GEARYS GAP PONY CLUB Inc

P.O. Box 202 Dickson ACT 2602

INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS

Welcome to the Geary's Gap Pony Club. This is a youth organisation where the horse is the main centre of interest.  We are governed by the Pony Club Association of N.S.W.  www.pcansw.org.au

 

  GGPC Activities for the year usually include:

(Clicking on photos will give a full size version)

RALLY DAYS 10am-3pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month (Feb-Dec) held at the Les Reardon Reserve, Birriwa Rd (off Macs Reef Rd).
JANUARY CAMP of 4 to 5 days held at Bungendore Showground
TRAINING WITH PONY CLUB APPROVED INSTRUCTORS  eg Trevor Morris Showjumping weekend school, twice yearly
REPRESENTATION AT ZONE AND STATE COMPETITIONS
INTERCLUB ACTIVITIES  eg Wamboin Shield (an annual event of a friendly challenge with the Wamboin Pony Club)
REPRESENTATION AT OTHER PONY CLUB COMPETITIONS AND IN PC EVENTS AT SHOWS  (eg the Canberra Show)

CONTACT NUMBERS

You can contact the club through its mailing address at   PO BOX 202   DICKSON, ACT, 2602.  Current contact numbers for the committee members are in the Newsletter. Phone number for the current Membership Secretary will be on the gate.

Contact membership secretary prior to rally day as we have a limit on membership numbers. You will probably need to go on a waiting list.

Local information and a map of the area are available through the Bywong Community Association at www.bywong-community.org.au

TO JOIN: Complete membership form, horse registration form, child legislation form and pay fees.

 

 TO RIDE

1. Join GGPC.
2. Be wearing a well-fitting approved helmet standard AS/NZS 3838 and elastic-sided, smooth-soled riding boots. (Riders over 17 years may wear long riding boots.)
3. Pass gear check which satisfies safety and Pony Club standards. Stitching needs to be in good order and the saddle well-fitting. There will be an unmounted gear check by 10am on rally days.  Please check ahead of time if advice regarding gear is required.

Uniform is required for 'open' competition (ie against other clubs). The GGPC uniform consists of fawn jodphurs, yellow long-sleeved shirt, tartan tie (Mowat), jade green jumper, and the GGPC saddle cloth. New jumpers and saddle cloths are sold through the club. There is also a second hand clothing pool.

RALLY DAYS

These provide a full and varied program of riding activities. A sausage sizzle, or alternative food, is provided for a reasonable cost at lunch time

Please keep the following points in mind:

• Be on time. Latecomers can disrupt a carefully planned lesson that has already begun.
• Line up in front of the Club House for gear check un-mounted by 10am.
• Bring a head stall and lead rope for tying up at lunch-time etc. Secure the lead rope to bailing twine using a quick-release knot. When leaving a horse tied up ensure that the reins are looped and buckled up around the horse's neck and that the stirrup irons have been run up.
• Bring appropriate lunch for your pony. Rugged horses may require a rug during the lunch break in very cold weather.
• Be considerate of less experienced and younger riders when riding near them.

   

 PONY CLUB MANUAL

A recommended addition to your library would be the Pony Club Association of NSW Manual of Riding which contains invaluable information about riding and care of ponies. The New Zealand publications Pony Club Manual No1 and No 2 are also extremely informative.

General rules and regulations for pony club and specific details on equestrian activities are in the Handbook of The Pony Club Association of N.S.W.  The club keeps several copies for reference.

INSTRUCTION

Quality instruction is an essential element of pony club. Our aim is to provide the basics in riding and care of the horse, and to also organise an introduction to as wide a variety of other appropriate horse-related activities as possible. Some instructors are parents. Some are individuals who are prepared to donate their time and expertise for the benefit of child and pony.

Children help the instructor by being on time, showing keen-ness to learn the pony club way and by showing courtesy and co-operation.

Younger and/or beginner riders often require a greater level of assistance and supervision from their parents. This is particularly necessary when child and horse are new to the club and settling into the routine. The Instructors will normally be occupied with a group of riders and therefore not available for intense individual support.

Parents who are interested are strongly encouraged to consider training to become an approved instructor. Just ask a Committee Member or the Chief Instructor for further information.

PARENTAL SUPPORT

The GGPC functions entirely on voluntary support. We encourage all members and their families to contribute in whatever way they can to help this club.

Parents

• are asked to take turns in setting up, cooking sausages and cleaning up on rally days.
• can assist instructors with the setting up and/or running a session.
• can help with Working Bees and/or making/repairing equipment.

A committee meets once a month. You are welcome and encouraged to attend. Following this meeting, a newsletter is posted out for both the adults and children to read. You will find lots of useful information, advice and important dates.