Waimauku Pony Club

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Waimauku Pony Club

A friendly and welcoming local pony club offering quality coaching, community and fun.

04/09/2026

NISS SUPERSTARS ⭐️

Congratulations to Waimauku Pony Club riders Molly Buckingham and Hazel Wilson-Watts, who have just wrapped up a huge week at the North Island Secondary Schools Equestrian Champs in Taupō!

One of the biggest shows on the calendar, with competition fierce across the board, the girls had an incredible week (despite the relentless cold wind!) and came away with some outstanding results:

Hazel and Beau 🐻
💫 5th - Show Hunter
💫 12th - Show Jumping Accumulator

Molly and Gin 🦄
💫 8th - Dressage
💫 6th - Arena Eventing
💫 1st - Show Hunter
💫 11th - Show Jumping Accumulator

Well done girls! What a fantastic achievement and a credit to all of your hard work and dedication!

03/09/2026

WOW! A HUGE THANK YOU to Pub Charity Limited for their generous support!

Pub Charity distributes gaming-machine proceeds through grants to community organisations just like ours, helping fund important local projects, sport, recreation and community initiatives across New Zealand.

A special thanks also owing to the businesses partnered with Pub Charity that operate in our wider area: Huapai Tavern, Bridgehouse Lodge, Northland Gateway and Warkworth Inn.

This grant will give our members access to modern, safety-compliant show jumping equipment that better reflects a competition environment, enhancing rider safety, supporting better training and competition outcomes, and allowing us to offer more events and opportunities to our wider equestrian community! 🥳

30/08/2026

A brand-new season means new goals, new friendships, and incredible opportunities to grow as a rider.

We've assembled an outstanding team of passionate rally coaches and inspiring guest coaches and clinicians who are ready to help every rider build confidence, develop new skills, and achieve their personal best.

OUR RALLY COACHES:

💫 Darryll MacDougall
💫 Jayna Dineen
💫 Izzy Wheeler
💫 Tracey Roff
💫 Dana Hughes
💫 Rachael Valk

OUR GUEST COACHES/CLINICIANS:

⭐️ David Collett
⭐️ Meg Ryan
⭐️ Tyson Miller
⭐️ Christine Peart - Auckland Saddle Fit
⭐️ Lindsey Skinner - Core Physio

Enrolment for the 2026/2027 season is now OPEN here 👉🏼 https://nz.nominate.com.au/Clubs/RegistrationInformation.aspx?CID=373

NB: Nominate is easiest to navigate via a desktop computer as opposed to a phone.

If you have any queries feel free to reach out to our friendly team!

Rebecca (Secretary)
📧 [email protected]
For enrolment and general enquiries

Darryll (Head Coach)
📧 [email protected]
For rally, coaching and rider related enquiries

Whether you're returning to the club or joining us for the first time, we can't wait to welcome you for a season packed with learning, laughter, and unforgettable experiences.

28/08/2026

NZTR THOROUGHBRED RIDER SCHOLARSHIP 2026/27 🐎

This season, Waimauku Pony Club is thrilled to introduce the NZTR Thoroughbred Rider Scholarship, proudly supported by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

Created to support and promote the involvement of Thoroughbreds in Pony Club and equestrian sport, the scholarship provides one rider with a fantastic opportunity to further develop their skills while showcasing just how versatile and capable the Thoroughbred can be.

One lucky rider will receive:

⭐️ Waimauku Pony Club membership and private coaching fees subsidised up to the value of $600
⭐️ NZTR merchandise pack

📅 Applications close Tuesday 22nd September at 6:00pm.

If you’re passionate about your Thoroughbred and ready to make the most of the season, we’d love to hear from you!

Apply here: https://forms.gle/yXiKdbQLFRu7gkDV6

Enrolment opens online this Sunday 30th August via our website: https://www.sporty.co.nz/waimaukuponyclub/Home

23/08/2026

Harry Charles giving us all a lesson in perseverance and humility, jumping from 59th to 🥉 in the biggest environment in the 🌎

When he asked chat GPT what his chances were of a medal on the final day it said unlikely… NEVER. GIVE. UP 🤩 💪🏼

16/08/2026

At Waimauku Pony Club, our goal this season is simple: develop confident riders, strengthen horse & rider partnerships, and have LOTS of fun along the way.

So we’re thrilled to launch our inaugural Performance & Partnership Camp, coming January 2027!

A fun, immersive two-day experience for riders of all levels to learn, develop, try new things and take their partnership with their pony to the next level.

Expect:
🏇 Dressage, SJ and XC skills lessons
🌿 Farm hacking and exploring
🧠 Rider mindset sessions
🧘‍♀️ Rider strengthening
🐴 Horse management
🤝 Time to socialise with like-minded riders and strengthen friendships and team bonds
🎨 Fun activities, challenges & plenty of camp fun!

