DISCOVER USPC - The Official Magazine of The United States Pony Clubs - Issue #168(Winter 2023/2024) by USPonyClubs

WINTER 2023/2024 | NO. 168

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WINTER ISSUE 2023/2024 ISSUE NO. 168

President: Jennifer Sweet Executive Director: Teresa Woods Editor: Sarah Evers Conrad

PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES PONY CLUBS, INC. 4041 IRON WORKS PARKWAY | LEXINGTON, KY 40511-8483 | OFFICE 859-254-7669 DISCOVER USPC, The Official Magazine of The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is published two to three times a year by The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. and mailed to Pony Club members/families and Corporate Members. Readers are encouraged to submit ideas or articles for publication. Address all correspondence to the Editor at the above address. USPC is not responsible for the opinions and statements in signed articles and paid advertisements. These opinions are not necessarily the opinions of USPC and its staff. Pony Club recognizes that equestrian headgear that does not meet USPC Policy #0810 is not safe, although certain equestrian activities pictured in this magazine may not adhere to these requirements. Change of address must be made six weeks before date of publication for next issue to be delivered to a new address. Address changes can be made to your USPC member profile online or by mail. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to United States Pony Clubs, 4041 Iron Works Parkway, Lexington, KY 40511-8483. ABOUT ADVERTISING: Pony Club does not endorse any publication, service, or product, and reserves the right to refuse any advertising not in the best interest of USPC membership. Advertising in DISCOVER USPC, The Official Magazine of The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. does not imply any such endorsement; nor does Pony Club warrant as to the accuracy of any claims made by such advertisements that claim to meet Pony Club needs or requirements. Advertising does not necessarily reflect the standards and practices of Pony Club.

PUBLICATION EDITORS, NOTE: Unless it has been cited as having been reprinted from another publication, permission to reproduce any article or other editorial content published in DISCOVER USPC, The Official Magazine of The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. must be requested from the Editor at communications@ponyclub.org and with the condition that credit is given as follows: Reprinted from (issue date) of DISCOVER USPC, The Official Magazine of The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. with permission of the United States Pony Clubs.

© 2023 The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. No rights for commercial use or exploitation are given or implied. DISCOVER USPC are trademarks of The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HEALTH 16

For the Rider

Departments

Courtesy Alison LaCarrubba

4 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Courtesy Triple Crown Nutrition

On the Cover: Ella Juhnke, D-2 HM, D-2 Eventing, of High Lakes Pony Club in the Oregon Region, with Kenwoods Royal Charter. Photo by Ella Chedester Photography, www.ellachedester.com

DISCOVER USPC

Winter 2023/2024

6 BITS & PIECES 8 JUST FOR FUN 10 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: GALINA KUZARA 24 GROOMING GOALS: COLD WEATHER GROOMING TIPS 28 NUTRITION NOTES: NUTRITION FOR THE WORKING SENIOR HORSE 32 PONY CLUB PICTURE PADDOCK

Features

12 TIPS FOR THE USPC RESEARCH PROJECT FAIR Research Project Fair pros from the Midwest

Region share their secrets for a successful experience.

16 MENTAL HEALTH FOR THE RIDER Relieve fear, anxiety, and worries related to riding and competing.

21 REDUCING TESTING ANXIETY Prevent nerves from affecting your next certification.

LETTERS FROM...

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

THE PRESIDENT

Recently, I ran across a document titled “Perfect Pony Club” in my records. Based on the terms used—Member in Good Standing Policy, Horse Management Rating Track, and with it referring to certifications as ratings—it was written a while ago. The document starts out, “Everyone will agree that the job of the District Commissioner is a big one and that it cannot be accomplished without the assistance of other adults who are equally committed to the success of the club. We have all talked about the Perfect Pony Club (PPC) and have our own ideas as to how that would be described, but all would likely agree that there are some things that would be similar. One of the most consistent traits of the ‘PPC’ would be the help of others to share the load.” It further lists the following things that have proven to lead to the success of clubs: 20 active members, even distribution of D to C-2 certification levels, a scattering of H-B and up members, one dedicated adult per member who assists with operation/management of the club, a variety of meeting sites, a written recruiting plan, a “fireside chat” with new members and parents prior to joining, close associations with other organizations, an active role in the community, and involvement of members in the decision-making. I believe “Successful Pony Clubs/Centers” are more attainable than “Perfect Pony Clubs/Centers.” I encourage leaders, parents, and members to take stock of your club/center and try to incorporate at least one or more of the ideas listed above to bring a new level of success to your club/center in 2024.

As I write to you today, I’m in the middle of the holiday bustle, and I’m thinking about my personal goals for the upcoming year. As you read this, you may be looking at the new year and working on, or at least contemplating, how best to achieve your goals. Those goals could be professional, personal, school, or where you want your Pony Club journey to take you in 2024. I personally believe that successful people all have one thing in common, and that is setting goals. And, regardless of one’s goals, there are common threads to accomplishing them. First, a person must be passionate about the goal, which means it must be something they truly want. Second, one must put in the effort, time, and the days necessary. If the goal isn’t important enough to pour the hours and effort into, chances are, it will not be achieved. A Gallup Poll conducted in 2023 shows that seven out of 10 Americans are ready to set goals for the new year. I tend to think that the number is even higher among Pony Club members and volunteers. After all, we are a motivated, committed, and goaloriented team! While your goals may be very specific to your Pony Club experience—such as achieving the next level of certification, qualifying for Championships at Festival, or improving your riding and horse management skills—interestingly, the most common goal among the Gallup Poll survey respondents was health and fitness. So, if one of your goals outside of equestrian pursuits and Pony Club is health and fitness, keep in mind that Pony Club can help achieve those goals, too. Being a member and participating in events and activities at a Pony Club or Pony Club Riding Center not only improves your riding fitness, but Pony Club makes staying healthy easy and enjoyable. Horseback riding is a great way to improve physical fitness, burn calories, improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and improve core body strength, as well as help you relax and bond with not only your horse, but yourself. Not to mention the great workout you get from all those barn chores! Wishing everyone health, happiness, and prosperity in 2024.

