARD BUT FAIR.  PLAY TO ENJOY OUR SPORT

Play Hard – Play Fair

Te Tutohinga Takaro Wairua

Tokeke O Aotearoa

PONY CLUB PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Naturally, our pony club branch can only function with the help of the parent volunteers. This parental support is crucial to ensure that the effort the children and their instructors put into their time with pony club results in enjoyment and successful outcomes. All parents are required to attend pony club rallies. Parents are expected to assist with the following:
o manning our rally BBQ
o stewarding during jumping and games practice
o setting up and putting away jumping and games equipment
o coaching (or assisting)
o attending working bees
This pony club offers an opportunity to enjoy and learn for both parents and riders. Whilst we are delighted to support children who go on to higher achievements during their time with us, the main goals and objectives are to ensure that our children ride safely, understand and care for their ponies with the help of their parents, and enjoy the whole experience.
The Wakatipu basin provides an extraordinary beautiful and peaceful setting for our pony club, for all equestrian events and trekking.

MANAGEMENT
Our Branch is managed by a Committee elected annually, in accordance with the NZPC rules, and consists of:
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Events Convenor elected at our Annual General Meeting by current financial Adult, Senior Riding and Life Members.

THE RULES OF OUR BRANCH
o All riders must wear an APPROVED and properly fitted riding helmet, yellow tagged, refer Helmet Regulations tab for details and APPROVED footwear, ie. Riding boots, when riding at pony club.
o Any child riding at pony club must be a financial member.
o At least one parent per family must be a financial member, if the rider is under 18 years of age.
o At pony club rallies all riders must be accompanied by a parent. Riders are supervised, but children ride at their own risk.
o Members must observe the rules of the road when riding to/from pony club.
o Saddlery: saddles and bridles must be safe and fit the pony to the satisfaction of the instructors. Stirrup irons must be 2cm wider than the widest part of the rider’s boot.

RALLIES
Rallies are held at our club grounds on the corner of Hunter and Speargrass Flat Roads. This is private farm property belonging to Duncan and Jan Robertson. We have the use of this paddock on rally days on these conditions:
o NO DOGS -- No exceptions
o Keep gates shut.
o Report any damage
o Cross Country Course – Out of Bounds
o Grounds are for members only
o Show respect for ground conditions
o Shift arenas and jumps regularly to avoid making tracks in the grass.
A working rally is 11/2 hours of instruction. To participate in any pony club team event it is necessary to have completed 5 rallies, three of which are on the mount to be competed. Notification of the rally schedule is posted.

PONY CLUB MANUALS
It is a requirement that every family purchase Manual No 1 when joining Pony Club.  Not only is there a section for Parents, but it is also an essential aid to the Riding and CARE OF THE PONY.  Parents can also support their children by referring to their lessons from the syllabus.
Riders are encouraged (with the help of their parents) to study for and sit the various pony club certificates from D for beginners, to D+, C, C+, B, H and A. The O (for options) certificate may be taken after a member has gained their D. There is provision for a rider to sit a test approximately every 2 years.
Manual No 2 covers the CARE OF THE HORSE, and everything the older members need to know as they go through Pony Club. Children who are eventing their ponies will find the chapter on CONDITIONING and FEEDING essential reading.