About us

Pony Club is a supportive and fun environment for Children to ride safely and confidently. Whatever your riding level, you'll find loads of encouragement and get training from expert coaches. So whether you've just got your first pony or you're looking to compete at events, dressage or showjumping, Pony Club will help you acquire new skills and indulge your passion for horses.

Our programme

Pirongia Adult Riders Group (PARG):

Mount Pirongia Pony Club have started up this group for adults (18+ years) that would like to meet at the grounds and hold their own events to further utilise our wonderful grounds and facilities. PARG hold their own rallies on the last Saturday or Sunday every month (date/time always advertised). Instructors are available if you choose to take part in the lesson, otherwise it's just an opportunity to have a go and socialise for you and your horse. The membership also gives you access to the grounds in your own time during the year. The only times you cannot ride on the grounds is when the children have riding rallies on or there is a club event taking place.  These dates are available on the website home page or under the Rally date tab.

New Members

We welcome new members and their ponies from lead rein and up.  Lead rein riders must remain on the rein until they can ride independently. Potential child riders interested in joining Pony Club are welcome to attend one free rally session, to see what it is all about and decide if they would like to join. Please note this is by prior arrangement only as there is health and safety paperwork that must be completed first and coaches booked for the day. If you would like to try a second or third rally, then the cost per rally is $20.00 (* capping fee). After the third ‘trial’ rally, a commitment to join is required. If you do go ahead with membership the fees paid to date are taken off the membership fee.

Certificates

Pony Club certificates are an essential part of the Pony Club system, providing incentive and encouragement to learn and improve at all levels. At each rally the skills that riders have been taught are noted on their certificate record by the coach. The skill needs to have been ‘taught’ and then at a later date it is ‘tested’ before again being signed off.  Once the certificate record has been completed in full (all skills taught and tested), the rider is then able to sit their certificate ‘exam’ and assessed by a qualified examiner.  Exams are not compulsory. 

Certificate levels are Lead Rein, D, D+, C, C+, O, B, H & A. 

Coaches

Whatever your riding level, you'll find loads of encouragement and get training from expert coaches. We have 4 coaches for the 2018/2019 season with Jean Newman as Head Coach.  Jean is responsible for lesson planning and for ensuring children are working towards their certificates and own riding goals in an appropriate timeframe and manner.

What you need to know

We welcome new members from lead rein and up. You are welcome to come for a visit, please contact arrange this. We have an Introduction Pack that has lots of information about how we run and what we do. This is available on our website along with pricing and rally dates. You do require your own pony/horse, we do not have ponies available for loan.