I Ride! - Pony Club Discipline News
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Tales of a Pony Club Professional Groom- Grooming at Home
Pony Club member Alex Ambelang is back with more life lessons our members learn in Pony Club which help them in the real world. Alex is the head groom for Colleen Rutledge Eventing in Maryland. Follow along as she tells us how Pony Club has prepared her for this position as well as what she has learned since starting out. Alex will be a regular guest blogger, so if you have questions feel free to send them to us for her at [email protected]. Tips, Tricks, and Hints from an Amateur Professional Groom Since I have only been at this whole being a groom things for (almost) 5 months, I hesitate…
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Airs Above Ground- The Flying Change
It is a movement every rider who jumps or does top level dressage wants to achieve. It is also one of the toughest things to train a horse. It is… The Flying Change! The dictionary defines a flying change as a movement where the leading leg is changed in the air without breaking gait. This movement is used across the board from racing, to dressage, eventing, hunters, jumpers, reining, polo, and so on. Horses who perform this movement in competition use it to show collection, precision, balance, and obedience. It is important to note, a flying change should not be trained too early in your training. Your horse must have…
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Pony Club Games- A Primer
We already know the history of the mounted games, as seen on the Pony Club Pizza HERE. Readers have asked for a description and explanation of some of the games that are so enjoyed by Pony Club members of all ages. Games provide a great way to improve balance, coordination, teamwork, and horsemanship. They require athletic ability, instinctive skills, and teach hand-eye coordination. Under Pony Club rules there are weight limits for the height of ponies, but games can be played by both youth and adults, as height for the rider isn’t a requirement. Each team consists of four members to ride each relay once. Follow us as we explain…
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Tales of a Pony Club Professional Groom-Rolex Part 2
Pony Club member Alex Ambelang is back with more life lessons our members learn in Pony Club which help them in the real world. Alex is the head groom for Colleen Rutledge Eventing in Maryland. Follow along as she tells us how Pony Club has prepared her for this position as well as what she has learned since starting out. Alex will be a regular guest blogger, so if you have questions feel free to send them to us for her at [email protected]. Life after Pony Club: Rolex Competition Thursday is an early morning; Luke (Shiraz) is the first down centerline at 9:30am. Pre-ride gallop at 6:30am, sharp. It’s cold…
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Tales of a Pony Club Professional Groom- Rolex Part 1
Pony Club member Alex Ambelang is back with more life lessons our members learn in Pony Club which help them in the real world. Alex is the head groom for Colleen Rutledge Eventing in Maryland. Follow along as she tells us how Pony Club has prepared her for this position as well as what she has learned since starting out. Alex will be a regular guest blogger, so if you have questions feel free to send them to us for her at [email protected]. Life after Pony Club: Don’t we all wish every road led to Rolex??? I write this two weeks after the fact- after the event, after the Rolex…
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Tales of a Pony Club Professional Groom Part 2
Thanks to Pony Club member Alex Ambelang we will now be offering some life lessons our members learn in Pony Club which help them in the real world. Alex is the head groom for Colleen Rutledge Eventing in Maryland. Follow along as she tells us how Pony Club has prepared her for this position as well as what she has learned since starting out. Alex will be a regular guest blogger, so if you have questions feel free to send them to us for her at [email protected]. Life After Pony Club: Challenges Among some challenges I faced there were a few that stood out. One was integrating myself into someone…
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Tales of a Pony Club Professional Groom Part 1
Thanks to Pony Club member Alex Ambelang we will now be offering some life lessons our members learn in Pony Club which help them in the real world. Alex is the head groom for Colleen Rutledge Eventing in Maryland. Follow along as she tells us how Pony Club has prepared her for this position as well as what she has learned since starting out. Alex will be a regular guest blogger, so if you have questions feel free to send them to us for her at [email protected]. Life after Pony Club: Reality Check It’s 10:30pm. A movie plays on mute on the TV. An empty container of Talenti ice cream…
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What is Western Dressage?
Western dressage originated when a couple of western trainers got together to look for a discipline that would suit a nontraditional western horse and rider. Today’s equine industry is ever changing, and the need for east to meet west was great. Western dressage is based on classical dressage principles, but follows a system of training for the western rider. Similar to classical dressage, western dressage is held in a large or small dressage arena. Judges are still looking for a relaxed, soft topline, good movement, harmony, and accuracy. The difference being that the tests reflect the movements and maneuvers asked of a Western horse. Inclusiveness is important to the Western…
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Warming Up the Older Horse
When getting your horse ready for a show you do conditioning work. You have regular flat days, jumping days, bath days, and rest days. You also have a plan on how to warm your horse up at shows. If it is a new horse to you, you create a new plan. If it is a seasoned competitor, you know the horse has a set routine. The best idea is trial and error. Whatever works for you, may not necessarily be the best for your horse, and vice-versa. Each horse is different. Factors to take into consideration include age, temperament, difficulty level, and discipline. Today we will focus on some ideas…
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In the Vet Box
Today’s post was submitted with information from Dr. Claudia L. Barton, DVM and Dr. Yvette Seger. Dr. Barton and Dr. Seger have had extensive experience running the vet box at USPC rallies. Dr Seger is also a Chief Horse Management Judge. Other information for the report was compiled from articles concerning cooling out the horse and from the USPC Rulebook on Eventing. Why is the vet box required at an Eventing Rally and not at a recognized — USEA Horse Trial? Pony Club still requires it because we feel you need to learn how your horse recovers from the effort of cross country. Vet box staff take a lot of…