All club members will receive a monthly notification of each rally.  The notification will usually be via the closed (private) Pony Club Facebook page, and by email.

Please ensure you keep us informed of your current email address.

All riders, parents, and guardians of Alexandra and District Pony Club are required to:

• Abide by the Rules of the PCAV and Alexandra & District Pony Club. Copies of the rules are available from PCAV – Publications or hard copies can be purchased from the club.
• Be familiar with the PCAV Code of Conduct.
• Show courtesy and common sense to all.
• Ride safely, both for themselves and others at all times.
• Arrive on time to all club events.
• Make themselves available for rostered days at the canteen/working bees.
• Make new members and visitors welcome.
• Ensure that their Horse or Pony is properly prepared for Rally day, and that their Uniform and Gear is in good order.
• Represent Alexandra & District Pony Club in a good light.
• Follow the Alexandra & District Pony Club Dispute Resolution Policy if necessary.

When we hold events throughout the year we call on all parents and riders to assist, whether it is before, during or after a competition. There is always lots of work to be done and all assistance is greatly appreciated. Contact is made via email, phone, club Facebook page or in person on rally days.

Competitions held by PCAV or affiliated organisations are usually advertised on the notice boards, through the newsletter or via PCAV web site.

If you need more information, please see your District Commissioner or a committee member who can, in most cases advise you appropriately also experienced club members can help you.

It is up to individual riders and their parents to know the rules of each event they are participating in. Rules/Regulations are all available on the PCAV website.

The Pony Club uniform is to be worn at all times, at all events. Club colours are Bottle green jumper with a Tartan Stripe.

Rally and Non-competition uniform:

• Jodhpurs
• Club Polo Shirt
• Pony Club Jacket
• Pony Club Polo fleece Jumper
• Helmet – approved ASA 333838 or EN1384

Flat soled black or brown riding boot with a heel

Formal Uniform: (representing the club or competing)

• Beige/fawn jodhpurs or moleskins
• Long sleeve white shirt – Bottle Green Knitted Jumper
• Tartan Club tie
• Tartan Club sash
• Club saddle cloth
• Boots – brown or black riding boots with heel and flat soles
• Helmet – approved ASA 33838 or EN1384
• Medical armband, current card colour and up to date details

Please note: Leather gaiters are allowed at rallies and competitions if they are the same colour as the rider’s boots.

All Jewellery, including earrings, must be removed with the exception of a medic alert bracelet or a watch.

Second hand uniforms and merchandise are available for purchase at rally days.

Our rallies are the back bone of the Pony club.  All financial members are eligible to attend rally days and be given coaching from the Pony Club Australia syllabus.

Instruction is given in:

• flatwork
• dressage
• show jumping
• cross country
• games
• theory
• horsemastership
• general knowledge
• much more

Rally days are organised by the District Commissioner.

When: Our club holds rallies from February to December on the first Sunday of every month unless otherwise advised.  Some rallies maybe unmounted due to inclement weather and/or scheduled excursions.

Where: Our club grounds are at the Alexandra Show Grounds.  Rallies are occasionally held at different locations, due to cross country training days, trail rides or overnight camps.  Rally locations will be advised as required. Access to the grounds is via the gate marked ‘Pony Club’ on William Street, Alexandra. Gate Policy: please ensure all gates are closed as you enter/exit.

What Time: The day typically begins at 9:30am sharp for gear check, with the first lesson commencing at 10:00am. Rally days finish at 2.15pm, unless advised otherwise. During winter months, the rally start time may be delayed until 10.30am. Start times will be specified in the rally plan distributed to all members.

On Arrival: When you arrive at the Club and have settled your pony/horse, tie them to the float and ensure they have clean water. If you have time before gear check, please see the DC or President to assist with setup and preparation for the day’s activities. Once all set up is done prepare your horse/pony and yourself riding.

Gear check: All riders need to line up (“tails to the rail”) for Gear check, unmounted, in front of the main shed.  Cards are handed in for completion and members will receive these back at the conclusion of the rally. Gear Check is done in accordance with the Gear Check Rule Book which is available from the PCAV.

Typical Rally Plan:

Safety talk: DC welcomes riders, and discusses any safety issues as required. The format of the Rally is summarised.

1st lesson: Instruction given to groups of up to 8 rider combinations of a similar ability for approx. 1 hour

Morning tea: Horses to remain saddled & may be tethered to hay band in the large shed. Everyone breaks together for a quick bite to eat, drink and chat.

2nd lesson: Riders remount and continue on with lesson for approx. 1 hour. This lesson is often Jumping, as horse and rider are warmed up from the morning lesson.

Lunch: Lunch is available for purchase, at reasonable prices, and the proceeds assist in ensuring the club is financially viable. All members are urged to support the efforts that are made in preparing lunches for the Pony Club.

Activities: Riders remount for a bit of fun with games or a trail ride. Theory lesson will be given at this time when riders are obtaining certificates. If you have any extra queries talk to the District Commissioner
All junior riders must always have a responsible parent/guardian on grounds for the whole day. If for some reason this person has to leave the grounds, they must see the Secretary.  Because of our insurance, Junior riders without a parent/guardian will remain unmounted.

Any falls or injuries must be reported the Club Secretary using the Injury Incident Report Form.

A first aid kit is kept at the club rooms.

Upon payment of fees you will receive a membership card.

This card is a bona fide membership and insurance indemnity. Your card must always contain your current address, age, horse, rallies attended and if applicable, the grading of horse for competition. The cards must be presented at all official Pony Club competitions.

The cards are handed over to the DC at gear check and collected at the conclusion of the rally. The district commissioner or card secretary is responsible for entering attendances for both horse & rider at each rally.

If competing, failure to take your card to a competition will result in instant elimination from the event.

The Pony Club year at Alexandra consists of 11 Rallies (one every month except January, and subject to weather conditions), of which members must attend a minimum of 5 in any 12 month span to be a “qualified” Pony Club member.  Riders 17 and over need only to attend 2 per year.  To be graded, or eligible to compete in PC events on their horse, they must have attended 2 Rallies in the previous 12 months on that horse.  Their first grading can only occur after their first two rallies (on the same horse).

Grading is conducted in accordance with the Grading Guidelines available from PCAV.

Grading is based on the ability of the horse and rider as a combination, thereby providing the opportunity for each combination to compete at a standard commensurate with their ability.

The grading is achieved by assessing the capability of the horse and rider as a combination, irrespective of the age of the rider or the size of the horse, or the horse’s previous grading or performance. A separate grading is required for each discipline.

Grading should only occur when the combination is capable of competing safely at the riding level required for the grade, and this applies to all age groups.

Other than a supervised rally activity or formal supervised training school/clinic, any pony club section/activity that includes any form of dressage, show-jumping or cross-country element, requires the combination to be graded for the activity. Ungraded combinations may only compete in competitions that do not require grading.

The District Commissioner is responsible for all grading, with assistance from instructors, and this decision shall be final.  Club member cards (Grading cards) may be held by the DC and if so must be obtained by the rider prior to an event and taken to the event.

To keep our club fees down, we undertake fundraising activities throughout the year to help pay for all our outgoing club expenses. The biggest cost goes towards paying for quality instructors. We run a canteen at our monthly rally that we encourage you to support. Other fundraising events will be advised throughout the year.

If you have any ideas or would like to run a fundraising event, please let one of the committee members know so we can all get on board with your idea.

The committee strongly recommends that you have private Ambulance cover, as the club does not cover the costs of ambulance travel in an emergency. Coverage is inexpensive and gives riders/parents peace of mind.