No. You can choose the pillar or pillars that best suit your interests and goals.

If you're particularly interested in coaching, for example, you can focus on Coaching. If you want a broader learning experience, you can complete more than one pillar.

No.

One of the benefits of the Academy is its flexibility.

You can work regularly each week or complete more when you have time. This allows you to fit your Academy work around school, work, riding, competitions and other commitments.

We do encourage you to keep making regular progress rather than leaving everything until the end.

There isn't just one way to show us what you've learned.

Depending on the activity, you could:

• write a report or reflection;
• create a poster, infographic or presentation;
• make a video;
• record an audio presentation or podcast;
• complete a practical activity;
• develop a plan or resource;
• use a combination of different formats.

Choose a format that suits the activity and allows you to clearly demonstrate your learning.

Yes.

You are welcome to connect with other participants, share ideas, form a study group and support each other.

You can meet online or in person.

Your assessed work still needs to demonstrate your own learning, but you don't have to complete the Academy journey alone.

Mentoring is part of the Academy learning.

A good mentor can help you think about your goals, work through challenges, stay motivated and consider where you would like to go next.

The Academy's mentoring learning will help you think about who could be a useful mentor for you.

Mentors Role:

• Keep you accountable to your plan.

• Support both long-term strategy and daily actions.

• Ensure the right things happen at the right time, speed, and quality.

• Challenge you and not accept excuses.

💡 The Mentors module will guide you step-by-step in finding the right mentor.  We recommend you complete this module first.

Yes.

NZPCA will keep in touch with Academy participants and provide support and reminders as you work through the programme.

If you are unsure about an activity, have reached a roadblock or want to talk through your next step, please get in touch.

We also encourage Academy participants to make use of other NZPCA learning and development opportunities that are relevant to their goals.

The Pet N Sur Pony Club Academy is a leadership programme offering three practical and flexible learning pathways: Coaching, Performance, and Sports Management – all designed to grow your equestrian knowledge and skills.

It’s flexible, self-paced, and full of activities.

Whether you’re looking to increase your confidence, develop your coaching, improve your riding performance, or learn how to run events and clubs, this programme will support your goals with both practical training and theory.

​​​​​​​This is our second intake, and while the programme is still evolving, your experience and feedback will help shape it for the future. We're committed to learning and growing together to create the best possible opportunity for all involved.

You can go at your own pace, but we'll also provide support and reminders to keep you on track if needed.

Some Academy learning may overlap with the NZPCA Certificate syllabus.

Where appropriate, relevant Record of Training requirements may be able to be signed off by an approved person, provided the normal NZPCA Certificate requirements are met.

NZPCA is working with the ITO to put NZQA credits in place for the future. These won’t be available for this intake, but the process is underway, and it’s an exciting step as we continue to grow and strengthen the programme. Thank you for being part of this journey.​​​​​​​

The Academy usually takes around 6 months to complete, and the content sits at about NZQA Level 4. Everyone’s situation is different – some may finish sooner, while others need more time. To help keep you on track, we encourage you to aim for completion within 12 months. You still have up to 5 years if needed, giving you plenty of flexibility on your learning journey.

Depending on the pillar you choose, useful resources may include:

• NZPCA Pony Club Manuals;
• NZPCA Certificate and Record of Training resources;
• NZPCA coaching resources;
• the NZPCA Coaches Resource Manual;
• ECTP resources;
• other resources available through the NZPCA website.

Individual modules may also recommend additional resources.