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Old Dominion News

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 Eventing Rally returns to the Old Dominion, in Conjunction with Dressage Rally & Starter Trials!

ODRPC was able to hold an Eventing Rally in our region for the first time in several years. This was possible due to the support of Virginia Horse Trials in holding both Dressage Rally and Eventing Rally with their Spring Starter Trials. Dressage and Eventing Rallies shared a barn and Horse Management. Dressage Rally held its own rides on Saturday, including Musical Freestyles, and used Starter Trials Dressage-Tests division for rides on Sunday. Eventing Rally used Starter Trials HT and CT divisions for all rides. Vet Box for Eventing Rally was provided by ODRPC alumna and Virginia Tech vet student Holly Newberne.  

In addition to a great rally, ODR members represented well at Starter Trials! Three of our Dressage riders received ribbons in the Dressage-Tests division! Three of our eventers won ribbons in HT and CT divisions, including First Place in the Novice HT and First Place in the Green-as-Grass CT!

Congratulations to all competitors for a fabulous weekend!

National Youth Congress Old Dominion Region Representative

Austin S., a 20-year-old H-A member of Glenmore Hunt Pony Club represented the Old Dominion Region at the National Youth Congress during this year's USPC Convention. 

The USPC National Youth Congress (NYC) was established in 1998 in order to recognize outstanding Pony Club members and build on the leadership skills they've developed throughout the years. The NYC provides intensive leadership training to 18-23 year old Pony Club members who have attained a National Certification (H-B, C+, C-3, B, H-HM, H, H-A or A). Members are challenged to apply their Pony Club experience to make meaningful contributions to the larger world and think about how they can continue to use the leadership skills developed through Pony Club in their school and future careers.

Austin described his experience: "The NYC experience was beyond my expectation. The scope of the input that we as a congregation had on the board functions was more than I had thought it would be. I felt our ideas really mattered to them, and that we were able to influence the organization in some way going forward. I also was pleased to make acquaintance with the two fabulous Academy of Achievement alumni, Sally Ike and Carol Kozlowski. Working with them on our ideas was invaluable and they're both amazing women that I am pleased to have gotten to meet. Lastly, to the friends that I met that weekend whom I am still talking to. Thank you to them, the Old Dominion region, and the USPC for allowing me this opportunity. "

 

USPC Equine Symposium & Convention comes to the Old Dominion!

  Old Dominion Region hosted an exciting, fun, and educational USPC Equine Symposium & Convention January 26-30, 2022 in Norfolk Virginia! 

The symposium included many educational opportunities, leadership training, trade fair, silent auction, "pony paddock" for the younger kids, banquet, and a chance to share and learn with Pony Club leaders, members, and volunteers from around the country.  Virtual access is available for 6 months to those who registered.

 

Old Dominion Members at National Youth Congress

The USPC National Youth Congress (NYC) was established in 1998 in order to recognize outstanding Pony Club members and build on the leadership skills they've developed throughout the years. The NYC provides intensive leadership training to 18-23 year old Pony Club members who have attained a National Certification (H-B, C+, C-3, B, H-HM, H, H-A or A). Members are challenged to apply their Pony Club experience to make meaningful contributions to the larger world and think about how they can continue to use the leadership skills developed through Pony Club in their school and future careers.

This year the NYC was held as part of the virtual national meeting. Old Dominion Region was represented by Kendall B, a C3 from Glenmore Hunt, and Mandolin W, a B from Roanoke Valley. 

Kendall says of her experience: "Going into NYC, I had no idea what to expect! I was not sure of what I would be doing, or who I would meet, but I quickly became very excited and passionate about what we were working on! I was so amazed by all the great ideas that not just my group came up with, but all the other groups as well. It is so great to see all the different minds, perspectives, opinions, and backgrounds come together and present the proposals! Overall, I really enjoyed the opportunity to be able to voice problems and concerns, as well as develop solutions to help better the future of Pony Club."

Mandolin described her experience: "NYC was a really cool and educational experience! Because the convention was held online, it was easy to attend and I was able to meet a lot more people than I would have otherwise. What really stuck with me most was learning about the careers and paths different people take through the equine industry, and how Pony Club always seems to bring people back to it! We also created proposals to improve Pony Club and the equine industry as a whole, which was very exciting to be a part of. The overall experience was super enlightening, and I'm thankful to have been a part of it!"

 

Congratulations to Old Dominion Members who achieved National Certifications in 2020!

