Slices of Life
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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 [email protected]. 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…
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Breaking the Mold
Thanks to the Director of Education and Development for the New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program, Sarah Coleman, USPC is reprinting with permission a great article about moldy tack care. Read along to learn some great tips and tricks for excellence in tack maintenance. It’s the dog days of summer in the Bluegrass, a time of year when it seems saddle pads and helmets never quite dry out between rides. In addition to being uncomfortable to ride in, wet, humid conditions can lead to a tack room full of moldy saddles, bridles and other leather goods. This furry invader isn’t just unsightly; because mold is a living organism, it can actually…
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Tales of a Pony Club Professional Groom-Headed Overseas
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 [email protected]. When Things Fall Apart… The past seven weeks of so have been a complete blur to me. I last left you all at Baltimore International Airport, where I…
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Organizing A Horse Show: Is it Worth it?
This is the second part of the series on Organizing a Horse Show. Follow along as we share some information on the hard-working brave people take on to make your horse show experience a success. Leaning on Friends One thing many organizers learn is to utilize the help they already have. Many have facilities they are trying to grow and support, students and clients they teach and ride for, and friends who help them when called on. These people are the foundation for extra officials, volunteers, and competitors whom the organizer can turn to for help. In turn these people might reach out to other friends and family members, making…
