In The Spotlight
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Flash Award Winner- Tuck Everlasting
Aly Werth, C-1 Traditional, C-2 Flat member of Hybid Farm Pony Club Riding Center in the Central New England Region sent in her Flash Award submissions about a couple of fantastic horses from her riding center. Her story about Tuck Everlasting “Tucker” was the winner of the Flash Award. Read along as Aly shares Tucker’s story: I can distinctly remember learning my toxic plants before my H-B certification in 2011. I remember running through ways to identify them and the problems they caused over and over again in my head. I also remember thinking that they didn’t seem very consequential, especially next to all the other things you are tested…
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Tales from Blackhawk Pony Club
Blackhawk Pony Club DC, Marlie Nauta, sent in a Flash Award submission for 2016 citing the wonderful teamwork her club displays in all aspects of their operation. Read her submission below: What an awesome club we have! Our Blackhawk Pony Club teams up our members, parents, and officers so we always provide the best for our members. They also reach out to help clubs within our region. 2016 was marked by some quick moves by our collective group of happy helpers! Our May testing was full of great success for riders and members, enhanced by our moms and dads pulling together to provide awesome nutrition and refreshments! Many volunteers were…
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Poco Blue
Aly Werth, C-1 Traditional, C-2 Flat member of Hybid Farm Pony Club Riding Center in the Central New England Region sent in her Flash Award submissions about a couple of fantastic horses from her riding center. Her story about Tuck Everlasting “Tucker” was the eventual winner of the Flash Award, but this, her second story about a special horse, Poco Blue “Poco” shows us just how special school horses are. Read along as Aly shares Poco’s story: I always describe her uncommon blue roan coat as cookies and cream ice cream to kids. Now, as I sit down to write about her I realize that the oreo cookie provides an…
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How Teamwork Saved the Day
D-3 Traditional member, Emerson Bergan of Cranberry Country Pony Club in the Southeastern New England Region sent in this fantastic story about her clubs teamwork. This story was a finalist for the Flash Teamwork Award presented each year to a region, club, center, outstanding person, team, or horse to recognize the teamwork Pony Club values so highly. Read along as Emerson shares her story: For months I have been working towards competing at my first 3-phase. I joined Pony Club last year because I’d heard they taught you about Eventing and that’s what I want to do. I was so excited when I found out I could be part of…
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2017 Academy of Achievement and NYC Inductees Announced!
Every year at The USPC Equine Symposium amd Convention, The National Youth Congress (NYC) convenes for three days. NYC began in 1998 to recognize outstanding Pony Club Members. The NYC delegates are selected by their regions and are provided the opportunity to learn valuable life skills to help them navigate their futures. This year 33 delegates were a part of the three day Congress. Central New England Region– Samantha Baer and Ava Nadeau Camino Real Region– Sarah Barnes and Sophie Buelow Deep South Region– Megan Benton Delmarva Region– Carly Dyal Eastern Pennsylvania Region– Sarah Shaw Great Lakes Region– Alexandra McKinley Hawaii Region– Lindsay Grimshaw and Jenna Neher Inland Empire Region–…
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Blue Bridle Presents: Highlights of Horse Insurance Part 1
Thanks to new Pony Club Pizza blog sponsor, Blue Bridle Insurance we now have a series explaining Horse Insurance. The Horse Insurance Mortality Policy So many of us are guilty of not reading our insurance policies perhaps in the hope that we may never need to! Our horse insurance, farmowners insurance, auto policy, whatever – just put them all in a drawer and hope for the best. Let’s take a moment now to review the equine mortality policy. First of all, it is a legal contract. The company agrees to provide coverage and in return, you agree to pay a premium and comply with the terms and provisions of the…
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Founders Awards Presented at the 2017 Equine Symposium and Convention
During the 2017 USPC Equine Symposium and Convention held January 26-29 in Los Angeles, California, four individuals were awarded the Founders’ Award, an honor reserved for Pony Club’s most worthy volunteers. This prestigious award is made each year to those who have made a significant contribution to Pony Club at the Local or Regional and National Levels over a period of 20 years or more. The recipients of the Founders Awards for 2017 are: Jan Jenson, Alex Weiss, Shelley Kincaid, and Claire Harmon. Jan Jenson. Jan joined Santa Cruz County Pony Club in 1974 with a leased horse “Charlie”. Her sister was in Pony Club so she “tagged along” for…
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The Truth About Vaulting: How to Fit a Vaulting into a Riding Program
Thanks to Sheri Benjamin and Beth Whillock, DC of Kimberwicke Pony Club and Vice RS of the Northern Lakes Region we have this handy primer to vaulting in Pony Club When I first saw vaulting, I remember the “no way is my daughter doing THAT” moment I had as I watched two teen boys standing on the back of a huge cantering Draft horse while lifting a six-year-old girl high above their heads. Thirteen years later I try to bear in mind that moment as I patiently explain vaulting to those unfamiliar with our sport. As we continue to bring vaulting into Pony Club, explaining vaulting, and debunking the common…
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International Tetrathlon Exchange Recap
Each year Pony Club offers international exchanges in many disciplines. Most recently there was a Tetrathlon Exchange held in Ireland. Team member Jessica Pieracci (H-B, Golden Hills Pony Club in the Middle California Region) shared her experience in a great recap of the trip! For more information on ALL of the International Exchanges Pony Club offers click HERE. After a week of fun activities such as touring Dublin, Taytos Theme Park, and zip lining, we were ready to start the last leg of our journey—the final competition. Saturday morning we awoke and joined the other countries on the bus with many competitors feeling under the weather and some even feverish.…
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Merck Animal Health; EPM: The Master of Disguise
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is often referred to as the “master of disguise” because it can look like many other neurological diseases or even obscure lameness. This is why it is critical to have your veterinarian conduct a thorough physical and neurological exam and appropriate diagnostic work up to confirm EPM. Treating without a diagnosis can be frustrating. If you’re concerned about EPM, talk to your veterinarian and keep the following risk factors in mind: • Mature horses are more commonly affected than very young horses • There is a higher incidence among horses used for racing, western performance and other strenuous activities • Events such as long-distance transportation, concurrent…
