The Lead Rein Achievement Card helps young riders learn simple riding and pony care skills while on the lead rein. It’s not a test—just a fun way to build confidence before riding independently, with tasks signed off by a coach once completed.

Age: aged 6 and over

It focuses on building confidence, enjoying pony care and riding, understanding basic pony behaviour, and developing a balanced, secure seat. Members aged 10 and over are not required to sit the D Level.

D Exams:

Examiners are appointed by the Branch Head Coach or Club Chief Coach (for Clubs without Branches) and must not have worked with the candidate in the month before the exam.  The exam templates on the Examiners page must be used for D Level.

Age: 8 years and over.

 D+ Level is required before sitting the C Level Certificate. It focuses on pony welfare, basic behaviour and care, understanding how ponies learn, and developing a balanced, independent seat on the flat and over small fences (up to 50cm).

D+ Exams:

Examiners are appointed by the Branch Head Coach or Club Chief Coach (for Clubs without Branches) and must not have worked with the candidate in the month before the exam.  The exam templates on the Examiners page must be used for D+ Level.

Age: 10 years and over.

The exam can be taken as one exam or split into Riding and Horse Management.

The Riding certificate has a maximum jumping height of 65cm. Members must hold their D+ Certificate before sitting C.

Members learn about equine welfare, pony behaviour and learning, daily care, and road safety. They work towards an independent seat and correct use of aids, and should be able to ride safely alone or in a group.

C Exams:

Examiners are appointed by the District Commissioner with input from the Branch Head Coach or Club Chief Coach and must not be from the same Branch or Club as the candidates.  The exam templates on the Examiners page must be used for C Level.

Age: 12 years and over.

Components: C+ Horse Management, C+ Riding, and C+ Dressage.

Members must complete C Horse Management first, and must also hold the C Riding Certificate before sitting C+ Riding or C+ Dressage. The maximum jumping height for C+ Riding is 80cm.

This level builds on earlier certificates and prepares riders for more advanced Pony Club activities. Riders should show confidence, a good understanding of equine welfare using the Five Domains, and be able to care for and condition a horse at grass. They should apply effective aids, ride safely on roads and in open spaces, and show awareness of horse behaviour and training theory.

C+ exams

Must be carried out by examiners listed on the NZPCA C+/B Examiners Database. Normally, two examiners are present, but in exceptional cases, with District Commissioner approval, a single experienced C+ or B Examiner may exam alone. Examiners are appointed by the District Commissioner and the Branch Head Coach or Club Chief Coach (for Clubs without Branches), and must not come from the same Branch or Club as the candidates.

Age: 14 years and over.

Components: B Horse Management, B Riding and B Dressage.

The B Certificate can be completed in separate exams: Horse Management, Riding, and Dressage. Members must hold C+ Horse Management before sitting B Horse Management, and must have C+ Riding before sitting B Riding, and C+ Dressage before sitting B Dressage. All candidates must be assessed and approved before registering for the B Certificate.

B Riding

Jumping Heights: Up to 95 cm on rider’s own horse, 75 cm on a changed horse.

Riders should confidently ride and jump a well-mannered horse, understand how horses learn, and apply the Scales of Training. They must adjust their riding to suit individual horses, ride with welfare in mind, and take part in Pony Club activities with responsibility and care.

B Horse Management

Riders must demonstrate practical and confident horse care, understand how different management systems affect a horse, and apply good daily care practices. They should recognise how welfare impacts both the horse and public perception of equestrian activities.

B Dressage 

Riders are expected to ride thoughtfully, apply dressage principles, and evaluate their horse’s way of going. They must show safe, responsible riding, understand training theory, and participate fully in Pony Club activities, managing the horse before and after.

B exams:

Must be carried out by examiners listed on the NZPCA C+/B Examiners Database. Normally, two examiners are present, but in exceptional cases, with District Commissioner approval, a single experienced B Examiner may exam alone. Examiners are appointed by the District Commissioner and the Branch Head Coach or Club Chief Coach (for Clubs without Branches), and must not come from the same Branch or Club as the candidates.

Age: 16 years and over.

The H Certificate is focused on advanced Horse Management and is ideal for senior members who hold the B Horse Management or full B Certificate. It also forms the Horse Management component of the A Certificate. Candidates must complete a pre-assessment before being accepted to sit the exam.

Objectives: Members must demonstrate confident, knowledgeable horse care and conditioning, whether horses are stabled or at grass. They should be able to tack up, lunge efficiently, and ride while leading another horse.

Successful candidates are awarded the H Certificate in Horse Management.

H Exams:
The H Certificate is examined by NZPCA-appointed National Coaches, with support from Association or other approved Coaches

Age: 16 years and over.

Components: A Riding, A Show Jumping, A Dressage

A Riding Certificate

Jump heights: Up to 110cm SJ / 105cm XC on own horse; 90–105cm on a changed horse

To sit the A Riding Certificate, candidates must hold the B Certificate and complete a pre-assessment. Members must show they can apply all they’ve learned from NZPCA Manuals and coaching in a clear, practical way. This exam may cover any riding elements from previous levels.

Objectives: A-level members should be confident, polished, and effective on the flat and over fences. They must understand and apply training principles, ride horses of different types and stages, assess training needs, and care for horses in a range of settings. Candidates should also have a good understanding of how Pony Club runs, both locally and nationally.

Passing this section first earns the rider an "A Riding" Certificate.

A Show Jumping Certificate

Jump heights: Up to 115cm on own horse; 90–105cm on a changed horse

To sit the A Show Jumping Certificate, members must hold the B Certificate and complete a pre-assessment. They must demonstrate that they can apply their knowledge from NZPCA Manuals and coaching in a practical and logical way.

This is a stand-alone certificate and cannot be combined with an H Certificate to create a full A Certificate.

Objectives: Members should be confident and polished over show jumps and on the flat. They must understand and apply training principles, ride a range of horses at different stages of training, assess potential, and work to improve performance. A strong knowledge of NZPCA structure and awareness of other horse-related organisations is also expected.

Successful candidates are awarded an “A Show Jumping” Certificate.

A Dressage Certificate

To sit the A Dressage Certificate, candidates must hold the B Certificate and complete a pre-assessment. Members must demonstrate they can apply everything they’ve learned from NZPCA Manuals and their coaches in a logical, practical way.

This is a stand-alone certificate and cannot be combined with an H Certificate to form a full A Certificate.

Objectives: Members should be confident, effective, and polished on the flat. They must understand and apply the principles of training, ride a variety of horses at different stages, assess potential for improvement, and demonstrate a solid understanding of Pony Club structure and other horse-related organisations.

Successful candidates will be awarded an “A Dressage” Certificate.

A Exams:
The A Certificate is examined by NZPCA-appointed National Coaches, with support from Association or other approved Coaches