NZPCA Newsletter
January / February 2012
Chairperson’s Message
Dear Members,
Christmas is a faint memory for most now but I do hope most of you had a
break away to recharge the batteries. Some I know will not have and some
have been batting away at work.
In January both North and South Island held successful Show Jumping
Champs - well done to all who participated. Dressage Champs in both Islands
followed and whist the reduced participation is something the Management
committee will be looking at the standard was high and again those who did
the work were rewarded. Well done to all competitors and organisers.
Strong memories of the earthquake on 22/2/11 and the massive change
this day brought for so many in Christchurch has been commemorated. You
are all in my thoughts. Kia Kaha Christchurch.
It is with a degree of relief that we have released the Area, Club and Branch Constitution templates. A huge amount of
work has gone into these but I especially want to thank Wendy Ball (Lawyer) Marj Steiner and Nicky Williams for the hours
and hours they devoted to these documents, without your input we would not be here now. Following closely will be the
General Regulations and the Code of Conduct Documents.
Many members have provided feedback on the complexity of the membership database and I want to say this was
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discussed at the Board Meeting on 10 February and is currently undergoing a review. We hope in the future to offer a
database which is accessible for the branch level up. Watch this space.
Conference venue and dates are now set - thank you Waitemata Rodney for agreeing to host. Can I challenge every Club
and Area to send someone who has never attended before to this event? Let’s get the Mum’s and Dads of our riders
involved. Also please encourage your riders to attend as the hosts are planning a great weekend for the riders. I can’t wait to
see all the stars on the red carpet - so delve in the cupboards for the glad rags everyone.
Welcome Sally to our national office - she does know about horses and is excited to be part of us. We all hope you are every
happy in your new demanding job.
Graeme took the reins late January and is busy trying to scramble out from under all the work but he is getting there please be patient with this new team.
Keith has left us after many years to new challenges and a new life as a married man. Congratulations go from all the
members. Keith and Lynne will attend conference so the membership has a chance to say goodbye officially - the Board and
Management Committee Chairs farewelled Keith at the December meeting.
That’s it from me, happy Pony Clubbing.
Anne Atkins
Chairperson NZPCA
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE NEWS
Coaching and Training
H & A Certificate Examinations - June 9/10 2012
The venue for the exam will be confirmed after the closing date for applications and will be dependant on the location of the
applicants. Applications close with NZPCA no later than 9 March 2012 and Assessments close no later than 27 April 2012.
H and A Certificate Results
Our congratulations to the following members A Riding Certificate - Katie Meredith - North Canterbury, Kimberley Baker - North Canterbury, Emma Craig - Central Otago,
Alexandra Clarke - Taieri District, Kate Fleming – Wellington, Elle McLellan – Opotiki.
H Certificate – Lisa Oberg – North Canterbury, Georgia Davis – North Canterbury, Emma Craig – Central Otago, Alexandra
Clarke – Taieri District, Nico Radley – Taieri District, Scott Groombridge – Taupo and Districts, Libby Owen – Taupo and
Districts, Helen Schofield – Wellington.
Kimberley Baker, Emma Craig, Alexandra Clarke and Elle McLellan now have A Certificate.
NZPCA Newsletter – January/February 2012 - 1
ECTP Coaches
Congratulations to Christina Aitken of Wellsford PC for passing D level.
2012/13 Examiner’s Clinics
NZPCA annually funds four, two day Examiner Clinics on an Area rotation based on four zones. Host Areas for 2012/13 are
Zone 1 Waitemata Rodney
Zone 2 Gisborne Wairoa
Zone 3 Wairarapa Wellington
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Zone 4 Canterbury - 5 /6 May 2012 at the Eyreton Pony Club grounds, Mandeville. The clinic is C+/B level and the organiser
is Nicki van Kruiningen.
As soon as the Areas in zones 1 -3 have confirmed their clinic details; dates, venue, level and clinic organiser they should let
NZPCA and the other Areas in their Zone know. Examiners must update within a 5 year period so Areas are requested to
ensure that their listed C+ and B examiners are informed and potential new Examiners are invited to attend.
Otago Southland is holding an Examiners Clinic at the Equestrian Centre, Mosgiel, and 31st March – 1 April 2012. The clinic is
at C+ and B level.
