Pony Club Camp 2013

 

Perhaps the video will work for you. It is only about 18 seconds, so hopefully won't overheat anyone's computer.
This vid was from the last day of Hunters Run Pony Club Camp 2013. The wonderful intensive riding/learning/fun week we spend together at Twin Towers Horse Park in Dayton, Ohio.
Accomplished Olympic level Eventer, Mimi Combs, flies in from Virginia to give instruction all week. Each rider gets two rides a day, and they cover show jumping, dressage and cross country. Middlest was our participant this year, although Youngest also came as a #1 Helper-man. He was on KP, jump crew, camper maintenance, runner, water and sunscreen for Mimi duty and head chatter.  Middlest rode Nellie, the horse she acquired in December of last year. Nellie was a star! She did an amazing job all around, and Middlest made excellent progress on Nell. As usual, the company at Camp was the BEST. We have such an amazing group of kids and families in our Pony Club. I feel truly blessed with their contributions, effort, and sunny smiles. Our leaders are smart, strong, sweet women who are giving these riders an amazing start. We also had the help of a few older Pony Clubbers participate.  Sarah L gave the kids lessons in Horse Management (teeth, conformation, anatomy, vital signs, wrapping, lungeing) and Kal helped Mimi and the two did Safety Checks and Turnbacks. Aside: in Pony Club, before a rider mounts, he or she must have their equipment checked to make sure everything is properly adjusted, and correctly fit for safe riding. After a ride, their tack and pony is then checked to make sure it has been properly cleaned before being put away for the day. Safety Checks and Turnbacks.
Anyhoo ( as my friend Trish would say) here are pictures! Well, a few. I did not carry my camera most days. I took some video, and some cell phone images, but mostly I just watched with my eyes. Different than the view through the lens!

Middlest and Nellie relax between turns at the "sand mound/log" on the cross country course.

Cross Country morning was inspired by Britain. It was cool and very misty/raining. But, storm-free, and thus no deterrent to getting out on the course. Youngest was on jump crew, and helped transport standards and poles so jumps could be built where we wanted them in relation to the other features on the course.

 Middlest and Nellie had a great time. If Nellie could talk, I think she would've asked why she was only getting to jump a few jumps at a time when there was an entire course around her. She was always forward and right to a fence, and always looked a bit confused when Middlest pulled her up and waited for the others in her jump group to complete the exercise.

 She navigated everything without worries. I think this was facilitated by me taking her out on the course the evening before. Also in the rain. But she was a bit spooky and revved for our first trip out, and then calm and controlled on the course the next day. This is why in competition, you aren't supposed to ride your horse on a course before competition.
We weren't in competition, but in positive learning mode. JH (photog extraordinaire) rode her child's horse out with me- the ride was her idea, and a great one. Neither of the horses had ever been on that course before (to my knowledge) and they were the only ones at the camp who had never done so. I think it helped make Middlest's cross country day an excellent success. The biggest help though, was she just did a bang-up job!

 Doing a cross rail atop the double bank jump.

 That is me in the white plastic. If a horse can be easy around flapping plastic lady they are pretty solid!

 As Mimi said "We don't know if she'll be rusty, so she may stop or look at the ditch". The telephone poles in the ground have a deep ditch between. Nellie didn't seem rusty atall atall. She seemed thrilled!

 Here they take the first part of a coffin element.

It seems like all my pictures of Mimi are of her back. So, I made sure to show she has a front!!

 They did stadium lessons several times, and each time they just got better!

Fun breaks happen every night of Camp. Besides a swim at the local pool, the kids had a "Painted Ponies" contest, a trip to Young's Dairy for ice cream, a super soaker battle and a jumping competition- without horses.

 Youngest gets a running start!

Mimi talks over Middlest's ride with her. "So, tell me about it."

