Training
National Coaches
Kay Hogan, BHSI
25 Vogel Street, Cambridge
Ph 07 823 5011
Ph 07 827 9899 ext 729 (Bus)
Mobile 0274 842 454
Kay joined the National Coaches panel in 1987, and became the NZPCA Chief Examiner in 1991. As well as her involvements in Pony Club, Kay is the Equestrian Co-ordinator at St. Peter's School, Cambridge. Students there can participate in a NZQA unit standard based riding programme and equine studies, up to Level 4. The programme has grown extensively and currently over 70 students are enrolled, 40 of whom keep their horses on-site. Kay is also an ESNZ National Assessor, Grade 2 Coach and has a Level 3 International Coaches Passport.
Her first involvement with Pony Club was as a member of Pointways Pony Club where she began coaching and passed her "A" certificate. Kay attended Auckland Teachers College for three years, graduating with a Diploma in Teaching, then taught for five years before travelling to the UK and passing the BHSI. She helped to develop the NZPCA Equestrian Coaches Training Programme (ECTP) and is a tutor and assessor for it, and has been a Board Member and Editor for Equine e-Learning, the computer-based Equine Studies Programme.
Kay enjoys up-skilling, has a Certificate in Tertiary Teaching and has also completed several computer-based courses. As a distance learning student with Massey University, she successfully passed the Equine Nutrition and Health and the Equine Production papers, both of which are part of the Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Equine Studies.
Coaching all disciplines, at all levels, specialising in preparation for competitions, exams and horse management are Kay's areas of expertise. Kay is on leave until 2007.
Jennifer was born in Sussex, England, first becoming a member of the Crawley and Horsham Pony Club, and later, the Easton Harriers PC, in Suffolk. She gained her A certificate in Essex, and started training with Colonel Jack Hance and Robert Hall.
Jennifer gained her BHSI qualification in 1960, and left that year for Canada. She spent twelve years in North America, first in Canada where she won the Zone Open Jumper Award, then teaching and training at Sunnyfield Farm, NY where Mr Richard Watjen was Olympic Trainer. Next Jennifer moved to Virginia, where she spent 8 years running the Riding Department for Foxcroft Girls School. She competed in side saddle and show hunter classes, one and three day horse trials and dressage and traveled round 40 states judging and teaching. She returned to England in 1972 to Goodwood House in Sussex to manage a new Equestrian Centre and helped produce the International Dressage competitions there. Jennifer then spent three years at Crabbet Park, Sussex as Chief Coach, training candidates for BHS examinations.
In 1978 Jennifer was invited by the NZ Horse Society to instruct for them at their national centre in Taupo, and to then travel the country conducting courses, which she did for 5½ years.
She continued to compete and rode twice at the Haig Dressage Prix St George.
Jennifer has also been a member of the International Association of Journalists since 1982 and was accredited at the Dressage World Championships at Lausanne, Cedar Valley (Toronto), Stockholm World Games and the Volvo World Cup (Hollywood).
In 1983 she moved to the South Island, and joined the National Coaches Panel. She is based in Cust, North Canterbury. In 2000 Jennifer graduated from Canterbury University with a BA (English) and published a textbook "Teaching Riding, where it all begins".
Jennifer breeds tumbling pigeons and Bichon Frise puppies.
Kevin Lawrence, BHSI
1021 Bealey Road, Charing Cross, R.D. 1, Christchurch
Ph 03 317 9112
Fax 03 317 9131
Experience includes: A period as stable manager at Fulmer riding centre, breaking in a large number of horses and ponies, publishing a booklet on Breaking In, work in racing stables riding trackwork, holding an owner - trainers licence and training a winner in Australia, a successful competition career including competing in horse trials at Intermediate level, riding in the national one and three day events at that level, showjumping to 'B' grade, schooling and riding a number of dressage horses up to and including Intermediare I level, representing New Zealand in the '96 International Derby at the Queensland Dressage Championships, placing 2nd on 'Hilltop Otis'.
As a Pony Club National Coach Kevin is constantly taking part in personal and professional development. He has completed a Certificate in Adult Teaching, and Massey papers 'Equine Nutrition and Health' and 'Equine Reproduction', as well as updating regularly by attending courses conducted by visiting coaches, and reading extensively.
Kevin is an ESNZ National Assessor and is currently employed by the National Trade Academy as Equine Programme Manager. Courses held at NTA include Stable Practice levels 2 and 3, Sporthorse level 4, Community Coach and Grade One Coach.
An NZPCA National Coach since 1998, Kevin is particularly interested in the development of riders and coaches, and of the progressive and systematic schooling of horses at all levels.
Currently having a period away from conducting courses to complete the update of Manual NO 2, Kevin's interests include gardening and reading (as time allows), and greyhounds which are an obsession.
Jacque was born in Auckland. She started riding at the age of five, and along with her whole family, was a member of St Helliers Pony Club. She competed extensively right throughout her years at pony club and gained her A and H Certificates at the age of sixteen - the youngest on record.
At eighteen Jacque travelled to England and trained at the Talland School of Equitation in Cirencester. She was based in England and Europe until aged 21, when she returned to New Zealand with her BHS qualifications and set up an equestrian property in Auckland, continuing to ride, compete and coach.
Jacque is now a full-time coach based in Auckland. She has coached in Australia, America, Canada and Europe but considers New Zealand her home and this is where she wants to be. She says "I have a wonderful private clientele including being the official Equestrian coach for St Cuthberts college and am also heavily involved in many pony clubs throughout New Zealand. It is a great position to be in, to work with your passion. I believe I am very lucky."
Peter Barke, BHSI
Rainbow Mountain, R.D. 3, Rotorua
Ph 07 366 6775
Elaine Knox-Thompson, BHSI, IIH, QSM and Suzanne Dickens, BHSI, IIH, QSM
Elaine joined the British Pony Club at the age of ten, when she got her first pony, eventually gaining her A certificate and becoming a Visiting Coach. Making her career with horses, Elaine taught and competed - including riding her home-bred mare Salome, at Badminton.
Suzanne (Dicky) didn't start riding until she was fourteen, determined from the beginning to become an Coach. She enjoyed teaching younger riders as well as schooling green horses and competing, especially Trials and Working Hunter classes.
Both achieved their BHSI and IIH qualifications.
In 1956 Elaine and Dicky arrived in New Zealand and traveled the country, conducting courses for children and Coaches, as well as Horse Society clinics for event riders and dressage judges. In 1962 they were invited by the NZPCA to become National Coaches and A Certificate Examiners.
They established the NZ Equestrian Centre in Rotorua in 1963, and ran the first Top Ride, the first National Dressage Tournament and the first H exam there. In 1979 they closed the Centre and moved to Taupo where they continued their diversification into writing and publishing. The NZ Pony Club manuals along with several other equestrian books and two television series followed. Elaine and Dicky also wrote and compiled the NZPC Coach Training Programme, with assistance from Jennifer Howard and Kay Hogan, and developed the assessment and workshop procedures.
Elaine was awarded the 1990 Commemorative Medal for services to New Zealand in that year, and in 1992 both received the Queens Service Medal for services to Pony Club. Elaine retired as a National Coach in 1996, and Dicky in 2001. Both are now Honorary National Coaches.
Outside the equestrian arena, both enjoy training dogs, especially working trials. Elaine enjoys gardening and reading. Dicky, photography and trout fishing.
Find out what the riders have learned with questions (52k PDF)
Mentoring With John Cottle (15k PDF)