2012/2013 Rally Workshops
The C&TMC thanks all Areas who have replied positively to Kerry regarding the Rally Workshops. Planning is well underway
and coaches, administrators, and adult members are welcome to attend. The 14 workshops are fully funded by NZPCA and
will be held over two years. Kay Hogan will facilitate each workshop along with a fellow National Coach.
National Coaches Column
FAQ’s - Coach to Riders:
Q What do you know about Transitions?
A Er………
Q What does the word mean?
A Something to do with Trans Tasman?
Q Did you know, then, that the word
‘Trans’ means across?
A Perhaps……………….
Fact: In horse language it does mean ‘across paces’, or ‘a
change of pace’
Q Do you know how many sorts there are?
A Up and down?
Fact: Actually Three sorts, with lots of sub headings
Q Can you suggest one sort?
A Walk to trot?
Fact: Quite right, that is called a Progressive one, moving
from one pace to the next.
Q Now what other sort is there?
A Perhaps trot to halt?
Fact: Quite right again; that sort is called Direct, when the
horse moves directly from trot to halt with no walk steps.
Could also be halt to trot, walk to canter, even canter to
walk, though that’s a very advanced transition.
Q What is the third sort then?
A Er…………..
Fact: When you stay in trot but make lengthened or
shortened steps, that is a Transition Within the Pace.
Q Why do we bother with so many sorts of transitions?
A We get them in dressage tests….
Fact: Because tests are exactly that, a test of the horse’s
ability to show off his paces.
Transitions help the horse to become supple, obedient and
adjustable which is really beneficial when it comes to
jumping.
He also needs to be very well balanced to show off the
more difficult paces, such as medium trot. Working lots of
transitions is the very best way to improve his balance.
They ask him to use his hocks really well, co-operate with
his rider in an obedient way, shift his weight back, and
lighten up his shoulders more as his back-end works harder
to carry the weight. Then he can really show off beautiful
strides in all paces, and do very accurate transitions in
between them.
Suggested lesson: When transitions are fairly clearly
established: Think of a number, say between 8 and 12, then
try to ride exactly that number of strides each in walk, then
trot, canter, trot and walk. Not easy!
Manual References: Man 1 pages 40 – 41. Man 2 pages 66,
67, and 69. Man 3 pages 112 – 116.
Any suggestions for other FAQ’s to be dealt with, please
send to the Writer.
Contributed by Jennifer Howard
NZPCA National Coaches Contact Details
Peter Barke
Kay Hogan
Jennifer Howard
Kevin Lawrence
Jacque Williams
Nicola Ward
07 3666775
07 8235011
03 3125655
03 318 1395
027 4990441
09 4129677
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please not that Kevin’s phone number
and email address have changed.
The National Coaches addresses can be
found on the NZPCA website.
NZPCA Newsletter – January/February 2012 - 2
Dressage
Auckland the 2011 Pony Club Dressage Team Champions
The winning Auckland Team with the Atchison Silver Salver. From left to right - Phoebe Brown - Northern Lights, Maddie MacLean Order of the Phoenix, Manager, Sarah MacLean, Lizzy Grant - Byways I’m Sweet, Coach, Nicola Ward, Una Cahill - Miss Maddison,
Claudia Purvis - Papanui Don Juan, Marj Steiner, NZPCA President and Devon Raos - Busuto.
Results
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Teams - 1 - Auckland (team score of 4) 1510; 2 Waitemata Rodney -1499; 3 Otago Southland – 1485; 4 Franklin Thames
Valley -1482.
Senior Team of three – Auckland; Junior Team of three - Franklin Thames Valley.
