Draft:Waiheke Island Pony Club

• Comment: Fails WP:NORG, lacks any sources or references. Dan arndt (talk) 02:43, 21 August 2024 (UTC)

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Waiheke Island Pony Club

A Brief History

The Waiheke Island Pony Club has a rich history spanning over 50 years. It traces its roots back to 1972 when Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Ann Healey founded the Putiki Bay Pony Club.

1972: The Beginnings

In 1972, Mr. and Mrs. Dan and Ann Healey started the Putiki Bay Pony Club. Mr. Healey recounted that leaflets were distributed to ferry passengers to invite members, and arriving passengers were met with signs appealing for instructors. Although there was no shortage of riders, the Putiki Bay Pony Club had to close due to the difficulty in finding instructors. Mr. Healey handed over the remaining funds, approximately $45, and two cups to the newly formed Waiheke Island Pony Club in 1973, with the condition that his remaining members could join without paying a fee.

1973: Formation of Waiheke Island Pony Club

On April 10, 1973, a meeting was held at the Area School to discuss the formation of a new Pony Club. The attendees were:

• Mrs. Kawabe
• Mrs. Carnarvon
• Mrs. Ericstead
• Miss S. Dean
• Mrs. Carey
• Mrs. McNab
• Mr. Lammond
• Mr. Glover
• Mr. B. Storey

Mr. Lammond acted as Chairman, and Mrs. McNab served as Secretary. It was decided that another meeting would be held on April 29, 1973, for all interested parties. A notice was placed in the local paper announcing the formation of the club, and letters were sent to the Council requesting assistance in providing a ground and to the NZ Pony Clubs Association inquiring about affiliation and advice.

At the April 29, 1973, meeting, it was determined that there was sufficient support, and the club should proceed. The first rally was held on May 6, 1973, at the Country Club Ground in Onetangi.

In July 1973, the club set its annual subscription fees and decided on its name: The Waiheke Island Pony Club. The club colors were chosen to be a mustard shirt with a brown tie and cardigan/pullover. The club also decided to apply for affiliation with the Pony Club Association and to use the Country Club ground as its headquarters. However, the Country Club required all Pony Club members to be financial members of their club.

The Council was approached and granted permission to use a 3-acre area designated for the cemetery, marking the club's first official ground.

The year ended with a decision to tender for a vacant block of derelict land in Blackpool, owned by the Council. The club offered $100 a year in rent, which included the task of clearing the land and erecting a perimeter fence.

At this time, the Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer were Mr. Carnarvon, Mrs. McNab, and Mrs. McElrea, respectively.

1974: Establishing a Home

In January 1974, the club occupied the Blackpool Reserve, with the hope that the Council would formally grant a lease. Grazing rules were established, including a remarkable requirement that applicants for grazing must have attended 25 rallies in the year.

On February 3, 1974, the club held its first gymkhana. The competitors were:

• Erica Kawabe
• Fiona Poppelwell
• Adrian Meyer
• Claudia Goreham
• Sonia Gunn
• Denise Stevens
• Fiona McNab
• Laureen Burgess
• Cyril Carnarvon
• Jason Gunn
• Angela Bolton
• Amanda Popplewell
• Penny Carey
• Judy Lennon

In July 1974, all rallies and grazing were suspended due to the poor condition of the grounds and the need to fence the beachfront. During this challenging period, it seems that Jill and Nick Parker were instrumental in keeping the club together. ```