 

In all, a wonderful experience for me. And, I think, for both Middlest, Nellie and even Youngest. Huge Thank Yous to our fearless leaders, the dynamic duo of Susan and Jill. They are providing a template for success.  Thank you to Mimi, for her humor, her patience, her skills, her deep understanding of horses and her willingness to share them with our children. Thank you to Bonnie for feeding the hungry hordes, three times a day! Thank you to Jennifer for her photography excellence, and her hustle in getting every shot. Thank you to the other Moms for their supporting roles in KP, and running back and forth, sheltering from the storm. Thank you to Sarah for her smile and her forthright manner. She is real with the kids, and a kind teacher, as well as having the biggest pony in Pony Club (17.3hh and the appropriate moniker or Jambo). Thank you to Kal( shortened to protect her privacy...not many around) for unflagging energy beside Mimi, and for taking shelter in Bonnie's camper so I could quit worrying. A BIG Thank You to Toni for giving Nellie a ride in her deluxe accommodation, leaving my truck available to tow somewhere for us to sleep.

And MOSTLY, Thank You to the Pony Clubbers of Hunters Run, who worked so very hard and made the whole she-bang a success. You have all impressed and amazed me with your growth and your knowledge, your positivity and your commitment. You make me smile.

The Fair- Final Chapter 2013, courtesy of a reprieve.

1re·prieve transitive verb \ri-ˈprēv\ re·prievedre·priev·ing Definition of REPRIEVE 1 : to delay the punishment of (as a condemned prisoner) 2 : to give relief or deliverance to for a time