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1 Senior individual - Claudia Purvis; 1 Junior Individual - Mihi Shepherd – Northland (Ngahere Romeo) and they also won
the Pony Breeders Sash for the third consecutive time. For further results go to
http://www.nzpca.org/new/dressage/2012/2012%20NZPCA%20Teams%20Dressage%20Results.pdf
The NZPCA Dressage Performance Awards
These awards are to encourage participation by Pony Club members in dressage competitions at any level. The awards will be
presented annually at the respective NZPCA Dressage Championships which are held in both the North and South Island in
January each year. For further information go to http://www.nzpca.org/new/dressage/news.php
Team Mounted Games
Quality Presentations 2012 Zone Games Finals
Zone 1
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1 Ardmore ASAP
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2 Northern Raiders
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3 Ardmore All stars
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4 Ardmore Flyers
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5 Silverdale
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6 Parahaki Smurfs
Zone 2
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1 Matamata Magic
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2 Turangi Timebombs
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3 Oruanui Allstars
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4 Toxic Tauhara
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5 Cambridge Cyclones
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6 Ngongotaha Ngatahi
Zone 3
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1 Flaxmere Flyers
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2 Puketapu Panthers
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3 Central Sensations
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4 Amazing Ashhurst
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5 Tiritea Titans
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6 Waikanae Warriors
Zone 6
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1 Waikouaiti/Mataura
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2 Saddleview Blue
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3 Mosgiel
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4 Central Southland
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5 Saddleview White
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6 Brighton
For more results go to http://nzpca.org/new/games/results.php
Quality Presentations North Island Team Mounted Games Championship
For more information on the Championships hosted by the Taranaki Area at the Stratford A & P Showgrounds on 21-22 April
2012 go to http://www.nzpca.org/new/games/2012ni.php
Pony Club Australia will not be represented at the NI Championship this year.
Games Rule Change
Rule 21 (c) Saddles – paragraph 3. The words …’and heavy’ have been deleted; the rule now reads …Stirrup-irons should be
large (but not large enough for the rider's foot to slip right through). There should be a minimum clearance of 2cm when the
foot is over to one side of the iron. (Toe Stoppers are allowed).
NZPCA Newsletter – January/February 2012 - 3
Horse Trials
2012 Horse Trials Championships – Oamaru Racecourse – 12 – 15 April 2012
Entries close for the 2012 Horse Trials Championships on Monday 26 March 2012.
The Championship programme is as follows
• Thursday 12 April - Official course walk / team reception
• Saturday 14 April - Cross Country
• Friday 13 April - Dressage
• Sunday 15 April - Show Jumping and presentations
A reminder that Areas with insufficient team members may apply to combine with another area to make a team of DC/A1
riders or an alternative team of their own members if the mix of three DC’s and 3 A1’s is not achieved.
Happy and safe travelling to Oamaru – we look forward to seeing you there.
Database of Technical Delegates / Course Designers / Judges
The TD list of Technical Delegates was sent to Areas late last year and the HTMC asks that the TD database be reviewed,
updated if necessary and any additional names be added to the lists (course designers and judges). Area’s urgent attention
to this request would be appreciated please.
NZPCA Horse Trial Regulations – 2012 Trials and Championships
The NZPCA Horse Trial Regulations (previously the Horse Trials Teams Championships Rules and Regulations) pertain to the
organisation of Area Trials and the Horse Trial Championships only and can be found at the following link
http://www.nzpca.org/new/rules/NZPCA%20Horse%20Trial%20Regulations%20%20Trials%20and%20Championships%20(DC
%20A1)%20-%20February%202012.pdf
The HTMC will not be producing the Regulations in hard copy as they will be amended after the 2012 Championships.
Timberlands Teams Event
Information has now been posted on the website – go to http://www.nzpca.org/new/horse_trials/timberlands/
Pony Club Awards at Eventing NZ’s South Island and National 3DE’s
This year the awards will go to the highest placed Pony Club member at each event, regardless of the class they have
entered. Heather and Lester Truman for the South Island and Allan and Louise Ferguson for the North Island will once again
sponsor the rugs and rosettes.
2012 Bruce Forbes Teams Event (hosted by the Wairarapa Wellington Area)
Fittingly, Bruce’s Forbes’ Club
team, North Wairarapa took out
the 2012 Team’s Event honours.
The winning teams is pictured
left to right - Finola O’Boyle
(Annie Annie); Coach, Lynn Lamb;
Millie Cudmore (Apache One in a
Million); Emily Kozlowski
(Collecting Copper); Mr Bruce
Forbes; Kate Nelson (Kharma);
Coach, Brigid Gray and Caitlin
Perry (Indy). For more
information go to
http://www.nzpca.org/new/horse
_trials/bruce_forbes/index.php
Show Jumping
Island Show Jumping Championships
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North Island - 1 equal Cambridge and Bay of Islands; 3 Central Hawkes Bay; 4 North Taranaki; 5 Whangarei; 6 Auckland.
