MidSouth Region MegaRally

This past weekend, the 2011 MidSouth MegaRally took place at the Kentucky Horse Park. Tennessee Valley had one of its own members representing the club, Abigail McCord. Aboard her mount Starry Starry Night, Abigail helped to lead her team to an impressive 2nd place finish in the D-2 eventing rally. Big congratulations, and thanks for representing TVPC so well!! Another congrats is in order to a member of our neighboring LakeWay Pony Club: Heather Sparks and her mount Liberty were part of the winning D-3 eventing rally team. Well done, Heather!

If you've ever participated in a Pony Club rally, you know that they're HARD WORK. That's because in addition to riding, you're also being judged on your horse management skills. You've got to take a written exam that tests your equine knowledge, and you've got to keep your horse, your tack and your stall spotless at all times, especially during inspections. You're also not only competing as an individual but also as a team, which can feel like a lot of pressure. Is it easy? No. Is it always fun? Probably not. But Pony Clubbers know that when you work hard, the end result is always that much sweeter and more rewarding.

This weekend at rally, I had a chance to sit down with this year's team of horse management judges (including TVPC/LakeWay graduate-turned-Midsouth Horse Management Organizer Dalles Lee, second from right) and get the inside scoop on what the fuss over horse management is all about and why going the extra mile is worth the trouble. Please excuse all the giggling:)

Melanie Smith Taylor clinic: Success!!

The 3'6" group gathers around Mrs. Taylor's expanation of riding theory.

Pony Clubbers got sent home with plenty of homework after the Melanie Smith Taylor clinic at Penrose Farm. The exercises she set up emphasized rideability and precise responses to the riders' aids. Riders and spectators alike benefited from her encouraging yet demanding teaching style and her wealth of experience and knowledge concerning the correct training of the horse. The clinic left everyone feeling ready to improve as a rider and horseman.