Description:

Recognises outstanding and sustained contributions to NZPCA at the national level.

Criteria: 

Must have been an active adult, riding, or technical member.

Minimum 15 years of national service, including at the Board or sub-committee level.

Application: 
Clubs and Areas submit nominations at least 90 days before the AGM.

Nominations must include detailed information on the nominee’s contributions.
Award Process: 
The Awards Committee reviews and recommends nominees to the Board.
The Board announces recipients at the AGM.

Description:

Recognises significant contributions to NZPCA by non-members.
Criteria: 
Contributions must have had a national impact.
Application: 
Nominations follow the same process as Life Membership.
Award Process: 
Reviewed by the Awards Committee, approved by the Board, and announced at the AGM.

​​​​​​​Description:

Recognises role models within NZPCA.
Criteria: 
Category A: Riders under 25 years old with achievements like earning higher certificates (B, H, A), national/international competition success, or exemplary community involvement.​​​​​​​
Category B: Members under 25 years involved in coaching or administration with similar achievements.
Application: 
Branches/Clubs submit nominations to Areas, which forward up to 5 nominations in each category to NZPCA.
Award Process: 
The Awards Committee reviews and recommends recipients to the Board.

Description:

Annually recognises one Area volunteer for exceptional and long-term service.
Application: 
Areas submit one nomination per year within the specified time frame.
Award Process: 
Reviewed by NZPCA and announced at the AGM.

Application: 2025 Volunteer Recognition

Description:

Annually recognises one Area volunteer for exceptional and long-term service.
Application: 
Areas submit one nomination per year within the specified time frame.
Award Process: 
Reviewed by NZPCA and announced at the AGM.

Description:

For Pony Club members under 25 years who achieve or contribute despite permanent disability.
Criteria: 
Must have attended at least five rallies in the past year.
Application: 
Clubs submit nominations to the Education and Development Committee.
Award Process: 
Reviewed by the committee and approved by the Chief Executive. Recipients are notified promptly.

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 National 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.
• Previous nominees can be re-nominated.

Nomination form:

• Nominations should be completed with the nominee to ensure accuracy.
• Photo/Video content must have appropriate approval from nominee and photographer.

Responsibilities for Coach Awards

• Promote awards.
• Submit multiple nominations.
• Celebrate nominees locally (newspapers, social media, and Pony Club events, etc).
• If a nominee cannot attend, a representative from their Club, Region or Centre may accept the award on their behalf.  Please notify NZPCA via email. 

President / 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 President or Centre Director to confirm their support.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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.
• Previous nominees can be re-nominated.
  

​​​​​​​Nomination form:

• Nominations should be completed with the nominee to ensure accuracy.
• Photo/Video content must have appropriate approval from nominee and photographer.

Responsibilities for Coach Awards

• Promote awards.
• Submit multiple nominations.
• Celebrate nominees locally (newspapers, social media, and Pony Club events, etc).
• If a nominee cannot attend, a representative from their Club, Region or Centre may accept the award on their behalf.  Please notify NZPCA via email. 

President / 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 President or Centre Director 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 AGM National 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 AGM National Conference.  
• Regions are encouraged to support the nominees by covering travel, accommodation, and attendance expenses.

Bronze and Silver (Long Service) Coaching Awards

• The Region 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.

President Approval

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

Region Responsibilities for Coach Long Service Awards

• Promote the awards and encourage multiple nominations.
• Inform Club and 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 AGM Conference, a representative from their Region or Club may collect the award at the AGM National Conference and notify NZPCA via email. The Region will then arrange a suitable presentation.

Description:

Recognises contributions at the Region or Club level.
Criteria: 
Minimum 15 years of service.
Must have been an active member.
Application: 
Nominations are submitted at the Region or Club level.
Award Process: 
Regions and Clubs confer, then ratify these awards.

Description:

Honorary title for individuals with a history of support or high profile.
Application: 
Nominations are made and approved at AGMs.
Award Process: 
Appointments last three years and are confirmed by ballot if contested.

Description:

Recognises volunteers with 10–24 years of service.
Application: 
Managed locally by Clubs or Regions.
Award Process: 
Presented at an appropriate local event.