UPCOMING EXAMS

Its that time of year, woohoo! We have many riders who are ready to sit their exams soon, heres some important information you need to know.

Sitting exams is an important part of the New Zealand Pony Club Curriculum, which aims to create confident, knowledgeable equestrians who put their equines welfare first. 

The curriculum covers not just riding, but a large amount of horsemanship knowledge which is crucial that riders not only learn but also put into practise in their day to day care of their horses.

If you do not already have a copy of your own, all riders and their family should have their own copies of the NZPCA Manuals. These manuals cover the entire curriculum for each level and are important reading for any equestrian.

NZPCA MEMBERSHIP

Riders must be a current NZPCA member linked to our Pony Club Centre to be able to sit exams. These need to be renewed annually each winter. To join nzpca it is approx $50 for the year and done via a platform called Nominate.

WHEN IS MY CHILD READY TO SIT THEIR EXAM?

RECORD CARDS
Riders must have a minimum of two signatures in each line, as well as be signed off in green for each box in their online record cards before sitting their exam. We update these each week with a signature when we have taught it. 

An element of each level is horsemanship based ie. not riding. We cover these aspects as much as we can in your weekly sessions and in our weekly horsemanship sessions. You are more than welcome to send us some evidence of at home learning and we can sign off your learning that way too.

REGISTERING FOR EXAMS

Riders must be registered in advance, at the following links:
Note that C level exams application cut off is well in advance as your instructor must put each candidate forward for acceptance.

Times for each group will be sent out closer to the time. Allow a full day for C exams and a lot of extra time spent exam prepping as the theory component is quite substantial at this level.

EXAM DATES

WHAT TO EXPECT

Riding in an exam situation is much more formal than your usual lessons. You need to arrive with plenty of time to present yourself and your pony as tidy and well turned out as possible. 

You should warm up your pony before the start time, so that you can be standing lined up ready for inspection a couple of minutes before the exam start time.

The examiner will greet you all, explain how the exam will work, and will conduct a gear check. Make sure that your stirrups are wide enough for your foot (2cm wider than your boot), and that all stitching and leather is in good condition. Your tack should be spotless, as should your own attire.

Usually the ridden section will be done first, followed by the Horse Management section. Be sure to have some hay and water ready for your pony ahead of time so that you can make a quick changeover. Throughout the day you will be asked questions as part of the exam, so be sure to practice answering questions so that you get confident with speaking your answers.

After the exam, your examiner will talk to you all and provide feedback, as well as letting you know if you have passed.  (Heads up for parents of any kids nervous to do their first exams – we will never fail a D or D+ candidate, it is all about building confidence and introducing them to the exam structure at this level).

ONLINE REVISION

We are slowly getting more and more online learning resources up on our website – check them out, they are perfect for your riders exam prep!

EXAM TEMPLATES
Are able to be found on the NZPCA website, these can give you an idea of what may be covered in your exam, and can be a useful tool for exam prep. Use your Pony Club Manuals to check your answers.