HAWEA WANAKA PONY CLUB
Information 2023/ 2024
Hawea Wanaka Pony Club is a branch of the Central Otago Pony Club (COPC)
and runs under the umbrella of the New Zealand Pony Club Association.
More information on the NZPCA can be found at: nzpca.org
At HWPC, our vision is to provide riders with opportunities to
achieve their best and for members and their families to enjoy the
experiences and friendships that make our club special.
We are dedicated to the on-going development of young riders by
providing quality instruction and the knowledge and skills to enable
them to ride and care for their ponies correctly and safely.
Our mission is for this to happen within an inclusive and supportive
environment, where the NZPCA ethos of respect, caring and integrity is upheld by all.
OUR AIMS
● To promote and encourage responsibility, respect, loyalty and a strength of
character in all members, along with the proper care and welfare of their
horse.
● To promote a fun learning environment for young riders to expand their
knowledge and skills by providing regular instruction to all levels in riding
and horse management; and to encourage enjoyment in all activities
related to both their horse and to fellow Pony Club members.
● To develop friendships and team spirit amongst members and families,
and to provide and promote healthy competition.
● To provide opportunity for specific levels of achievement from which young
riders can continue to build on towards regional and national recognition.
● To encourage coaches to improve their teaching ability and knowledge and
gain a recognised instructor's qualification.
HAWEA WANAKA PONY CLUB MEMBERS
As a Pony Club member, you will be able to work towards certificates and learn
to ride and care for horses and ponies by taking part in rallies and activities.
RALLIES
The rally is the backbone of Pony Club. A working rally is one at which instruction
is given and may be either mounted or unmounted. An unmounted rally is usually
for horse and pony care instruction.
All mounted rallies follow a rally plan which is tailored to the level of the groups of
riders attending. The plans include a gear check / safety brief, a ‘lesson of the
day’, a horse management lesson and games and activities.
At times, rallies may be held away from the Pony Club grounds, to go trekking,
orienteering or for camps, to name a few things.
CERTIFICATES
Certificates are an essential part of the Pony Club system, providing incentive
and encouragement to learn and improve at all levels. Pony Club members study
for their certificates at rallies and can take exams to test their knowledge
approximately every two years throughout their time at Pony Club.
Pony Club certificates are available for all ages and levels of competency.
The Certificates attainable are: Riders without horses, Lead rein, D, D+, C, C+,
B, H and A
WHEN AND WHERE WILL RALLIES BE HELD?
HWPC mounted rallies are generally held on a Sunday, twice a month from
August through until May, for a 2 hour duration. Times and dates are sent out via
the NZPCA app, which you will need to download. Extra mounted or unmounted
rallies may also be held at other times.
Rallies are held at the Hawea Domain, 87 Domain Rd (off Gladstone Rd), between
Lake Hawea township and Hawea Flat.
To join, go to the Nominate database:
https://nz.nominate.com.au/Clubs/nzpca.aspx
Search down for ‘Central Otago - Hawea Wanaka’ and click ‘Join’.
COMPETITIONS
Rallies also provide an opportunity for parents and riders to ask questions about
upcoming local competitions.
Each year a calendar of events for the Otago Southland area will be available
from the secretary for a small cost.
Information and entries for events can be found either on Nominate
https://nz.nominate.com.au or on Evo Events https://www.evoevents.co.nz
You can find entries for A and P Shows at: https://showday.online/
COMMUNICATION
Information and dates for rallies will now be sent out on the NZPCA app, which
will need to be downloaded.
HWPC facebook page is Hawea Wanaka Pony Club
From time to time, you will also receive emails with information and reminders
about the HWPC branch and any relevant information sent on from COPC.
UNIFORM
Beige or white jodphurs.
Jodphur boots (with or without chaps/gaiters) or long riding boots.
Helmet. These must carry an approved quality testing label or other accepted
helmet standard such as ASTM and be red tagged by the Health and Safety
officer.
Body Protector is compulsory for Cross Country. These must meet one of the
following standards: BETA EN13158 2009 (or newer) Level 3 or ASTM F1937
and be red tagged at a rally by the Health and Safety officer..
Long hair tied back.
For rallies, a long-sleeve quick dry rally top is available
When representing the branch at Club events, our formal uniform may be worn:
Brown woolen jersey
Gold COPC tie and tie badge
HWPC hat cover
HWPC saddle blanket
Please contact our Secretary (haweawanakaponyclub@gmail.com
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED?
Pony Club Manual 1 (not compulsory, but it’s the “Bible” according to Pony Club).
These can be purchased through the NZPCA site:
http://www.nzpca.org/Riders-Parents/Rider-Resources
FOR PARENTS
For those parents who have not been involved with horses before, this can be a
steep learning curve. We are here to help, so please don’t hesitate to ask an
instructor or any of the other parents, who will be more than happy to share their
knowledge.
VOLUNTEERING
As a small club, having parents volunteer in some capacity is essential to
keeping the club running ’. This may be at rallies; in maintaining equipment; at
events or by joining the committee to help with the running of the club and does
not require any equestrian knowledge but is a great way to share your skills and
get to know other parents.
We are also always on the lookout for club coaches, so if you do have the skills
to do this, please feel free to let us know.
WITHIN THE CLUB
Branch President - Tony Berben
Secretary haweawanakaponyclub@gmail.com
Treasurer ponyclub.ac@gmail.com
Head Coach headcoachhwpc@gmail.com
Health and Safety Officer - Nikki Cameron-Small
Uniforms - Diane Berben