Rallies
Rallies are held every 3 weeks, summer rallies from 9:00am – 12:00pm, and winter rallies from 10:00am – 3:00pm.
Riders are split into groups based on the ability of the horse and rider combination in the area of riding they are participating in (flatwork/jumping), with a maximum of 5 riders per group to ensure the quality of the lesson.
At a rally, it is compulsory for each rider to participate in at least 1 flatwork lesson. A horsemanship lesson will take place each rally, and it is strongly encouraged that riders who will benefit from the lesson participate.
Rallies generally have a focus of preparing riders for any upcoming competitions to give riders the best possible chances of competition success.
Extra activities such as beach rides, forest rides, sleepovers, working bees and badge/certificate days are occasionally held between rallies.
Riders wishing to participate in a rally must RSVP to Louisa by Thursday prior to the rally in order to be included in the lesson plan. Riders who do not RSVP may miss out on their preferred lesson/s or may miss out entirely. Click here to RSVP through the website. (This form can also be accessed through the Calendar page).
Hot Weather Policy:
If the Port Pirie weather forecast on the evening before the rally says that the weather will be in excess of 35°C, the rally will not be held during the hours of 10am to 3pm. We will either have our rally early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The alternative time in case of hot weather will be emailed.
Instructors:
Crystal Brook Pony Club is grateful to have great instructors who are fantastic teachers, and keep our riders motivated by expanding their knowledge and riding skills. Our instructors provide advice and encouragement for riders of all ages, regardless of the discipline they are riding.
Occasionally guest instructors are invited to instruct at a rally, and it is strongly encouraged that every rider participates in a lesson with this instructor. Generally guest instructors are invited to provide riders with a higher level of knowledge in a particular discipline, to prepare for a competition.
Riders enjoying a rally (2005).
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Uniform
The uniform at Crystal Brook Pony Club is as follows:
Rally Uniform:
- Beige or navy jodhpurs.
- Brown or black elastic-sided boots with smooth soles/top boots.
- Royal blue “V” neck windcheater or woollen jumper.
- Royal blue long or short-sleeved polo shirt with club collar.
Official Uniform:
- Beige jodhpurs.
- Brown or black elastic-sided boots with smooth soles/top boots.
- White cotton shirt with button-up collar.
- Royal blue “V” neck windcheater or woollen jumper.
- Royal blue tie with white diagonal stripes (St Peter’s Boys tie).
- Royal blue saddle blanket with white trim, CBPC embroidered motif.
- Royal blue and white browband with gold trim.
Riders are welcome to attend rallies without uniform, but we strongly encourage members to purchase a uniform ASAP and to wear to all pony club events. Crystal Brook Pony Club representatives are also expected to wear the CBPC uniform at competitions.
Please contact Andrea to order club uniforms.
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Grounds
Crystal Brook Pony Club’s grounds are well equipped for what a rally, competition or school/clinic requires, with several large areas for riding:
We have 2 sanded arenas. One is 70m x 25-30m, and even though it is over six years old, the sand surface is perfect for riding on. The other arena is a 40m x 20m arena which was only put in at the beginning of 2010. Both arenas are bordered by tyres and have letters A, C, M, B, F, H, E and K set up permanently in the correct places (extra letters added for Novice and Elementary tests). These arenas are used very frequently.
Small arena (2012).
Big arena (2012).
We have a large grass area that is generally used for jumping or hacking, but also serves as a warm up ring. The grass is mown regularly and sprayed for weeds.
Jumps on the grass area (2012).
The newest addition to our grounds is a fully fenced round yard (put in 2011), suitable for lunging and beginners who are not yet ready to ride in an open area. The round yard is completely secure, with a latch-able gate.
The new round yard (2012).
Our clubrooms have a kitchen area, complete with a microwave, oven, sink, kettle, running hot and cold water, fridge and cupboards. We have toilets and a storage room as well. The clubrooms also has large windows looking out onto the rest of the grounds, so the goings-on of a rally, competition or clinic can be watched from the comfort of indoors.
A concreted area on the north side of the clubrooms is under the cover of shade cloth, and is another great place to watch the proceedings of a day.
The parking area designated for floats is between the road and the clubrooms, away from where any riding takes place. Cars without floats are to park outside of the club grounds.
View of the grounds from the clubrooms (2011).
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