February 2012 Boardgram

By Becky Logsdon, on February 5th, 2012

February 2012

Midsouth Region Boardgram

USPC Annual Meeting:

Wow, the people who went to the meeting in New Orleans came home exhausted but full of information. There will be more about what we learned later, but let me take a moment to congratulate two Midsouth volunteers who were recognized in New Orleans:

Dr. Sarah Andres was elected to the Board of Governors. She is a graduate pony clubber; an active competitor and instructor and AHMJ at MegaRally .

Deb McKenzie-Willson was one of the recipients of the Founder’s Award. She is a graduate pony clubber; an active clinician and national examiner and a wonderful resource for the region. And she was totally surprised about receiving this great honor.

Midsouth Regional Calendar:

A few dates have been added – please check the website for the most recent copy (revision date 2/2/12)

QUIZ 2012:

If you are planning to stay at the Cool Springs Marriott and have not yet made your reservation, the deadline date for the reduced rate is FEBRUARY 10^th!!

Chaperones for teams with very young competitors may indeed stay with the children during the day. You just cannot enter the competition phases with them, nor can you help them study between sessions (which would be unauthorized assistance). You can even keep track of their competition schedule and escort them to where they need to be, when they need to be there. In fact we encourage you to do so.

Swimming at Quiz…

One of the things we discussed at the AM was an insurance update and questions were asked about swimming – whether it was a covered activity. The answer is that USPC insurance covers swimming ONLY for swim practice associated with TET competition; the swimming phase of TET competition and during Pony Club camp. That being said, if you chose to swim during Quiz, be aware that you do so at your own risk

Karen Winn to address treasurers during Quiz Rally:

We spent several hours at the annual meeting discussing financial issues with the USPC Treasurer; an attorney; and Karen Winn, the COO. Many clubs around the country are finding themselves in danger of losing their tax exempt status for a variety of reasons which include failing to file the 990 forms; and the IRS is looking at clubs. Karen has graciously agreed to come to Franklin, TN during our Quiz Rally to spend a couple of hours (from 12:00 to 2:00 pm CST) speaking with club treasurers (or DCs) to present information and answer specific questions you may have. I will be sending messages to the treasurers with a request for an RSVP.

Financial peer review is in the future

Check the USPC website:

Many of the power-point presentations from the national meeting are going to be posted on the website. www.ponyclub.org Check it frequently.

Background checks:

Get those done – NOW – please! J

Games Rally 2012:

The information from Anni Hulbert was sent out to all club officers on February 2^nd but will also be posted on the website. Opening date is February 10^th and closing date is March 15^th. The date of the rally is March 24^th at the Kentucky Horse Park.

Club Policies

A board committee will be reviewing all club policies in the coming months. A few clubs have not yet sent their policies in, so please do so ASAP. If your policies are not in the files, I will be contacting you (again) in the next few days.

Standards & Ratings Clinic

We are a go for a March 31^st Standards and Ratings Clinic at Majestic Farm in Batavia, Ohio with Deb Willson. Information will be coming soon from Beth Grote of Miami Valley Pony Club.

Western track

The Midsouth Region has three clubs participating in the Western Track: Boskydell PC in southern Illinois; and Cedar Hills PC and Cedar Knob PC in Tennessee. About everything is covered under the Western track except “roughstock” which is bull-riding; bronc riding and bareback bronc riding. Can you imagine a rally with team-penning? Wonder if HM would have to do a turnout inspection on the cows? J

New DC/CA guide is coming!!

The brand new DC/CA guide will be out in the next few days and it looks fantastic!!! It will be available to download a hardcopy or to save it to your electronic device of choice. Should be on the website by February 3^rd!

New Upper Level Retest procedure

New process beginning in 2012 is that if a C3, B or A candidate DNMS on one block/section of the riding portion of the test, he/she can re-test that section only by the end of the calendar year. Check the USPC website under Resource àNational level testing à Re-Test information for H-B thru A to see what other options are available to you to request a re-test. It is the responsibility of the candidate to send in the re-test application and fee to the national office. This application does not require any signatures from the DC/CA or the RS.

The re-test application is on the website, the fee to re-test is $50 and the re-test will be done just like a regular testing experience.

Region & Club Summaryof 2011 Cash Receipts and Disbursements:

Don’t forget to send me a COPY (the original goes to the USPC office). The deadline for completing this form is February 15^th. My mailing address is below.

URGENT!!!!

We have three very important volunteer job openings in the region. The ladies (and their husbands) who have been serving have done so for years and their children are long out of Pony Club. It’s time they got a much needed break These jobs can be done either by an individual or a club so please don’t think that just because you are associated with a small club that the job is too big for you or your club. The jobs open are (written in the words of the people who have been doing the jobs):

Regional Award Coordinator
(currently done by Karla Johnston) who has offered to train

“I’ll be glad to provide further details to anyone who might be interested in helping out. It’s really not a difficult job at all… and can easily be done by a non-horsey person. The person should probably be good with details, fairly well organized, and a good (again, detail-oriented) communicator. Good problem solving skills are helpful and it will be easier if s/he doesn’t procrastinate on preparing for the rallies.”

Maintains inventory of regional rally* ribbons and other awards;

Reviews rally fact sheets and communicates with RS and rally organizers to ascertain awards needs;

Places orders for ribbons/awards;

Receives ordered ribbons/awards;

Sorts, reorganizes, and packs ribbons/awards for specific rallies;

Contacts recipients of perpetual awards to help insure their awards’ timely return;

Assists with distribution of awards at rally ceremonies (do not need to be present);

Assists with ribbons/awards for the MSPC HT

*Regional rallies = Quiz, Games, Polocrosse, Tetrathlon, Show Jumping, Dressage, D-1, D-2/D-3, and C (Eventing).

