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Riders compete in Davis Creek Pony Club Combined Test and Dressage Horse Show
Bailee Tucker at the Davis Creek Pony Club Combined Test and Dressage Horse Show at Winfield Riding Club, Sunday, May 31.
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WINFIELD -- Forty riders from the local Tri-State area, Morgantown, Parkersburg and middle Ohio competed for ribbons and Ohio University Southern scholarships at the Davis Creek Pony Club Combined Test and Dressage Horse Show on May 31 at Winfield Riding Club.
The Ohio University Southern scholarships were awarded based on dressage scores earned at the show. Winners of the scholarships were Caleb Green, $500; Jennifer Harber, $250; and Rebekah Green, $150. The scholarship money will be used toward any courses at Ohio University Southern in 2009-10.
All riders first rode the sport of dressage, which develops harmony and communication between the horse and rider. The rider uses slight movements of their hands, legs and weight to guide their horse through a specific set of movements. Later in the day, the combined test competitors also rode a course of stadium jumps that ranged from simple poles on the ground to jumps of almost four feet.
The Special Musical Freestyle gave the youngest of riders an opportunity to ride for the crowd. Ranging from ages 2 to 12, these young riders entered the arena individually and showed off their riding ability in any way they chose while their favorite song played.
All proceeds raised at the show go toward supporting the local Davis Creek Pony Club. Davis Creek is a member of the United States Pony Clubs, a national nonprofit youth equestrian organization consisting of more than 600 member clubs spread throughout the U.S. with over 11,000 members nationwide.
Members of the Davis Creek club are from Charleston, W.Va., to Boyd County, Ky. The club puts on two shows per year at Winfield to provide a friendly competition for the local horse community in dressage and two phases of the horse triathlon (the combined test).
The club also participates in competitions, rallies and clinics with other pony clubs in the Midsouth region in the equine sports of dressage, eventing, show jumping, games, polocrosse, tetrathlon and quiz.
The mission of Pony Club is "to provide a program for youth that teaches riding, mounted sports and the care of horses and ponies, thereby developing responsibility, moral judgment, leadership and self-confidence." Members of USPC have joined an organization dedicated to producing well-rounded horsemen and women and one that has produced many of the past and current Olympic and international riders.
The Davis Creek Pony Club will sponsor another show this fall at Winfield Riding Club on Oct. 11.
To learn more about USPC, visit www.ponyclub.org or www.daviscreek.ponyclub.org. Additional photos from the May 31 show are also available on the Davis Creek site.
-- Submitted by Cheryl Parsons, district commissioner of Davis Creek Pony Club
