About Us...

Rally Days

Rally Days are the regular training days for the club. They are held on the first and third Sunday of each month, usually excluding school holidays (Check the monthly Newsletter or the website calendar for updates and changes). On Rally Days, a variety of activities are organised for riders by the instructors, ranging from instruction periods in dressage, to Jumping, Sporting Games, Troop Drill, and Certificate work. The aim of these is to provide fun and interesting ways to learn about riding and the different facets of horsemanship.

Riders are placed into groups according to age, friendships and riding ability. These groups then rotate through the various activities set for the rally day. The last session after lunch will usually be games or a special speaker.

Rally Days start 9:00 am with gear check at 8:30am

The usual format for Rally days will be:

• 8:30 Arrive & organise
• 9:00 Gear Check
• 9:30 Troop Drill
• 10:00 Session 1
• 12:00 Lunch, Unsaddle, feed and care for horse
• 1:00 Saddle up, gear check
• 1:30 Fun Session
• 2:30 Pack up equipment, horse & gear

For safety and legal reasons, there are some rules that must be followed:

• Any rider under 17 years of age (ie not yet an Associate) must have a parent present at Rally Days, or another adult present who is prepared to take responsibility in any situation. If not, the rider may be NOT allowed to participate.
• All families must help out one day with the setting up and packing away of equipment on the grounds.
• Until a child can ride, trot, and canter "in control" to the satisfaction of the Club Captain or Senior Instructor, the child must be kept on a lead rope and be accompanied during all riding by a responsible adult.

Uniform

Each Pony Club in NSW has a different colour uniform. Not only does this give each club their identity it also enables clubs to be distinctive at competitions. Each Zone also has it's own distinct colour of uniform which is worn by members representing the zone at State Championships. (Should you be selected for a zone team, the uniform will be provided).

The Arcadia uniform consists of:

• fawn jodhpurs
• long-sleeved white shirt - worn in winter and certain competitions
• Arcadia Polo Shirt (black) with red & white logo - worn in summer and certain competitions
• red, white and black striped tie - worn with white shirt
• red V-neck jumper - worn with white shirt
• rugby jersey - worn rally days and informal competitions only
• short elastic-sided brown leather boots
• Australian Standards Association approved crash hat (ANZ3838 as of 1st January 2002, else insurance is void)
• saddle-blanket - black with red trim and Arcadia Logo

The tie, T-shirt, saddle-blanket, and optional badge and cap are available from the clothing Pool. A range of second-hand items are also available as an exchange between members. The jumper and white shirt can be purchased from Lowes, although these may need to be pre-ordered.

Please note that the full uniform, including boots and hat, are compulsory at all Pony Club competitions and Rally Days. During summer, the Polo shirt may be worn at rally Days instead of the shirt and tie and jumper.

The Pony Club Association of NSW and the Zone Committee have also determined other regulations for uniforms. Eg riders under 17 are permitted to wear chappettes at Rally Days, but not in competitions.

There are special rules about such non-standard equipment. You should talk to members of the Club Committee or to PCA-NSW office for clarification if needed.

Fees for 2006

The fees for 2006 are:

• $180 per family for 1 child, plus $20 per extra child - Club Fees for running club, equipment, etc. (includes insurance for parents as non-riding members)
• $100 for Associates (riders 17 & under 25 years)
• $35 insurance for a riding member (paid to PCA-NSW)
• $20 insurance for non-riding members (paid to PCA-NSW)
• For all Closed events - $10 per rider - for ribbons, judges, etc

Fees apply to most events, and are advertised on entry forms or in the Newsletter.

All payments must be made to the Treasurer or their nominee

Competitions

Pony Clubs organise different competitions throughout the year. These provide a change from Rally Day routines, and give riders an opportunity to compete against each other. They are conducted at Club, zone and state levels, and include Dressage , Showjumping, One Day Events, Gymkhanas, Sporting, and Mounted Games.

The events usually fall into one of the following categories:

• CLOSED Only members of that club may compete against each other.
• INVITATION Only members of the host club and clubs specifcally invited may compete
• OPEN Members of any pony club may compete
• ZONE Any member of a club that belongs to that zone may compete
• AREA You represent your zone at these events and usually have to be selected.
• STATE You compete against other riders from your state. You usually represent your zone and have to be selected to compete.