D1 Rally secretary/organizer
(currently done by Pat Bellknap) who has offered to train

Wanted—Secretary/Organizer for the D1 Rally
(Husband and Wife Team Works Great!)

The D1 Rally is held in June during the Midsouth Region’s Megarally week. It is a 2-day rally and consists of a dressage test, stadium jumping course, written test, and stable management. All competitors compete individually with the help of a C Advisor. Closing date is usually three to four weeks before the rally, so the actual time it takes to organize and plan it is approximately one month.

Most of the planning includes producing and printing documents.

Duties include:

Plan and type up the 2-day schedule and get approval from Chief Horse Mgt Judge and Megarally Organizer

Make sure all paperwork is in: entries, fees, Coggins, coaching and chaperone forms

Type the competitor list and order of go

Make labels for dressage tests and competitor packets

Make competitor and coach packets

Make badges for C Advisors, Coaches, and Chaperones

Send competitor list with tack stall assignments to Layover Stall Organizer to organize tack rooms

Send order of go to Scorekeepers and competitor list to Chief Horse Mgt Judge

Make copies of competitor list and order of go for all ring stewards, judges, photographers, and extras for parents

Organize volunteers: email job descriptions and assign volunteer jobs. One week before rally email reminder to volunteers. (Peachtree Farms Riding Center does a wonderful job of filling several of these volunteer positions.)

First day of Rally: Pass out packets and organize volunteers to set up dressage rings.

Second day of Rally: Get dressage judges situated, make sure volunteers are in place.

After dressage tests, organize volunteers to set up stadium course, jumping warm-up ring. Fill in where needed.

Get stadium jumping judge situated.

Pass out ribbons at Awards Ceremony.

For more info contact: Pat Bellknap 256-883-5177, bellnerp@aol.com

MegaRally coordinator
(currently done by Cindi Lacy) who has offered to train

The Organizer must have a copy of and be familiar with the current USPC Rules for each of the Rally
disciplines and the USPC Horse Management Handbook so that the rally preparations comply with those
rules and standards. During the Rally the officials will provide technical expertise. During the months of
preparation the Organizer must be able to monitor and provide guidance to the various Chairmen based on the USPC Rulebooks. Duties would include securing all officials, sites, and equipment; working closely with secretaries and volunteers to set up all competition areas; and working with the Technical Delegate to resolve any problems.

If you are willing to take on any of these jobs, please contact me. These ladies are serious about retiring but are willing to help train their replacements.

Coming soon!! Our own Yahoo Group

Allison Deaton, our regional secretary and the DC of Long Run Pony Club, will be setting up a Yahoo Group for the Midsouth Region Club and Riding Center officers. Please use this forum for such things as arranging composite teams; communicating information about shows and clinics; and general discussion. Expect to see an e-mail invitation to the group in a few days.

Becky Logsdon, RS

8425 Baptist Church Road SE

Elizabeth, Indiana 47117-8452

January 2012 Boardgram

By Becky Logsdon, on January 9th, 2012

USPC Annual Meeting:

The USPC Annual Meeting will be held in New Orleans, LA on January 25^th through the 29^th. There are a variety of topics and workshops to be presented that would be of great value to club leaders, members and parents. Check out the link from the www.ponyclub.org website. It may be too late to register on-line, but you can always register at the door.

Congratulations!

Stones River Pony Club will be recognized for their 25^th year as a club in the national organization at the Saturday morning Meeting of the Corporation during the New Orleans event. We are thankful for their leadership, involvement and support of the Midsouth Region.

New Regional and Club Leaders for 2012:

You know, we just couldn’t let Nancy Smith retire from leading the region, so she will be staying on as a VRS for 2012 (and maybe for longer!!) Other new Board members are Sarah Kleintop as the RIC #1 (upper level) and Linda Strom as the RIC #1 assistant. Sarah will take care of the northern part of our region while Linda covers the southern part.

New DCs for 2012 (some are former DCs who are taking the lead again) include: Cedar Hills – Alicia Avent; Four Rivers – Kelly Azar; Keeneland – Sally Lockhart; Walnut Creek – Linda Gonzalez; West Tennessee – Laura Hyde and Wilderness Trace – Kelly Anderson. Welcome to all of you and we look forward to working with you in 2012.

Midsouth Regional Calendar:

As an attached document, please find the first revision of the Midsouth Regional Calendar. This is and always will be a work in progress, so check the website frequently to make sure you have the most current version. www.midsouthponyclub.org

National Ratings:

The Midsouth Region has requested these national rating dates, and all but one has been approved by the national office to date.

H-B June 28-29 at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, KY

C-3 Traditional August 4-5 at Masterson Station Park in Lexington, KY

B Traditional June 30-31 at Spring Run Farm in Prospect, KY

H-A May 11-13 at Penrose Farm in Knoxville, TN

Reminder about rallies and ratings!

All uprankings must be completed prior to the opening date of a rally if a member wants to compete at the new rating. Otherwise the member will compete at the “old” rating that he/she held on the actual opening date of the rally.

Once your club completes a rating, the DC should use the Ratings Update form on the USPC website ASAP. This is an interactive form that looks really easy to fill out. The folks at the national office will then forward the information to me. This is important because rating levels are compared to competitor entries for all the rallies.

