Canadian Pony Club Team

By Angel Mackenzie, Team Manager

Following a few days of training camp in Vancouver, including multiple clinics and riding opportunities on various horses, the team departed for NZ.

The Pony Club Inter-Pacific Exchange (IPE) in New Zealand took place from January 9-26, and presented an incredible opportunity for the Canadian Pony Club team of Katie Thielman, Jessica Spoletini, Carlie Wells, Deshann Valentine, Lisa Schultz (Coach), and Angel Mackenzie (Team Manager) to see some spectacular NZ sights, meet and compete against riders from other countries, and gain some exposure to aspects of a different culture and horse industry.

We started out in Christchurch (rooming in the University of Canterbury dorms) where we met the members of the other three teams – U.S., New Zealand, and Australia. The second and third day of the trip were spent volunteering at the South Island PC Show Jumping Team Championships, where we were able to get a taste of some competition in NZ and serve as ambassadors of our national Pony Clubs. Team riders were able to ride at a local sales barn (Jess Land Equestrian), and we spent an afternoon at the Hanmer Springs “hot pools.”

Some observations about horse life in NZ: horses mostly live out (few horse owners have stables), and riding schools are uncommon. Most riders own their own horses, and come up through Pony Club with weekly or biweekly “rallies” (lessons) taught by PC supporters and alumni without separate trainers.

Day 5, we traveled to Twizel (with a stop at the famous Fairlie Bake Shop - the pork belly pie did not disappoint). We did lots of sightseeing during our four days in the beautiful “Mackenzie Country,” including spectacular views of Lake Tekapo, hiking in Mt. Cook/Aoraki National Park and a boat tour to the Tasman Glacier, Clay Cliffs, and picturesque Lakes Ruataniwha and Ohau. On day 8, we visited a local salmon farm (with fresh salmon sashimi!); Tarras (home of Shrek the sheep!); scenic Wanaka; and the Cardrona Hotel (oldest hotel in NZ).

Cromwell was the site of the first friendly competition: the “Kiwi Cup,” consisting of a dressage test and 0.80m show jump round, where teams were scrambled (i.e. one rider from each nation per team). The riders had a brief opportunity to ride their competition mount the day before, during which time the coach made any necessary switches to generate the best horse-rider match. Lisa and Deshann’s team won this competition!

Other activities included cherry picking; go carting; historic Arrowtown and touristy Queenstown (complete with gondola, luge, and steamship to Walter Peak Station); Riverton on the south coast; and a cruise around the incomparable Milford Sound. On Day 13, we traveled to Gore, where the final competition was held as part of the South Island PC Championship Week. This Nation’s Cup competition consisted of a two round show jumping competition. Again riders competed on loaned horses which they had an hour to ride the day before. The course was a solid 1.0m, and all riders demonstrated real skill, adaptability, and determination in piloting their mounts around the course. The welldeserved win at the end of two rounds went to the U.S. team, with the Australians second, Canadians third, and Kiwis fourth. The competition day was capped off with a hobby horse competition (on foot), which was a great demonstration of camaraderie and shared team spirit.

The group covered a lot of territory, ultimately traversing most of the South Island, and touching the ocean at the island’s east, south, and west coasts. NZ scenery is breathtaking, and the Kiwis are quite welcoming.

The team would like to thank their generous sponsors, including Saddle Up magazine, for supporting them on this trip of a lifetime! The IPE is held every two years, and will be held next in Australia. This is an amazing opportunity for “B” level (and higher) Pony Club members with show jumping or eventing experience.