The NZPCA Board is pleased to announce that Ian McKelvie MP has agreed to become NZPCA’s new Patron. Ian McKelvie MP for Rangitikei, has a strong connection with Pony Club and with the whole equestrian scene in New Zealand. His children and grandchildren have been or are still involved in Pony Club. The family farm has in the past been the venue for Area Eventing trials and ESNZ Eventing Horse Trials. In 2015 Ian was one of the guest speaker at the opening of the NZPCA Eventing Championships held by Manawatu West Coast Area Pony Club at Feilding. The passing of our previous Patron Bruce Forbes early in 2015 was a great loss to Pony Club and the Board has been keen to ensure that we have a Patron worthy of the memory of Bruce Forbes. The Board would like to thank those members who provided input into what sort of Patron they would like to see for NZPCA. The Board were unanimous in their view that NZPCA would most benefit from a Patron that could provide knowledge, experience, networks, advice, leadership and guidance to the NZPCA Board and the General Manager with the aim of assisting them in achieving the NZPCA’s vision to develop, promote, and manage the best youth equestrian riding, training and coaching organisation in New Zealand. Ian McKelvie MP fits the role perfectly. In addition to being an MP his experience includes directorships in FMG and Chair of Farmers Mutual Finance. He has also been the Chair of Special Olympics New Zealand, a former President of the Royal Agricultural Society and former Mayor of the Manawatu District.

There is a copy of this Press Release here