THE PONY CLUB PROGRAM

Here at A M Equestrian we love to share our passion for horses with others. We pride ourselves on creating a fun, safety conscious environment for our many budding equestrians to grow.

Our Pony Club program runs weekly throughout most of the year, with sessions between 3.30 – 6.30pm on weekdays, rain, hail or shine! Choose your level of membership to attend from 1-4 times per week, and take advantage of our discounts on horse management sessions.

As affiliates of the New Zealand Pony Club Association, we offer the NZPCA riding curriculum to riders without their own ponies, as well as to the many riders who keep their pony on site with us at AME. Riders begin by working towards and sitting their exam for their “D” Certificate, and progress up the levels as they develop their riding and horse management skills.

After each session, our coaches sign off portions of our riders digital Record of Learning cards as we work towards end of season exams. The Pony Club curriculum provides a clear progression of levels of achievement from beginner through to a high level of equine expertise. Plus, the certificates gained are recognized all around the world!

Our sessions run weekly on a rolling schedule rather than by term, with the exception of some scheduled holiday weeks and camps. We believe this approach allows us to create well rounded practical equestrians who are ready for horse ownership in the future.

Even if your child does not aspire to horse ownership, skills our pupils learn translate into every day life. Improved communication and social skills, increased empathy for others, leadership, team working abilities, a positive attitude, confidence, coordination, and the forming of life long friendships to name a few!

Our staff are experienced and enthusiastic, with a love for teaching. We have coaches who specialize in a range of levels, so no matter your equine experience, we have a coach and horses to suit.

HORSEMANSHIP LESSONS

An integral part of the Pony Club curriculum, horsemanship makes up an increasing amount of the learning material as riders progress up the levels. Horsemanship knowledge gets signed off in the riders record of training, just as the riding portions. Our horsemanship sessions cover everything from knowing basic colours and markings through to knowledge about injuries and diseases, methods of training, and providing the highest levels of equine welfare possible.

Horsemanship sessions run on Wednesdays from 3.30 – 6.30pm, and is included in some of our membership packages.

PONY CLUB LEVELS

D

D level is the starting point for new riders where we teach the basics of:
– Horse handling
– Grooming
– Tacking up
– Basic riding skills
– Walk and trot
– Rising the trot
– Riding independently

Our “D” groups attend from 3.30-4.30pm, where they learn both horsemanship and ridden skills. We have boots and helmets to borrow for new riders, so don’t worry if you haven’t got all the gear just yet – have a read of our what to bring and wear, along with the rest of our booking T’s & C’s here.

D+

After passing their D level examination, riders progress to to D+ to further their basic skills such as:
– Trot diagonals
– Riding the canter
– 2 point position
– Jumping up to 50cm
– Basic pony care

D+ groups lesson runs between 4.30 and 5.30pm, however, D+ riders are welcome to attend their afternoon session from as early as 3.30pm. D+ riders are expected to have their pony well groomed and tacked up prior to the start of their lesson, ready to mount up at 4.30pm.

At D+, riders should have their own kit of gear, see our Ready for Riding Checklist here.

Although horse management sessions are not compulsory at any level, riders will need to learn the theory component of the D+ exam if they wish to sit their examination and progress to the C group, the occasional bad weather day will allow for some inclusion of this, however serious riders will benefit from attending our horse management sessions on Wednesdays, or through parent assisted learning at home via the Pony Club manual.

C

D+ graduates enter the C group, where they develop their seat and refine their basic skills:
– Basic dressage principles
– Jumping up to 65cm
– Cross country jumping
– In depth horse management

C riders are also eligible to apply to be Big Buddies

C riders lessons run from 5.30-6.30pm. C riders are also welcome to attend from 3.30pm, during which time they can take part in the big buddy program, help out on the yard, take advantage of opportunities for extra horse management learning, as well as ensuring they have their pony well groomed and tacked up prior to the start of their lesson, ready to mount up at 5.30pm.

C level contains a much larger portion of required horse management knowledge, and it is highly recommended that riders working towards their C examination also attend our horse management sessions in order to gain a thorough understanding of caring for horses.

C+, B, H, and A Certificates follow – there is so much more to learn! Riders who pass their C certificate are also eligible to purchase AME lesson horses when they become available, as well as access extra riding opportunities!

Membership options

booking t’s & C’s

WE ALSO OFFER:

1:1 COACHING

Outside of Pony Club hours we also offer one on one coaching to adults (and riders of any age with their own horses), with both casual and membership options.

Our team of seasoned school horses know their jobs well, and adjust to a range of ability levels. Our staff are experienced and enthusiastic, with a love for teaching. We have coaches who specialize in a range of levels, so no matter your equine experience, we have a coach to suit.
Private lessons are available outside of Pony Club hours. Please note that our current lesson horses have a rider weight limit of 80kg at present.

GROOM AND RIDES

Groom and rides are a great option for younger riders and are custom tailored half hour sessions for under 7’s. Your little ones will get to enjoy our adorable pint sized ponies, and often get to meet some of our other resident farm animals too!

Groom and rides are an experience rather than a formal lesson, and are designed to be fun, flexible, and introduce our budding equestrians to ponies, allowing them to gain confidence and experience around horses in a controlled environment.

MEET THE COACHES

**Ashley Marie Robb**
Long time Queenstown local, Ashley has been operating A M Equestrian for over 10 years.
A feel for teaching and an all round love of children and horses meant teaching was a natural progression for Ashley. She has ridden to third level dressage and dabbled in showing and eventing, but has a real passion for Hunting. Ashley rides as a Field Master for the Central Otago hunt and enjoys taking clients out to experience the hunt field as well.
You will most often find Ashley teaching our advanced teenage riders, or beginner tweens who thrive under her exuberant and enthusiastic teaching style. She also loves to run horse management sessions. Continually upskilling, you will often find Ashley learning from our team of talented vets and farriers, or taking lessons from top dressage coaches on her gorgeous buckskin stallion.

_{Kirsty Green}_{Kirsty has become an integral part of the A M Equestrian team over the last few years. You can find Kirsty doing all manner of tasks around the farm to keep the wheels turning behind the scenes, as well as teaching in the school most days where she is a favorite of many of our adult riders and Pony Club students. Kirsty’s time spent working in many large overseas yards adds valuable experience to the team and she oversees much of the horse care here on site as well. Kirsty is also our on site personal trainer, incorporating her famous fitness training into unmounted sessions}

RIDING ACADEMY