HRPC Camp 2014- Fun.

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014

 

Chapter 4

So far, in the blogs of PC Camp days
It seems we are all work, seriousness, no play!
So in this addition of Cowfeathers Farm,
I feature some photos of Camp fun and charm!


No camp’d be complete with out painting the ponies,

The teams compete for prizes, no, not for cash monies.
Surprise creative planning is done by each team,

They all pick a pony, some paint and a theme.

We had a Scooter- complete with wheels!

And stooting for the Starz- who won top notch appeal,

But wait, that’s not it…there is still one more

There is Mrs. Seuss, Thing 1,2, 3 and Thing 4!

The kids leave no doubt they like ponies painted,

But Listo made it clear it made him feel tainted.

During the week special talents they share;

A boy who can grill,

A girl who flies through the air!

\

In Pony Club not every kid can ride, grill or fly. But the thing that's important is that you always give it a try! 

 One thing we know they all do supreme, 

is move jumps and poles;    

And eat Young's Dairy Ice Cream!

Pony Club forges friendships.This we promote!

  

We do not require you share ice cream with the goat. 

  

At Camp you are cool! Make no mistake.

If by "cool" you mean you get flaming Birthday Cake!

Sometimes we're loose,

Sometimes we're tight.

Our tack rooms are always labeled and right.

We Camp for the sunsets,

  We Camp for the crafts,

 We Camp for the breakfasts!

We Camp for the laughs.

We Camp for the TEACHING!

We Camp for these mugs.



 We Camp for each other.

We Camp....

for the hugs.

HRPC Camp '14- Cross Country!

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014

Chapter 3

Cross Country!

There are many facets to the sport of Eventing, but the most unique feature is the Cross Country phase. 

This phase combines the partnership of Dressage and the precision of Show Jumping with two challenging features: speed and solid obstacles. 

 The course can cover quite a large area, and includes all sorts of challenges that would be faced in nature. Think "Calvary in battle"...they didn't "go around". So, traditionally, there are walls, banks, ditches, fallen trees, gates, hedges- you get the idea.

The horses usually look pretty wired when they know where they're headed! Well, maybe not Nikki...she likes it well enough, but why expend the extra energy?

 The speed thing starts out fairly unspeedy. Mostly, we are about control on Cross Country!!!

  But it does get faster and the obstacles get bigger- but still about CONTROL! A horse that is racing around and strung out has a better chance of not using his back, jumping flat and hitting an obstacle. That can mean disaster! 

Thus Cross Country also requires some additional safety features. In addition to the SEI/ ASTM approved helmet and smooth soled, heeled boot required for riding in general, we add a puncture-resistant vest that protects your trunk and lower back, and leg protection for the horses. Also, in Pony Club, the riders always wear an armband that has all their emergency information immediately available. There are other safety additions that are often made (over-girths, air bag vests, grease etc.) but at this level are not required.

Here, McKenna and Starz model appropriate Cross Country turn-out for schooling. Minus the cup. Which is important for hydration.

 Before you ride Cross Country, you go check out the course, walk it carefully, make a plan for every step of the way, and figure out your timing; when you should be where in order to make the allotted time for the course. And, if it is hot out, you must experience the water complex up close!

 Some riders get really close. 

 Most of them want a "heads up!" on what to expect. Others may not want to get their feet wet....

 When you're just starting out, a nice trot through the water and jump out over an "X" is a strong beginning.

But as you gain confidence and skill, you move to jumping in the water, or out, or both!

Letting a newer rider "go" just out without anything to help stop them other than their own skill and trust in the pony can be nerve-wracking. But, we are blessed with kind, respectful ponies who do a nice job of partnering. 

 Mostly, they go along, nicely together.

Even when something seems strange or scary, it is remarkable that the horse will often "do it" anyway, simply because we ask. 

Nellie isn't terribly certain about this long ditch lined by telephone poles, but right over she sails!

 Other times, they are pretty sure we don't mean to get anywhere near something possilbly dangerous. But, mostly, we can assure them it will be okay, and they comply.

 Sometimes the anxiety about a challenge is just too great. So, you do something that builds their confidence and move on. Some days are just darker than others.

 

It can be frustrating with all your pals watching. But, remember, we are here to cheer you both on! If you're a rider, you've been there. With a challenge not yet ready to be faced.

Quiet confidence means another day finds you sailing again!

 Or maybe discovering new things about your horse- like they are fearless, athletic, and

 LOVE Cross Country!

 Or, the opportunity to blow bubbles.

Each trip out on the course gives you a chance to learn about yourself. Like maybe you have more grit than you knew.

 Or, you can put your horse smack dab in the center, framed perfectly.

Also, that maybe your big lug of a sweetpea "pony" doesn't have to pick his feet up yet. He's just figuring  out you want to go over!

