Slices of Life
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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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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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The Pre-Purchase Exam- A Primer
Are you buying a horse? Have you ever wondered what goes in to a Pre-Purchase exam (PPE)? We took another opinion poll to get ideas for what horsemen and women, trainers, vets, Pony Club parents and leaders all view as important about their Pre-Purchase exam do’s and don’ts. As with anything equine care related there were a lot of opinions on must have’s and really should nots. The general consensus was mostly the same; if you are a professional looking for an upper level prospect or a training prospect you would probably do a more thorough exam. If you are an amateur or just want a good riding horse, the…
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2015 Flash Award Winner- The Butte Fires
Every year since 2004 The United States Pony Clubs, Inc recognizes an outstanding Club, Center, Region, or Member with the Flash Award. The award was created by Kathy Aranosian, owner of Flash, the horse chosen as the USPC 50th Anniversary Breyer Model. She wanted to sponsor a yearly award to encourage the kind of teamwork generated by her club when they were writing about Flash. Entries are taken by essay and are due November 1st each year. The award is given at the USPC Annual Meeting and Equine Symposium. This year’s winner was sent in by Erica Kirchgatter a C-1 Traditional member of Claim Jumper Pony Club in the Middle…
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Silver Bullet: A Very Special Pony
The last of our finalists for the Flash Teamwork Award, Breanna Kaho, a H-B HM member of Run O’The Mill Pony Club in the Lake Shore Region chose to share the story of a special Pony from her area. Those who knew Silver Bullet think he is pretty special. Read more about his story below! What spans one region, two clubs, and over a decade? One very special pony. Silver Bullet is a wonderful 29 year old grey pony who has taught so many Pony Club members to ride. He is owned by Mrs. Pat Hamilton, one of the founders of Run O’ the Mill Pony Club, in Southeastern Wisconsin.…
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Riding Center Teamwork On Display!
Pony Club parent, Margaret Coulter submitted her Flash Teamwork Award essay about the riding center her daughter utilizes to learn about Pony Club. Read along about finalist 8T Acres Pony Club Riding Center! The formation, literally from the ground up, of the 8T Acres Pony Club Riding Center has been an amazing team building experience for a group of riders in the Upper Valley Region of NH. Ashley Glynn had a goal set in her mind; create a Pony Club Riding Center where students could affordably participate in Pony Club. A group of 12 interested students, varying in age from 5 to 14 came together over 2 years ago to…
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Teamwork: Enter Here
Ann Tukey Shideler, RIC for the Northwest Region sent in this fantastic story about the Northwest Regions efforts to get to Championships West. 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 Ann shares her story: According to Dictionary.com teamwork is defined as a ‘cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of a group of persons acting as a team on in the interests of a common cause.’ Whenever you take a group of pony club members to Champs it is always a team…
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Letters of Recommendation
College is the next step in education for many Pony Club High School students. Among High School students Letters of Recommendation can be used for college acceptance, leadership positions in High School clubs, societies and outside activities, or even to gain acceptance into an advanced class. Whatever the reason to need a Letter of Recommendation, it is important to know who to ask, as well as the reasons you are asking. Starting with whom to ask. If the Letter is geared towards service or volunteerism to gain a place as a leader within the school it is a good idea to seek a writer who is in a leadership position…
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Tales of a Pony Club Professional Groom- Burghley
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 is a regular guest blogger, so if you have questions feel free to send them to us for her at Mandy@ponyclub.org. Big, Bad, Beautiful Burghley 2015 has been a big year for me in general but the biggest highlight has to be Burghley. How incredibly fortunate I was and…
