Updates from the USPC Annual Meeting

News from the Annual Meeting from Regional Supervisor, Linda Scott:

Wow so many things at the annual meeting, as always. Of course the biggest is the new USPC website, it is still a work in progress but should be more user friendly.  Club leaders will have more opportunities such as online year end packets which I  know some clubs have used in 2013. Coming in the future (pilot program is starting now)will be the financial records on line. Each club will enter their data online, the regional treasure as well as nationals will be able to see all financials for each club. Nationals will file 990 and 1099.

** ATTENTION PONY CLUB MEMBERS**  There are 2 new study sites on the USPC website:

1. Pony Club Tack Trunk The Pony Club Tack Trunk contains educational materials to help you achieve your certification goals in Pony Club! You will find quizzes to make sure you're "tacked up" with all the best information, study "aids" to keep you focused on your goals, and links to various materials to help "groom" you for success.

2. Pony Prep  This is a site from the United Kingdom Pony Club.  Create your own pony avatar and practice pony club online!

USPC  has also changed the Pony Club Chart of Learning (progression charts). Pony clubbers can now go up or a cross but no longer diagonally. The chart is on line and members and club leaders are encouraged to review this important change. 

USPC is working on developing a lower level examiners program to have more consistency in the lower level certifications. Standards and Ratings Clinics will be required ever year in each region and there is a recommendation to have a Regional C2 certification test with an earlier prep. USPC is also recommending that there be Impartial Observers (IO) at every club certification.

Horse Management will be releasing their new rule book sometime in February more on this once we have a chance to review the changes.

It was nice to have some of our members there Annette and Kristen from Leadhound, Chris and Barb from Canterbury, Elise from The Stables, myself of course and last but not least Sonja  and her daughter Hannah who were the to accept Croixside's 25th anniversary award -- Congratulations Croixside!!

Of course everyone was talking about Festival…this is the 60^th anniversary of Pony Club, it is my hope that as many of our members who want to go to Kentucky will be able to go….it is a wonderful experience 

The 2015 United States Pony Club Annual Meeting will be in Washington, DC! 

Time to register for the regional D Retreat

It's now time to register for the Northern Lakes Region D Retreat.  This year pony club members are encouraged to bring along a non-pony club member friend! 

 

Visit the regional website for more information and registration form.

http://www.northernlakesponyclub.org/d-retreat.htm

Chilly Fun at the 2013 C Retreat

Camp St. Croix was once again the venue for the annual Northern Lakes C Retreat.  Over the last weekend in October, 10 pony clubbers from various clubs throughout the region, gathered for a weekend of leadership building exercises, rock climbing, rope halter making and several great horse management seminars.

Friday evening started out with the basics of making a rope halter and enjoying a movie.  Saturday morning was chilly but was a fun -- 3 retreat participants were able to climb all the way to the top of the rock climbing wall and ring the bell!

Rock climbers at the C Retreat

Later in the day a farrier demo showed participants how to set and pull shoes.  The farrier also brought along some unique and somewhat unfamiliar farrier tools.

Additional topics included the importance of creating a solid conditioning schedule and a local equine vet shared knowledge on equine vaccinations.

Sunday morning the retreat ended with information about land conservation and trailer safety.

Although the weather was chilly, a good time was had by both pony clubbers and parent chaperones.

Balancing team building

Thank you to Kimberwicke and Two Rivers' pony clubs for serving as the organizing clubs for this year's C Retreat.

Working together to cross the bridge

How to make your own rope halter & MORE!

What could be better than spending a weekend with your pony club friends, learning how to make your very own rope halter, having fun in team building activities and learning valuable horse management knowledge???  If you want to join in the fun, then register NOW for the Northern Lakes Region annual "C" Retreat.  The registration deadline has been extended to October 10!

The C Retreat is open to D3 members ages 12 and up as well as older D2 members by DC approval.
Horse management topics presented this year will include: 

*conformation faults and how this can lead to illnesses;
*poisonous plants;
*trailer safety;
*developing conditioning programs for your horse;
*parasites;
*farrier demo

Also part of the weekend will be a fun activity to make your very own rope halter!

Visit the region's "C" retreat information page at:  http://www.northernlakesponyclub.org/c-retreat
to find all the forms you will need to register.

Contact Beth Whilock with any questions ewhillock@msn.com

Registration deadline for C Retreat -- only 1 week left!

The deadline for registering for the regional

C Retreat is in one week -- October 4, 2013.

If you are planning to attend, please register NOW so that the organizing committee can continue to plan for the retreat.  At this time there are a few members registered and a commitment from 1 chaperone.  Chaperones are vital to the C Retreat and this activity can not happen without chaperones!

This annual retreat has been a highlight of many pony clubbers' year for many years.  The 2013 retreat is sure to be a great time for all with team building, rock climbing, horse management presentations and pure camp fun!

To sign up for the C Retreat click on the following link:  C Retreat Registration

For more information please contact Beth Whilock at ewhillock@msn.com

Register now for C Retreat

The annual Northern Lakes Region "C" Retreat is now accepting registrations.  Click on the information flyer link to read more about the retreat.  The retreat will be held at Camp St. Croix in Hudson, Wisconsin

 

This year's C Retreat is open to all region members rated D3 and 12 years or older.  Older D2s will be considered based on DC recommendation.  Only 18 spots are available so register now!

Chaperones will be needed for both daytime and overnight shifts.  If your pony club member would like to attend the C Retreat, please consider signing up for a chaperone shift.  Keep in mind that the
C Retreat can only be successful with parent volunteers!

 

All forms and maps are available on the Northern Lakes Region website at: www.northernlakesponyclub.org

Getting ready for rock climbing at the 2012 C Retreat

 

Breakfast at the dining hall!

 

Team building!

 

 

Annual "C" Retreat News

The Annual Northern Lakes Region "C" Retreat is coming soon!  Mark your calendars for the weekend of October 25-27 at Camp St. Croix in Hudson, Wisconsin.  Registration materials will be emailed to club DCs and Center Administrators in the coming days.  In the meantime, the planning committee is looking for parents and upper level pony club members to help with this annual activity.

Please read the note below, from one of the "C" Retreat organizers . . .

 

 

C Retreat organizational help needed!!

 

I am looking for volunteers to help put together activities for this year's C retreat. Items that I could REALLY use help with are:

*Chaperones for the weekend - these folks would also help with craft and free time on Friday and Saturday night.

*Anyone know someone who could talk about land conservation? 

*Anyone want to help find speakers for the weekend? Our committee could use the help!!

*Contact Beth Whillock at 651-253-7088 or via email ewhillock@msn.comif you can help out.