2004 D Rally

The 3rd KRPC D Rally was again a success for 16 riders and the 5 non-riders who helped. Horse trailers began to arrive at the De Graaf Farm around 1pm on August 17th and by 6pm everyone had settled their horses in and pitched their tents. Kayla (the new Martha Stewart?) was remarkable in that she had stenciled floor mats with the letters KRPC and also made curtains to match. A note said to 'Keep Out' and Jenny, our stable management judge, wondered if that meant her!

By 9 am, Wednesday, the first 8 riders were beginning lessons with either Mark or Selena and the rest were working with Barb on learning how to gentle their horses. Jenny was moaning about how was she to check horses on her stable management sheet when they were all out of the barn. By lunch, everyone had done one lesson and also spent an hour with Barb.

The afternoon classes were spent in stadium lessons and/or on cross country. For some ponyclubbers this was their first time in a big field. For others it was a chance to try a new cross-country course. After supper, there was tackcleaning and stable management checks, and finally a bonfire. Emma suggested we light a marshmallow-on-a-stick-torch to duplicate what was happening in Athens.

Our coaches returned Thursday as judges for our show. Flat classes in the morning and jumping in the afternoon. Musical chairs is always a hit; this time it was musical stalls. The afternoon saw ponyclubbers doing everything from trot poles to 2'6. I think everyone got lots of ribbons. Stable Management Awards came after clean up. Kayla, Megan, Kenzie, and Miranda with Ronnie as helper, all from KRPC, placed 4th. In 3rd place were Amy, Emily, Dani, and Julia, with helper Sarah, all from KRPC as well. In 2nd place, was the team called "Napanee Village United by Ponies". You can guess where they all came from. Their team was made up of Emma, Nicole, Jo, and Coco, with helper Anne Marie. In first place was the Westwind/Land O'Lakes team of Claire, Kaitlin, Curtis, and Kate with helper Megan. As usual the scores were close and all did well.

The Pam Dillingham award went to Dani Davis, a first year ponyclubber from KRPC. Dani has a new pony and despite some nervous moments, she kept her cool and she and her pony managed to do everything they were asked to do. I think her pony learned that Dani is serious about riding!

All the participants did their 'Handyman Badge' with Jenny. They painted pieces of wood and decorated them using stencils, then screwed in hooks to make a rack to hold tack at Rally or in their barn or bedroom.

Thanks to Sue Chamberlain and Gail Cornett who ran this Rally and kept us all well fed. Gail thought that was it for food till next year's Rally but check the hot news to see what Gail ended up doing 1 week later!

Thanks to Gina Davis and Jane Billings for getting the property ready and looking so beautiful. Three weeks before the Rally, Jane showed me a big log that was going to be a jump. But Jane was looking up, not on the ground. The 'log' was still well attached to the tree. Thanks to Dani's dad for getting the jumps ready. Also thanks to the three boys who were always around when we needed help. Thanks enormously to Jack and Cathy De Graaf. Hello to all our new and old friends and may we see you all next year in Ponyclub.