QUIZ competitors use their HM rating to determine what division they will compete in.

QUIZ 2012:

The opening date is January 9^th and the closing date is February 3^rd. The date of the competition is Saturday, March 3^rd at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, Tennessee. This same day is also the SPRING REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING, so leaders should make an effort to attend. And yes, DJ Ralph will be there!

***Important!! Since the D manual has been revised, but is not yet available for purchase, all the Quiz materials will be based on the CURRENT D manual. So use what you have now to study from and it’ll all be good.

Check the USPC website:

There are new standards and test sheets on-line NOW that are in effect as of January 1^st. You should take some time to review those, especially if you are a member planning to rate up, or an examiner scheduled to do a rating. www.ponyclub.org

As the new RS for the region:

The best way to contact me is through e-mail beckylogsdon@yahoo.com or my land-line phone 812-969-3638. I live in a very rural area where there is no cell phone coverage, and since I’m retired, trips to town where I can receive/make cell calls only happen 2 or 3 days a week.

Please add me to your club mailing lists to receive newsletters, meeting minutes, etc. If you use Facebook as a communication media for getting information to members, please consider adding me to that as well. I am on Facebook as Becky Royalty Logsdon.

Games Rally 2012:

Games Rally will be held at the Kentucky Horse Park on March 24^th. Entry packets will be available in the near future.

MegaRally changes for 2012:

Dressage rally entries have declined over the past few years while Tetrathalon entries have skyrocketed. For 2012, we are going to try something different. Dressage rally will be held on April 14^th-15^th at Percy Warner Park in Nashville. Tetrathalon Rally will move to KHP and be held at the same time as Show Jumping Rally (June 19-20). We are also going to offer a D2/D3 Combined Test to run at the same time as the traditional D2/D3 rally. If the interest is there, we can make this a regular event.

Much more MegaRally information will be coming in the next few months.

Club Financial Requests!!!

All Clubs must prepare a Federal 1099-MISC for each individual paid $600 or more in a calendar year (this includes instructors, judges, etc.) This form must be given/sent to such persons no later than January 31. Detailed information about this and W-9 Forms is attached herein. The Club or Region will then send one copy of all 1099-MISC forms that have been sent out with a Summary Form 1096 to the Internal Revenue Service. Form 1096 is also available online under “Forms and Publications.” The due date for filing these forms with the IRS is February 28, 2012.

2011 Club Summary of Cash Receipts and Disbursements Form due to USPC (copy to me) by Feb. 15. The 2011 Form is already posted under FORMS and is titled on the www.ponyclub.org website. Then you must complete either the E-Postcard for 2011 or the 990 or 990-EZ forms. This is very important – failure to do so can result in your club losing its tax exempt status.

Regional copies of Membership forms and payment of regional dues:

For new members and renewing members, please send a copy of the FRONT PAGE only of the form, along with a check made payable to the Midsouth Region, to me. (Remember, the complete original form along with a check payable to the USPC goes to the national office.)

The information I need is all on the front page – I do not need a copy of the signatures. This will save you copy expenses and give us a “greener” profile.

And please make sure you send the correct amount: regional dues are $20 per member and a $5 per person late fee applies to any renewals paid after January 1^st. Prorated member dues are $30.

Reminders from the national office about hold harmless insurance:

Insurance – one of the most important items required for all pony club events. Please remember the following:

a. This must be done prior to using the facility to ensure insurance coverage is in place
b. Every date the facility will be used must be listed
c. This is done online through the USPC website (this is very easy to do)
d. Dates can be added as the year progresses to each individual entry and new locations can be added
e. Insurance is required for ALL pony club meetings, certifications, rallies, field trips, etc.
Insurance is valid for the event only – not driving to and from.

f. If non-members are participating, the special insurance is required and non-member activity forms need to be signed
g. Remember to include any Horsemasters events as well if they are separate from club events
h. Centers also need to register all pony club events through the website

DC/CA Digest and background checks:

All incoming DCs/JTDCs/CAs/ RSs/VRSs should join the DC and RS Digests. Outgoing officers are not automatically removed from the Digest. If you want to be taken off the distribution list, you must unsubscribe. You will notice a spot to do so at the bottom of any posting you receive. If you are unsure how to do it or if you have concerns about a past officer receiving postings, you c
an contact Membership Services at the National Office

There was a brief reminder in today’s eNews, but we felt that it was important to highlight the need for all incoming DCs/JTDCs/CAs/ RSs/VRSs to do the required background checks. The eNews has the link to complete the check. www.ponyclub.org

Special Get-Well Wishes:

Our new RIC #1, Sarah Kleintop, was injured in a fall on New Year’s Eve. She will be out of commission for a few months and we wish her a speedy and complete recovery. She’s only been with us for a short time, but her influence has already created positive changes so we’re anxious to have her back full force.

Looking forward to a good year!

Becky Logsdon, RS

8425 Baptist Church Road SE

Elizabeth, Indiana 47117-8452

Attachments:

2012 Regional Calendar

2012 Regional Directory

December 2011 Boardgram

By Becky Logsdon, on December 7th, 2011

Background Checks Required for New DCs/JtDCs /CAs – Just another reminder to have your USPC-required background checks completed before taking office January 1, 2012. Your Club/RC should reimburse you for this required expense.

Club Policies – I was pleased to read in many of the Annual Meeting Minutes that Club Policies were reviewed and in many cases revised. Please remember to send a final copy of your Policy document to the RS for signature approval and for the regional files.

