Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club
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Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club
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Thank you for becoming an Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club family! We are part of the United States Pony Club (USPC) and are located in the Maryland Region. Our members range in age fro 10 - 21 years old and have many different interest. With safety and fun, we are committed to teaching our pony clubbers solid horsemanship and riding. Mounted Meetings - Mounted meetings are simply weekly riding lessons. They are designed to prepare our members for rallies and ratings, and to become better riders in general. We usually hold them at Brooke Grove farm in Olney or Avalon Farm in Sandy Spring. However, in peak competition season, there may be several lessons a week. For most rallies, we require that our team members come to a certain number of these lessons. Unmounted Meetings - At unmounted meetings, pony clubbbers learn more about topics in Horse Management. Subjects may range from grooming your pony to bandaging or trailer safety. Just like the mounted meetings, these lessons are very important in preparing for rallies and ratings. This time may also be used by parents to hold a sponsor's meeting or discuss other club issues. Ratings - A rating is a way of assessing your level of riding and horse knowledge. Pony Club ratings begin at the walk - trot D1 and go through the very advanced A level. The ratings progress as follows: D1, D2, D3, C1, C2, H/B, C+, C3, B, HA, A. Each member must meet the requirements of the lower levels before moving on. IBHPC typically holds ratings in the spring and fall. Rallies - IBHPC members participate in many of the Maryland Region's rallies. They are a fun opportunity to show off what you've learned at all those lessons! A rally is similar to a show, except that competitors are also scored on their horse management. They receive very little help from their parents and the compete on teams. Teams usually consist of four riders and one stable manager. The stable manager does not ride at the rally, but helps the others stay organized. Any of these team members may be captain. The rallies include: Dressage, Show Jumping, Eventing, Games, Polocrosse and Tethratlon. Quiz is an unmounted horse knowledge competition that usually takes place in March. Each year, the Maryland Region sends the top pony clubbers of the rallies the the USPC Championships. Horse Trials - The IBHPC Horse Trials are our main fundraisers of the year. They are crucial to the financial survival of the club. Because of that fact, each family is expected to contribute in some way. Whether jump judging, stuffing envelopes or directing parking, we need you there! Awards Banquet - In January, Iron Bridge celebrates the previous season with a festive banquet. At the banquet, we recap what a great year we had and present annual awards. It is also a time to thank our gracious land owners and coaches for all of their help. Parents - Because Pony Club is a mostly volunteer run organization, it is vital that parents' play a role in their childs participation. Often, the duties are as simple as making a few calls or coming to a few lessons.
Besides IBHPC officers, other members and parents, there are a number of resources available to you. Check out the IBHPC web site at www.ironbridgehoundsponyclub.com for the calendar of events and other information. Also, www.ponyclub.org is the main site of the United States Pony Club. The Maryland region site is where you will find the regional calendar, rally entry forms and results and much more, http://marylandregion.ponyclub.org
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Iron Bridge Hounds Pony Club - A member of the Maryland Region of the United States Pony Club
Page updated on 8/20/08 |
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