ODRPC is very proud of these members on the hard work and dedication that they showed in achieving National USPC Certifications in 2020! Congratulations to you all!

Elizabeth D, Mountain Skyline: C-3 Eventing

Emily D, Mountain Skyline: B Eventing

Nicole M, Roanoke Valley: H-B

Austin S, Glenmore Hunt: H-B, C-3 Eventing, H-HM

Mandolin W, Roanoke Valley, H-B, B Eventing

Roanoke Valley Celebrates 50 Years!!

Congratulations to Roanoke Valley Pony Club on their Golden Anniversary! USPC has been around for 65 years, and RVPC has been a registered club for 50 of those years. They will be recognized at the USPC National Convention for this incredible milestone, and is the first club in the Old Dominion Region to reach 50 years! 

Welcome Sandy River Equestrian Center!

Sandy River Equestrian Center is the newest Pony Club Riding Center in the Old Dominion Region. They will be hosting an Open House on Saturday November 16 from 1pm to 3pm. Come on out for information, facility tour, and membership sign-up!

Show Jumping Rally

We had a very successful Show Jumping Rally, hosted by Mountain Skyline and Brook Hill Farm! We had riders from Cross-Rails up to Horse 1 division, and everything in between.

Congratulations to the winner of the Dancing Weather Memorial Trophy: Lillian M, Crescent Bay

Congratulations to individual winners at each level:

Qual Horse 1:                  Mandolin W, Roanoke Valley

Qual DHR:                       Abby M, Deep Run Hunt (Va Region)

Qual Intro Rider:             Reagan R, Roanoke Valley

NQ Horse/Pony:              Maelyn K, Buffalo Creek

NQ Beginner Jumpers:    Leia B, Mountain Skyline

NQ Cross-Rails:               Robin A, Brook Hill

Team Starstruck wins Prince Phillip Cup!

Congratulations Team Starstruck on winning the Prince Phillip Cup!

Starstruck mounted games team scrambled to compete at the 2018 Championships East at Tryon.  They placed 1st in HM and placed 2nd overall in the JR division.  The top four teams from the JR division at Champs get an invitation to compete for the Prince Philip Cup that is held during the Land Rover KY 3 Day Event at the KY Horse Park the following April.  Starstruck won the 2019 PPC!  

Members of Team Starstruck were: Shakira Marquis (Capt) on Missie, White Mountain Region; Hailey Zaun on Daddy's Fury, Old Dominion Region; Hannah Sutton on Pork Chop, Old Dominion Region; Madison Zaun on Sunflower Power, Old Dominion Region; and Reese Pike on Maggie, White Mountain Region. The team was coached by Adrienne Berard .

Prince Philip created mounted games in England as a way for children to be able to compete who were unable to afford expensive well bred ponies.  The first competition for the Prince Philip Cup was held in 1957 in England.  In 1985, USA started to have this competition as well to promote the discipline.

We are grateful for Sharon DeCant and John Raniowski who have sincere interest for mounted games and the passion of having a fun games rally, which began our journey.

Dressage Rally

Mounted Rallies are under way with a great ODRPC Dressage Rally, hosted by Roanoke Valley Pony Club! We had riders from age 6 to adult, riding from Intro level up to 2nd level, and Western Dressage. And we enjoyed many beautiful musical freestyles.  

Congratulations to individual High Point winners:

Intro Level:   Keelin C. on Gracie, Sinking Creek

Training Level:   Claire M. on Dallas, Buffalo Creek

First Level:   Deven Z. on Higgy, Sinking Creek

Second Level and winner of the Susan Baizley Award: Jayna L. on Orans Gold Fortune, Sinking Creek

Western Intro Level:   Blair P. on Prince, Buffalo Creek

Western Basic Level:   Corrine W. on Chief, Roanoke Valley

  

  

Photos by Melanie Gallimore Photography

 

Quiz Rally

A very successful ODRPC Quiz Rally was held March 9 at Blue Ridge Community College, hosted by Glenmore Hunt Pony Club! We had many competitors in divisions ranging from Rising Stars / Novice, up to HB. 

Congratulations to individual High Point winners:

Rising Stars / Novice:   Sophie R., Buffalo Creek

Junior D:   Evelyn W., Sinking Creek

Senior D:   Morgan T., Glenmore Hunt

HB (and winner of the Quiz Whiz award):   Madisyn D., Crescent Bay

 

National Youth Council

The National Youth Council met during the USPC Equine Symposium and Convention, January 30 - February 3 in Stamford Connecticut. Old Dominion Region was represented by Charlotte Holden, a 20-year-old C3-traditional certified member of Mountain Skyline Pony Club.