We’ve partnered with some wonderful local businesses and industry experts to make the camp accessible and affordable for all, a huge thank you to our camp sponsors:

📸 Violet Creations
🧘‍♀️ Core Physio: The Home of Equestrian Performance
🌈 Fancy Fill
🔨 Sharp Farrier Services
👕 Bowring Print
🌻 Franklin Farm Waimauku

Limited spaces available with club members given priority.

Stay tuned for more info 📖

Thinking of joining us this season? Enrolments open online Sunday 30th August 📅

09/08/2026

SEASON PREP: IS YOUR PONY READY?

We’re thrilled to hear that our local all-weather competition venue is set to reopen! A huge thank you to the Woodhill Sands team for making it happen 👏🏼

With an exciting new season comes a return to regular work, but after a quieter winter, fitness needs to be built gradually.

Before you get stuck into training and competitions, take a moment to check the basics:

🦶 FEET - Is your shoeing/trimming schedule up to date?

🦷 TEETH - Is your pony comfortable eating and accepting the bit?

💉 HEALTH - Are vaccinations and parasite management up to date?

🥕 CONDITION - Is your pony in a healthy condition for the work ahead?

🏋️ FITNESS - Are you increasing workload gradually, allowing muscles, tendons and ligaments time to adapt?

🧠 MINDSET - Is your pony confident, settled and mentally ready to return to work?

🧰 TACK - Does everything fit correctly and remain safe and comfortable?

Fitness doesn’t happen overnight. A gradual return to work helps your pony physically and mentally prepare, reduces injury risk and sets you both up for a happier, healthier season. So prepare well, listen to your pony and put welfare first.

We can’t wait to see you all for a very exciting season at Waimauku Pony Club!

💻 Enrolment: Online from Sunday 30th August

📅 First rally: Thursday 15th October

03/08/2026

DREAM BIG, THEY STARTED HERE 🌟

Spotlight on: Edward Ewbank

Edward, is a proud former Waimauku Pony Club member whose equestrian journey has taken him from our rallies to the international stage.

Beginning his career in show jumping and eventing, Edward competed through to Grand Prix show jumping and FEI eventing before finding his passion in dressage, where he has earned his USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals. Now based in Virginia, USA, Edward trains and competes at FEI level while coaching riders and producing talented horses. He currently has his sights firmly set on earning selection for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Edward's story reflects what Pony Club is all about. It provides young riders with the opportunity to build confidence, develop strong horsemanship skills, learn from experienced coaches, and foster a lifelong love of horses. While no one can predict where their Pony Club journey will lead, Edward's success shows that the skills, values and experiences gained here can provide the foundation for remarkable achievements.

We are incredibly proud to have played a small part in his journey and hope his story inspires our current members to dream big and embrace every opportunity that our club has to offer.

31/07/2026

MEET OUR TEAM: RWH Coach 📣

We're thrilled to welcome Rachael Valk to the Waimauku Pony Club coaching team this season, as the coach of our Riders Without Horses Programme!

Rachael has enjoyed a lifelong passion for horses, building experience across a range of equestrian disciplines. Having competed in dressage, show jumping, eventing, and working equitation, Rachael developed a particular love for working equitation and its focus on harmony and partnership between horse and rider. She has also successfully produced her own Off-the-Track Thoroughbred and previously coached at Kiwi Valley Riding School. As a qualified Animal Homeopath with a specialist focus on equine health and wellbeing, Rachael brings a wealth of knowledge and a holistic approach to horse care. She is passionate about helping young riders develop confidence, practical skills, and a lifelong love of horses.

Throughout the programme, Rachael will guide participants through every aspect of pony care and horsemanship, covering:

▪️Catching, leading and tying a pony
▪️Feeding treats safely
▪️Parts of the saddle and bridle
▪️Grooming
▪️Colours and markings
▪️Tacking up
▪️Covering
▪️Tack care and cleaning
▪️Paddocking
▪️Feeding and nutrition
▪️Daily pony care
▪️Shoeing and hoof care
▪️Pony health
▪️Mounting and dismounting
▪️Correct rider position
▪️Exercises in the saddle
▪️Rider aids at halt, walk and trot
▪️Road riding safety and signals

Whether your child dreams of owning a pony one day or simply wants to gain confidence around horses, this programme provides a fun, safe, and educational introduction to the Pony Club world.

📅 Thursday 15th October
⏰ Every Thursday at 5:30pm (1-1.5hrs) for the duration of 10 weeks

📧 To register your interest and for more information please email [email protected]

Address

Glasgow Park & Blomfield Reserve, Muriwai Road
Waimauku

Opening Hours

5:30pm - 7pm

Website

https://www.sporty.co.nz/waimaukuponyclub/Home?em=0

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