Lakefield Pony Club
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Lakefield Pony Club |
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About Us Our non-profit organization was established in Wisconsin in 1992 to provide instruction in riding and horsemanship, and to instill in members the ability to properly care for and enjoy their horses. Through the USPC formal instructional program, members have the opportunity to learn about horses and their care. It is not necessary for a child to own a horse or pony, but they must have access to one when required. Our Mission... To help develop the following in our members:
All this while becoming proficient young horsewomen and horsemen! Programs are offered in eventing, mounted games, show jumping, dressage, vaulting, polo, polocrosse, foxhunting and tetrathlon (riding, running, swimming, shooting). There are also "unmounted" meetings where members learn about feeding, shoeing, veterinary care, and other areas of horse management. Under adult supervision, the more experienced Pony Clubbers instruct and assist younger members. What is Pony Club? Pony Club is one of the leading junior equestrian organizations in the world, represented throughout 30 countries! The United States has over 600 individual clubs spread throughout 50 states and the Virgin Islands, with more than 12,000 members. Kids up to age 21 - from beginning to advanced riders - love Pony Club because it's so much fun! Parents like Pony Club because it's fun for kids, but also because it is a great horsemanship and citizenship organization.
The Lakefield Pony club provides an opportunity for children to have fun while building friendships and learning how to properly care for and ride their horses. Members of Lakefield Pony Club and their families live in many of the suburbs surrounding Milwaukee. Some board at local barns, while others keep their horses at home. Some members also borrow horses or ponies to ride for mounted activities. Our current members range in age from 7 to 19.
Pony Clubbers are encouraged to work their way through the nine stages of the progressive Standards of Proficiency, which test knowledge and riding ability. Pony Clubbers who attain the B, H-A, and A rating levels meet standards of competence that are recognized throughout the horse world. Please see the extensive list of forms located on the USPC website for further details on the Standards of Proficiency ratings. Pony Club members learn to ride as well as care for their mounts safely and competently. In addition, they become thinking, responsible people... and have fun. What role do parents play in Pony Club? Parents play an important role in Pony Club, as we are an all-volunteer club. Parents may volunteer for fundraising activities, rally support, committee work, interclub activities, chaperoning events, etc. It is a great way to get to know other Pony Club families and learn with your child. You need not be a horse expert or be familiar with the event, it is a "learn as you go" opportunity. Monthly Meetings Monthly meetings are held on the third Monday of each month from 6:30-8 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Port Washington Rd in Mequon. These meetings are used for group announcements, presentations, educational Pony Club Power sessions, scheduling, and organizing upcoming events. This is also a time to meet and socialize with other members. New faces are welcome to stop by and see what we are all about. How is Lakefield Pony Club Organized? Our club is led by a District Commissioner, Joint District Commissioner, and a board. All of these are volunteer positions. In addition, there are organized committees: Standards & Ratings, Ways & Means, Marketing & Communications, and Social & Team Building. There is also a Junior Board. The US Pony Club has its own executive board and we are required to follow the by-laws and rules mandated by this parent organization. What is a Rally? A rally is a Pony Club competition where teams of Pony Clubbers compete against each other. For many Pony Clubbers, competing in a rally is one of the best A Quiz Rally is an unmounted rally where teams compete against each other on their horse knowledge. Grafton Equestrian Center Mounted and un-mounted activities, including clinics, group riding lessons, quiz rallies, mounted games, and educational "Pony Club Power" sessions are regularly scheduled at Grafton Equestrian Center. Boarding at GEC is encouraged, but not required of Pony Club members. Grafton Equestrian Center is a great place for all club members to get hands-on experience in the day-to-day care and management of horses and to share the sport with the company of friends. Membership For membership information, contact the district_commissioner@lakefield.ponyclub.org. Also, view the Membership Dues information located in the United States Pony Club website. Please note, you will need to have Adobe Reader located on your computer to view this document.
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© 2006 Lakefield Pony Club Contact Us |
things about Pony Club. Except for Quiz, rallies are mounted competitions usually made up of teams of 3-5. All of the team members ride in the competition except one, who acts as the stable manager, helping with all the essential ground work that must be done to support the mounted competitors. During rallies, parents are not allowed to interact with their children at all. It is up to the team to pull together to take care of all the details and logistics, fostering teamwork and leadership within the Pony Club teams. In addition to the riding performance of the team members, the rally teams are also judged on horse management.