Note #1: USPC has issued revised wording on its “member in good standing’ policy, which all clubs are now required to have in their policies. The new definition eliminates quantitative requirements, such as ‘members needs to attend x% of the meetings in order to remain in good standing’. The new wording is as follows:

Member in Good Standing Policy

In order to ensure that USPC Participating Members are held to the same standards of membership in all Regions, Registered Clubs and Riding Center Programs, the Board of Governors recognizes the importance of a Member in Good Standing policy.

USPC Policy 1002 states that a Participating Member will be considered to be in good standing if they:

Show evidence of sincere interest in the activities of Pony Club at the local, regional or national level, and
Assist younger members in the learning process, and
Participate in Pony Club activities at the local, regional, or national level when and where appropriate, according to the age, experience, and suitability of mount, and
Are current with all dues and fees owed the Club/Center, Region and USPC.

Since most clubs pay for all or part of rally/champ entry fees or testing fees, the extent of member participation in club activities can certainly be taken into account when determining the level at which the club can/will subsidize a member’s rally/testing fees.

Note #2: USPC’s Board of Governors (BoG) also approved a terminology change in the 2012 Standards of Proficiency wherein the term ‘certification’ is to replace the term ‘rating’. Click here to see the attached formal explanation of this change.

I was recently asked if this change was an issue for club sponsors to vote upon. My response is no…National Policies always take precedence over regional and/or club policies. When the BoG votes a new policy, it is final. Neither regions nor clubs have any authority in those decisions,
therefore we have no vote. The change from ‘rating’ to’ certification’ is only a change in terminology. Your policies would be more ‘up-to-date’ if you made the corresponding changes from ‘rating’ to’ certification’, but they would not be invalid if you did not. Just make the change(s) when it is convenient.

Midsouth Regional Board: Attached is an organizational chart of the Midsouth Regional Board, along with many email addresses. I hope you will keep this chart handy when you have instructional questions or need HM advice…please contact the appropriate Board members for help.

On a different note…the Regional Council at our November 12 Annual Meeting elected Cindi Lacy as one of our four VRSs. However, she has since had to make the tough decision to relinquish this post. Cindi will still be the 2012 MegaRally Organizer, but family and boarding farm business has limited her time and availability for this year-round job. A heartfelt thank you, Cindi, for your past years of faithful, cheerful service to Midsouth!

A New USPC D Manual is Coming! – A new D Instructional Manual is currently scheduled to ‘hit the bookstore’ February 2012. The new C Manual is scheduled for October 2012.

Save the Date – January 7 & 8, 2012 – The South Region is hosting a Standards & Rating and D-Level Clinic for Instructors, Examiners, and UL Pony Clubbers (C2 and Up) in Montgomery, AL.

According to Linda Strom (our RIC #1 Assistant for the Tennessee and South part of the region)…“This clinic is for current and future raters. Sarah Morgan has been doing this clinic for the Lake Shore Region for the past 7 years. This is an excellent opportunity to keep your skills sharp and keep up to date on the current standards.”

Click here for the information flyer. The cost is only $25!

Registration Deadline for the USPC Annual Meeting is December 31!

Please make plans to attend this event. It is a super educational opportunity for club leaders and members….guaranteed!! The region will reimburse each club and riding center1/2 of one registration fee for one officer to attend (click here for reimbursement form). Most clubs/rcs will reimburse some/all of the other expenses associated with attending this Annual event.

“An Informed Leader is an Effective Leader.”

2012 Quiz Rally – The Entry Packet is on the Midsouth Website. Opening date = Jan. 9. Postmark closing date is February 3.

2012 Games Rally – Reserve the date…March 24, Saturday, at Kentucky Horse Park Covered Arena for a day of fast action and plenty of FUN! Anni Hulbert will again be the sec/org for this rally. The Entry Packet will come out early next year.

2012 Dressage Rally – Survey responses indicate moving Dressage Rally to a Spring date is a positive move! The largest number of interested clubs/members are in the Tennessee and South part of the region. The Dressage Rally Committee (Allison Deaton (Chair), Shelley Ryan, Becky Logsdon, Peggi Bindner and Dalles Lee will be handling the details. A date and location has not yet been confirmed. We will let you all know as soon as possible!

Thank you for many years of rewarding challenges. I am thankful for your friendship and sincerely appreciate the hard work you all have given to your clubs and riding centers. Midsouth is the best Region in USPC…thanks to YOU!!!

– Nancy, 2011 RS

OCTOBER 2011 BOARDGRAM

By Becky Logsdon, on October 7th, 2011

USPC National Youth Congress – Midsouth’s Representative

About 10% of our 2011 membership have achieved an HB rating or above. The region would like to select one of these members to represent our Midsouth Region at the 2012 USPC National Youth Congress in New Orleans, LA, Wednesday thru Friday, Jan 25-27, 2012. The region will pay the $100 NYC meal fee and the Annual Meeting registration fee (so the representative can also attend the week-end’s workshops and activities). Other expenses not covered by USPC-NYC will be the responsibility of the representative. DCs/RCAs – please consider the qualifications, interest, and availability of one of your Upper Level members for this honor.

Nominees must be:

Between 18-21 years old as of January 1, 2012;
Have attained a national level rating (HB/C+ or above);
Demonstrate leadership and volunteerism;
Embody the qualities mentioned in the USPC Mission Statement;
Obey the USPC National Youth Congress Code of Conduct.