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South Island - 1 Eyreton Navy; 2 Strath Taieri/Lorneville-Makarewa; 3 Halswell Black; 4 Amberley Gold; 5 Waihora; 6
View Hill Red.
Go to the NZPCA website for full details and photos.
HOY Area Teams
The programme times for the two rounds at HOY are:
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First round - Friday 16 March in Arena 1 - 3.30pm – 5.30pm
NZPCA Newsletter – January/February 2012 - 4
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Second round - Saturday 17 March in the Premier Arena, 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Managers should be aware of the conditions of entry and the rules to which the competition is run under. Refer to SJNZ Rules
- Articles 264 (264.8.22) and 273.3.2. There will be a Manager’s meeting in the Exhibition Hall at 1 pm on Friday 16th March.
This year’s sponsors of the Pony Club class at HOY are Vetpro and Quality Presentations.
We wish all Pony Club competitors at HOY the very best of luck!
NEWS FROM THE BOARD
New Staff Member
We welcome Sally Gunn to the NZPCA office in Napier. Sally is the Office Manager responsible for the membership
database, finance, coaching and training and general office administration. Sally was the Regional administrator for
Volleyball Hawkes Bay prior to coming to work for us.
Contact details:
Sally Gunn, Office Manager, NZ Pony Clubs Association Inc, PO Box 7537, Taradale, Napier 4141
[email protected]
Ph: 06 845 9336 ext 727
Mobile: 027 766 4010
Graeme Sole, General Manager, NZ Pony Clubs Association Inc., PO Box 7537, Taradale, Napier 4141
Ph: 06 845 9336 ext 720
Mobile: 027 766 4004
[email protected]
NZPCA Annual General Meeting and Conference
The 2012 NZPCA Annual General Meeting and Conference will be held at the Sudima Hotel, Auckland and hosted by
Waitemata Rodney Area. The Sudima Hotel is only minutes away from the airport and free airport shuttles are available.
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Registrations will take place between 2 – 5.30pm on Friday 29 June and 8.30 – 9am on Saturday 30 June.
Conference workshops will be notified at a later date. The dinner dance theme is ‘The Red Carpet’ – organisers invite
delegates and attendees to dress up letting imaginations go wild!
The Annual General Meeting will commence at 9am on Sunday 1 July, 2012. Names of Club and Area delegates attending
must be submitted to the General Manager no later than 15 June, 2012.
Two elected Board members are standing down - Nicky Williams and Sally Millar and nominations will be called for in due
course.
Closing dates: Nominations for Board members –1 May, 2012; Proposed motions, including Constitutional changes – 1 May,
2012; Items of AGM business – 1 June, 2012.
Branch, Club and Area Constitutions
The template constitutions have now been released. Accompanying the templates was a document to assist committees with
the adoption process. Branches, Clubs and Areas are expected to have the new Constitutions adopted and incorporated (if
not already) prior to the NZPCA AGM in June 2012. For more information go to
http://www.nzpca.org/new/nzpca/Constitution_Regulations.php
Work is in now in progress to complete the General Regulations and the new Code of Conduct.
Open Forum at Taupo at the NZPCA Dressage Championships
Although only a small number of members attended the forum, it was an opportunity for those who stayed for the forum to
ask questions and voice their opinion informally.
Topics covered included the Membership Database, Casual Membership forms - what happens to them, Pony Club on
Facebook as a way of younger riders communicating, HOY show jumping entry fee, combining Area teams at Dressage
Championships, Membership fees – when are they set. The Management Committees as appropriate and the Board are
looking into these issues.
Frequently asked Questions
If one member is asking a question, there are sure to be others thinking the same so we are sharing FAQ’s and their answers!
Q. Who can sign the rider’s Certificate Record Cards? At the conclusion of each working rally, the Coach must sign and
date each completed lesson and record this in the first column of the record card. Most lessons will be signed off in a working
rally situation, however the Head Coach may give permission for other approved coaches/experienced people to sign off the
card, e.g. veterinarian, farrier, feed specialists, or visiting coach.
Record Cards MUST be fully signed and given to the Examiners at the time of the exam.
