HISTORY

The first National Pony Club Championships, 'Towards 2000' was held in 1995 in Wagga Wagga in New South Wales. The concept of a National Pony Club Championship was introduction just after Syndey was granted the Olympic Games, to assist and encourage all Pony Clubbers to strive for their Olympic Dreams.

Since that inaugural event, three National Championships have been held:

• 1997 - 'One Step Closer' - Roseworthy College, South Australia
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• 1999 - 'The Final Countdown' - Werribee, Victoria
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• 2002 - 'Beyond 2000' - Roseworthy College, South Australia
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As noted by 'The Final Countdown' Event Chairman, bringing the Pony Club community together in a similar format to the Olympic Games is a huge task, and one that could not be undertaken without the help and support of a great many volunteers.

Following 'Beyond 2000', discussions were undertaken to ascertain whether the Nationals should continue, being that the Sydney Olympics had been completed, and the inital objective had been reached.

In 2005 the National Championships were held in Western Australia for the first time. Teams from all States and Territories came for the one week event. PCAWA fielded full Associate and Member teams for all disciplines, achieving 4 team Gold and 4 team Silver.

The PCAWA Training Squads will be coached in the relevant discipline/s of Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing. Lectures will cover Rider Fitness, Mental Skills, Motivation and Pre-Competition Skills, Feeding the Competition Horse, Training for Fitness, Care of the Horse during and after Competition, etc, etc.

All applications will be considered and on-going assessments will be made during the training programme. Riders at the required levels will need to provide sufficient proof of success. It is therefore important that documentary evidence of results in Dressage, Showjumping or Eventing events are kept and submitted at the time of Team Nomination.

Riders will be expected to give a fair degree of commitment to the training programme, and attendance at Training Days will be compulsory. Riders who are unable to meet the required standards or commitments may not be retained in the Training Squad.

To be eligible for nomination, riders must be currently registered Riding members of the PCAWA, have attended three rallies as a horse and rider combination in the twelve months prior to the closing date for nominations, and must have gained their C Efficiency Certificate by the same date. Riders 16 years and over must hold the C* or K Efficiency Certificate prior to submitting a Team Member Application.

Riders will be responsible for all their own costs and expenses.

Timeline for Selections for Olympic Disciplines only (Dressage, Showjumping and Eventing):

Prince Philip Mounted Games have developed their own Selection Process and timeline, and this will be available on the website soon.

Training for Squads will commence immediately. Riders will be able to nominate for a Training Squad up until 01/02/07, providing they meet the set criteria.

The 2007 National Pony Club Championships will be run in two age divisions:

Members: 16 years and under as at 1st January 2007

Associates: 17 years and over as at 1st January 2007 (upper age limit according to State's own policy - 25 in WA)

At the Championship, the competition standards will be as follows:

Dressage:
Members: Novice
Associates: Elementary

Eventing:
Members: PCAWA A Grade
Associates: PCAWA A+ Grade

Showjumping:
Members: 1.10m
Associates: 1.15m

Friday 2nd February 2007: Training Squad Nominations close
2007: Teams announced