Northern Lakes Region Update

posted by Debbie Kanda, NLR Secretary

Did we skip spring???  Today it is 90 degrees in many parts of the Northern Lakes Region and maybe we are finally feeling like we've turned the corner.  If you and your pony clubber are making summer plans, don't forget to consider several fantastic options offered by the NLR!

* NATIONAL EXAMINER CAMP -- June 11-15 at Schweiss Farm in Hector, MN
A new location for this awesome summer camp.  NE camp is designed to prep pony clubbers interested in national ratings this year or in future years for the level of expectations required to pass national certifications.  This year the camp clinicians are Richard Lamb & Claire Harmon.  An opportunity to ride with clinicians at this level only comes around once a year so take advantage and sign up now.  ONLY 2 SPOTS REMAINING!
Register for National Examiner Camp


*  D and YOUNGER C CAMP -- June 27-30 at University of Wisconsin - River Falls.
What could be more fun than 3 days with your horse and staying overnight in University dorms!  Join in the fun at the Northern Lakes Region D and younger C camp.  This is the 3rd year for the camp and many exciting activities are planned.  The camp planning committee has two former CPC grads who went to Nationals in Games leading the games portion of the camp and other fabulous upper level Pony Clubbers who will be instructing on the flat and over fences. There are even educational sessions for parents so us parents can learn about trailer safety and rallies among other topics!  The best thing about the camp is that there will be a mini Mock Rally at the end so that the riders can practice everything they need to know to rally successfully this summer.  There will be ribbons : )  It will be a great introduction to all things Pony Club.Don't delay in sending in your registration.  The camp planning committee would also like you to know that sharing horses at the camp is always an option.  So, don't let the lack of a mount stop you from signing up for this camp!
Register for D Camp


* NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS -- July 20 & August 23-24 -- UW-River Falls
The HB certification is planned for July 20.  Registration deadline for this certification is May 25.  Check the USPC website national certifications page for more details.  The C3 Traditional and just added is a C3 Dressage specialty certification will be August 23-25.  Deadline to register for these testings is June 28.
USPC National Testing Page

* BRIDGET TWINING MEMORIAL FOUNDATION AWARDS
Reminder that the Northern Lakes Region is offering 2 complete, paid registrations for the horse trials and 2 complete, paid registrations for the horse trials and clinics.  Visit the Northern Lakes Region website to print an application.  Also visit the Bridget Twining Memorial Foundation website for additional information about the show and the clinics.  MEMBERS:  consider taking advantage of this opportunity -- it's not often that a generous opportunity like this comes along!
Application

May 6, 2013

Regional Supervisor Blog

 

CAMPS! 

The organizers are working extra hard to make this year’s camps, both the D/C camp at UW River Falls, and the NE Camp in Hector, terrific. If you haven’t signed up, don’t delay as the deadline approaches.

Link to the NE Camp: National Examiner Camp 2013

Link to the D/C Camp: D/C Camp 2013

USPC FESTIVAL!

 

You can qualify for the National Championship’s for 2014 in 2013.  That’s right, we are already planning for next year’s Festival by offering qualifying rallies this year while your horse’s are fit and conditioned.  You can qualify at Schweiss’s fall Roebeke’s Run this year 2013, for Festival USPC Championships in Lexington, KY 2014.  Plus you will need an event, like Otter Creek Fall, or Spring show.  Start planning your team now.  The Dressage Rally is in August and we need to know if you want to qualify for festival at that rally.  If we have enough people, we will make sure it is a qualifying rally.  Go to the www.northernlakesponyclub.org website for a list of all the calendar dates. The website has a few other interesting additions like a link to a webinar you might be interested in, so check it out!

Link to USPC webinar: Writing Constructive Comments on Test Sheets

 

COLLEGE!

Do you know that colleges are well aware of the type of person you are as a member of USPC and that this matters on your college applications?  They know that a pony club member goes the extra mile volunteering, mentoring, testing their knowledge and rallying which creates the type of student they want in their college.  To be able to say that you qualified for a National Championship in your sport is important.  So talk to your parents about qualifying for Festival next year.   And did you know pony club offers scholarships, too? 