Q. How frequently should PC exams be held? D and D+ exams should be held by the Branch as and when required. C
certificate should be held by the Branch in consultation with the Club at regular intervals. C+/B exams should be scheduled
well in advance to allow Branches and Clubs time to plan. Clubs within Areas should work together at C+ and B level to ensure
all candidates may be accommodated within a season. (Clubs may combine with another Club outside their own Area with
permission from the District Commissioner only if there is no exam at the appropriate level in their own Area).
NZPCA Newsletter – January/February 2012 - 5
Q. What are the criteria for Inter Pacific team selection? Applicants must be members 17 years of age at the start of the
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Inter Pacific rally but must not have reached their 21 birthday before the first day of January in the year of the rally. They
must hold B certificate or higher (there is no minimum or maximum length of time that the candidate has to have held B
certificate). Applicants should be proficient riders and handlers of unfamiliar horses, particularly in the discipline of show
jumping.
Q.
What is the ruling on bitless bridles? NZPCA does not coach Coaches on how to train riders using bitless bridles,
therefore bitless bridles should only be used in a rally situation providing the coach has knowledge of the bitless bridle; its
fitting and coaching concept as it is quite different to the conventional method of Pony Club coaching. The Coach must also
be confident that the rider is safe and in full control at all times.
A bit must be used when sitting Pony Club certificate examinations, which is in keeping with the NZPCA coaching and riding
philosophy and our coaching resources.
Riders riding bitless are limited in the competitions they can compete in. Pony Club uses ESNZ discipline rules for show
jumping, show hunter, dressage and eventing and only show jumping and the jumping and cross country tests of eventing
allow for the use of bitless bridles. These rules comply with FEI rules and this creates a pathway for riders and officials to
follow which is the same through the levels and throughout the world.
Bits must also be used in the team sports of polo, polo crosse and mounted games.
Q. Are cavalletti able to be used in Pony Club? No - cavalletti with fixed cross poles at each end were banned
internationally and by NZPCA pre 2008. NZPCA endorsed this ban as a positive move toward safety and animal welfare. All
poles must be capable of falling to the ground if hit.
Q. Can the dressage test at a Pony Club ODE be commanded? Dressage tests can not be commanded at Pony Club ODE’s
at any level including team’s events. (Refer to ENZ Rules – Article 650).
Q. In what levels can a whip be carried in the dressage test of an ODE? A whip (no longer than 100cms for ponies and
120cm for hacks including the lash) may only be used up to and including Pre Training level. (Refer Annex 6 ENZ Rules).
Q. What is the minimum age for a pony/horse to attend Pony Club rallies? The minimum age is 4 years unless ridden by a
B certificate level and above rider and the mount is participating in activities for young horses. Refer to the ESNZ discipline
rules and NZPCA Games Rules for competition minimum age.
Presidents Message
I hope everybody had an awesome Christmas and the New Year is turning out to be great as well. So
far this has been the busiest time for me, but it has also been one of the most satisfying. My apologies
for not attending the Teams Training ODE at Masterton, but I did attend the Cambridge North Island
Show jumping Champs, the South Island Show jumping Champs in Christchurch, the NZPCA Dressage
Champs in Taupo and the Zone 1 Games finals at Kaikohe. I have met some wonderful people for the
first time and found old friends to catch up with. The riding has been excellent and our riders and
horses are a true credit to the coaches and the parents who are the inspiration and guiders for our
young riders.
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Congratulations to Auckland Area on winning the NZPCA Dressage Champs, with Waitemata Rodney 2 . Special mention
must be made of Otago Southland who was the only Area in the South Island to put forward a team for the NZPCA Dressage
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Champs. They came 3 overall. A great result from everybody.
The forum at the Dressage Champs in Taupo was very open and some good discussions were made. Graeme made a
great impression and has promised changes - watch this space…
Congratulations to all those who have sat their A and / or H Certificates in January / February this year. I have had great
pleasure in being able to sign these certificates for our successful riders. For those who didn’t quite make it, note the
comments of your examiners and take confidence in yourself that you can do it next time.
Pony Club is a wonderful organisation, and I see the pride and the enjoyment of our riders everywhere I go.
The AGM’s are just around the corner, and it is even more important to ensure the right people get into the official
positions. The new Area, Club and Branch Constitutions are a great guide for all, and ones that we all need to work within to
continue to make our riders that best that they can ever be.
Take are all.
Marj Steiner
President, NZPCA
NZPCA Newsletter – January/February 2012 - 6