Member Experiences from the 2024 USPC National Youth Congress

USPC members share their experiences from the 2024 USPC National Youth Congress.

By Marissa Redmond and Kate Gerth, 2024 USPC National Youth Congress Delegates

Established in 1998, the USPC National Youth Congress (NYC) recognizes outstanding Pony Club members and builds on the leadership skills they’ve developed throughout the years. This year’s leadership training for 18- to 23-year-olds with a national certification was held January 25-26 in Reno, Nev. during the 2024 USPC Convention, Presented by Via Nova Training, and Sponsored by Lincoln Memorial University. The training challenged members to apply their Pony Club experience and knowledge to prepare proposals for projects within USPC for the USPC Board of Governors. In addition, the National Youth Congress delegates were mentored by this year’s members of the USPC Academy of Achievement—Board member Bo Varnado, who is an H-A alum, and Stacy Anderson, DVM, PhD, Dean of Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The National Youth Congress is sponsored by the Western & English Sales Association.

Two NYC members share their experiences from the event.

Marissa Redmond, H-B HM, C-2 EV, from the Carolina Region

My time at the National Youth Congress was one of the most rewarding and beneficial experiences I have ever had the pleasure of taking part in. Pony Club did a fabulous job of preparing wonderful speakers, including Daniel Stewart, Deb Kirsh, Bo Varnado, and Sedate Kohler. They provided us with so much useful knowledge about how Pony Club instills values and morals into its members as they learn and grow through Pony Club and all it has to offer.

Not only did we hear from amazing speakers, but the members of the National Youth Congress were also given the opportunity to formulate and brainstorm a proposal to present to the Board of Governors. This was an amazing experience, which I know I will never forget. Being able to connect with other Pony Club members that shared the same thoughts and ideas as I did and work with them to formulate a proposal on an issue or idea was the most rewarding part of the whole weekend.

Coming into the National Youth Congress, I knew no one and had absolutely no idea what kind of information I was going to walk away with after my time there. Being a naturally shy and reserved person, I was very unsure if I was even cut out to be a leader and take part in leadership activities. However, I quickly learned that the environment surrounding the National Youth Congress is one of friendship, support, and growth. After spending two days with the other members of the Congress I can proudly say that I walked away with friendships that will last a lifetime.

The National Youth Congress is a wonderful opportunity for any Pony Club member to experience, and I went home with more confidence, leadership skills, and friends than I arrived with. I would highly recommend for anyone considering taking part in the National Youth Congress to jump right in. It has helped me reach goals and provided me with information and resources that will benefit me even outside of Pony Club.

Kate Gerth, H-B HM, C-2 Eventing, from the Northwest Region

This year I had the opportunity to attend the Pony Club Convention and participate in the National Youth Congress. I was selected by the leadership in my region to participate and represent my region.

For those who are unaware of what the National Youth Congress is, it is a time where nationally certified members who are 18 to 23 years of age attend and create proposals to present to the Board of Governors. Over two days, participants do icebreakers to learn more about the other participants. Additionally, the inductees to the Academy of Achievement give presentations to the Youth Congress about their careers and an important life lesson that they want to pass along. In small groups and as a whole, participants brainstormed ideas for ways to improve and benefit Pony Club. Throughout the process, the Academy of Achievement inductees add their insight and advise the Congress participants throughout the process. After brainstorming, individual members split off into groups to formulate solutions to their ideas. After the groups have had time to work on their proposal, members of the Board of Governors come in to provide valuable advice and feedback to the Congress on their proposals.

This year, the Youth Congress also partnered with the National Youth Board (NYB) for the NYB’s service project, where both groups volunteered at Virginia Lake Park, a local park in Reno to pull invasive weeds and pick up trash. Not only was this an opportunity to give back to the local community, this was a chance for the NYC and NYB to mingle and get to know each other.

This year, the NYC worked with the kids in the Pony Paddock to create a Pony Club-themed song to the tune of Taylor Swift’s famous song “Shake It Off.” Then after practicing the song and perfecting the choreography, the Pony Paddock and National Youth Congress preformed it together in front of the Board of Governors before the Congress presented their proposals.

The last activity of NYC was presenting their proposals to the Board. Some groups used skits as a part of their proposal to show their topic and solution, and then the Board had an opportunity to ask the groups questions about their proposals. Some of the groups proposals involved providing inclusivity for para-athletes, ensuring proper equine welfare at Pony Club events, and providing more opportunities for upper-level members to connect with members going for a national certification. Then, to conclude the program, a cocktail party was held to recognize the inductees to the Board of Governors and to recognize the participants of the National Youth Congress.

As a participant of this year’s National Youth Congress, I greatly appreciated being able to give back to Pony Club. This opportunity also allowed me to learn about the inner workings of Pony Club and learn about how the organization makes decisions as a nonprofit. It also showed how much work goes on behind the scenes of Pony Club to keep it running and improving, especially when you consider that many of these people are volunteers. I am very grateful for the opportunity to participate in the National Youth Congress and learned a lot, which I can apply to future Pony Club experiences and outside of Pony Club.

All 2024 USPC National Youth Congress Delegates

NYC delegates included:

• Katie Caldwell of the Sierra Pacific Region
• Elizabeth Chamberlin of the New York/Upper Connecticut Region
• Miranda Donnelly of the Tri-State Region
• Anna Ferrin of the Virginia Region
• Hannah Fountain of the Great Lakes Region
• Michaela Frye of the Midwest Region
• Kate Gerth of the Northwest Region
• Natalie Hamilton of the Sierra Pacific Region
• Elizabeth Haugen of the Northern Lakes Region
• Jocelyn Hunt of the Delmarva Region
• Sophia Johnson of the Camino Real Region
• Teagan Lapuk of the New York/Upper Connecticut Region
• Lydia McKenzie of the Tri-State Region
• Sophia Megargle of the Intermountain Region
• Charlotte Milner of the Maryland Region
• Alexia Ray of the Sunshine Region
• Marissa Redmond of the Carolina Region
• Andie Sue Roth, who is a National member