The NYC Application is on the ponyclub.org
(Please email me your nominations)

The Midsouth Region’s Annual Meeting of the Regional Council

This very important meeting will take place on Saturday, Nov 12, at the farm of Robin LeMastus in Goshen, KY. Sign-up forms are attached. Agenda and Meeting Notice will be emailed next week. This meeting will be FUN and informative!! Please let me know if you have questions or special issues you would like addressed.

2011 Annual Meeting Sign-Up (revised)

Club/RC Visits

Our regional Vice RS’s and I are continuing our club visits. October will certainly be the busiest month! (See attachment - Club_Reports). I am receiving wonderful feedback on the organization and cooperation within the clubs visited to date. This is outstanding news. Club leadership is a ‘team relationship’ just as much as our member rally teams. Thank you for being good adult role models and teachers for our members!

Mule Rider for West Point!

To the right is a photo of Samantha Dorminey (Pennyrile) and ‘Raider’ taken on September 10, 2011 at her first college football game as a Mule Rider for West Point Military Academy! Her Mom said, “She had a blast!”

(Cool job on the hip letter!).

Midsouth’s 2012 Rally Calendar

For planning purposes, here are the dates for the 2012 Midsouth Rallies. We will be
discussing Tet and Dressage Rallies at our regional meeting.

Quiz (Cool Springs Marriott, Franklin, TN) – March 3

Games (KHP*) – March 31

Polocrosse – To Be Determined (typically April or May)

Tetrathlon (tentatively KHP) – during MegaRally, exact dates TBD

MegaRally (KHP) – June 19- 22

Midsouth Pony Club Horse Trial (KHP) – June 22-24

*KHP = Kentucky Horse Park

Used Tack/Riding Apparel Sale?

Do you think it is a good idea for the region to ‘host’ a used riding apparel and tack sale? This idea has come up before but nothing definite was ever decided. Would we have time to ’round up’ our stuff in time for our regional meeting in Louisville? OR, should we plan for Quiz or MegaRally? Please let me know if you think such a sale is a good idea.

As to format, I was thinking folks could bring items for sale to the regional meeting with an envelope safety-pinned to the sale item. On the envelope would be written the following information: seller’s name, cell #, size information and price. We would display these items at our meeting location. To make a purchase, the buyer would simply place the $ inside the envelope and sealed it. All sealed envelopes would then be placed in a box and later returned to the seller at the conclusion of the meeting.

Sellers must take home all unsold items.

What do you think?

Warm Regards,

Nancy, RS

SEPTEMBER 2011 BOARDGRAM

By Becky Logsdon, on September 13th, 2011

Congratulations!

Brittany Jones and Hannah Williams (both Keeneland), Brooke Lundberg (Stillwater), and Aisling Carroll (Covered Bridge) ALL passed their C3 Rating last month…Yeah! Congratulations also to Casey Fitzgerald from Tennessee Valley PC for achieving our region’s 1^st C3-Show Jumping Rating! Yeah!

USPC has made it ‘official’ … Clare Burkhart has been awarded full ‘Chief’ Horse Management Judge status. Congratulations, Clare, we are so proud of you!!

Midsouth Competitors at the North American Quiz Challenge!

Our Midsouth Senior C Championship Quiz Team, consisting of Katie Dorminey (Pennyrile), Sterling Bishir (Middle Tennessee) and Emma Burch (Covered Bridge) were selected by USPC to participate in the Canadian Quiz Competition in Ontario, Canada this past August. Our team finished 3^rd overall…a great feat for a 3-member team!!

Katie finished 4th overall individual (3d place American) and Sterling Bishir finished 6th overall (5th American). The team had a super time. Katie has committed to representing the United States at the North American Quiz Challenge at Calgary, Canada in October! Go-o Katie!

2011 Fox Hunting Writing Contest Winner!

Sydney Burch, 11, D-2, from Cedar Knob Pony Club, won 2^nd Place in USPC’s Fox Hunting Writing Contest. Her finish entitled her to a cash prize “to be spent on Foxhunting dues, hunt capping fees, Pony Club camp or anything related these activities.” Sydney’s poem can be viewed in the August USPC E-News.

Congratulations Sydney…well done!

Midsouth Fox Hunting Clinic Invitation – Cedar Knob Pony Club (1^st Place winners of the 2011 Live Oak Hunt Challenge) has volunteered to organize a Fox Hunting Clinic on Nov. 5 for all the Clubs/Riding Centers in the Midsouth Region! Joanna Caldwell, Cedar Knob DC, and the Cedar Knob Hunt Master are planning a full day of activities, including (tentatively) a kennel tour, a talk about the sport of Fox Hunting, etiquette, attire, and a MOCK HUNT! (So fun!!!) More details soon.

Midsouth Fall Regional Council Meeting – November 12

While details are still ‘under construction’, I can share with you some of our plans for the upcoming Midsouth Annual Meeting to be held at the farm of Robin Lemastus in Goshen, KY. On Saturday morning activities will begin with a ‘Behind the Scenes‘ tour of Churchill Downs. You really don’t want to miss this!

Lunch will follow at the Lemastus Farm, after which we will conduct a ‘What Every RS Needs to Teach Every DC/RCA’ Workshop. This will be a series of presentation/discussion sessions to cover such topics as Club Instruction, ‘Achieving Upper Level Ratings’, Club Policies, Recruitment, Sponsor Meetings, Club Ratings, and Fund-Raising. We will have a few guest speakers, one of which will be Karol Wilson from the USPC National Office. Following the Workshop, we will have a Social Hour followed by our Region’s Annual Meeting.

