Horseketeers Pony Club

Setting the Standard Members of the Horseketeers were invited to demonstrate correct riding techniques at the US Pony Club Sunshine Region's annual Standards and Ratings clinic.  The event occured on May 25th at Somerset Farm in Sorrento, Florida.  Elizabeth M. rode Amy, whom she had only been working with the 10 year old quarter horse mare for three weeks.  Rachel M. rode the always energetic Mya, and made great strides in discovering that Mya does have brakes! All of the Horseketeers showed great teamwork, serving a jump crew for other demonstrators as well.  Great job Horseketeers!

Borrowing a page from a recent Daniel Stewart clinic, the Horseketeers conducted this month's meeting over a 3 by 3 grid of fences.  The Horseketeers were required to jump a directed number of fences through a combination of straight approaches, diagonals, and/or bending lines.  The tricky part in that the riders had only a few moments to figure out how they would negotiate the course before starting. Rachel M. and her horse Mya began by taking the "Puma" approach ... ... but got ever rounder as the day progressed. Mikayla and Vino had great course awareness with beautiful lead changes ...   ... and strong Hunter form over the verticals.     Elizabeth and Ella - always spectacular on the flat ... ... are still perfecting their own style over fences! Special thanks to Miss Brenda and Mikenda Farms for hosting this month's meeting. Kick on, and ride hard Horseketeers!!

Way to go Horseketeers on another great Rally!  The team took second in their division in both Horse Management and the Overall score for their Division.  Great job ladies! Pitcured from left to right (below) are Michaela K., Jordan B., Elizabeth M., Jean T. (HM from Wekiva Basin PC), and Rachel M. Special congratulations goes to Jordan B. who also won the John Callaway award for earning the high score for Dressage in the Novice division.  Way to go Jordy! Some of the highlights of the event include ... Rachel M. warming up for Dressage Jordan and Rachel headed out to start Cross Country Jordan on course Rachel on course Michaela clearing a jump on course Elizabeth getting psyched with a little help from Coach Maren in the start box and the always adventurous and humorous Elizaebth testing the limits of her ... cheese sticks! Who knows what these young ladies (and their horses) will do next!

The Horseketeers held their mounted meeting for the month of February at Rocking Horse Stables, in Altoona.  This meeting focused on Cross Country skills, focusing on preparation for the upcoming USPC Sunshine Region Eventing Rally in March. After a chilly start (35 degrees), horses and riders warmed up quickly.  Ms. Maren F. (Horseketeers Eventing Coach, and USPC Graduate A) put eveyone through some challenging and exciting combinations.  Elizabeth M. and Ella started the day like they were being chased by lions!  Rachel M. and Mya were surprisingly cool and collected.  Mya's quarter horse roots won out over her normal Trakehner go-for-broke approach.  Jordan B. and Leo picked up momentum throughout the day, preparaing to compete in the Prelim division of the upcoming Eventing competition at Rocking Horse. In spite of some broken reigns and tired riders, it was yet another great day riding horses! 

Quiz Rally Champs ! Congratulations to Elizabeth M., who was team Captain for the Horse & Foxes scramble team at the Sunshine Region Pony Club 2013 Quiz Rally.  Her team placed first of the four teams at the rally. Quiz Rally requires team members to conduct a number of events that test their knowledge of horse care, horse anatomy, safe riding practices, equine sports, and general Pony Club knowledge. The event was held at Keeran Farm in Geneva, Florida, on February 9th.  As the champions of the "Junior D" division, Elizabeth and her team mates qualified to attend the National Pony Club Championships, to be held this July in Lexington, Virginia.

Double congrats to Jordan B., who qualified for Championships in eventing on the Horseketeers team ("Team Skittles") in March. Because she was back home this summer, Jordan attended Championships West at the Washington State Horse Park. Jordan and her horse Rimsky competed on a scramble team that finished in 2nd place in Horse Management and in 1st place overall! Although no individual awards were given, Jordan and Rimsky had the best individual score at Training Level! Congrats are likewise due to Rachel M., who also qualified for Champs at Novice Level this year with Hot July Daze (Amy). Well done, girls!  You make us proud!

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Megan M. C-2 Horse Management & C-2 Flat Rachel M. C-2 Classic Brooke C. D-2 Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!