An oasis of rural equestrian calm in the middle of suburban bustle.
Meadowbank members graze their ponies on around 40 hectares leased from local authorities. While the heart of the club is the little A-frame clubhouse at the intersection of St Johns and St Heliers Bay Roads, the land sprawls outwards in both directions, including across the road where pony paddocks gradually recede into the distance.
Because they graze in communal fields, it’s important that their temperaments allow them to mix happily with others. Just as the ponies have to be sensible without drama-queen tendencies, so too their owners – or more specifically their owners’ parents – must be hard-working, co-operative sorts. The terms of the pony club’s lease dictate it must maintain the property to a “park-like standard” and so parents are expected to provide labour at monthly working bees where tasks such as repairing fences, trimming trees, clearing gorse and painting jumps are performed.
In addition to 18 paddocks, 24 yards and two stables, which are reserved for injured horses, the club has two dressage arenas, a show-jumping arena and a cross-country course consisting of 25 jumps. Though some members ride purely for the love of it, others compete in local and national competitions.
As with most enterprises staffed by volunteers, fundraising – in the form of sponsorships and events – is essential to keep Meadowbank operational. It holds competitions such as ribbon days and one-day events as well as open days with pony rides and sausage sizzles – and pony-themed birthday parties. Monthly “feed, pat and ride” sessions are hosted for deserving community groups.
Thanks to Meadowbank, the dream of horse ownership has become a reality for dozens of city children.
Facilities for Members
| CLUBHOUSE | Kitchen and toilet facilities are available, plus rooms for holding unmounted rallies and meetings. BBQ facilities are also present. |
| ARENAS | One 20 x 40 m and one 20 x 60m all-weather arenas are available for year round riding. |
| CROSS COUNTRY COURSE | Catering for pre-intro to training level events, including a water jump. |
| SHOWJUMPING ARENA | New 60 x 40 sand arena specifically for Show Jumping. Specific paddock with well maintained showjumping and showhunter jumps available for use. |
| GRAZING | Approximately 30 acres of land for year-round grazing and summer hacking. |
| PENS | Open gravel based tie-up pens, half of which is undercover. Four covered holding pens available for general use, sheltered and great for winter. |
| STABLES & SICK PENS | Two stables, four covered yards & six small grazing pens are available for sick or injured ponies. |
| HOLDING PENS/YARDS | Four post and rail holding pens available for overnight use. |
Meadowbank Pony Club Sponsors and Supporters
Thank you to all our generous sponsors. We really appreciate your support.
Fundraise while you spend!
10% of the price of all member purchases from the Saddlery Warehouse now goes to Meadowbank Pony Club. All you need to do is let them know you are a member of our club when you spend and they will do the rest!