Many colleges have equestrian programs and if that interests you watch for the next Sideline’s Magazine that will have a section devoted to college’s with equestrian programs.  You can also friend them on Facebook.  One of the articles was written by a former member who was awarded her journalism internship because she was in pony club and went the extra mile.   Every day in pony club, you put in that extra effort to teach and mentor another member. You help in your community with your conservation efforts.  And, you learn the horse management skills to care for a living animal.  It does get noticed time and time again and it sets you apart from the rest.  So keep up the good work and remember to thank your volunteering parent who is making sure you get this opportunity!

MAY Regional Supervisor BLOG

This weekend make sure and visit the Northern Lakes Region pony club booth at the MN Expo at the fair grounds!  MN Horse Expo  The NLR booths will be in the sheep barn this year and will have games, face painting, demos and more.  Stop by and say "hello" to your fellow pony club members and thank them for volunteering to spread the word about how great pony club is!

 

 

 

2012 HB candidates relaxing after a long day of testing!

 

Do you know that the deadline for National Certification applications is May 25 for the HB which is scheduled for July 20th? Also, NLR will host the C3 Traditional at the University of Wisconsin River Falls on August 23-25. Applications must be complete, fill out online, 8 weeks prior. Please see www.ponyclub.org and go to national testing schedule to see where else testing is happening. If you have questions about this process, email or call me, especially if this is your first National Certification.

 

D Camp 2012 Quadrille

 

The D & young C camp is quickly approaching. The sign up forms are on the regional website at www.northernlakesponyclub.org . The organizers are planning a really fun camp so don't miss out! You will be staying in college dorm rooms at the University of Wisconsin, River Falls and your horse stabled at their facility. We need 5 responsible Cs or higher to help out. Contact me if you are willing and we will provide your dorm room and other incentives! lindanmurf@aol.com

National Examiner Camp 2012

The NE camp is happening even sooner and the deadline is May 15th. Limited spots available so sign up ! We are having two "A" examiners at Schweiss' Roebeke Run facility in Hector, MN. Richard Lamb, is not only an "A" examiner for USPC, but he is an Olympic coach! Claire Harmon is back by popular demand as well. This is sure to be a great camp. NE Camp Forms

Organizers are also planning a polocrosse camp and a Dressage Rally later in August so watch for details!

 

Finally, if you haven't watched the video at www.btride.org you should. Applications are being taken until June 1 for free entry to the show and some free entries for the show and clinics. Find them under "forms" on our regional website.

 

Welcome Spring!

Remember to have a plan to condition your horse so that you avoid tendon and ligament injuries as you welcome warming riding weather. Ask your trainer what your plan should be for you and your horse if possible, or research online. Keep your mount conditioned to avoid injuries!

 

Thank you to all the parents, volunteers and members who make the Northern Lakes Region such a success!

 

Linda Murphy

Regional Supervisor (RS) Northern Lakes Region

Registration now open for regional "D" Camp

Calling all D-Level and Young C Riders

Join the Northern Lakes Region pony clubbers for 3 jam-packed days of activities. Mounted sessions include flat work, jumping, games, and rally prep. We’ll also have unmounted instruction

and fun non-horse activities, and so much more. On Sunday, a “mock” rally will be held to show what you’ve learned!

 

Dates: Thursday, June 27 to Sunday, June 30

$260 EARLY BIRD RATE (must be postmarked by May 10)

$285 regular rate (postmarked by May 18)

Cost includes lodging in dormitory (2 campers/room) and all meals and snacks.

Chaperones receive a discounted rate of $135 (includes lodging and meals).

Registration will be handled through each Club’s District Commissioner.

Questions? Contact any of the following organizers from chapters of the Northern Lakes Region:

Frances Blair (Two Rivers): (715) 404-6091 or pheasantknoll@yahoo.com

Christine Kelley (Canterbury): (612) 730-9174 or casullivankelley@gmail.com

Tracie Wilcox (Laurentian): (218) 780-6064 or tracie1031@hotmail.com

More information and forms can be found on the Northern Lakes Region website under "Events/Activities"
www.northernlakesponyclub.org
 

Harness Horse Youth Foundation Youth Horsemanship Program Returns To Running Aces Harness Park

Westfield, IN- The Harness Horse Youth is presenting a two-day harness horsemanship program at Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus on June 25 and 26. The program is open to children age 11 and up, but an application must be filled out and sent to the organization. Applications are posted at http://www.hhyf.org/programs.asp. The program fee is $20, which includes meals and all camp materials. The event is being presented in conjunction with Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc. Last year’s program sold out, with twenty children in attendance.

