D Rally 2006

This year's D Rally was a lot of Fun!! It was held on August 8th to 10th at the De Graff farm in Seeleys Bay. Pony Clubbers participating were from KRPC, Land O'Lakes, West Carleton, and Northumberland (Central Ontario Region). Anne Marie Duarte from Napanee PC was the stable-management judge.

Horse trailers started to pull up around 4pm but kept coming until 5:30pm. By 6:00 pm all the horses were settled in their stalls (and everyone was settled in their tents). The stable-management teams began to layout their tack and supplies for the first stable management check at 8:30 pm done by Anne-Marie. Anne Marie finished her long barn check around 10:30 pm, which most riders stayed up for to check their horses/ponies one last time before bed!

It was an early morning (and a freezing night as most campers found out, especially Kayleigh), when the 6:00 am wake up was announced. All horses and tack spaces were spruced up one last time before breakfast and the morning stable-management check.

Group 1 and 3 began their morning ride on flat work with coaches Mark and Pam, while group 2 and 4 had fun pretending to be blind ponies picking up sponges in rider fitness! After all the activities were finished, it was lunch time and another stable management check!

After lunch it was the turn of teams 1 and 3 for rider fitness and teams 2 and 4 to ride. Most groups did jumping courses around 2'- 2'3" and teams 3, 4, and 2 went on cross-country and learned how to jump logs and up and down banks. When the last ride of the second day ended, Mrs. Buttle had everyone make a board and hook with their favorite horse's name on it! Soon enough, it was time for another barn check and dinner time, followed by a swim in the neighbour's pool where many riders practiced their hand stands and flip routines under water, like Shannon and Dani!!

When the swim was over, it was time to get ready for the show the next day, so many riders stayed up late braiding and cleaning tack. Michelle, Kayleigh and Anne-Marie were the last ones out of the barn after finishing a long night of braiding around 11:00 pm.

When the day of the show came around it was an even earlier morning for some. The classes seemed to fly by!! The x-country was cancelled due to the rain fall!!

Awards were soon handed out. Shannon won most improved for KRPC. Robin Ross from Land O'Lakes won the Pam Dillingham award. The winner of Stable management was team 3 which had no KRPC members. Team 1 was in second place and had Shannon, Dani and Rosemary B. Team 2 was third with Michelle M., Kayleigh R., Sara B., Jacob W., and Robin R.!!

Soon everyone said Good Bye and trailers pulled away. This year's D Rally was a great success! And next year is sure to be too!!!