Award Objectives:

To nationally acknowledge and honour Pony Club coaches (aged 26 years or older) who display the qualities that positively influence riders​​​​​​​

Application: 
Multiple applications can come from Club or Region.​​​​​​​

Award Process: 
Reviewed by the Awards Committee, approved by the Board, and presented at the AGM or Coaches’ Conference.

Criteria – may include but is not limited to:

• NZPCA Riding or adult member.
• Coaches (Open Age) – 26 years or older as of 1 May 2026.
• ECTP enrollment or qualification (or other equine qualifications).
• Actively coaching Pony Club, at an affiliated Riding Centre.
• Inspires riders to improve their riding and horse management, encouraging them to progress through certificate levels.
• Exemplifies NZPCA values (Role Model for Coaches).
• Engages in professional development to improve coaching skills.
• Lifetime achievement recognised, but greater weight is given to the current year.
• National and Association coaches are excluded from coach awards.
• Re-nominations allowed if unsuccessful in the previous years.

Nomination form:

• Must be completed in collaboration with the nominee to ensure all information is accurate. 
• Must include Photo/Video content with nominee and photographer approval.

Responsibilities for Coach Awards

• Promote the awards and encourage multiple nominations.
• Inform members about the awards and support them in nominating all suitable coaches.
• Recognise nominated coaches by featuring them in local newspapers, social media, and Pony Club events.
• If a nominee cannot attend, a representative from their Club, Region or Centre may collect the award at the Conference and notify NZPCA via email. They will then arrange a suitable presentation.

President Approval

We understand the application form can’t be shared directly. Once it’s submitted, the NZPCA National Office team will contact your President to confirm their support.

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Award Objective:

To nationally recognise and honour young Pony Club coaches (under 26 years old) progressing through the Equestrian Coaches Training Programme (ECTP) and beyond, who positively influence riders.

Application: 
Multiple applications can come from Club or Region.

Award Process: 
Same as the Coach of the Year award.

Criteria – may include but is not limited to:

• NZPCA Riding or adult member.
• Coaches – Under 26 years as of 1 May 2026.
• ECTP enrollment or qualification (or other equine qualifications).
• Actively coaching Pony Club, at an affiliated Riding Centre.
• Inspires riders to improve their riding and horse management, encouraging them to progress through certificate levels.
• Exemplifies NZPCA values (Role Model for Coaches).
• Engages in professional development to improve coaching skills.
• Lifetime achievement recognised, but greater weight is given to the current year.
• National and Association coaches are excluded from coach awards.
• Re-nominations allowed if unsuccessful in the previous years.

Nomination form:

• Must be completed in collaboration with the nominee to ensure all information is accurate. 
• Must include Photo/Video content with nominee and photographer approval.

Responsibilities for Coach Awards

• Promote the awards and encourage multiple nominations.
• Inform members about the awards and support them in nominating all suitable coaches.
• Recognise nominated coaches by featuring them in local newspapers, social media, and Pony Club events.
• If a nominee cannot attend, a representative from their Club, Region or Centre may collect the award at the Conference and notify NZPCA via email. They will then arrange a suitable presentation.

President Approval

We understand the application form can’t be shared directly. Once it’s submitted, the NZPCA National Office team will contact your President to confirm their support.

Award Objectives:

To nationally celebrate and support first-year Pony Club coaches who demonstrate strong coaching potential and positively influence riders.

Criteria for First-Year Coach of the Year – may include but is not limited to:

• Criteria as for Coach of the Year, Young Coach of the Year and Centre Coach of the Centre.

Award Objectives:​​​​​​​

To nationally acknowledge and honour centre coaches (18 years or older) progressing through the Equestrian Coaches Training Programme (ECTP) who display the qualities that positively influence riders.

Criteria – may include but is not limited to:

• Centre member, NZPCA Riding or adult member.
• Centre Coaches - 18 years or older as of 1 May 2026.
• ECTP enrollment or qualification (or other equine qualifications).
• Actively coaching Pony Club, at an affiliated Riding Centre.
• Inspires riders to improve their riding and horse management, encouraging them to progress through certificate levels.
• Exemplifies NZPCA values (Role Model for Coaches).
• Engages in professional development to improve coaching skills.
• Lifetime achievement recognised, but greater weight is given to the current year.
• National and Association coaches are excluded from coach awards.
• Re-nominations allowed if unsuccessful in the previous years.

Nomination form:

• Must be completed in collaboration with the nominee to ensure all information is accurate. 
• Must include Photo/Video content with nominee and photographer approval.

Responsibilities for Coach Awards

• Promote the awards and encourage multiple nominations.
• Inform members about the awards and support them in nominating all suitable coaches.
• Recognise nominated coaches by featuring them in local newspapers, social media, and Pony Club events.
• If a nominee cannot attend, a representative from their Club, Region or Centre may collect the award at the Conference and notify NZPCA via email. They will then arrange a suitable presentation.

Centre Director Approval

We understand the application form can’t be shared directly. Once it’s submitted, the NZPCA National Office team will contact your Centre Director to confirm their support.

​​​​​​​Long Service Award Objectives:

To celebrate Long Service Coaching commitment to NZPCA.

• Gold Long Service = 25 years or more.
• Silver Long Service = 15 years (recognised locally).
• Bronze Long Service = 10 years (recognised locally).

Coach Long Service Awards:

Gold (Long Service) Coaching Awards 

• Are awarded at the North or South Island Coaches Conference.  
• Awards will take place at the same venue, at the end of Day One in a relaxed, casual setting with nibbles - not a separate formal dinner.
• Areas are encouraged to support the nominees by covering travel, accommodation, and attendance expenses for the perspective North or South Island Coaches Conference.

Bronze and Silver (Long Service) Coaching Awards

• The Area arranges a suitable presentation.

Criteria – may include but is not limited to:

• NZPCA member.
• Lifetime achievement recognised, but greater weight is given to the current year.
• National and Association coaches are excluded from coach awards.
• Re-nominations allowed if unsuccessful in the previous years.

Nomination form:

• Must be completed in collaboration with the nominee or person who knows the nominee to ensure all information is accurate. 
• Must include Photo/Video content with nominee and photographer approval.

District Commissioner Approval

We understand the application form can’t be shared directly. Once it’s submitted, the NZPCA Head Office team will contact your District Commissioner to confirm their support.

Area Responsibilities for Coach Long Service Awards

• Promote the awards and encourage multiple nominations.
• Inform Branches (and Clubs without Branches) members about the awards and support them in nominating all suitable coaches.
• Purchase Bronze and Silver Long Service Award badges from the NZPCA E-shop and arrange a suitable presentation.
• Recognise all nominated coaches (Bronze, Silver, Gold) by featuring them in local newspapers, social media, and Pony Club events.
• If a Gold Long Service Award recipient cannot attend Coaches Conference, a representative from their Area, Club or Branch may collect the award at the Conference and notify NZPCA via email. The Area will then arrange a suitable presentation.