Rio Grande Region Newsletter
Spring is just around the corner and we have lots of fun activities planned for you this year! We recognize how busy Pony Club parents and members are with horse shows, school and other extracurricular activities that compete for your time and resources. So, to promote participation and reduce travel expense for our families, the Regional Council voted to combine Pony Club activities where possible. As a result,
there have been changes in the activity schedule. Some activities have been combined – a D rally is being added to Show Jumping and Tetrathlon Rally; Eventing rally is being moved to the fall and combined with Dressage rally; and we’ve added teaching days with our regions’ National Examiners. Read below for further details.Bethel
Barn Fair, Region Awards Banquet and Quiz Rally Feb. 25-26!
Barn Fair
--- Rachelle is working with many of our clubs to prepare wonderful teaching topics for the Barn Fair. There will be games, a lunch discussion with an equine vet, jog out demonstrations, interactive teaching stations, and we’ll end the day with a discussion by Claire Harmon on changes to the Standards of Proficiency, the new Hunt Seat Equitation track and Western pilot program. Participants will have the opportunity to earn "Region Bucks" worth $10 to be redeemed at a future region activity. One lucky member will win a Rally Entry fee as a door prize. Barn fair is open to everyone, so bring a friend and introduce them to Pony Club! Advance registration is encouraged, and we gladly accept the $5 admission at the door.Region Awards Banquet
--- follows Barn Fair from 6:30 to 11:00 pm at the Brazos Center. We are continuing the participation award program for members that we began last year. We will also recognize outstanding Region volunteers. Tom Byer and the Jammers are returning as our DJ, so get ready for the return of the Pony Club Scavenger Hunt! Quiz Rally
--- has three Jr. D, three Sr. D and one C team competing this year, so it should be a fun and competitive Quiz rally! Good Luck to everyone and thank you to all our volunteers.Accommodations for the weekend are available at the Best Western Premier at Old Town Center in Bryan, TX 979/731-5300. Reservations must be made by Thursday, Feb 24. Be sure to ask for the Rio Grande Region rate of $89.99.
Standard and Certifications Clinic
Mar 31 at Snowdonia Farm, 21605 Mueschke Road, Tomball, TX.
USPC introduced the Hunt Seat Equitation track, the Western pilot program at the Annual Meeting in New Orleans in January. Formerly known as ratings, the Standards of Proficiency for all certifications have received a extensive revision. Members, parents, DC’s, Jt DC’s and club instructors will benefit from attending this clinic.
Regional Teaching Days
Apr 1, Jul 14, Sep 29 and Dec 9, 2012
Smaller region clubs having challenges hosting clinics or mounted meetings now have a unique opportunity to receive instruction from a National Examiner. The Region has planned "Teaching Days" with National Examiners Claire Harmon, Vicki Taylor and Kimberly McDonnell, who have generously offered to teach. The lessons are open to members, prospective members, Horsemasters and friends. Each participant will receive one mounted and one unmounted lesson appropriate to their level. The cost is $50 per person, including grounds fee. The April 1 Teaching Day will be held at New Horizon Stable, 25498 Macedonia, Hockley TX 77447.
Our plan is to hold a teaching day at locations around the region. If you have, or know of, a facility with three teaching areas, please contact me. We’d like to offer teaching days in the Austin, San Antonio and southwest geographic areas of the region.
Recent Events
The Rio Grande Region was well represented at the recent USPC Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Liz S, Tejas Pony Club, represented the region as our National Youth Congress delegate. Emily M, Red Rock, and Becky B, San Jacinto, participated on the National Youth Board. Thanks to everyone who attended. The Annual Meeting is a wonderful benefit to our region as the workshops increase attendee knowledge and our participation in meetings furthers our understanding of how Pony Clubs operate around the country… and from reports a good time was had by all.
Dressage Rally was held Nov 18-20 at Pine Hill. Congratulations to our six qualifiers for 2012 Dressage Championships; Vickie B and Jessica F, San Jacinto; Elizabeth M, Brazos; Erin P, Windy Riders; Caitlyn S, Gulf Coast; and Dani T, Hill Top.
Thank You!
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who turned out on Nov 6 for the Pine Hill Work Day.
Emily Mixon, Becky Brake, Aly Mulconnery, Caitlyn Seabolt, Gigi Ristaino, Kaylee Guidroz, Brittney and Nicole Munro, Bryn Stryk, Meagan McGourty, Katherine and Mark Burns came and made the Pine Hill work day a success! Thank you also to the adult volunteers: Erin Wright, Candy Brake, Glenda Seabolt and Nolan LaTourelle, Andy Mulconnery, Carolyn and Eddie Mixon, Julie Ristaino, Julie Wray Herman, Julie and Tom Burns, Darlene Stryk, Shannon Mercer, Sharon Munro, Bethel Hart, Sharon Shull, Stephanie Tassos, Kirsten Lotter, Homer Milliken, Toni Stevens, and I know I've forgotten someone. We managed to get the entire list of tasks accomplished -- PLUS a few extras! Rio Grande Region Volunteers and Pine Hill volunteers are The Best!
We will continue to schedule volunteer days at Pine Hill, giving back to the facility in return for Phil and Ruth’s support of Pony Club for many years.
Recognition Corner
Area 9 Dressage Championships were held November 3-6, 2011 at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy. Three Rio Grande Members competed and placed in the Junior classes. Congratulations to Jessica F, San Jacinto; Houston J, Hill Top; and Elizabeth McIntush, Brazos. Great job ladies!
USPC 2012 Research Fair – Danielle Kubala 2nd place ribbon for her division!
Regional Certification Day
Sunday, Apr 29 at Pine Hill
Ratings offered will be D1 through C2. This certification is being organized by Kimberly McDonnell, RIC. Additional information is forthcoming.
Third Annual Jumper Derby
Saturday, May 12 at Pine Hill
A wonderful event which has become a local favorite at Pine Hill and a major fundraiser for our Region. Last year, over $2,700 was raised and we used the funds for camp instruction. I hope you will be able to participate this year.
Eventing Rally
Eventing Rally is moving to the fall and is being combined with Dressage Rally. Both will serve as qualifying rallies for 2013 USPC Championships.
Welcome Sterling Hunter Jumpers Pony Club Riding Center
January 1st Rio Grande welcomed it’s first Riding Center into the Region. Located in Buda, TX and administrated by Erin Givens. We are excited to have this center up and running in the Region. They jumped right in and are hosting a table at Barn Fair and competing at Quiz Rally. We’re glad to have you!
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