A high quality equestrian program suited to your needs
Pony Finals Prep Camp 2009
Pony Finals is an opportunity dreamt of by every young pony rider. Once qualified, young equestrians wait to receive the letter from the United States Equestrian Federation which begins with "Congratulations..." but once that letter is in hand, only the first sentence is important! You and your pony are qualified for Pony Finals!
Much hard work and sacrifice has gone into getting qualified. Now, there is planning and preparation and polishing your skills. If this is your first year at Pony Finals, you may have questions about how things work since it is not just another horse show. At Ashwood Farm, we have taken our experiences at Pony Finals over the last 23 years and put them into a weekend of learning designed to teach pony riders what to expect at Pony Finals and what to skills to concentrate on in the weeks preceding the finals. We will do this through discussions, demonstrations, and hands on practice modeling, hacking and jumping the type of course the champions will find in the Walnut Arena in Kentucky in August. Special attention to the turnout expected will also be given.
Below is an outline of our preparation weekend. Pony riders are encouraged to bring their own pony, but are welcome to borrow one of ours for the weekend if bringing their own pony is not an option.
Friday, the 26th of June
3 pm Welcome and discussion, question and answer session (if you are bringing your own pony, we will want you to be in and settled so we can start at 3 pm) 4 pm turnout workshop 4:30 pm model workshop 5:00 pm model hands on practice 5:45 pm cookout dinner 7:00 pm video of past pony finals course analysis 7:30 pm walk the course 8:00 pm discussion: Emerson Burr Test 8:30 pm Relax and watch movie
Saturday, the 27th of June
8 am Breakfast Discussion: the under saddle phase 8:30 am hands on practice under saddle phase 9:15 am Put on martingales/work on over fences phase 11:00 am bathe ponies/learn about vinegar rinse 12:00 pm Lunch 1:00 pm hands on modeling 1:30 pm work on Emerson Burr Test 2:30 pm leave for matinee movie 6 pm dinner 6:30 pm under saddle phase hands on practice 7:30 pm model phase hands on practice 8:30 free time and then bed
Sunday the 28th of June
7:30 am Question and Answer session at breakfast 8 am reset/walk course for equitation 9 am hands on practice medal type course 11 am put away ponies 11:30 am Lunch Discussion: importance of participation 12:00 pm hands on practice modeling 12:30 pm Discussion of rules/sportsmanship 1:00 pm hands on practice under saddle phase 1:30 pm Discussion of entry procedures, important faces at Pony Finals, people to thank 2:00 pm Dismissal
Registration
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding pony finals camp!
Equestrian sports differ from once a week activities. To become a horseman, you must emerse yourself in horses and love the horse with all of your heart.
