Head Coach: Louise Owen
Since as long as I can remember I have been an equine nut. My competing now centres on enjoyment, development of my three horses and personal challenge.
I began teaching at St Helier’s Bay Pony Club around 30 years ago. Since moving north, I have taught at Albany, Wainui and now Kaukapakapa Pony Club. I have had a great interest in the preparation of Riders for their certificates, and the preparation of Riders for district, area and national competitions.
I believe that Pony Club needs to foster thinking, empathetic Riders. We need to encourage riders to support others on their journey, have a sense of Fairplay and enjoy being part of a team. I aim to assist in the facilitation of development of self-disciplined, empathetic riders who are able to solve problems at their level, rise to personal challenge and have fun on the way.
Lead Rein: TBA
D/D+ Cert: Brittany Newman
In the past Brittany has been involved as a Waitemata Rodney Pony Club representative in dressage and eventing, B level Pony Club member and Coach. Nowadays she competes across the North Island in Novice level eventing as well as practising full times as a Solicitor. She joins KPC this season as C+/B coach with the aim of being a role model for the up and coming eventing riders at Kaukapakapa.
D+/C Cert: Coach TBA
C+/B Cert: Coach TBA
Certificates
Lead Rein Achievement Card
This card has been introduced to give our riders on the lead rein a programme of simple tasks so they can work towards gaining a certificate which can be awarded once all tasks have been achieved and the coach has signed them off. This card is not designed to be a test but a simple set of tasks which will help the rider learn the skills necessary to be able to ride independent off the lead rein and provide the basic care of their pony.
’O’ Certificate
‘O’ is for options, and that is what this Certificate is all about. Unlike all the other Pony Club Certificates there is no set examination or test. You can choose whatever options you wish.
Within each certificate level and, on completing them satisfactorily, you will qualify for a pass in Bronze, Silver or Gold.
D Certificate
Recommended age for D Certificate is 8 or 9 years.
The objective for the rider is to gain confidence in riding and in the handling of their pony and to be keen to improve and learn.
D+ Certificate
Usually takes two seasons to complete.
Recommended age for D+ Certificate is 9 to 10 years.
Candidates must hold their D Certificate.
Heights of jumps for D+ certificate are approximately 50cm.
This certificate was introduced to bridge the gap between the D and C Certificates. The objective is to work towards having a secure seat on the flat and over simple fences and to demonstrate an increasing knowledge and confidence in the care of their pony.
C Certificate
Usually takes two seasons to complete.
Recommended age for C Certificate is 11 years and over.
Candidates must hold their D+ Certificate.
Maximum height C certificate jumping is 65cm.
The objectives are to attain a firm seat, independent of the reins on the flat and over small fences, to know and be able to apply the correct aids for simple movements and be in the control of the pony at all times. Understanding the Road Code and to show common sense and courtesy when out and about with their pony and to also have a knowledge of the daily care and working of the pony.
C+ Certificate
Recommended age for C+ Certificate is 12 – 13 years and over.
Candidates must hold C Certificate.
Maximum height for C+ Certificate fences is 80cm.
This certificate was introduced to bridge the gap between the C and B Certificates. This certificate is much harder than C and riders must show a good riding standard well on their way to B Cert.The rider must be able to ride their horse in a collected frame and know what is meant by being “on the bit” and how it is achieved and how the horses outline changes. This certificate may be sat in two sections, Horse Management and Riding. On obtaining a pass in both sections only then will the rider have his/her full C+ Certificate.
Riders will be assessed before being put forward for any part of this exam.
The objective is to gain a practical experience and knowledge of the care and conditioning of a horse at grass and become an active, all-round rider, with knowledge for the aids and ability to apply them effectively and to be able to ride over simple show jumping and cross-country fences at a trot or at a canter and to have a thorough knowledge of the Road Code as it applies to ridden horses and ride safely and sensibly on the roads or in the country. Candidates must be capable of joining in with any suitable Pony Club activities.
B Certificate
Recommended age for B Certificate is 14 – 15 years and over.
Candidates must hold C+ Certificate to sit the full B Certificate, but may sit B horse management if they hold C+ horse
management.
Maximum height for B Certificate fences is 95cm.
This certificate may be sat in two sections, Horse Management and Riding. On obtaining a pass in both sections only then will the rider have his/her full B Certificate.
Riders are assessed before sitting and the exams are arranged at Area level.
The objective is to become an active, all-round rider, who knows the reasons for what they are doing, and is able to assess results, ride over different types of fences at specified paces and be capable of riding and jumping any well-mannered horse or pony and comment on his way of going. Candidates must have gained knowledge and practical experience of the care and conditioning of horses, and to be able to look after a temporarily stabled horse. They must ride intelligently and with due regard for others on the roads and in the country with a knowledge of pace and distance.
Candidates must also be capable of joining in any suitable Pony Club activities of interest to the rider (e.g. eventing, hunting, treks, gymkhanas etc.) and of looking after the horse before, during and after the day’s activity.
H Certificate
Minimum age is 16 years and over.
Candidates must hold B Certificate horse management.
Candidates are assessed before sitting this exam and this is arranged at Area level. If the candidate passes their assessment their exam is done at National NZPCA level.
This exam affords keen senior members and holders of B horse management or full B Certificate a worthwhile certificate in horse management. It is also the horse management section of A Certificate.
A Certificate
Minimum age is 16 years and over.
Candidates must hold B Certificate.
Maximum height for A Certificate fences is 1.10m.
