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Show Season

Darwin Horse and Pony Club members are encouraged to wear their club colours at the many Pony Club shows and gymkhanas held through out the show season (dry season).

DHPC is the host club of the Northern Region Dressage and Baker Shield Mounted Games Championships. This event is held on the Saturday of the Easter weekend, with a great competition between the Pony Clubs of the top end.

We also host a pony club gymkhana on Mother's Day weekend, including pony club classes, open hack classes, show jumping and novelty races. This event is always well attended, proving to be a great weekend of fun.

DHPC enters club teams in the NT Pony Club Championships in mounted games, dressage and show jumping. We have in recent times been hugely successful in all of these disciplines, winning the overall Champion NT Pony Club in 2008. We are also involved in the running of the event, with DHPC coordinating the logistics in 2008.

YOUR FIRST GYMKHANA...?

Going to your first gymkhana can seem really scary – but I hope this blurb will help you get ready and to make it less intimidating.

The programs usually come out a couple of weeks beforehand—you will find them in the local saddlery stores but most likely you will get it emailed to you by your pony club. Most gymkhanas run over two days with the pony club ring on the Saturday, and the fun stuff on the Sunday (well that is what I reckon) such as the jumping, novelties, even fancy dress.

Entry is usually on the day—so have a look at the program and decide what you want to enter, then when you arrive at the grounds you can buy your entry tickets from the clubhouse (you need to hand a ticket to the ring steward as you go into each class). The Saturday classes are divided in to rider classes and mount classes, with the rider classes being done by age, and the mount classes being done by height. (Please remember, you do not have to be EA/officially measured for the Pony Club ring -- just get someone experienced to help you make a good guess of how tall your pony is)

You will need to wear formal pony club uniform—beige jodhpurs, black/brown jodhpur boots, a long-sleeved white shirt, a tie in your club colours, club saddle blanket and a PCANT approved helmet. Make sure everything is clean and your boots are well polished. Clean your tack, remembering to make sure your bit is clean (toothpaste always does a nice job of making the bit shiny) - preparation is important especially if you want to enter the best presented classes.

I usually make a list of things I want to take—then pack the car the night before (less stressful that way) - don’t forget plenty of water to drink, chairs (it can be a long day) and to take a water bucket and haynet for your horse.

When you get to the showground, either find a free stable or find somewhere shady to tie your horse while you sort out your entries. Listen carefully for announcements over the loud speakers as this will help you keep track of which classes are in the ring.

Most ring classes on the Saturday will do a group walk/trot/sometimes canter. In big classes they will then send some riders out, keeping about 5 to do individual workouts, but usually everyone lines up and does an individual workout. If you win a class this probably means you are eligible for the championships (but check the program to be sure). If you come second you have to be ready for the championships in case the person who beat you wins -- then you get a chance to ride and try for reserve champion.

The jumping on the Sunday will be either pony club—you will need a grading card (you can only jump at the level you are graded) or open (which means you can jump at more than one height). It is usually entry on the day, and if it is pony club jumping you need to give your jump card to the entry person; don’t forget to pick it up from the judge at the end of the day.

The novelties usually start about 10am, and you pay one fee for all the games. You get to wear your rally uniform if you are riding in the novelties. Novelties offered include keyhole race, bounce pony, barrel race, and lane events like bending, mug race, flag race etc.) It is done by age, with ribbons being handed out at the end of the day.

I hope this helps but if you are unsure about anything just ask one of the more experienced pony clubbers.