The region has reserved a block of rooms at a nearby Best Western Hotel. The region will pay for one room per club or Riding Center for Saturday night for those traveling long distances. Saturday dinner is also complimentary for 2 persons from each club or riding center. Additional folks welcome at a cost of $12/dinner.

This is a meeting which all ‘incoming’ and ‘current’ DCs and Riding Center Administrators ‘must’ attend! Please reserve Saturday, November 12 on your calendars. The day will be fun and informative. Sign-up details will be coming out soon.

USPC By-Law Requirements for Club Annual Meeting

The USPC Club Bylaws 4.2.2.2, state that the agenda for the Annual Meeting shall include:

(a) the report of the DC on activities and general financial status;

(b) presentation and approval of the proposed financial plan for the coming year;

(d) election of officers for the next year, based on the report of the Nominating

Committee and nominations from the floor;

(e) amendments to the club policies;

(f) establishment of an activities calendar; and

(g) such other issues and business that are germane to the effective operation of the club.

The items listed above constitute the minimum agenda for the Annual Meeting of

Sponsors. Your club may have additional agenda items. At the Annual Meeting, the DC should:

_ Discuss club goals and activities for the coming year.

_ Present a club calendar to include club, regional, and national dates.

_ Delegate authority to the following: Jt-DC, Treasurer, Secretary.

_ Appoint Coordinators for any or all of the following:

_ Mounted and Unmounted Instruction

_ Fun Activities and Field Trips

_ Fund Raising

_ Summer Camp

_ D Activities

_ C Activities

_ Rallies (Competitions)

_ Ratings

_ Newsletter

_ Supplies, Club Equipment, etc.

REMEMBER: Sponsors may NOT vote by proxy. Since this meeting is an

important and required business meeting, it is not appropriate to

include Participating Members or other children.

Club/RC Visits

Midsouth RS/VRSs will be visiting as many clubs and riding centers as possible this fall. See attached list of who has volunteered to visit your club or riding center. If you see an error in the records listed, please let me know.

Midsouth’s 2012 Rally Calendar

For planning purposes, here are the dates for the 2012 Midsouth Rallies.

Quiz (Cool Springs Marriott, Franklin, TN) – March 3

Games (KHP*) – March 31

Polocrosse – To Be Determined (typically April or May)

Tetrathlon (tentatively KHP) – during MegaRally

MegaRally (KHP) – June 19- 22

Midsouth Pony Club Horse Trial (KHP) – June 22-24

*KHP = Kentucky Horse Park

Warm Regards,

Nancy, RS

P.S. Cindy Lacy sent me a

neat video about a horse

named Reckless that was

a hero during the Korean War.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIo3ZfA9da0

AUGUST 2011 BOARDGRAM

By Becky Logsdon, on September 13th, 2011

Congratulations!

Alexandra Aldridge, Emma Burch, Aisling Carroll, Emily Dohrman, Andrea Glazer, and Rhona Thomson – all from Covered Bridge – ALL passed their HB rating this past month. Impressive accomplishment! Also, Courtney Carroll, UK student who participates with Keeneland, just passed her HA rating. Great job Courtney!!!

Midsouth Nominating Committee – Allison Deaton (DC Long Run), Beth Grote (DC Miami Valley) and Hilda Horton (DC Chattanooga) have agreed to serve on the region’s Nominating Committee to develop/present the 2012 Slate of Officers for our region. USPC By-laws allow up to 5 members on this committee, which means there is room for 2 more folks. Is there anyone else interested in serving on this 3-month committee? You would be welcome!

[USPC By-laws require the Nominating Committee be approved by the Midsouth 'Regional Council' members (= Midsouth's Corporate Members, i.e. DCs, JtDCs, RCAs). Because our region encompasses a large geographical area, the region is permitted to vote to accept these committee members by 'proxy' vote. If anyone does not wish to accept the above nominating committee members, please email me at njssmith@aol.com by August 9, 2011.]

Midsouth Fall Regional Council Meeting – November 12

We are moving the location of Midsouth’s Annual Meeting to Louisville, KY! Meeting activities will include Speakers, a DC/RCA Training session, lunch and dinner and a ‘Tour of Churchill Downs’! We will meet at the LeMastus farm. DCs, JtDCs, and Riding Center Administrators, please put this date on your calendar & make plans to attend. More details will be emailed soon!

If you have topics/ideas of special interest that you would like the Board/Council to address, p-l-e-a-s-e email me. I currently have two regional policies up for discussion.

2012 USPC Dues have increased over 2011.

New Members = $130 (up $5)

Renewing Members = $110 (up $5)

[If a member rejoins after being inactive for a year or more, they rejoin as a renewing member, not as a new member.]

Pro-rated New Member= $160 (up $10)

[Pro-rated memberships start 9/1/11 and are good through 12/31/2012.]

Pro-rated Renewing Member = $140 (up $10)

[Current members can renew early too.]

Late Renewing Member = $120 (up $5)

[Current members renewing after 11/15 pay a 'late' penalty.]

Reminder: Riding Centers are to send individual family checks for membership dues, not a Center check.

No Change in Midsouth Regional Dues – Regional dues remain at $20. There is a $5 late fee for members who renew

after Jan 1. Pro-rated dues (Sept 1, 2011 year thru Dec 31, 2012) are $30.

