Horseketeers Pony Club

Congratulations are in order for the Fox-keteers scramble team -- Katherine V., Claire M., Brooke C., Katie-Rose K., and Elizabeth M. -- who overcame various challenges (including the threatening weather!) to finish first in their division and fourth overall in Horse Management this weekend.  (Note that all the girls got blue ribbons, but some of the blues didn't make it into this photo.)   Check out the photos and videos on the Horseketeers photostream and YouTube channel . Way to go, girls!  We are so proud of you!

Congrats to the Horseketeers team (a/k/a Team Skittles) -- Katie-Rose K., Rachel M., Elizabeth M., Megan M., and Jordan B. -- who were terrific this weekend! They finished first in their division (which amounted to second place overall, out of 7 teams).  And they also were second overall in Horse Management.   Elizabeth M. received an award for having the best dressage score in her division, Beginner Novice (Test A), with an impressive 29.5. That's the equivalent of 70.5%!  Team Captain Jordan B. received the Joan Ketcham Award for Best Spirit. She thoroughly impressed the judges with her quiet can-do attitude and leadership.  Jordan's name will be added to the plaque of this perpetual award, which is especially meaningful because Mrs. Ketcham was Ms. Jane's D.C. many years ago when Ms. Jane was in Pony Club.  Check out the photostream and YouTube channel for photos and videos from the w...

Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! Katie-Rose K. D-1 & D-2 Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

Katie-Rose is our newest Horseketeer!  She and her mount Rebel are doing some eventing this spring. Katie-Rose is looking forward to getting her first certificate and to learning all about Pony Club. Somehow we neglected to officially welcome Brooke, who joined last year. Brooke and her mount Barbie are working on the D2 certificate, and Brooke has proven to be a whiz at quiz games!      

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 .