BENONI PONY CLUB NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2012

Hello to all the Benoni Pony Clubbers and parents. Parents, please print this out for your

children to read and diarise important dates.

Please remember that if you cannot make a rally, you can still earn points for your squadron

by letting your leader know that you cannot make it.

We wish all of you well with the upcoming End of Year Exams. Remember, “Horse

Therapy” helps when the brain cannot process anymore information – and your pony/horse

will appreciate the attention. It is also time for the Annual African Horse Sickness

vaccinations.

PAST EVENTS

MOUNTED RALLY AT CRYSTAL RIDGE – 6 OCTOBER 2012 This was the 1

st rally of the New Pony Club Year, and it was well attended. We also had 10

Visitors joining us from Crystal Ridge Stables. After the Inspection, all riders participated in

a Mounted Ride/Quadrille. Only 2 have previously ever done this before!! Tuition was then

given for the Security Badge, as well as for the Points of the Horse for the newer members

and the visitors. These badges will be tested soon. Please complete the Workbook you were

given and bring it to the Rally @ Labyrinth in November. Then it was onto Games practice

and introduction for the visitors. This went down extremely well with all – except the young

lady who fell off. She is okay though!

INSPECTION

MOUNTED RALLY AT DUNBLANE – 21 OCTOBER 2012

The day dawned with black clouds, after the day before’s crazy hail storm. Thank goodness

for Dunblane’s superb surface in their arenas, as not one horse/pony slipped. 4 riders from

Dunblane joined us for the Rally. The day started off with Inspection as we checked the tack

for safety due to the fact you would be jumping.

The Jumpkhana commenced with Pole on the Ground – in which we had 7 riders. Sasha,

riding Arctic for the 1st time won, with Marle 2

nd, Mikhayla 3

rd, Jordan 4

th, Connor 5

th,

Candice 6th

and Femke 7th

.

There were 4 in the 30cm class which was won by Leonie riding Buffy beautifully; Morgan

was 2nd

, Lome 3rd

and Keegan 4th

.

In the 60cm class, Donovan riding Duke put in a flawless round to win, with Melissa coming

2nd

. Brylee unfortunately injured her knee when Buffy cat-jumped over a fence. Hope it has

healed now.

Well done to all!

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AT DUNBLANE – 21 OCTOBER 2012

This was well attended by members and their parents. A copy of the DC’s report is included

in the Newsletter for those that could not make it. Prize giving followed this and then we

socialised around the braai, while the hubby’s cooked the meat. Thanks to Angela for

arranging the salads and rolls etc.

The new Committee that was nominated consists of:

District Commissioner: Louise De Waldon-Holmes

Secretary: Sunette Steenkamp

Treasurer: Doug Gill

Catering Manager: Angela Benadie

Committee members: Rosemary Tanner-Tremaine; Jane Gill; Teresa Faccio

The winning squadron was: The THOROUGHBREDS led by Melissa.

2nd

went to The ARABS and 3rd

to The LIPPIZANERS.

The ALL ROUND DEDICATION TROPHY’S were presented to: Lome; Connor and

Melissa.

The SERVICE ABOVE SELF TROPHY’S were awarded to: Brylee and Donovan

The MOST ACHIEVEMENT BADGE’S TROPHY went to: Connor and Brylee.

ATTENDANCE CERTIFICATES were handed out to Melissa – 100%; Lome & Brylee

90% and Connor 80%.

Lome received a lovely Trophy for her role as HEAD GIRL;

and Melissa received a new Trophy for the BEST SQUADRON LEADER.

Mikhayla received a small present for DEDICATED NEW MEMBER.

Congratulations to all

Next year the INSPECTION TROPHY’S will be awarded!

UPCOMING RALLIES

MOUNTED RALLY AT THE LABYRINTH – 17 NOVEMBER This venue is on Pretoria Road, Fairleads, Benoni. The Rally will start promptly at 09h00

with Inspection, followed by an Equine Alphabet Quiz (Mounted). Testing will then be done

for the following Badges: Points of the Horse; Security Awareness and Riding on the

Lunge (this can be done on your own horse/pony or Labyrinth will lend us a pony). Please

bring the necessary Achievement Books along, (see attachments) as well as R30 per badge.

You must be a fully paid up member for the 2012/2013 year before you can be tested.

WILD WEST RIDING DEMO & FLEA MARKET AT DUNBLANE – 25 NOV

Neigh-Bours will be hosting the above Demo on the 25th

November. This is an ideal

opportunity for gaining points towards the Fundraising Achievement Badge. Benoni will be

having a stall there, and would like every member to participate. We have ideas like: a book

stall; colouring in competition; horse treats and snacks; Party Packs, but would love to hear

some of your ideas too. Please let us know your ideas and we will assist in “making” the

products.

CONDOLENCES We have recently heard that Ka-Ching-a-Ling, another ex-Pony Club pony has passed into

the Green Paddock in the Sky. Our thoughts are with Jessica and the Black Family.

NEW SQUADRONS & LEADERS The Committee will nominate Squadron Leaders and allocate members at the next meeting to

be held soon. We will keep you posted in this regard.

HIDEZ COMPRESSION RECOVERY SUIT No, it’s not a wetsuit for horses!!! Australian company Hidez have developed a

“Compression recovery suit” for horses, designed to dramatically improve recovery of horses

after work through graduated compression. These suits have been used since as early as

2010 at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. It is designed to help horse recover from

travel and strenuous exercise which apparently improves circulation and oxygen supply to

the muscles. The suit also helps reduce vibration during travel. The breathable material also

helps maintain muscle temperature. The suits are believed to have a calming effect on

horses, thereby saving energy. The suits come in a range of colours. Current pricing is

around R4 5000.00 excluding import costs, taxes etc.

HAPPY RIDING!!