Welcome to the Lake
Shore Region
Welcome to 2009 in
Lake Shore Region. Once again we have a full year of Pony Club
activities to offer at the Regional level.
As an overview, Lake
Shore Region is one of 43 Regions in the United States. We have 15
local Clubs and 2 Centers in our Region. Each Club is run by a District
Commissioner (Center Administrator for a Center) who acts as the adult
leader for the group of members ranging in age from 5 or younger to 25
years old. Mounted and unmounted instruction is offered to the members
on a regular basis as the Club arranges. The Region and the National
organization offer many resources and information on the Pony Club
curriculum.
In addition to
lessons, there are Ratings to test your level of learning. The first
set of ratings are conducted at the Club level. D-1 is the introductory
level and the Club is responsible for ratings up to the C2 level. After
that the National organization takes over the administration of ratings
and the HB, C3, B, H/HA, and A levels are tested. Not everyone can
attain these Upper Level ratings and our members are duly proud of their
accomplishments as they achieve these levels.
We also have several
competitions throughout the year. Pony Club encourages team competition
and these are called Rallies. Lake Shore Region is proud to offer
Rallies in 5 of the 7 Pony Club disciplines this year. The traditional
Dressage and Show Jumping disciplines plus Polocrosse (a cross between
lacrosse and polo on horseback) and Tetrathlon (similar to Modern
Pentathlon without fencing–jumping, shooting, swimming, running) as
mounted Rallies and Quiz (testing several phases of equine knowledge) as
an unmounted Rally. Rally teams form lasting memories and learn about
teamwork.
Our Region offers a
number of learning activities for leaders and members. Riding Clinics
are held throughout the Region and we offer a Standards and Ratings
Clinic for understanding the rating requirements. Our Raters have the
opportunity to stay up to date on the rating system at our Raters Clinic
each year. We have a Horse Management Clinic where all the nuances of
HM are covered by a Chief Horse Management Judge. We offer a
spectacular Summer Riding Camp for the members rated D2 and up and D1
Jamborees for the newer riders. These are unforgettable opportunities
to make friends and learn more about the horses we care for and ride.
Our Region has a
fabulous Junior Board made up of Pony Club members who want to take an
active role in planning the activities of the Region. These members are
our leaders of the future, in Pony Club and in society. They are good
roll models and industrious young people.
Pony Club in Lake
Shore Region is thriving and we welcome and encourage more riders to
consider participating through a local Club and in the Region.
Rae Birr
Lake Shore Region Regional Supervisor |