Club Reports – Attached is a spreadsheet of the clubs in the region showing who has turned in forms and which ones. Please remember to forward a copy of these forms to me. I must approve the officers elected for 2012 and revised club policies, as well as send a review on each club to USPC. If you have questions/corrections, please let me know. Thank you.

List of Ratings Examiners – Attached is a list of Ratings Examiners that were used by clubs and riding centers for their 2011 Spring Ratings. Email club contacts for details/references. Also attached is an Examiner’s Evaluation and Apprentice Evaluation form. Please encourage your upper level members to apprentice (train) with an adult, experienced Examiner. The following is an excerpt from USPC’s “Organizer Guidelines D1 to C2 Rating Tests”:

“Ensure your selected Examiner(s) has been trained by and apprenticed with an experienced Examiner, attended a Standards and Ratings (S&R) Clinic, and has scribed for or “shadowed” an experienced Examiner before allowing that Examiner to rate in your club.”

Ratings Examiners Used By Clubs/RCs as of 8-2011

2011 Apprentice Evaluation

2011 Examiner’s Evaluation

Duck River Club Visit

I had an opportunity for a brief visit with Duck River Pony Club in Murfreesboro, TN this past June. Duck River was founded in 1994 and currently has 12 members. Corey Rice, DC, organized a mounted meeting for the club, which began with a short trail ride followed by a jump lesson at the farm of Brenda Wagnon. It was wonderful to meet club officers and members!

Stay Cool!

Nancy, RS

JULY 2011 BOARDGRAM

By Becky Logsdon, on September 13th, 2011

Midsouth Boardgram – July 2011

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Congratulations!

Alison Koelling, from Keeneland, received her HA rating on June 26. Kelsey Wawrzynice from Boskydell and Rebekah Green from Davis Creek received their HB’s on July 10. Wow! Well done. [Thank You, Parents, for all your support!]

Congratulations also to Dalles (Phillips) Lee, our Midsouth Horse Management Organizer, for achieving USPC’s Horse Management Judge “Chief” status. Well deserved.

A Special Word of Appreciation

Thank you to our regional Treasurer, Sharon Leonard, for keeping track of all our regional bills, reimbursements, judge’s fees, deposits, clinics, entry fees, refunds, capital expenditures, quarterly reports, Tax return (and audit), W-9′s, the list goes on…all throughout the year. And she does all this with quiet grace and humbleness. T-H-A-N-K Y-O-U, Sharon, for all the hours you spend in service to our Midsouth Region!

USPC National Youth Board (not Youth Congress)
Check out http://nyb.ponyclub.org for information on this group of twenty dedicated older members, whose purpose is to increase communication between USPC’s Board of Governors and our pony club membership. Each Board member represents several USPC regions. Emily Nash is our Youth Board Representative. Please encourage your members, >18 yrs. with good communication skills, to consider serving on the National Youth Board. Applications are due by September 30th! Not only is it a great way to stay active within pony club, but a very fun way to meet upper level pony clubbers from all over the country! Contact Emily Nash at emilynash.nyb@gmail.com for the ‘inside scoop’.

3^rd Horse Management Seminar

During Championships, USPC will be presenting a wonderful Horse Management Seminar to be conducted by Connie Jehlik. Cost is $70 per person. The region will reimburse you $50 of that cost if you stay for the whole Seminar. Contact Connie Jehlik at instruction@ponyclub.org to sign up.

Nominating Committee

The region is seeking 3-5 persons to serve on a regional Nominating Committee. This committee will take nominations for the following regional offices: RS, 4 VRS’s, Secretary, Treasurer, Regional Instruction Coordinator for Upper Level Ratings (RIC 1), and Regional Instruction Coordinator for Club-Level Instruction ( RIC 2). The Nominating Committee will present a slate of nominees for each of these positions, which will be voted upon at our Annual Meeting in November. Email me by July 31 if you are interested in serving on this committee. Once formed, I will email all DCs/RCAs the names of the Committee members for their approval.

(Note: Regions, by virtue of size, can vote by ‘proxy’. Clubs cannot.)

Reminder: Clubs too must have a means of nominating officers. USPC Club By-Laws

4.1.5 state this is to be done through a Nominating Committee. The DC can propose a Committee of 3 to 5 Sponsors. But the Club Sponsors must vote to accept the proposed Committee. The Nominating Committee must be elected 3 months prior to the club’s scheduled Annual Sponsor’s Meeting. The Committee’s purpose is to generate and present a slate of 2012 club officers for election by the club Sponsors. Officer nominations can also be taken from the floor. (Please refer to pages 34 and 78 of the USPC Guide for District Commissioners.)

Club and Riding Center Visits

As RS, I (or my appointed representative) am required by USPC to periodically review the activities of each club and riding center in our region and make a report to the national office. I find it impossible to visit all 32 of our Midsouth clubs/riding centers on an annual basis but I/we do try to personally visit them all over the course of several years.

The purpose of these visits are to:

• review the club’s overall administration and instructional program;

• evaluate of the club’s involvement in regional activities, USPC By-Law compliance, as well as the club’s/riding center’s interactions with other clubs and riding centers;

• evaluate the club’s/riding center’s overall potential for longevity/growth, volunteer / member involvement; and,

• consider the stability and management of club’s finances.

We will be calling some of our DCs and RCAs over the next few months to schedule Fall visits. Personally, these visits are one of the highlights of my year! I love meeting club/riding center officers, members and families. Last year I managed to visit 8. This year, I have only visited 2 so far. With the able assistance of our VRSs, we should be able to visit many more.

