Meadowbank Pony Club Riding Memberships

Meadowbank Pony Club (MPC) is a community-based, volunteer-run club for young riders and their families. Membership is open to anyone under 25 years old who owns their own horse or pony. Please note that MPC does not offer riding lessons. If you are looking for lessons in Auckland, you might consider Sonshine Ranch Outdoor Adventure Centre, Bartley Riding Academy, or The Sullivan Stables. For children 10 years and under who don’t yet own a pony, our Riders Without Horses programme is a great way to start learning horsemanship skills.

Set on 30 acres of land in Meadowbank, we provide year-round grazing and summer hacking, along with excellent facilities for riding and horse care (see below for more information). Because our ponies graze in mixed herds, it’s important that all horses have calm temperaments, and thus they must be signed off by our Head Coach before they’re allowed on site.

Members and parents must contribute to our friendly, hands-on community, and be prepared for the huge commitment that is owning a horse at a pony club. 

Click here to enquire about becoming a riding member at MPC.

What is the Commitment of MPC Membership?

Being part of Meadowbank Pony Club is about more than just riding—it’s about teamwork, responsibility, and community. Here’s what members and families can expect:

  • Daily Care: Riders are expected to check on their horse or pony’s wellbeing every day. In paddock groups, you may share a roster with others to help cover daily checks.

  • Riding: Most riders ride 4–5 times per week. Ride times are usually 2–4 hours, depending on grazing distance, ride length, and how much grooming is needed.

  • Paddock Moves: When directed by your paddock manager, the group will move horses to a new paddock. Paddock moves include cleaning troughs, checking fencing, repairing tape if needed, and distributing droppings (“poo kicking”) to protect the grass.

  • Regular Paddock Working Bees: Each paddock group holds regular paddock working bees, which can take several hours, to keep grazing areas safe and well maintained.

  • Club Working Bees: All families are expected to attend 2–3 half-day working bees each year. These include jobs such as cycle path cleanups, fence repairs, trimming trees, clearing weeds, or painting jumps. If you can’t attend, a $100 fee per member applies to cover the cost of labour.

  • Parent Supervision:

    • Riders under 16 require a parent present on MPC grounds for ALL riding
    • Riders 18 and over require a parent present on MPC grounds for jumping only
    • Learn more about supervision rules here

  • Annual Open Days: MPC runs annual open days with pony rides and fun activities. Families and ponies are expected to pitch in and help, as the fundraising from these events is vital to keeping the club running and maintaining facilities for all members.

  • Pony Parties: It’s important to volunteer to host at pony parties when you can, and for those with suitable ponies/horses, you must offer to lead your pony for the parties as often as you can. These parties are an essential part of our fundraising—without this income, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the amazing coaches we have at rally, or we would need to increase membership fees.

See MPC member duties and obligations for more information.

Facilities for Riding Members

ClubhouseKitchen and toilet facilities are available, plus rooms for holding unmounted rallies and meetings. BBQ facilities are also present.
Dressage ArenasOne 20 x 40m and one 20 x 60m all-weather (sand, shell & rubber surface) arenas are available for year round riding.
Cross Country JumpsCatering for pre-intro to training level XC schooling (in paddocks where horses are not grazing, and only during summer months) including a NEW water jump.
Showjumping ArenaOne 60 x 40m sand, shell & rubber arena specifically for Showjumping.
GrazingApproximately 30 acres of land for year-round grazing and summer hacking.
Rally PensOpen gravel based tie-up pens, half of which is undercover.
Sick PensTwo covered soft bed pens, two outdoor lime yards with shelters, three grass yards, all available to sick/injured horses for a small daily fee (to cover the costs of extra hay usage, and bedding for the undercover pens).
Arena PensFour post and rail holding pens next to the dressage arenas, available for daytime use/temporary holding.

Riding Membership Costs

DetailsMember under 25 years oldGuardian of Member under 18 years old
Joining Fee$300
Annual Subs (20% discount if more than one family member)$200
Auckland Area PC Fee$25
Auckland Area Fund Raising$10
NZPCA Fee$45$20

The joining fee of $300 is only paid once, when the member first joins. Fees payable in subsequent years are annual subscriptions, and levies to Auckland Manukau District Pony Club and New Zealand Pony Club Association (NZPCA).

Summer Grazing Fees

Grazing is determined by the committee for Summer and Winter grazing, and communicated to all members in advance of those grazing seasons.

Payment of Fees

All fees should be paid in full or part payments as agreed with the President and/or Treasurer before the commencement of the season.

MPC Riders Without Horses Programme

Love horses but don’t have one of your own?

This flexible and inclusive programme is for kids under 11 years old who want to build their knowledge and confidence around horses.  No pony of your own required!

Through weekly fun, practical sections, you’ll learn about; horse behaviour and welfare, safe catching, leading, and tying up techniques, grooming and hoof care, saddling, covers and checking gear, spotting horse health problems early, feeding horses, daily care for where horses live, what it means to own a horse, and future Pony Club pathways​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

Participants can earn the new NZ Pony Club (NZPCA) Junior Equine Skills Certificate through this programme, creating a clear pathway for future riders, pony owners, and even equine careers.

Starting Thursdays Term 4.

Email:  to join the waitlist for MPC’s Riders Without Horses programme– limited spaces available!

Additional Information