Ella Rak impressed us with her writing ability and fun style so much that she made it to the Final Four of EN’s 2013 Blogger Contest. As with the rest of the finalists, we invited Ella to contribute a weekly piece to the site. Thanks to Ella for writing, and thank you for reading.
Ella Rak, 16, is a High School student, Aspiring Lower Level Eventer, C2 Pony Clubber and Equestrian-procrastinator extraordinare. Defining Characteristics: Strong willed, Easily distracted by horses (I should be studying for final exams right now, but instead cleaned tack and wrote this article), and slightly OCD (that record book WILL be perfect).
As Eventing Nation’s resident Pony Clubber, I thought I would share a little bit about eventing in the group that started so many of us off. With East Coast Championships only a week away, the best Pony Clubbers east of the Mississippi congregate at a massive week long competition at the Virginia Horse Center for a USEA-recognized Pony Club rally. That’s right, we are on the Omnibus. Every person has their own rituals and procedures when it comes to eventing, but Pony Clubbers have a very unique view of horse showing and eventing. You can tell a Pony cCubber at an event from a mile away from their impeccably clean EVERYTHING, independent demeanor and predisposition to be early. Most eventers you run into have had some sort of background in the organization, so it should come as no surprise when that the majority of the two disciplines overlap, but certain traits are uniquely Pony Club and quite visible at any rally.
Turnout wise, no one can beat a Pony Clubber. You think no one will notice that you didn’t polish your metal? Oh no. You think that a little dandruff won’t hurt anyone or that it doesn’t matter if your stitching is a little loose? Think again. If events had formals before them, things would not be pretty, but when you head into that dressage ring, it will show. Even in the jumping phases, though the colors may be crazy, you can be sure that a Pony Clubber is jumping in safe tack on a well-cared-for horse.
‘Prepared’ is a Pony Clubber’s middle name. The rally kit has the answer to any problem you could possibly run into. Medical, tack, grooming… if something goes wrong, find your nearest Pony Clubber and he or she is guaranteed to be able to help, trust me, I’ve tried. There is an extra EVERYTHING. Bridle miraculously disappears? Got one. Horse broke his halter? What size do you need, I have 2 of each. This also leads to a variety of very interesting multi-use items when God forbid your missing something. You forget your belt? Just use the extra stirrup leathers. Stirrups slippery? Vet wrap and adhesive tape and you’re good to go. You can never go wrong with asking a Pony Clubber.
Pony Clubbers are safe. Though ‘safe’ is a very relative term when running thousand-pound animals at solid objects, when you are required to read rule books from front to back, you have a good idea of what the limits are. The horse comes first no matter what, and your horse better be fully cooled out, clean and happy as a clam before you go check scores. I am a major proponent of the vet box, and Pony Club does a great job of teaching riders to quickly and efficiently cool out their horses. On the flip side, you learn very quickly how to work the loop holes. Of course that isn’t an entire bottle of Listerine in my horse’s tail! I have worked SO hard to get rid of that rain rot but Microtex just won’t work (as you find the crud)! This skill can come in very helpful when talking to judges, stewards etc. when things don’t go as well as planned. The only way to work the rules is to know the rules and you can bet your behind a Pony Clubber will.
So as you go to your next event, try to pick out the Pony Clubbers. The ones with schedules written out on note cards down to the minute; the ones whose boots gleam and horses sparkle; the kids who take more meticulous care of their ponies than most adults. The ones winning.