USPC National Championships

This year Midsouth is sending 57 (!) competitors to USPC’s National Championships held at the Kentucky Horse Park. Attached is a listing of all the teams/clubs/riding centers. Move-in day is Monday, July 18. Tuesday is the official opening day with Opening Ceremonies at 6 pm. Wednesday through Friday are mounted competitions days, with final awards on Friday afternoon. If you are heading to KHP during this week, please plan to stop the Midsouth tent and share a few refreshments with us. We’d love to see you.

Regional Communications

ALL CLUBS: Please continue to send me meeting minutes, club calendars, member achievements, and fund-raising flyers. I do read them and I really appreciate including me on your distribution list.

Also, for the regional files, don’t forget to send:

Identification of your Nominating Committee members,
Notice of Annual Meeting,
List of Officers,
Annual Meeting Minutes,
Renewal Membership Packet (surveys too), and
Club Policies, latest version. (5 clubs have not sent me their final, revised, Sponsor-approved policies. Please finalize/send.)

Thank you all…it is a pleasure to know and work with every one of you!

Very sincerely,

Nancy Smith, RS

May 2011 Boardgram

By Becky Logsdon, on September 13th, 2011

Midsouth Boardgram – May 2011

Check the Midsouth Website for:

• Information/Entry Forms for a C and Above Clinic on June 11-12 at Penrose Farm in Knoxville, TN. Deb Willson and Karine Gordy are Instructors. Priority given to B / A members.

• Details/sign-up on the 2nd Midsouth HM Seminar scheduled during D2/D3 Rally at the Kentucky Horse Park competitor barns. Connie Jehlik (USPC Director Instruction and Chief HM Judge) will be the Instructor.

• A revised Ratings Examiner Evaluation form is posted for all club/riding center testing organizers to use to provide valuable feedback for our regional Directory. We also encourage clubs/rcs to use Impartial Observers and Upper Level Members as Apprentices to your experienced, Adult Examiners for valuable training. To document this training, you will also find on the website, an Apprentice Evaluation form for the Examiner to complete.

• The closing date for the $79.00 room rate at the Holiday Inn in Georgetown is Sat. May 28th. To make your reservation: visit the website at www.holidayinn.com. Select Georgetown KY and then check for availability. Enter the group code MPC and that will bring up the group rate.

L to R: James, Jackie, Ashley, Sarah and Mary

Gummi Bears win Prince Philip Cup – AGAIN! For an unprecedented second year in a row, the Covered Bridge/Bluegrass Gummi Bears Games Team won the Prince Phillip Cup! The competition was held during the 4-Star Rolex Eventing Competition at the KY Horse Park in April. The Gummi’s also won their Games division at our Regional Games Rally in March and will be one of several Games teams heading to the USPC National Games Championships in Lexington in July to represent the Midsouth Region. Thank you to their wonderful coaches, Sara and Cassie Greiling!

The May Standards and Rating (S&R) Clinic – Deb Willson, USPC National Examiner, presented a wonderful S&R clinic at Majestic Farm in Cincinnati, OH on May 14/5. ‘Thank you’ to the 40+ attendees and the wonderful demonstration riders! ‘Thank you’ Sue Colliver and Beth Grote for organizing the week-end’s activities and to Becky Logsdon and her USPC graduate daughter, Lindy, for an excellent HM seminar on Sunday morning! Valuable information, wonderful fellowship and scrumptious food…Thank you all!

USPC National Championships – If you received an invitation to participate in Quiz or Games Championships and know for sure that you want to attend, PLEASE send me the paperwork listed in the invitation letter, as soon as possible! Thank you!!!

The absolute deadline for ALL regional entries to Quiz, Games, Polocrosse, Dressage, Show Jumping and Eventing Championships is June 26. COMPLETE entries and checks must be in my hands by June 26 – no exceptions!!!!! You must provide me all the required Affidavits, Coggins and/or any other paperwork listed in your Invitation Letter to me before you leave KHP on Sunday, June 26 !!!

Congratulations to Cedar Knob Pony Club! – Cedar Knob participated in the Live Oak Fox Hunting Challenge in 2010 with other Pony Clubs from across the nation (see USPC E-News – April 2010) and WON 1st PLACE. For this Cedar Knob was awarded a check for $3500 !!!!! The Challenge was designed to encourage Pony Club members who do not regularly hunt to try the sport, and to reward those members who do hunt on a regular basis to act as mentors to the younger and less-experienced Pony Club members. Awards went to six Pony Clubs who regularly take the greatest percentage (based on total number of club members) of active Pony Club members hunting, based on the required number of hunts needed by each member.

Following were the winners of the 2010/2011 Challenge:

First Place

Cedar Knob Pony Club – Midsouth Region who hunted with Beech Grove Hunt, Cedar Knob Hounds Hunt, Full Cry Hounds Hunt, Longreen Hunt, and Mooreland Hunt

Second Place

Rolling Rock Hunt Pony Club – Tri-State Region who hunted with Bull Runt Hunt and Rolling Rock Hunt

Third Place

Sundance Pony Club – Cimarron Region who hunted with Harvard Fox Hounds Hunt

Fourth Place

Woodbine Pony Club – South Region who hunted with Bear Creek Hounds

Fifth Place

Golden’s Bridge Hounds Pony Club – Metropolitan Region who hunted with Golden’s Bridge Hounds Hunt

Sixth Place

South Creek Pony Club – Sunshine Region who hunted with South Creek Hounds Hunt

Looking forward to seeing you all at Rally!!

Nancy, RS