Okay, probably respite it a better word, but it feels a bit like reprieve. I have been operating under the assumption that Pony Club Camp starts today. The Fair ended yesterday- in this I am correct. But, I have just been set right, and Pony Club Camp starts......tomorrow!!!!  AN ENTIRE DAY. Feels like reprieve. Not that PC Camp is a punishment-  just the opposite. The punishment part was in the ridiculously tight turn around time from one event  to the next. A whole day gives Middlest a time to create a superhero costume (for the painted pony contest), clean her tack, clean the trailer, label everything. A whole day means I can clean the camper,  restock it for the week, go to the bank for a few dollars to pay for swimming at the public pool and the craft day. It means clean sheets, time for a shower....it means a chance to put pictures on the  blog!! The Fair- as it continued..... I have never attempted this many Fair days in one blog. But, it is now or never..... Wednesday morning was a scramble for Youngest to get his Global Gourmet presentation together. He went home with Huz in the early morning to help with the barn chores and create sushi rice for charasi style sushi for judging. Also to finish his required binder with a page per activity in the book, the recipe file he made with all the recipes he typed from the 7 different countries whose cuisine he attempted to recreate and the place setting on which to serve the sushi. He received the grade of "A" on the project, but it was awfully complicated to get it all together after the wild day before (chicken, sheep, duck, sheep, goose, chicken ducksheepsheepchicken...see previous blog entry if this seems unfamiliar.)  After his cooking project was judged, back to the hog barn to get Victor ready for the show. Violet was left to snooze contentedly in her pen, not having to get primped as she wasn't within the weight constraints and would not be shown. Victor was washed, scrubbed, and oiled to a fine shine. Plus, I think he liked it.   The awards ceremony for the Foods and Nutrition Project Judging day was presided over by Eldest and Middlest in their capacity as Junior Fair Board members. They switched off on the microphone announcing the placings of all the projects and organizing the ribbons for the Fair Queen and her attendant to hand out. Here, Youngest receives second place in Global Gourmet from the Queen Attendant, while Eldest does the announcing and Middlest peeks out from behind the Queen.    Let the Hog Show begin!!! The show featured 20 classes of hogs with approximately 12 hogs per class. they were divided by sex, and then further by weight for each class. Barrows (castrated male pigs) were the first to show, and Youngest had a 265 lb barrow, which put him in one of the heaviest classes, class 9. The pair walk nicely across the ring.  This year was a huge improvement for Youngest in his knowledge, his showmanship of the hog, and his placing. He placed 9th in his class, which is a bigger deal than it seems. I was very proud of him.  Showing Hogs is a unique activity. Of all the animals, I think this is the most difficult one, most technical, and often least predictable. It seems to really take years, and layers upon layers of practice to become proficient at showing a hog. There are a LOT of rules, and you need to have a keen awareness of your body, your hog's every move and those also in the ring, all this while keeping your eyes on the judge at all times. It is fascinating to watch the elder, experienced showmen with their hogs. One of our own, Emily F. was amazing, and seamless and smooth, and easily- in my humble opinion- the best showman of the approximately 150 youths showing hogs. Youngest is no where near her level, but he showed great improvement, and that means potential. Unfortunately, starting to show hogs your very first year is the best way to become competitive, and that was not our path. Yet, with practice- abundant practice- he will be a fine showman.  Hog Showmanship is, well, a great challenge. I believe there were 3 heats of approximately 15 hogs and their handlers in Youngest's Intermediate Showman category alone. 4 heats of Senior Showman and 3 of Beginner Showman. Each of the categories places only10 youth in ribbons. Once again, Youngest did not place, but this year he did catch the judges eye and was considered. No easy task. Thursday is the most relaxing day for the family. Although both Middlest and Eldest had Junior Fair Board duties during the day, and Eldest was squeezing in crash courses in showing all animals in preparation for the Showman of Showmen contest, as well as teaching the other selected Top Senior Showman about showing poultry. Thursday night is the Beef Show, starting with Dairy Beef Feeders (usually bull calves of dairy breeds- they are raised for their meat as they don't make babies; thus no milk) and ending with the Beef Showmanship. Our club had more than a third of all the competitors in the beef show, and had a wonderful showing, with a Reserve Grand Champion, the Breeding Grand Champion, many first place winners in the classes and the Grand Champion Pen of Four- which is when each club has the opportunity to present 4 cows to be judged for excellence. Saddle and Sirloin has been winning this one for years. On the left is SJ, with her beautiful steer and the big fella is C. Foster, also one of "my kids". Our new camper was a real joy, with plenty of room for Youngest to strew things about. Also, room for trophies, plaques and ribbons a place to eat and room for Huz to stretch out for a minute. Plus... an aerie in the back for Eldest to nestle in and read trashy novels. Friday is another "miscellaneous" project judging day. Middlest showed her leadership project "Leadership Roadtrip" and friend, Emma J. showed "Club Teen Leadership". Both received "A"s. Mr. Woodard, behind,  did a photobombing in the previous shot. Nice one Mr. W.  