Sandia Creek's Kiersti W. Earns B Rating

Three cheers for Kiersti W. from Sandia Creek who just earned her Pony Club B rating! After a very intense weekend test, Kiersti, with the help of Kanobi and Pete, was 1 of only 2 candidates who achieved the USPC B rating!

One of the test requirements was a switch ride in which each rider has to ride another candidates horse for both dressage and show jumping -- a challenging task even under the best of circumstances. Kiersti's assigned switch ride mount for the jumping portion was sour, refused jumps, and attempted to buck his own rider off. He was sketchy enough that the examiners were hesitant for anyone to use him for the switch ride. Undeterred, Kiersti hopped on and, demonstrating the superb riding skills we have all witnessed at Pony Club events, she completely turned him around. Her switch ride mount was happy to be working again. The examiners were so impressed by Kiersti's riding and training abilities and we are so very proud to have her representing the Southern California Region. Congratulations Kiersti!

Pacific Coast Championships

Congratulations to  Neeley A., Shay T., Keelani M., McKenzie H., Courtney H., Kristina H., Kiersti W., Elizabeth C., Rachel C., and Johanna R. These Pony Clubbers will be our team of championship competitors this year at the USPC Pacific Coast Inter-Regional Championships in Auburn, Washington, August 10-16. 

Three of the girls are riding (2 eventers and one show jumper), 1 eventing stable manager, and the remainder of the team are all D and C Quiz competitors. Championships competition is going to be tons of fun. Rumor has it that there will be kids from Alaska, Hawaii, New York, Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Texas, and many mored! Stay tuned for the exciting results! Good luck girls! We're all rooting for you!

A special thanks goes out to Randy Jones, former Poway Pony Club parent, who is doing the professional hauling for our horses. We are thrilled to have have someone we trust so well handling our best friends for such a long haul! To contact Randy's services go to www.RandyJonesEquineTransportation.com.

Pony Club Beach Day - July 12

Come join us for a fun day at the beach as Pony Club families enjoy a relaxing day soaking up some wonderful southern California sunshine and visiting with friends. Be sure to mark your calendar! More details to follow. See you there!

2009 Pony Club Camp

Summer is here. School is out and Pony Club Camp is just a few weeks away. This year we have another exciting riding and horse management program planned for the Pony Clubbers. Following Pony Club camp will be a Mega Rating day.

There are only a few spots still available. Click here for information on this year's program and to obtain a registration form.

Thank you to Poway Valley for Hosting Annual Show Jumping Rally

On Sunday, May 31, Poway Valley Pony Club graciously hosted the 2009 Show Jumping Rally. Congratulations to all the teams and volunteers. Everyone did a fantastic job. Special thanks to Jerry Green for all of your hard work in coordinating the rally.

Southern California Pony Club Rally Teams Storm Camino Real Region

Southern California Rally Teams had a great weekend at the eventing rally in the Camino Real region. Out of 10 rally teams at the eventing rally, FOUR teams were from the Southern California region. Our teams did a fantastic job and really showed Camino Real that Southern California Region has some top-notch rally teams that serious about doing their absolute best!

Results of the rally were:

• Sandia Creek 'tan' team - FIRST PLACE
• So Cal blend team (included members from Poway, Riverside Hills, Sandia Creek) - SECOND PLACE
• Sandia Creek Riding Center 'green' team - EIGHTH PLACE
• Tahquitz Riding Center - NINETH PLACE

Congratulations to Chelsea Urqhart from Sandia Creek who won the Stable Manager Award!! And she is a D2! Well done!

At the awards ceremony, special commendation was given to Kiersti Wylie of Sandia Creek. The Chief Horse Management Judge singled-out Kiersti as THE role model of a top-notch Pony Clubber! Kiersti had perfect turnout inspections, turnbacks, and her attire and riding were all fabulous! This was a tremendous honor. Never before have we seen this level of recognition at a rally.

Congratulations go out to Kiersti Wylie, Shay Torres, and Neely Ashley! These girls are definitely going to be champions as EVENTERS!

Nadia Felden and Hayley Reynolds from Sandia Creek Riding Center also had clear cross country rides and have completed the rally portion of qualifying but they still have to complete one more USEA show with no more than 20 pts on their cross country course ride.

Poway Valley Offers Junior Pony Club

Poway Valley Pony Club is offering an introductory program for children ages 4-7. For more information on Junior Pony Club, contact Donna Smyth at (858) 613-0292.