VRPC News and a Report from Boston

Let’s celebrate!

I promised long ago to send some news from the USPC meeting in Boston, but first some causes to celebrate.

1. Commonwealth Foxhounds PC had a terrific Combined Test Saturday: They can certainly celebrate their FIRST CT – good weather (much to our surprise), almost 30 riders, very pleasant site, great grilled food by a Dad, siblings of members helping everywhere, good-looking stadium jumps, and wonderful Pony Club teamwork.

2. Interclub ratings recently – It helps with costs and promotes great cooperation.

3. Jane Savoie brought us (about 90 attendees) ways to improve riding with positive attitude methods and ways to diminish fears.

4. Sharon Turner, our DRPC graduate A, was initiated into the Academy of Achievement in January. She spoke to us about the National Youth Congress during the Jane Savoie Day. Thank you, Sharon.

5. Massanutten PC, our newest club, now has five members – Congratulations!

6. Our total VRPC membership is now 330, including members of the two Riding Centers – Head Quarters Place Farm and Misty Brae Farm.

7. Dressage Rally teams are forming – I can almost hear all the paperwork circulating.

8. March 29 Morven Park Stadium crew: 7 volunteers so far – call me with more.

9. The report from Boston is here:

USPC JANUARY 2008 Meeting:

VRPC Clubs represented:

CWPC, DRPC, DVPC, LHPC, NMPC (Libby Reidy in NYC)

Ratings: RSs wanted our VRPC Rating Evaluation form sent to the RS Digest ( also Camino Real); Others wanted a club “Letter of Intent to Rate” on RS Digest; more education is needed on conducting a rating, not just what the Standards are; do a parent briefing at club ratings; have Apprentice raters at club level; prepare kids for possible DNMS with an exit strategy; do mock tests; a query was made about how many clubs subsidize national costs.

National vs Regionally organized C3 tests: A discussion of Alicia Henderson vs Kevin Bowie: cost versus confusion recruiting NEs; some NEs are not getting continuing education so selection of NE needs to be done nationally; however, refunds are more flexible if organized Regionally. (A decision was made later to have no Regionally organized National tests in 2008.)

Consider Rallies as “Life Labs” so increase opportunities there.

USPC is interested in increasing Ds at Championships -- no specific methods were presented.

RIC: Choose the RIC wisely; give support; have S&R clinic yearly, especially in 2008; use flowcharts; Ds can be horseholders at higher level test

D3/C1 Clinic can be done parallel with an upper level riding clinic; C2 and up members need to teach under SUPERVISION of skilled instructor; and be evaluated and helped to develop teaching skills.

National test results 2007: HB -- 73% passed before retests, 90% passed after retests; 13 were Regional tests, 13 were National; B – 63% pass

New “Examiners Handbook” coming.

2008: No new programs – good news!

Standardize examining through C2, e.g., a 12 hour C1 test is too much!

Encourage D programs for preparation.

HB prep by Sali Gear: Encourage dialogue about principles, e.g., not just identification of bits.

Bits – tie with image, show bars and how bit fits; have horse with dental speculum to really see in mouth.

2008 H/HA: plan for 5 to 6 sites arranged Nationally to reduce cancellation of tests.

Activities: New rules: SJ and its Organizers’ Guide; Eventing; Polocrosse

Spring Newsletters online by Feb. 1

Quiz: Written tests to RS; no new question banks until Champs

Rally TD reports: to be online so do not need to snail mail to discipline Secretary

Champs: ALL will need to wear medical release on armband (USPC provided) and Quiz will have them in their name tags.

Beginner Novice will be held again at Champs.

NO whips IN dressage competition ring.

Regions should be sure any special qualification criteria are sent to members – have on website; and in rally programs.

Written tests are still optional at rallies.

TET: option for second ride;

International Exchange (to UK) application deadline March 1st

PoloX: new divisions; APA has instructors and clinics

QUIZ: C+ get C2 questions;

Dressage: Connie Wyatt: NO whips IN competition ring.

Quadrille closing date earlier than other teams (about June 5)

SJ: If eliminated regionally, cannot qualify for Champs; will have TYOL and Equitation rounds

Pony Jumpers again in US; Linda Allen will be course designer at Champs.

Personnel at rallies– send to Richard Lamb, e.g. judges, course designers, clinicians.

Inter-regional SJ clinics are good before rallies

New Table C: power and speed dimensions

International Exchanges: (Sue Smith)

North Atlantic Challenge in British Columbia –news coming

Games will be in 2009

Please help with fund-raising at the silent auction.

Games: (Jim Ligon)

May wear jerseys OR pinneys; no final heats at Champs; wear medical armbands;

Rolex: 6 teams this year for Prince Philip Cup

President’s Cup will be held.

Technology in PC

Discussed Email lists vs yahoo group. Yahoo is harder to control exchanges

Use of BCC but not as a secret

Pdf takes less space than .doc; use links to files

Red Flag clubs: Turning them around (Nicki Sanders)

“The problem did not occur overnight and will not go away overnight.”

Book by Zig Ziglar “TOP performance” Recommended.

3 avenues to resolve:

1. Voluntary – resign

2. Sponsor-driven – elect new officer

3. Forced – RS appoints new leader

Suggestions: Review/rewrite policies. Empower the Sponsors. Put issues in writing

Be professional – adults are to be role models.

By-Laws Revision taking place: (Dan Murphy) These add non-traditional status such as more than 21 years old or Riding Center.

Age extension trial ends 12/31/08: send feedback to Karol Wilson.

Insurance: Optional is not needed for spectators, e.g., Frying Pan Park; Yes, it is needed for unmounted sites such as restaurant/hotel.

Champs registration Online will be updated so can connect with membership data.

Riding Centers (Aileen Gordon): 33 not operating; What is a way to track quality? Regional dues will increase.

Annual Fund: Asking for 100% participation of members – special certificate.

HM: New evaluation forms; HM seminar will be at Champs; HM Committee is Recruiting volunteers for part-time jobs – 18 yo and older, not current members.

Keynote speaker: Lorelei Coplen – Hooray, it was great to see her entire family!

Financial reports: all clubs must file with IRS; 990 (if $25,000 or more gross receipts) or the E-postcard 2007 if less than $25,000.

It was cold and snowy, but we ventured out for good seafood right on the wharf.

Carol Noggle

RS, Virginia Region Pony Clubs