Riding & Coaching
Show Jumping, Cross Country, Dressage, Beach and Trail Rides
Te Atatū Pony Club boasts a great array of options for riding and grazing in the heart of the city. We have a range of beautiful show jumps and fillers and our grounds include both fixed and movable cross country jumps. We own a portable 60 x 20m arena set up on grass for dressage work. We have the beach and reserve right by us for off-grounds hacking. Te Atatū Peninsula has a variety of trails we ride on, often chatting to friendly locals along the way.
The Pony Club Season
The Pony Club season runs October to April (daylight saving hours) during which we hold weekly rallies at the club where the riders get together for coaching. Families might help out with some jobs and we often enjoy a shared dinner.
October – April is also competition season and our riders will often head off site to fun ribbon days or local competitions.
Rally Night
Te Atatū Pony Club holds its rallies on Thursday night from October to April. Riders wear Pony Club uniform and horses are well turned out. Rally night is where coaching takes place and a rally can include show jumping, cross country, dressage, games and theory. Rallies run between 6pm and 7.30pm.
At least one parent of each rider under 18 is required to attend on rally night, and many families stay on for a shared dinner. Everyone is welcome and the shared dinner is one of the many special aspects of being part of Te Atatū Pony Club and often a highlight for the riders.
Coaching
At Te Atatū Pony Club we provide high quality coaching, development opportunities, and fun in a supportive and friendly environment. Horse and rider wellbeing is our priority.
Te Atatū Pony Club membership includes approximately 20 coaching sessions each season and coaching is divided into two or three rides. Rides are organised based on numbers and levels of riders at any one time.
Coaching covers the practical and theoretical basics of learning to work with your horse, establishing good flatwork and jumping skills and enabling riders to work towards competitions and earn their Pony Club certificates.
Pony Club Certificates
To ensure we provide a comprehensive coaching programme, Te Atatū Pony Club follows the NZPCA syllabus helping riders work towards their Pony Club certificates. The certificates are D, D+, C, C+, B, A and H.
Find out more about the NZPCA Certificate Syllabus.
Our Coaches
Gail Seeley
Gail started riding when she was 10, joined Pony Club at 11, and gained her full B Certificate. She represented the District and Area in Show jumping and jumped to 1.35cm. She enjoyed eventing to 1.10cm horse trials/PC Open level and Dressage to Elementary level (Level 3). She has been judging Dressage, Ribbon Days, A&P shows, Miniature Horse and Inhand Breed shows for over 25 years, and has also been a B Certificate Examiner for over 15 years.
“NZPCA, which WPPC is part of, is a fantastic movement helping young riders to excel in their riding and care for the horse. I’ve been part of NZPCA since I was young and coaching has become a passion of mine – giving back and watching riders become established riders with great achievements.”
Chloe Skelly
Hi I’m Chloe! I have been in the saddle since I was 10 years old, getting my start as an all-rounder at Huapai Pony Club. I have ridden a diversity of horses for owners, and enjoy all competitive disciplines plus hacking out to the beach, forest and road rides. I enjoy continuing to develop my equine knowledge through coaching & judging clinics and NZPCA certificates. I am a regular helper in dressage writing and have coached at a local riding school. I am currently schooling an OTTB (Off-Track Thoroughbred) aiming to compete with him at Level 2 dressage this season. I enjoy creating a safe, confident and fun environment for the riders and horses to continue to grow as a pair.
