AUGUST NEWSLETTER

We have been enjoying sunny days down at Shotover and the benefits of unfrozen ground have been amazing, we have hardly noticed that its been winter! Spring is fast approaching and we are looking forward to getting back into full swing with normal PC starting back in just a few weeks – Monday September 1st is the plan! 

If you are already on a membership we would still love if you could please fill in the new season registration form so that we have your updated available days in case we need to do any shuffling to create the perfect groups, and so you can let us know your new membership choice (see below).

PRICING AND SCHEDULING

A couple of little tweaks for our membership options this season, including a more affordable option for competitive riders who want to seriously commit to the sport. 

This season we are going to offer horsemanship sessions by default as a part of all riders memberships. These sessions will not be mandatory, more like a built in extra that you can utilise if you wish. We currently have a lot of riders who in terms of their riding skills are ready to go up a group, however they are stuck at their current level until they reach their required level of theory knowledge to sit their examination. The hope is that we can encourage riders to attend these valuable sessions, progressing their theory knowledge alongside their riding skills. We are also offering a theory only option as well.

As always we run on a continuous rolling schedule, rather than by terms (with scheduled holiday breaks). To begin your enrollment please register at the link below. To end your enrollment, simply give us 30 days notice in order for us to have a chance to fill your place.

SEASON SCHEDULE

SEASON START DATE:
September 1st

SCHEDULED BREAKS: 

• Saturday September 20th – Sunday Oct 5th
• Saturday 20th December – Sunday 1st February
• Saturday 4th April – Sunday 19th April
• Saturday 4th July – Sunday 19th July

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
Generally we operate on public holidays whenever possible, to avoid needing to reschedule a whole days worth of lessons and thus saving catch up days for bad weather reschedules. Unless you hear from us otherwise, we are all go on public holidays. If you plan to head away for a long weekend that is no problem, just let us know and we can switch you to another day that week.

HORSEMANSHIP SCHEDULE:

WINTER CAMP

What a super time we had at our first mid winter camp! Photos can we found on our facebook page, and also some here:

RECYCLED RIBBON SERIES UPDATES

Due to a clash with another event which unfortunately was not advertised at the time we planned our dates, we have rescheduled our next Recycled Ribbon SJ Day to Sunday 24th August. 

LESSONS WITH MIKE LAMB

Mike joins us on the first saturday of the month!

We are excited to offer regular lessons with Mike Lamb, available for both private and group lessons. Having evented to 4*, Mike is a wealth of knowledge and experience who has recently relocated to the area full time.

​Mike enthusiastically coaches riders of all levels, especially suited to:

• Ponies and riders looking to get the basics correct
• Young horses being taught to jump correctly and confidently
• Riders competing at SJ and/or Eventing
• Hunt riders looking to prep horses for the season and jump safely

Private Lessons: $110
Group: $80

Horse hire available for an additional $40 for riders without their own ponies.

EXAMS

We have many riders who are very nearly ready to sit their next lot of exams, woohoo! 

In order to sit an exam, riders must have at least two signatures on their Record of Training Cards, as well as have each box signed off in green to say that we are confident that their knowledge is there. 

Each level of Pony Club examinations contains both a theory and a practical side. In order for your rider to cover all of the theory components, they will need to attend dedicated theory sessions. This process can be expedited hugely by learning at home from the Pony Club Manuals. 

Every rider should have their own copy of Manual 1, with riders C+ level and above also requiring Manual 2. 

Dates will be set for examinations once multiple riders from the same level have their entire ROT cards signed off in green.

You can view your riders progress at the link below. Boxes shaded yellow indicate that we are confident that the rider knows, and just needs to be tested. Green indicates that your rider is signed off for that section.

If your rider wishes to study at home and send us evidence of their learning and knowledge, we are always happy to recieve this and sign things off. 

CAMPS

SOCIAL EVENTS

CHRISTMAS

RUSSELL HIGGINS CLINICS