After months of slothfulness, photos of the dressage rally and summer camp are finally online.  Check 'em out.

It was a beautiful day when Angi shared her cross-country knowledge with our members at the May 10th mounted meeting at Redtail Ridge Farm.  Check out the photos.

 

I had the pleasure of being assigned as an Assistant Horse Management Judge (AHMJ) within the Tetrathlon Barn at this year’s Championships in Virginia.  I am writing to let you know that team #8, comprised of the following members, was more than extraordinary:

1)      Sarah              Tri-State Region              Hunter’s Run PC

2)      Mackenzie       Tri-State Region              Hunter’s Run PC

3)      Emily               Tri-State Region              Hunter’s Run PC

4)      Elizabeth          Western New York           Red Jacket

Not only did this team win First Place in Horse Management they competed very well in all the phases of Tetrathlon.

The primary reason I am writing is to praise this team for their tack room.  I have never seen a tack room as neat, tidy, clean and organized as theirs.  They had nothing fancy or custom; rather, they used ordinary, everyday items and turned this collection into a track room that was far superior to any I have seen in my 10 years with Pony Club.

No they did not have a floor covering.  But, their dirt floor was so clean the dirt was almost polished.

No they did not have fancy, custom built racks and hangers.  But, there was no doubt where everything was and to whom it belonged.

Every item was correctly labeled and the spot in the tack room was also labeled.  You knew what was the trash can and where it belonged; same went for the boot jack, etc.

The team members were extremely polite, encouraging to one another, helpful, and knowledgeable.

I wish I had taken photographs of their tack room for I would use those photos as an example of what a tack room ought to be.  It is my desire to begin a comprehensive HM education program in the Mid-South Region.  This program will emphasize quality, not fancy.  The way team 8’s tack room was setup will be the standard to which I will teach.

These young ladies are to be commended and I am looking forward to seeing them in future competitions.  Please pass along my congratulations and best wishes for a bright and happy future.

Regards,

Pierre Billard

I just watched Gina Miles win the individual eventing silver in Beijing (OK, the equestrian center is in Hong Kong).  Those of you who've been around a while will remember Gina.  At our last summer camp in Kentucky, she took us on a tour of the Rolex course. I liked that she didn't just give a course tour, but was able to share personal experience, and her thoughts as she was riding the course.

Congratulations to a fellow pony clubber!

I think this was my 11th or 12th games rally, it's rained during at least half of them, and yesterday was no exception, it poured. BUT WE DIDN'T CARE! This year's rally was held inside the Coliseum at Eden Park, and while the rain on the roof was deafening at times, our pony clubbers competed in the dry (though I can't speak for those in the shed row barn).

Our HRPC gamers have practiced hard and looked good. We sent 9 to the rally.  Becky, Jamie, Faye and Valerie went as walk trotters.  Team Guts and Glory combining seniors Anna, Alice and Sarah with juniors Caroline P. and Makenzie, had a very good day, finishing 1st in Horse Management and 2nd overall in their division.

The day started out rough for Jamie, whose pony escaped from her stall, and went missing for three hours.  With the help of the local authorities, property owners, and a central Ohio equine search and rescue team (who knew?), the wayward pony was back in time for Jamie to play.

You can be proud of the comraderie and sportsmanship shown by our girls.  When a member of the competition fell and withdrew, our extra rider (5 on a team, but only 4 race at a time) joined the competition so they could continue to go.  When it was the walk-trotters' turn, our older girls were all there leading ponies and helping with the games play (demonstrating significantly more physical fitness than I could have)

Next time you see Erica, give her a pat on the back for a job well done. Hunter's Run hosted the rally again, the Erica's superb planning showed, as the rally ran smooth as silk.  Thanks to all the parent volunteers, without you this could never happen.  Thanks to pony clubbers Caroline C., Ashton, and whomever else I didn't see, who came out to pitch in and help.

While the indoor kept us dry, the lighting made action photography tough. The photo gallery is worth a visit just the same.

Can't wait until next year!

In my continuing quest to make this website easier for folks other than me to update, and with rally season upon us, I tweaked how photo albums work.  Now it should be easier for more of us to contribute.  Take a look and let me know what you think.
Update: It's working even better now, and I think it looks just like it used to!  Give it a try and let me know if you have any problems.
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