The NYC provides intensive leadership training to 18-21 year old Pony Club members who have attained a National Certification (H-B, C+, C-3, B, H-HM, H, H-A or A). Members are challenged to apply their Pony Club experience to make meaningful contributions to the larger world. The National Youth Congress experience includes mentoring and networking with members of the USPC Academy of Achievement, Pony Club alumni from all over the country who are current leaders in a variety of fields.

Happy New Year!

Old Dominion Region is excited to provide many exciting opportunities for our members in 2019! From Upper Level Clinics to Rallies, please visit the Calendar page for details on upcoming events.  And check back on this page throughout the year for updates, photos, and news from around the region!


Show Jumping Rally

Thank you to everyone who competed or volunteered at Show Jumping Rally! It was the largest mounted rally the region has had in several years, with 52 riders on 14 teams.  We also enjoyed spending time together at another great potluck dinner, which is definitely going to become an ODRPC rally tradition!

11 members qualified for championships at this rally.

Congratulations to Mandolin W., Roanoke Valley, on winning the Dancing Weather Memorial Trophy.

Congratulations to Individual High Point winners:

Cross-Rails: Carrie M., Roanoke Valley

Beginning Jumpers: Molly G., Brook Hill

Horse or Pony: Maddie W., Glenmore Hunt

Introductory Rider:  Madisyn D., Crescent Bay

Developing Horse/Rider: Leah C., Roanoke Valley

Horse 1: Mandolin W., Roanoke Valley

Dressage Rally

Thank you to everyone who helped make Dressage Rally a huge success and a ton of fun - organizers, co-hosts, staff, and volunteers all worked hard to put on a great rally! Excellent riding and horsemanship, plus a wonderful potluck dinner and a polocrosse mini-clinic made for a fantastic weekend! We had 10 people attempting to qualify for Championships, and all 10 did qualify! Plus there were many other great rides from Intro Level up to First Level, and also Western Dressage. And we had many creative and fun Musical Freestyles. 

Congratulations to Grace H., Mountain Skyline, on winning the Susan Baisley Award.

Congratulations to Individual High Point winners:

Intro:  Kate M., Glenmore Hunt

Training: Kate C., Roanoke Valley

First Level:  Grace H., Mountain Skyline

HB/HA Prep

Kim Cranford,  National Examiner, was our instructor for another excellent HB/HA Prep Clinic! The clinic was held at Hoofbeats on February 10. It was a long day,  but members came away with lots of knowledge and a deeper understanding of what is expected of an HB or HA candidate.  There will be a half-day HB Prep November 10 in conjunction with the fall Regional Council Meeting. 

 

      

Upper Level Mounted Prep

Thank you to Mark and Mimi Combs for teaching a great Upper Level Mounted Prep on a cold January day at the Virginia Horse Center! The clinic included flat lessons, switch rides, and grids, and was a great learning experience for C-level members thinking about testing for national certifications, or just wanting to continue advancing their riding skills. 

          

 

National Youth Congress

 

The USPC National Youth Congress celebrated its 20th anniversary this year at the 2018 Equine Symposium and Convention, January 25-28, in Louisville KY. Representing the Old Dominion Region at this year's NYC was Madisyn DeCant.  Madisyn is an H-B / C-2 rated member of Crescent Bay Pony Club. She is very active with her club; has competed at regional rallies in many disciplines, including Eventing, Dressage, Show Jumping, Polocrosse, and Games; and has represented the region at numerous USPC Champsionships. 

The NYC provides intensive leadership training to 18-21 year old Pony Club members who have attained a National Certification (H-B, C+, C-3, B, H-HM, H, H-A or A). Members are challenged to apply their Pony Club experience to make meaningful contributions to the larger world. The National Youth Congress experience includes mentoring and networking with members of the USPC Academy of Achievement, Pony Club alumni from all over the country who are current leaders in a variety of fields.

 

 

 

ODRPC member wins Bit of Britain's "Next Top Rider" Contest!

 

 

Congratulations to Old Dominion Region member, Austin Skeens, who has been named Bit of Britain's Next Top Rider! Austin is a C-1 rated member of Glenmore Hunt Pony Club. This award comes with a $1500 sponsorship from Bit of Britain, to help Austin continue to pursue his passion for Eventing.