Horseketeers Pony Club

Going behind the scenes at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine was a huge thrill for the Horseketeers at Equine Education Day this past Saturday. Lectures covered such topics as lameness and the latest on Equine Metabolic Syndrome, and included a video of a foal being born. Demonstrations provided a look inside a horse's stomach, a close-up view of a horse galloping on a treadmill, and a lesson in important points of horse anatormy.  The program wrapped up with a student-led guided tour of the Large Animal barns, operating rooms, and treatment bays, and the Small Animal Hospital. At the end of the tour, participants were able to talk with their student tour guides about how they decided to study veterinary medicine, the competitive application process, and the experience of being a vet student. All in all, an interesting and inspiring day with over 100 of our Sunshine Region and 4H friends! ...

The Horseketeers traveled to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on January 7 to audit the final day of the George Morris Horsemastership Training Sessions, featuring rising stars in the hunter/jumper world.  We were sorry to hear that George Morris himself was under the weather and unable to be there, but it was a beautiful day and a fantastic learning experience. The session was organized in a Nations Cup format, with four teams of three riders and a chef d'equipe.  Grand prix riders Kent Farrington, Christine McCrea, Beezie Madden and McLain Ward served as the chefs d'equipe, providing commentary and evaluation of the riders before, during and after the two jumping rounds. The Horseketeers were treated to helpful insights about - walking a stadium course - developing a plan for your ride - preparing your horse in the warm-up - using your courtesy circle and "pre...

This past Saturday Rachel M. and Elizabeth M. trekked up to the gorgeous Class Act Farm in Apopka for a full day of riding with advanced eventer, trainer, and coach Jennie Jarnstrom and BHS-certified trainer and coach Kathleen Fiske. Thanks to the organizing talents of Miss Allison of Wekiva Basin Pony Club and the generosity of Miss Jennie and Miss Katheen, for $25 all the Pony Club members had 4 hours of dressage and jumping instruction with these superb coaches! The weather was perfect, lots of our Pony Club friends were on hand (some taking advantage of school horses), the farm was decorated for Christmas, and after riding, there was cake! Check out the photostream for lots more photos! Even more photos available here .

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Caelan M. D-1 & D-2 HM Brooke C. D-1 Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Safiya K. D-2 Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

Kudos to all the Horseketeers who rallied this past weekend! The "Horse Bay" team of Megan M., Rachel M., Aviles C., Elizabeth M. and scramble Horse Manager Anna H. from Bay Leaf Pony Club placed third in its division!      Alaila C. scrambled onto the "Sunny Horses" team of Danielle C., Brianna J., and Emily Z. from Suncoast Pony Club, and they finished first in their division!  They also finished second overall in Horse Management!  And this was Alaila's first rally ever.  Aviles C. achieved the highest score of the rally at Intro level, even though this was her very first rally, too!  Not to be outdone, equine Horseketeer Dillon came to the rescue of Madison S. of the "Bay River Express" team.  When Madison's mount refused to load on Friday afternoon, Mr. Sean and Ms. Trish volunteered Dillon.  Even though she'd never been on him before, Madiso...