Each June, the Mid South Region of United States Pony Club hosts a Mega Rally at the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) in Lexington, KY. The Mega Rally is comprised of several smaller rallies or shows held consecutively over 9 days. Pony clubbers have the opportunity to compete in several disciplines: tetrathlon (similar to the Olympic pentathlon event), dressage, show jumping or eventing. This year, 9 local West Tennessee Pony Club (WTPC) members competed in the Mega Rally.
Most of the entrants compete on a 4-person team against other teams of same or similar ratings. Ani Blair and Andrea Rowanjoined with members of another pony club to form a scramble team and competed in the show jumping rally.
The least experienced pony clubbers (a D1 rating) compete as individuals in the D1event, with more experienced pony clubbers allowed as their advisors. Six of our members participated in the D1 rally, which requires each entrant to ride a dressage test and complete a stadium round of 1-foot jumps. Natalie Hanisco, Sarah Beth Slaughter, Grace Read, and Ethan Read competed in the D-1 rally. Two of WTPCʼs more experienced members, Laura Meyer and August Marshall, who have both achieved one of the highest Pony Club ratings: B, attended the rally as advisors for our four D-1 competitors. As advisors, they were able to guide the younger members and share their knowledge gained from many past pony club rallies.
Alana Vogel competed as part of a scramble team in the D2 eventing rally. The D2 eventing rally requires a dressage test, a stadium jump course of 2-foot jumps and also includes a cross-country course of ten 2-foot jumps.
Once at the rally, comes my childrenʼs favorite part - they are “on their own!” The pony clubber is responsible for all care of their mount and they are solely responsible for grooming, tacking, untacking and after-ride care. Team members can help each other and are encouraged to do so, but no outside assistance is allowed. There are plenty of adults to monitor safety and all riders are safety-checked prior to mounting. The D-1 competitors also enjoyed one of the bonuses of being at KHP for rally - they took a fun tour with their advisors of the KHP museum and visited their stable of famous horses in between classes.
Final placings in each event are based on a combination of scores. Each rider receives a score for their rides. They are also judged on their horse management skills, according to their pony club rating - rider turnout, grooming, tack cleanliness, horse care and horse keeping. And finally, each rider takes a short written test on their knowledge of horses and the event they have entered.
Quite a few of our competitors this year also enjoyed one of the other great bonuses of the Kentucky Horse Park - their awesome camping facility! It was tremendous fun to hang out with the other pony club families at the campground and pool after each dayʼs activities, then head back to the campsites for grilled dinners and some sʼmores. Many great memories were made at this yearʼs Mega Rally!
For more information on West Tennessee Pony Club, visit the website: www.wtn.ponyclub.org
Results for the 2011 Mega Rally can be viewed at: http://www.midsouthponyclub.org/
Most of the entrants compete on a 4-person team against other teams of same or similar ratings. Ani Blair and Andrea Rowanjoined with members of another pony club to form a scramble team and competed in the show jumping rally.
The least experienced pony clubbers (a D1 rating) compete as individuals in the D1event, with more experienced pony clubbers allowed as their advisors. Six of our members participated in the D1 rally, which requires each entrant to ride a dressage test and complete a stadium round of 1-foot jumps. Natalie Hanisco, Sarah Beth Slaughter, Grace Read, and Ethan Read competed in the D-1 rally. Two of WTPCʼs more experienced members, Laura Meyer and August Marshall, who have both achieved one of the highest Pony Club ratings: B, attended the rally as advisors for our four D-1 competitors. As advisors, they were able to guide the younger members and share their knowledge gained from many past pony club rallies.
Alana Vogel competed as part of a scramble team in the D2 eventing rally. The D2 eventing rally requires a dressage test, a stadium jump course of 2-foot jumps and also includes a cross-country course of ten 2-foot jumps.
Once at the rally, comes my childrenʼs favorite part - they are “on their own!” The pony clubber is responsible for all care of their mount and they are solely responsible for grooming, tacking, untacking and after-ride care. Team members can help each other and are encouraged to do so, but no outside assistance is allowed. There are plenty of adults to monitor safety and all riders are safety-checked prior to mounting. The D-1 competitors also enjoyed one of the bonuses of being at KHP for rally - they took a fun tour with their advisors of the KHP museum and visited their stable of famous horses in between classes.
Final placings in each event are based on a combination of scores. Each rider receives a score for their rides. They are also judged on their horse management skills, according to their pony club rating - rider turnout, grooming, tack cleanliness, horse care and horse keeping. And finally, each rider takes a short written test on their knowledge of horses and the event they have entered.
Quite a few of our competitors this year also enjoyed one of the other great bonuses of the Kentucky Horse Park - their awesome camping facility! It was tremendous fun to hang out with the other pony club families at the campground and pool after each dayʼs activities, then head back to the campsites for grilled dinners and some sʼmores. Many great memories were made at this yearʼs Mega Rally!
For more information on West Tennessee Pony Club, visit the website: www.wtn.ponyclub.org
Results for the 2011 Mega Rally can be viewed at: http://www.midsouthponyclub.org/