Participants will work hands-on with the HHYF’s stable of Trottingbred horses, a smaller version of the pacers and trotters that race at Running Aces. Among the topics to be covered are care and grooming, equipment, harness racing history and equine careers. Each student will get the chance to drive a horse, assisted by a licensed trainer or driver. The program is one of dozens across the country being conducted by HHYF this summer. For questions, please e-mail HHYF Executive Director Ellen Taylor at ellen@hhyf.org.

 

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs, and creation and distribution of educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF, or to support its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.

 

For more information on this release, please contact HHYF Project Manager Keith Gisser 216-374-1392 or keith@hhyf.org

CONGRATULATIONS! 

 Congratulations to the following pony club members of the Northern Lakes Region.  Their names were drawn from those who signed up for the Northern Lakes Region blog!  Winners will receive a $20.00 Dover Saddlery gift card compliments of the Dover Saddlery store in Medina, MN.  Dover Saddlery in Medina

Again, congratulations to:
Lori I.
Tracie W.
Annette M.
Shelby H.
Val S.

Encourage your fellow pony club members to sign up for the Northern Lakes Region blog!  This is a great way to receive information regarding regional events and activities.

http://www.northernlakesponyclub.org/nlpc-news.htm

Update from USPC Annual Meeting and Spring Regional Meeting

The 2013 USPC Annual Meeting was held this year in Denver, Colorado. Below are highlights from the meeting that I hope you all will enjoy!

E MEMBERSHIPS; a new form of membership starting at $15 which includes privileges to the Pony Club News Magazine, the blog Pony Club Pizza, Facebook and Twitter social media outlets, the bookstore, and more!   E-members are invited to attend educational workshops and utilize online educational resources.    This is a great way to “try out” pony club without the expense of an individual membership.

CEO, Kevin Price, shared that USPC is encouraging clubs to network locally with organizations like the Minnesota Hunter Jumper Association and the US Dressage Federation in our zone to let them know about what is new in pony club.  Many adult members there are former USPC members.  Many times the members in these organizations are looking for ways to increase their knowledge in Horse Management and this is an area where pony club excels!

REGION UPDATE SPRING 2013

The Northern Lakes Region held its annual spring meeting on February 23, 2013 at the Leatherdale Equine Center.  We had a fantastic turnout with more than 20 in attendance representing all clubs and riding centers along with a few interested parents!

National Certifications deadlines for USPC online must be submitted with all paperwork no later than 8 weeks before you rate!  Deadline for the request to rate to the RS by the schedule below, please.  http://www.ponyclub.org/?page=ULTestSchedule

Dates to keep in mind for the upcoming year:

·         Quiz Rally – Congratulations to all contestants and to those who qualified

·         May 1- Deadline for your request to do national certification  HB sent to RS

o   lindanmurf@aol.com or 1002 Evans Rd, Aiken, SC 29803

o   May 25 is deadline to then do application online for HB 7/20

·         Standards & Certifications Clinic – April 28 at the U of M Leatherdale Center

·         Deadline to request to rate to RS for C3 Traditional

·         D Camp – June 27-30 at University of Wisconsin River Falls

·         Deadline to do online application for C3 Trad is June 28, for Aug 23-25 certification

·         National Examiner Camp – June 11-14 at Schweiss Farm

·         HB Certification – July 20 (tentative)

·         Bridgette Twining Memorial Foundation Horse Trial & Clinic – July 25-29

·         Dressage Rally – August 3 at The Stables Equestrian Center in Rochester, MN

·         C3 Traditional & Potentially “B” & “A” certifications – August 23-25

·         Eventing Rally – October 4-6 at Schweiss Farm

 

Junior Board: Interested in joining the Northern Lakes Region Junior Board?  Junior Board membership is open to any pony club member from the region who is 16 years old and has attained the HB certification level.  There is also a Junior Board Council which is open to all C1 and up pony club members.  Contact Linda Murphy for more information.

 

MN Horse Expo:  Look for the Northern Lakes Region booth at the MN Horse Expo April 26-28. (Location: Sheep Barn booths #S305 & S307)  Volunteers are always needed to staff our booth and to show the diversity of United States Pony Club.  If you are interested in volunteering at the MN Horse Expo, contact Beth Whilcock from Kimberwicke Pony Club at  ewhillock@msn.com