Friday is a tough day for Youngest. He went home with Huz again to get ready for the judging of his Vet Science 2 project, and to avoid the hog barn, where they were loading up the hogs that weren't being auctioned off on sale day, to go to the butcher. Violet was in this group, and so we all avoided the early morning fairgrounds. But he was somber and sad all day. He mustered a smile for the "A" on his Vet Science project, then we did some diversionary activities.   Like, shoot stuff.       By three o'clock, we were into final prep for the Showman of Showmen contest. This is one of my favorite things at the fair each year, and even more so this one, with our very own Eldest to root for. We also had a dark horse in the contest in Kati W., who won for Rabbit Showman, but had never handled anything bigger than a bunny. Our friend, and club Showmanship Advisor, Steve J., had shifted into high gear getting things ready for our Showmen, including assessing quickly on Wednesday that Eldest did not own an appropriate "show shirt", or jeans, or belt. The shirt is all important- it can catch a judge's eye and make you stand apart. It should be a flattering color, and it must be pressed, or as they call it here, "Texas starched".  The jeans were to be dark, and it so happened that Emma J. had the perfect pair to borrow. Another friend offered up her "bling belt", but the shirt...... So, while Eldest worked her Junior Fair Board tasks, Steve and Emma J. went shopping. Back they came to the fairgrounds with a dozen or so choices for Eldest to try on, selecting the above shirt in orchid pink and then taking it to Porter's Dry Cleaning for a Texas starching. Check our those crisp lines. Their shopping trip also yielded the makings for the turquoise head band, embellished with a sequined feather- perfect for the Poultry Showman of Pickaway County.       And the contest begins! 10 showmen vying for the title of Showman of Showmen!      It began with Bunnies. So the Rabbit Showman -our own Kati W. sat this one out and they read her impressive bio to the crowd.  Eldest was very competent with her rabbit. Easily placing in the top three of the group.  Poultry was next, so Eldest sat it out, only entering the arena for her, equally impressive bio to be read. There are some Smarties in the Saddle and Sirloin- and in the Showman of Showmen!  Sheep were a positive for Eldest, having shown them before, and she once again was in the top of the class.  Hog showing was also very well done, with only one error noticed by my estimation- she didn't brush her hog after the judge touched it. Still, she kept the hog working back and forth about 15 feet from the judge the whole time. She penned him properly, and un-penned him just right.  The goat was a bit more of a challenge. He was pretty keen on going back to his pen, and not very keen on walking beside Eldest. He was NOT going to tolerate her touching his legs to be "set up" and he was NOT going to be braced. Mostly she just stayed patient and waited for the goat show to be over.  She was smart in her choice of horse, and got a very "made" showmanship horse. Plus she rocked the pattern,  and the judge told her she had the best pattern of all the showmen. On the other hand, the judge asked knowledge questions, and she only could think of 4 breeds- the judge requested 5, and on anatomy, she missed the heartgirth. But, she was one of two that got the rest of the parts correct.  For the llama show, she got an alpaca, but they are both shown the same way, and she did well in this one. In the dairy show, she was smooth and slow, and set her cow up well. At this point, she is definitely in the top three of the showmen. (Again, my opinion. They do not let the crown know the placings.) Kati W. got a dairy heifer that was done with showing and more interested in pulling Kati around the arena. I was very impressed with her patience and poise. Not to mention the grit it took to manhandle the heifer. This out of someone who two days previously was pretty leery of anything larger than 5 lbs. The contest finished with steers. And, my Eldest looked like a pro.   Right after this photo, my battery went dead in my camera. And I thought "By Golly, if she wins, I won't even have a photo.     So, I pulled out my phone.    And got a picture of her doing the public speaking portion of the contest.  And, wearing her Poultry Showman of Showmen medal.   And a photo of the Dairy Showman, Macy C. earning the highest Showmanship award of all. Congratulations, Macy! Eldest, and Kati W. , you represented your club and your community well. I am so proud of you!!!!            Sale Day.  Youngest and Middlest were both sad and quiet. With periodic tears throughout the morning. Youngest packed up some of Victor's favorite treats; an apple and ripe strawberries, and went for a cuddle.  Later, he went back with Apple Jacks.  Middlest sold first. She took him with heavy heart to the sale arena. Gandalf has been her buddy since the minute he was born. This is a tough task for anyone, and breaks a tender heart. What I remind them, and myself, is; though short, life was sweet.  She did a fine job in the auction, and friend, Emma J. met her on the other side of the ring, taking Gandalf to the truck so Middlest didn't have to. That is friendship.  One of our biggest supporters in 4-H and life, the Johnson Family Farm purchased Middlest's lamb. She delivered a Thank You basket and a watery smile.  The Hog's turn came too soon, and Youngest went to collect Victor from his pen and deliver him for auction. He got a generous price from a new friend, Kelli R., who purchased the Hog for the mixed martial arts gym- Ronin Training Center in Grandview.  And, held back the tears until he had delivered a basket of treats to say Thank You. We then shifted into Moving Out. The camper went back to Cowfeathers, then back to the Fair with the trailer to collect the poultry and sheep, the wheel barrows, sheep stand, tack boxes and muck equipment. As dusk approached, back to the Fair once more to the campsite to join our camping pals for one last Meat Fest. Pork chops, smoked chickens, brisket, all the fixin's..... and .....  For Middlest..... Bacon! My camera was focused, it was  me who was bleary eyed.   Another Fair in the Books!

