Pony Trainees
Pony Trainees are an important part of our team at the Waikato Equestrian Centre - Riding School.
The purpose Pony Trainee system is to offer students work experience and training in the equestrian field. There are 4 levels of our Pony Trainee set up. In order to enter the program the children need to be physical fit and capable, have some riding and horse experience.
At the entry level of the program the students are rewarded with one credit for every 4 hours that they work. They can than trade in 4 credits for one group lesson or 30 min private on a week day. As the kids progress and get their manual’s signed off, they are rewarded by getting more credits for hours worked.
Each student should have individual goals they are working towards whether it be gaining the confidence to have their own pony or becoming proficient enough to work professionally in the equine industry. I like to offer the Pony Trainees special opportunities as they progress, however they must put in the hard yards first.
For more information about this scheme please email Kayleen on ridingschool@horses.net.nz or phone on 849 6756.
Pony Trainee Experiences:
Annie:
My name is Annie O’Hara. I am 13 years old and I love horses. I am a pony trainee at the Waikato equestrian centre and also ride there regularly. I have been a pony trainee there for 1 & ½ years and I still really enjoy it. I go out there every Saturday and in the holidays. We do stuff like Mucking out, washing horses, taking out treks, getting horses ready for lessons, helping with holiday programs, cleaning tack, sweeping, raking ECT. I’ve learnt heaps of stuff ranging from tacking up to leading treks to setting up fences. Everyone is really friendly and willing to help if you get stuck. I’ve met some really cool people, the horses are awesome and it’s a great experience.
Isabella:
Hi, My name is Isabella and I am a Pony Trainee at the Waikato Equestrian Centre. I work on Saturdays and I have been working as a pony trainee for about 4 months. I really enjoy working and I have learned a lot about all the horses at the Equestrian centre. I always look forward to my Saturdays there. So far I have made many friends and I see them there every Saturday. Every time I work I earn credits which go towards me learning to ride and I am really enjoying it. I like to ride Twinkle in my lessons!! I am also looking forward to helping with Adopt a pony this holidays as I enjoy hiding lollies for the participating children and helping them gear up their horses. Working at the Equestrian centre has given me a whole new interest in my life and I am really looking forward to becoming a better rider
WEC Riding School Pony Club Grant
To reward our hard working Pony Trainees, Kayleen Fooy and the Riding School are offering the opportunity to join the local Pony Club. The Riding School will pay the fees! And....we will also provide the horse!! This grant is limited to two positions so don't miss out!
Find out more
Feedback from 2009-10 Grant recipient:
Hi! My Name is Victoria Christie.
I am 11 years old and I like being around horses. I ride at the Waikato Equestrian Centre Riding School regularly and have been a Pony Trainee for about a year.
In September 2009 I was very lucky and received a combined WEC/St Andrews Pony Club Scholarship along with Memphis Wright and Emma Griffiths to attend St Andrews pony Club Rallies every second Tuesday evening.
Emma, Memphis and
I meet at the WEC before Pony Club and we clean our tack and get our horses ready.
I have learnt a lot from the Horsemanship and flat work lessons as I work towards my D+ Certificate, but what I really enjoy most is the jumping and games.
I’d like to thank all the people who have made it possible for me to attend Pony Club this year.
