By Meredith Tipton
The Fleur De Leap Horse Trials took place on October 12-13, 2019 in Folsom, Louisiana. This year the Deep South Region of the United States Pony Club hosted their Eventing Rally alongside this event. Four Pony Club teams from across the region participated. They competed in both the recognized horse trial and competed in the rally.
Pony Club rallies are quite different from regular competitions, as members are placed on teams and compete in a team format. No unauthorized assistance is allowed, so teams are responsible for all horse care, including braiding, preparing for formals inspections and jog outs, bandaging, etc. throughout the weekend. Parents and coaches watch from afar, but cannot directly help. Coaching is allowed only for riding portions, but for the most part, these young ladies were in charge of their own horses and teammates for the duration of the competition.
Pony club teams are comprised of riding members as well as a stable manager. This team member helps run the team by assisting in things such as grooming, formals, vet box cool down, and daily horse care. These are vital members of the team, and SRPC was represented well by three amazing Stable Managers. Myca Williams, Caroline Wilson, and Olivia Hood qualified for next year’s championships to compete as Stable managers on teams for the Deep South Region.
Eight girls from River Run Eventing in Hernando, Mississippi represented Southern Run Pony Club in the regional competition. Emma Claire Haley finished 4th individually in Novice B, while Mia Dunsford finished 6th in her first Novice event. Alli Gill won the Beginner Novice B division, also earning a qualification for next year’s American Eventing Championships, while her teammates Sarah Bomar and Olivia McNatt finished 5th and 6th respectively in their first horse trial at the Beginner Novice level. All five girls qualified for next year’s USPC Championships, which will take place in Lexington, Kentucky in July 2020.
The Fleur De Leap Horse Trials took place on October 12-13, 2019 in Folsom, Louisiana. This year the Deep South Region of the United States Pony Club hosted their Eventing Rally alongside this event. Four Pony Club teams from across the region participated. They competed in both the recognized horse trial and competed in the rally.
Pony Club rallies are quite different from regular competitions, as members are placed on teams and compete in a team format. No unauthorized assistance is allowed, so teams are responsible for all horse care, including braiding, preparing for formals inspections and jog outs, bandaging, etc. throughout the weekend. Parents and coaches watch from afar, but cannot directly help. Coaching is allowed only for riding portions, but for the most part, these young ladies were in charge of their own horses and teammates for the duration of the competition.
Pony club teams are comprised of riding members as well as a stable manager. This team member helps run the team by assisting in things such as grooming, formals, vet box cool down, and daily horse care. These are vital members of the team, and SRPC was represented well by three amazing Stable Managers. Myca Williams, Caroline Wilson, and Olivia Hood qualified for next year’s championships to compete as Stable managers on teams for the Deep South Region.
Eight girls from River Run Eventing in Hernando, Mississippi represented Southern Run Pony Club in the regional competition. Emma Claire Haley finished 4th individually in Novice B, while Mia Dunsford finished 6th in her first Novice event. Alli Gill won the Beginner Novice B division, also earning a qualification for next year’s American Eventing Championships, while her teammates Sarah Bomar and Olivia McNatt finished 5th and 6th respectively in their first horse trial at the Beginner Novice level. All five girls qualified for next year’s USPC Championships, which will take place in Lexington, Kentucky in July 2020.