The Fair- We've got a horse in this race!

For the first time, we have a contender for Showman of Showman out of our very own Cowfeathers!
Get to that in a minute.....

 Yesterday started with "Weigh In". This is where every market animal gets weighed before the show. They have to "Make Weight" which means they are between the low and high limits set for the species at the show. Middlest's little wool sheep, being shown and sold as a market lamb, weighed in at 106 lbs. The low limit is 90 and the high limit is 140lb.
Youngest's hogs also were weighed. Victor is a heavy 'un at 265, and Violet didn't "Make Weight". She was only 205, and needed to be at least 220. Sigh. She won't be shown, she will just go to the meat packer on Friday morning.

Next family activity was the Dog Show, the girls working as Junior Fair Board members to run the show, Youngest as a competitor.

He showed Julia.

She was a champ!
 

In the end, they came in second to the more accomplished pair of Paris and her handler, Erin R.( also one of my "kids" from our club!)

This morning, dawned as Middlest's 15th birthday. Joy! And, to start it out, she showed the Reserve Grand Champion Turkey. Now, not too excited, it wasn't hers, but one of our other team mates, who had two in the same class.

I love the Turkey show. Especially the part where they hold 45 lb birds upside down for judging the meat. Middlest said her arms eventually started shaking.

A while down the pike came both Middlest and Eldest in the Fancy Poultry show, showing against each other in the Standard Fancy class.

Our calm showman, Middlest, actually lost her bird. It flew over to the fence. She calmly reached out, plucked it out of the air by it's feet and returned it to the table in front of her. Then I caught her "close one" look on camera.

And Middlest Wins! Eldest takes second!

Later, Middlest showed against Youngest in the Fancy Waterfowl Class. Her assistant, Emma J. was quickly tested by Fantine (the goose) and wanted to abandon ship. No takers for goose assisting to be found, so I surrendered my camera to Huz and jumped out of the stands to hold a goose. The pair placed an amazing 4th, despite having started their moult. Youngest's ducks were too molted to garner a ribbon.

And a race to the main arena to show Gandalf in the Market Lamb class. He was a good boy, but not what the judge was looking for today. He placed 5th.

Time out for educating the public! Always make time for this in 4-H.

And greeting friends who arrive with birthday wishes!

And, back to the poultry show to compete in the Senior Fancy Poultry Showmanship.

Against Eldest, who wants to win veryveryvery badly. And she dukes it out with close friend Kara S.

Correctly naming a modern game breed and winning! Now, later, she will get a chance to compete for the Poultry Showman by contesting against the winners of Market, Turkey and Waterfowl.

Main arena: Sheep Breeding show. Glinda takes Champion Border Leicester and Finn takes Reserve Champion Border Leicester.

Then, back to the ring to compete for Senior Sheep Showman. This is a toughie. Middlest is the youngest to be in this group of most advanced showman, she shows the only breeding sheep in the class, and the judge is a self proclaimed Meat Sheep Man.

But, undaunted, Middlest shows on. Glinda is DONE. She is tired, and non-compliant. But Middlest is patient and quiet, and lands in the middle of the pack- a huge feat in this arena, with this judge, who said Middlest was "A Fabulous showman, but at a disadvantage because of showing a breeding sheep."

And, yes, back to poultry for Senior Waterfowl Showmanship. If Middlest wins it, she'll compete against Eldest for Poultry Showman.

The prettiest pair. But, they don't win. The question "At what age do you send a goose to market" trips her up.

But, Youngest has his chance!
 

And, he does a bang- up job.

Going into a tie-breaker for first and coming out with the second place ribbon on the question "What is a Green Duck?"

Now, the moment Eldest has been building to. The door to the Showman of Showman contest on Friday- the big kahuna- will open if she can win Senior Poultry Showman. First she has to defeat the other three accomplished contenders.

And, thrilled, she does so. Knowing the answers to all the combs and the duck breeds, parts of the turkey and chicken. So, now her task begins as she learns how to also show rabbits, dairy cows, goats, steers, sheep, pigs, llamas and dairy goats.

Now, for the big Birthday Bash at the camper corral.

Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!

Future is so bright, she better wear shades.  Love you Middlest!!