Champs Week 2026 – Key Updates 

Kia ora Areas, Clubs and Branches, 

Please find below the confirmed updates for Champs Week 2026: 

South Island Championship Week 

• Location: Dunstan NEC, Christchurch 

• Hosts: ASCNO Area 

• Dates: 12–15 January 2026 

North Island Championship Week 

• Location: Clevedon 

• Hosts: Auckland Area 

• Dates: 19–22 January 2026 

Following the Technical & Events Committee review of Champs Week and member feedback, NZPCA wishes to confirm the following updates for the coming season: 

Riding member eligibility extended (effective immediately) 

• Members remain eligible until the end of the season in which they turn 25 years old. If a rider turns 25 on or after 1 August, they may continue to participate in Pony Club activities until 31 July of the following calendar year.  

• This provides a smoother transition for young adults and extends participation opportunities. 

Dressage – Trial removal of age requirements 

• For Champs Week 2026, the age requirements of riders will no longer apply in Dressage. 

• Riders will compete at the level that best matches their horse/rider combination. 

• Team and individual classes are combined: one entry covers both the  individual and team competition. 

• Warm-up classes: offered as part of the local competition running alongside Champs Week (optional). 

• If your Area cannot make a full team, riders may be combined into composite teams by NZPCA. 

• Refer to the regulations for Team Composition, as there may be options to form Area Alternative Teams. 

• Fair play: riders may not change levels during the event. Riders are expected to enter at the level (1, 2 or 3) they are usually riding at.  

Note riders riding higher than Level 3 are to enter the Level 3 classes. 

• NQS: remain unchanged and can be found in the event regulations. Please note no dispensations will be granted. 

• Scholarship note: ESNZ/NZPCA High Performance Scholarships will go to the highest-placed rider in Level 3 Dressage who meets the criteria (17+, hack, never previously on any ESNZ Discipline High Performance Squad). 

Show Jumping – Classes  

Please note that Show Jumping has no age requirements. 

Riders may enter both individual and team competitions. These are two separate entries. 

Individual Classes 

• Riders may enter one of the following: 95 cm (new), 1.05 m, or 1.10 m. 

• Format: a warm-up round, followed by a two-round competition; equitation will be judged in conjunction. 

• Fair play: Riders must enter at the level they are usually competing at. However, 95cm Individuals may ride at 1.05m for the Teams Competition. 

Team Competition 

• Separate Teams Competition will be held at 1.05 m and 1.10 m, with a second round 5 cm higher. 

• Teams consist of 6 riders: 3 at each height, with at least 2 riders required at each height. 

• If your Area cannot make a full team, riders may be combined into composite teams by NZPCA. 

• Scholarship note: ESNZ/NZPCA High Performance Scholarships will go to the highest-placed rider in 110 division who meets the criteria (17+, hack, never previously on any ESNZ Discipline High Performance Squad). 

Games  

• Following review, the entry fee for the individual section has been reduced to $50. 

• Riders may enter both individual and team competitions. These are two separate entries. 

• If your Area cannot provide a complete team, riders may still enter – we will place them into composite teams where possible, made by NZPCA. 

• Should a composite team not be possible, riders will be refunded. 

New – Area Quiz Teams 

• From this season, Quiz is added as a discipline and Area teams are to compete. 

• One team per Area, if your Area cannot make a full team, riders may be combined into composite teams by NZPCA. 

• Proposed timetable: Quiz will run from Monday afternoon through to Wednesday afternoon during Champs Week (to be confirmed). 

• Timetabling will be structured as best as possible, so that riders competing in both Quiz and other disciplines can be catered for. 

• More details will follow in a separate update. 

Encouragement to Areas – Supporting Riders 

In Dressage, Show Jumping, Games, and Quiz, Areas are expected to ensure riders are represented as individuals and/or as teams. 

The team limit is 2 teams per Area for Dressage, Show Jumping and Games but there is no limit on additional individuals participating.   

If an Area has an additional team, they need to discuss this with NZPCA, as we may be able to accommodate extra teams. 

Team and individual riders are to be entered by the Area and managers assigned for the riders. 

Areas are entitled to appoint one team manager for every six riders entered. This ensures that if your Area has more than six riders, you may include an additional manager for each group of six. 

There are individual titles in every discipline. 

Composite teams offer opportunities to still compete for team placings. 

Supporting riders to attend not only strengthens competition but also recognises their hard work in reaching this standard. 

Areas may not add any extra selection criteria outside of the regulations. 

This is a top event of the year for NZPCA– if riders have achieved their NQS, please help remove barriers and support them to get there. 

Useful Links 

All current regulations, conditions, and updates for Champs Week are available on the NZPCA website: NZPCA Championship Week Information  

We’re pleased to welcome Emma Barker as an Event Contractor to coordinate the 2026 Championship Week Events. If you have any questions about Championship Week, please contact her at events@nzpca.org 

Ngā mihi nui, Lizzie Turnbull 

Article added: Tuesday 23 September 2025