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Maryland Regional Newsletter - February 2006 |
| News from USPC |
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Information Gathered by RS at the Annual Meeting held in JanuaryI In no particular order, here is a collection of items that RSs at the meeting: Medical Releases 2006 – no changes! But the form is now interactive. Center Riding Programs – Pilot program for 5 years. Badges are available from the bookstore. Clubs are welcome to use them as well. Maryland region doesn’t have a center in the region (yet). Insurance – $10 on line, $15 snail mail. The cost of an “open event” has gone from $35 to $37 in 2006. Swimming is NOT covered unless it is in conjunction with Tet practice or competition. Swim parties are not part of the insurance coverage. Swimming with horses is never covered. Clubs limiting membership – this should NOT be happening . . . there should be no gate keeping by clubs or club officers. If this is happening within a club, the RS should be notified. Small Club Concerns – 1/3 of the clubs in the USPC are small clubs. The fact that these clubs are NOT teaching Horse Management on regular basis is a concern. They also do not hold club ratings twice a year. The region needs to work to figure out how to help those clubs and combine efforts with other clubs within the region. RIC and HMO should be involved in helping these clubs. Code of Conduct – The RS’s were provided a great workshop on Code of Conduct. Our region has a committee working to provide one for us PRIOR to the rally season. C3 Going National – Why? Answers provided to us were consistency, same format of testing as the B-A, examiner education and record keeping. There will be more chances for pony clubbers to test. The testing program can run all year long as the weather is nice in some parts of the country while nasty in others. The PIP will be from out of region, the second examiner could come from within the region. Retesting will be handled by the USPC office, not the PIP. Nationals is still trying to get our arms around the do’s and don’ts of the program. Specialty Ratings – The A is still the A, the B is still the B – But pony clubbers can opt to obtain specialty ratings which will have Specialty criteria in order to have their applications approved. The testing committee is working those details now. The A and B as we know it know are the traditional eventing ratings. SJ and Dressage are the 2 disciplines offering specialty ratings.
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USPC
RIDING CENTERS UPDATE
1. Lots of change: * We are no longer all volunteer * 60% of members no longer keep their ponies in backyard 2. The Centers Program is designed to help: * The Barn is part of USPC (joins it) * The program has its own logo * The members join USPC and come perhaps once a week * They learn HM as well as riding (badge program!) * This allows for kids that do not own horses * It eliminates "Gatekeeping" * Concern: clubs fear it will be threat to local program BUT... * Could be benefit to local clubs: kids can come to Quiz, Rallies ,etc. and feed into club (potential future members) 3. 2 barns have already been accepted as an introductory program; 4 pending * USPC Panel screens barns (safety, conditions, etc.) * 25 page contract after application has been accepted 4. Questions from the floor: * Should we approach barns? (Eileen Gordon in USPC office will help answer these questions) * How long before the process gets started? Ans: depends upon the inspection; perhaps a few months; it's all about educating * The RS will be part of the process- Is the Barn doing this for the right reasons? * When will they do ratings? Answer: they must have someone outside the Center. There may be an Area Coordinator. * Resources are shared (RIC & HMO) * Are we looking for Center Administrators with Pony Club background? Ans: that would be ideal * Cathy Frederickson: we are looking for people with a professional and riding program. We want to use Pony Club Curriculum. Basically good horsemanship but may look different than our program. * The Principle: it is better to teach as many children as possible with USPC ideals than to shut them out because they "don't fit the mold." * They are NOT 501C3 (charitable organization) status * They are just English riding so far but Handicapped barns are certainly considered. * Can these kids come to Rally & be safe? Answer: they are evaluated with same standards. The rating program is the same. Older PC members can help. * Centers can come to our Camps * Regional Policies regarding requirements for volunteerism & Member in good standing should be made. * We must be open-minded if they start to be active in the Region: Allow them to come to Council Meetings, etc. * $5 Regional Dues will be charged during the trial period * The Center members will likely have better attendance! * The kids can join USPC if they want * 4 kids sharing a "center" pony will have to work it out. * Idea: a mini Dressage rally held at the center but neighboring clubs are invited, too. * Concern: could this be a threat to our clubs as members leave to join centers? Perhaps we don't want those parents (commitment?) * If a boarding facility becomes a Center, could we lose our club? Answer: do not assume that every Center that applies can become one. All factors are considered. * Does contract ask for being open in acceptance of members? Yes. * More parents/kids will see this as a positive thing. The Center may "grow the club." (Scenerio of older PC member with young sibling just deciding if she wants to ride. Center is good solution.) 5. Summary (Betsey): * Centers are a tool to bring members to USPC * Win/win for the kids * Communication has to be good. This is a learning process. RS's should not feel swept aside or uninformed. * Example: the Utah 9proposed) Center is very remote and very excited. They have 38 proposed members. * Hopes for 6-10 Centers the first year and up to 20 the next. |
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Musical
Free Style Clinic |
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I just wanted to write and thank-you for hosting and arranging the clinic with Vanessa. I thought it was well done and several of our less "dressagey" kids are considering working on musicals now and on the way home the kids even talked about a quadrille team! |
| Regional Reminders |
Rally Organizers and Hosting Clubs can review the Rally Guidelines by visiting the link off our website. The information has been updated for 2006 rallies. The Silent Auction at Quiz is looking for some club donations! If your club has not made a donation, please contact Kim Stokes of Marlborough Pony Club with your item! Many exciting donations have been made. April 22, 2005 - Jumping Judging at Fairhill. Linda Harris, 410-212-1635, is coordinating this effort for the region. She is looking for C3's and up and Adults to assist with jump judging at Fairhill. This partnership with Fairhill allows us to keep costs down and use a great facility for our eventing rally each year! We are asking that 2 volunteers per club RSVP to Linda ASAP. She will coordinate times, locations, and other specifics. |
| Paperwork Bags |
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A reminder that the medical release information goes to Karen Jacob in 2006. Her information can be found on the homepage of the website. |
| Quiz Rally |
Annapolis Pony Club is hosting our 2006 Quiz Rally. Please see the calendar section of the website for information, registration deadlines, and team make up! |
| Future Happenings |
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Horse Management Seminar - 9:00 a.m. Hot Buffet Luncheon: Stuffed Chicken Breast, Parsley Potatoes, Green Beans, Salad, Desert, and Drinks Elkridge-Harford Hunt Club in the club house (see directions) Working at rallies and educating the kids is a great way to understand what goes on at rallies and spend the day working with kids. $10.00 per person (click here for Registration Form) please send in no later than February 24th Questions: contact Karen at kbtaylor82@yahoo.com Rating and Standards Seminar The region is hosting a full day of rating
and standards information for all to attend. The organizer is Kate
Pratt and all information is available of the calendar link. There is
a $5 per head charge in 2006 to help cover copying costs.
Longe/Bandage Seminar |