 And, Mom is there to pat you both with a "well-done!" Appreciate the gifts of these moments, learn and remember. 

 

Mimi, your friends, the Moms, Grandma, and even a Dad are around to give you support.

 And I am here, taking 1500 pictures. So if you think you might forget the lessons of the past year, jog your memory!

Proof I was there.

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014- Dressage and Flatwork

Hunter's Run Pony Club Camp 2014

Chapter 2

Dressage and Flatwork

The format of camp allows each rider to have two lessons a day with Mimi Combs. The first day begins with a lesson on the flat, mostly for Mimi to watch each rider and mount pair to evaluate their skill level. They each have to perform a warm-up routine, and then explain to Mimi what the warm-up consisted of...and why. Then they assess how the warm-up felt on the horse. Of course, the younger kids are still learning this process, but it is fun to hear them mature in their understanding of a ride. Then Mimi sends them back out again to do a bit more, ask for more. 

Youngest and SonnyG. have a trot with McKenna and Starz behind.

Starz- steppin' out!

During the week, they all have a dressage lesson with Mimi as well. Some riders choose to have more than one, while others choose to work over fences instead. 

 Scooter and Katie are working on lengthening his Quarter Horse frame to give him elegance.

 Savanah is just learning the canter this week. But she has a nice soft, natural seat, and had no problems with staying balanced at the canter.

 Mimi is wonderful at explaining things to the riders and helping them to work towards a well-balanced frame. Kaylee and Dakota were tasked with getting him to lower himself through the top of his body and use that powerful hindquarter to push the energy from back to front.

Anna's horse tends to travel behind the bit, squashing his shoulder movement and shortening his stride. Anna worked on getting Heath to pick up his head and lengthen the top of his neck which changed the whole picture. Once he learns to use this energy line, she can then start asking for him to push from hindquarter to poll and back to her hand.

 Nikki is not a huge fan of the dressage arena, but Kelly has worked very hard on her movement and use of her hind end and back. They did very well at USPC Championships last year in Dressage, and have added another dimension this year with elevation- Nikki has a bounce in her step! Our very own equine Benjamin Button just keeps surprising. 

 MacKenzie has some Dressage challenges in Sunny. He'd like to be a bit stiff (he is 24?) and seemed unenthralled by the idea of bending or leg yield. But MacKenzie was game, and we saw a little bit of give by the end of her lesson. 

This is our third year at camp, but the first time I've seen Mimi ride! Mrs. Holmes had asked her to get up on Fancy and give an evaluation, so up Mimi went- and got a surprise. She was startled by how much Fancy wants that big head held up, and doesn't really respond to the seat. She thought she could soften her in the front and let her go, but that just made Fancy to faster! 

Mimi on Fancy

It was another illustration on how Hannah may not be big, but she is effective.

When Middlest arrived for her Dressage lesson, Mimi said to her "Hand her over." Mimi wanted to see where the nose to the sky issue was based. Is it a physical thing? Mouth? Teeth? Soreness? Nope. None of the above. The mare wants a trustworthy outside rein, a ton of inside leg and a bend, and BOOM! No more turkey in the rain. 

Mimi on Nelle

Inspiration for Middlest to continue to strengthen her lower leg, and be a bit more demanding with her contact.

In between riding, cleaning up and eating, there is always time for an "appointment" in the salon! Kaylee wore a full crown of clover by the end. 

By the end of the week, the horses varied from a bit worn out (Starz- but the little pony does three times as much as the horses!) to ready to go out on Cross Country (Fancy. Not sure what it would take to tire her out!) But the last lessons of the day were for the kids who had chosen another go at Dressage with Mimi. 

 Listo and Val have qualified to represent our region at the USPC Championships in Dressage, and performed their musical freestyle for Mimi the last day. I had seen the same test a few weeks ago, and was greatly impressed by the changes in the pair. Val had a lighter seat and an effective leg, Listo was travelling forward and relaxed. They made it look effortless and enjoyable!

I know you can't see Hannah and Fancy's faces in this shot, but I'm just in love with this picture.Look at their alignment! The perfect bend on the circle! Hannah's lightness- even more amazing with the understanding from Mimi of how heavy Fancy is in the front. I give them a "10"!

 Rylee and Falcon also qualified for Dressage Championships, but also qualified on the Quiz team, so are going to compete in Quiz. But, they also showed off their musical freestyle to the group for fun.
And, it was fun with accompaniment from an orchestral version of Aerosmith.  

 Middlest also performed her musical freestyle to music from West Side Story, even though it was hot and dusty. For the first time that I watched it, Nellie didn't match her stride to the music and was a bit fast. Maybe we have one more ready to go back out on Cross Country! 

Appropriate as Cross Country is Chapter 3......