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An Experience of a Lifetime

Hey Everyone!

I can't believe what we had been preparing for, for over a year, is over. Everyone had a great time at the park and preforming down in the Equine Village Demonstration Ring was a blast. It was quite the experience, even the warm-up (which we shared with The Sound of Music, western riders, and plenty more). Each day we preformed we got better and better, which I think was amazing. Looking back, we did so much in only four short days.

None of this could be possible without our organizer Betsy, our music creator Andy and all of our generous sponsors. AND... of course our parents. It was also really great to have some of the long-list riders there to help out and take lots of pictures to document the experience.

Well, I am back at school and Duke is at home taking a long week off. Such a great experience went way too fast, and I hope that pony club can offer more opportunities like to other pony clubbers. Thanks again to everyone who helped make it happen!

Ariel & Duke <3

Getting Closer!

Wow, time has flown by!  We're so tired at the end of the day from practicing so much that I haven't had the energy to post. 
Today we do the rides full out with music and all.  We have our first practice at 9am and will meet again after lunch to do it again.  Then we'll all gather and decide how we will set our tack room and feed room up.  We only have 1 feed room and 1 tack room for 10 people so we will definitly have to be super organized and use our space efficiently!
Yesterday, before dinner we went to the horse park to see how the ring would be layed out, find out where our parking will be, how we will travel from our stalls to the ring etc.  The horse park has been totally transformed!  It is truly amazing!
We have Rock Star Parking!
The facility owners, Mary and Bennie Hicks had a BBQ for us on Sunday night. It was tons of fun.  We had a fire for roasting marshmellows and keeping warm.  Thank goodness for that because it has been so cold.  Yesterday it rained most of the day.  We were wet and cold but still practiced hard.
It is 48 degrees out right now. 
Well off to practice. 
Looking forward to seeing you all at the games,
Rebecca

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Hey Everyone!

My name is Ariel Wyatt. I am from Hinckley, Ohio and currently attending Kent State University as a full time student. Even though I live at school, I still find time to come home and ride my horse D'artagnon 5 days a week. D'artagnon (Duke) is a 18 year old, thoroughbred gelding. I have had him for about 6 years and just compete Dressage. I have attended 6 championships and 3 of them have been with Duke. In pony club I am an H (C3 Dressage & HA).

This is my first experience with quadrille and so far is a good one. Today was our second day of practice. Everything seems to be coming together, the rides and the music. We have only two days left to get everything wrapped up and tweaked. It seems like its coming fast. Luckily all of our horses are best buds, which makes everything run very smoothly!

Tomorrow we will be starting early with another practice and the music should be perfect! We are excited to get this show on the road to the horse park! Thanks to all our parents and sponsors for making this whole thing happen!

See you all there!

Ariel & Duke <3

We're Here!

Last night we moved into our barn at the Hick's and they are so hospitable.  Thea, a barn resident met us and helped us settle in.  After we dropped off Declan we went to the camp where we are staying.  Our rooms are just like any hotel. They are very comfortable.

Today was a day of organization. We tested horses together by size, color and temperment. Betsy decided who was going to ride in which ride. We then started practicing the patterns on horse back. That went really well for the first day together! After lunch we spent the next 3 hours walking our tests on foot. That was entertaining.  Then, we went to the camp for a delicious dinner!  The cobbler was especially awesome!

Tomorrow we have breakfast at the camp and then start our first session of riding at 9. Then after lunch we'll do the second session and go from there.

the final details

This is Claire checking in for a little break from last-minute packing!

I am a little in shock that I will be pulling out with the trailer tomorrow, bound for Lexington ...it seems that time has flown by in preparation for this upcoming week!  I hail from Nashville, Tennessee, and will be riding my horse, Mo, who is a 10 year old Selle Francais (French Warmblood) gelding.
I am an H in Pony Club, and as a veteran of many, many years of membership in USPC, I will finally be graduating this year.

It is interesting to look back on 16 years of membership in Pony Club, through the many lessons, camps, rallies, championships, and festivals that I have been a part of.  There have been many friends made and many life-lessons learned.  I'm excited to have this final opportunity to ride at the WEG's as a member of USPC - what a way to go out with a bang!

THANK YOU again to our many supporters!!!  As a self-supporting equestrian enthusiast, I give you extra applause, because without you, I definitely would never have been able to participate in this amazing experience! 

I hear that we will have internet access at the Christian camp where we are staying, so look for continued updates from our team as we (finally!!) meet each other and continue to prepare for our showcase at the Games!

I am so very blessed and honored to represent the USPC at this event - hope to see you there!

- Claire Tyner (and Mo :)

DAV Donation To The Team

An awesome benefit to being on the team.  Aren't these cool!? They're waterproof!

A generous donation.

Thank you!

From Rebecca Smith