What are Champs Weeks?

Champs Weeks are one of the pinnacle competition events of the New Zealand Pony Club Association (NZPCA) calendar. Held each January in both the North and South Islands, these weeks bring together Pony Club members from across the country to compete in Dressage, Show Jumping, Games, and Quiz at a national level.

Each discipline is contested as both an Individual and an Area Team Competition. The North Island has 11 Areas and the South Island 4, with riders representing their home Areas. Because both Champs Weeks mirror each other – with the same courses, similar rails and fillers, and judges officiating across both events – results can be combined. This allows NZPCA to award National Individual Titles and National Team Titles at the conclusion of the two weeks.

More than just competition, Champs Weeks celebrate the skills, teamwork, and friendships developed through Pony Club, showcasing riders’ dedication to horsemanship and horse welfare. They are a highlight for riders, coaches, families, and supporters – a true festival of equestrian sport and community.

NZPCA AREA QUIZ CHAMPIONSHIP - CHAMPS WEEKS 2026

All About Quiz at Champs Weeks

NZPCA Champs Week – Quiz Competition - Jan 2026

Introduction

Following the NZPCA Quiz Team’s 2024 trip to Kentucky and the strong interest shown at the 2025 NZPCA Conference, Quiz is now being introduced as a formal discipline at Championship Week from 2026.

• South Island Champs: 12–15 January 2026 at NEC Christchurch

• North Island Champs: 19–22 January 2026 at Clevedon

Purpose

The NZPCA Quiz is designed to:

• Encourage the development of Horse-Management knowledge and skills

• Give opportunities to non-riding members at Champs

• Build teamwork, knowledge, and national spirit

• Offer an inclusive team competition for all eligible members

Eligibility

Any Pony Club member under 25 years old as at 31 July of the competition year may enter. A horse is not required for participation in NZPCA Quiz. Members with early level certificates are encouraged to participate along with members with higher level certificates.

Team Structure

• One team per Area, made up of four members

• One member acts as Team Captain

• Members may compete in Quiz only or also in Dressage, Show Jumping or Games

• Areas unable to form a full team will have members placed in composite teams

• Extra members beyond four become reserves for composite team formation

• Each team must have an adult Team Manager who also acts as a marker

• Teams wear Area uniform, closed shoes, and a team number bib (eventing bib)

• If a team member needs support with written components, managers may apply to NZPCA for assistance such as a writer or suitable technology.

Selection

Areas may choose their own selection method. A recommended approach is an Area competition if interest exceeds four members, with the top four forming the team. Extra interested individuals from Areas without full teams may be submitted to NZPCA for placement in composite teams. 

Certificate Levels

Members may hold any certificate level. The barn phase and Individual written phase is matched to each member's certificate level, while the Megaroom/Station phase is pitched to the highest certificate level represented in each team. The four Certificate level groupings are:

1. A and H

2. B

3. C and C+

4. D and D+ 

Competition Framework

The NZPCA Quiz follows the Australian Pony Club Quiz Rules and Handbook and aligns closely with the Pony Club International Alliance (PCIA) format. The NZPCA Champs format is an adaptation of the International format to ensure a smooth, successful introduction of Quiz as a discipline.

Championship Week Format

The NZPCA Championship Week Quiz will include three key components:

• Day One-2.00-6.00pm: Barn Phase (Team): A practical, hands-on session focused on equipment, applied horse care, and practical knowledge. Competitors will be asked a practical question at their certificate level

• Day Two-4.00-5.00pm: Written Phase (Individual): Certificate-leveled written test completed under exam conditions.

• Day Three-Teams book a time: Megaroom/Station Combination Phase (Team): Identification tables, activity stations, and problem-solving tasks combined into one interactive phase.

Placings

Island placings will be awarded first, followed by overall national placings once both Island Champs Weeks are complete.

Additional Information

There is no entry fee for this inaugural event. Full rules and resources are available on the NZPCA website under Events → Quiz. Enquires to Kristine Jones kristine.jo.jones@gmail.com 

Champs Week 2026 – Key Updates - Sept 25

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 the 110 class 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, we may be able to accommodate.

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

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.