Riders are assessed before sitting this exam and this is arranged at Area level. If the candidate passes their assessment their riding examination is done at National NZPCA level.
This is the highest award of the Pony Club. It provides a comprehensive examination in horsemanship and horse management for well trained and experienced members. Candidates must show that they can carry out in practice, in a logical sequence, all that they have learned from the New Zealand Pony Clubs Association manuals and from their coaches.
This card has been introduced to give our riders on the lead rein a programme of simple tasks so they can work towards gaining a certificate which can be awarded once all tasks have been achieved and the coach has signed them off. This card is not designed to be a test but a simple set of tasks which will help the rider learn the skills necessary to be able to ride independent off the lead rein and provide the basic care of their pony.
’O’ Certificate
‘O’ is for options, and that is what this Certificate is all about. Unlike all the other Pony Club Certificates there is no set examination or test. You can choose whatever options you wish.
Within each certificate level and, on completing them satisfactorily, you will qualify for a pass in Bronze, Silver or Gold.
- Bronze ‘O’ Certificate is an introduction to the series for the younger or less experienced pony club members. It is not necessary to attain a pass in Bronze before attempting the Silver ‘O’ Certificate.
- Silver ‘O’ Certificate requires you to also pass your ‘C’ Certificate.
- Gold ‘O’ Certificate may be commenced on passing ‘C’ Certificate but also requires a pass in ‘C+’ Certificate horse management.
D Certificate
Recommended age for D Certificate is 8 or 9 years.
The objective for the rider is to gain confidence in riding and in the handling of their pony and to be keen to improve and learn.
D+ Certificate
Usually takes two seasons to complete.
Recommended age for D+ Certificate is 9 to 10 years.
Candidates must hold their D Certificate.
Heights of jumps for D+ certificate are approximately 50cm.
This certificate was introduced to bridge the gap between the D and C Certificates. The objective is to work towards having a secure seat on the flat and over simple fences and to demonstrate an increasing knowledge and confidence in the care of their pony.
C Certificate
Usually takes two seasons to complete.
Recommended age for C Certificate is 11 years and over.
Candidates must hold their D+ Certificate.
Maximum height C certificate jumping is 65cm.
The objectives are to attain a firm seat, independent of the reins on the flat and over small fences, to know and be able to apply the correct aids for simple movements and be in the control of the pony at all times. Understanding the Road Code and to show common sense and courtesy when out and about with their pony and to also have a knowledge of the daily care and working of the pony.
C+ Certificate
Recommended age for C+ Certificate is 12 – 13 years and over.
Candidates must hold C Certificate.
Maximum height for C+ Certificate fences is 80cm.
This certificate was introduced to bridge the gap between the C and B Certificates. This certificate is much harder than C and riders must show a good riding standard well on their way to B Cert.The rider must be able to ride their horse in a collected frame and know what is meant by being “on the bit” and how it is achieved and how the horses outline changes. This certificate may be sat in two sections, Horse Management and Riding. On obtaining a pass in both sections only then will the rider have his/her full C+ Certificate.
Riders will be assessed before being put forward for any part of this exam.
The objective is to gain a practical experience and knowledge of the care and conditioning of a horse at grass and become an active, all-round rider, with knowledge for the aids and ability to apply them effectively and to be able to ride over simple show jumping and cross-country fences at a trot or at a canter and to have a thorough knowledge of the Road Code as it applies to ridden horses and ride safely and sensibly on the roads or in the country. Candidates must be capable of joining in with any suitable Pony Club activities.
B Certificate
Recommended age for B Certificate is 14 – 15 years and over.
Candidates must hold C+ Certificate to sit the full B Certificate, but may sit B horse management if they hold C+ horse
management.
Maximum height for B Certificate fences is 95cm.
This certificate may be sat in two sections, Horse Management and Riding. On obtaining a pass in both sections only then will the rider have his/her full B Certificate.
Riders are assessed before sitting and the exams are arranged at Area level.
The objective is to become an active, all-round rider, who knows the reasons for what they are doing, and is able to assess results, ride over different types of fences at specified paces and be capable of riding and jumping any well-mannered horse or pony and comment on his way of going. Candidates must have gained knowledge and practical experience of the care and conditioning of horses, and to be able to look after a temporarily stabled horse. They must ride intelligently and with due regard for others on the roads and in the country with a knowledge of pace and distance.
Candidates must also be capable of joining in any suitable Pony Club activities of interest to the rider (e.g. eventing, hunting, treks, gymkhanas etc.) and of looking after the horse before, during and after the day’s activity.
H Certificate
Minimum age is 16 years and over.
Candidates must hold B Certificate horse management.
Candidates are assessed before sitting this exam and this is arranged at Area level. If the candidate passes their assessment their exam is done at National NZPCA level.
This exam affords keen senior members and holders of B horse management or full B Certificate a worthwhile certificate in horse management. It is also the horse management section of A Certificate.
A Certificate
Minimum age is 16 years and over.
Candidates must hold B Certificate.
Maximum height for A Certificate fences is 1.10m.
Riders are assessed before sitting this exam and this is arranged at Area level. If the candidate passes their assessment their riding examination is done at National NZPCA level.
This is the highest award of the Pony Club. It provides a comprehensive examination in horsemanship and horse management for well trained and experienced members. Candidates must show that they can carry out in practice, in a logical sequence, all that they have learned from the New Zealand Pony Clubs Association manuals and from their coaches.