Teresa Woods, USPC Executive Director

Jennifer Sweet, USPC President

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Winter 2023/2024

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BITS & PIECES Cheers to 70 Years with the U.S. Pony Clubs

PHOTO CREDIT: JENNIFER CARPENTER, USPC FESTIVAL 2021

The year 2024 is a big year for The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. It’s the organization’s 70th Anniversary. What does that say when an organization reaches such a historical milestone? It signifies that it has truly stood the test of time. It shows the world that the founders really had a great idea. And it also demonstrates that the organization has had the right leadership along the way for it to still be thriving, including through challenges, such as recessions, shifts in the horse industry, changes in the needs of its members, etc. But mostly, it indicates that it is a well-loved organization—one in which members keep coming back year after year and one in which new members find a reason to join, a purpose once they are here, and a new way to find joy on their horse journey. Over the next year, you will see various ways that USPC

DISCOVER USPC

Winter 2023/2024

is celebrating. This celebration is for all of our members past and present. Without them, there would be no national organization. The same goes for our volunteers and all those who have stepped up to be local and regional leaders, judges, examiners, board and committee members, and those who have filled several roles throughout their time, however short or long, with Pony Club. And of course, we can’t forget all of the families who had a child they love join Pony Club. Based on feedback we’ve gotten over the years, we know it was well worth it for so many who have shared how they got so much out of the experience. We invite you to share your stories from the past 70 years with us as we celebrate our anniversary. It is these stories that truly make Pony Club what it is today. — Sarah Evers Conrad, USPC Marketing and Communications Director

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Galina Kuzara Photos Courtesy Galina Kuzara

AGE: 16 | CLUB/REGION: METAMORA HUNT II, GREAT LAKES REGION | YEARS IN PONY CLUB: 9

Current certification (and/or certification currently working on): C-2 HM, C-1 EV, C-2 FL, C-1 DR What disciplines and/or activities are you involved in? Eventing and Dressage Tell us about your current mount(s) and what you do with them: My mount is Blondie, a Holsteiner-cross. I do Eventing and Dressage with her. I have been with her for 10 years and have done everything with her. I have brought her up the levels. We have an amazing bond. We have been in Dressage4Kids run by Lendon Gray. Tell us about your goals (with Pony Club, with riding, life): To earn an A certification in Pony Club and continue up the levels in both Dressage and Eventing. I just want to continue my riding career and keep striving for excellence. One day, I hope to ride under the Olympic and five-star lights. What is your favorite thing about Pony Club? All the [things] you can do and the people you meet. Pony Club has helped me a lot in so many ways. DISCOVER USPC

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What is one thing you would tell younger members first joining Pony Club? Have fun with all the experiences you will have and the people you will meet. What is your favorite way to prep for a Horse Management certification? Studying with friends and making it fun. If you could try out any other discipline or activity, what would it be and why? Polo, because it seems like a lot of fun and very different from any other discipline. Favorite Pony Club memory: USPC Championships in 2020 What makes you #PonyClubProud? The fact that it is a privilege and honor to be in a club that allows me to thrive in my equestrian career.

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Elizabeth Moyer/United States Pony Clubs

Tips for the USPC Research Project Fair Research Project Fair pros from the Midwest Region share their secrets for a fun and successful experience. By Elizabeth Moyer, USPC Fundraising and Marketing Coordinator Are you that person who reads everything about horses that you can find? Perhaps you are the one at the barn who always has a million questions at Pony Club meetings for your instructor, the farrier, the vet, or any other equine expert that may cross your path. If you always want to know more when it comes to horses, you might also want to know more about Pony Club’s Research Project Fair. Held annually at the USPC Convention, the USPC Research Project Fair is an opportunity for Pony Club members of all ages and certification levels to further their knowledge on horses and riding-related topics. It’s also a great way to prepare for certifications and offers many other benefits in developing research and public speaking skills. DISCOVER USPC

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Benefits of Participating

“The RPF is a fantastic opportunity to dig deeper into a topic of interest and gain presentation skills in an encouraging environment,” says Lisa Morrissey, Regional Supervisor of the Midwest Region. “Midwest Region has had members of many different ages and personalities participate, and every time, they are very glad they chose to do it.” Lisa has logged a decade of experience with the Research Project Fair as both a leader and a parent and encourages members from her region to participate every year. Not only has the Midwest Region always been well represented, but Morrissey’s daughter, Alaina, did 11 projects in 10 years!

Left Photo Courtesy Alaina Morrissey; Right Photo Courtesy Alison LaCarrubba

Midwest Region Pony Club members Alaina Morrissey (left) and Michaela Frye (right) have years of experience participating in the USPC Research Project Fair.

If you’re nervous about presenting, a group project makes it less scary, and much more fun.

Alaina Morrissey (C-2 HM, C-2 EV, C-2 HSE, of Hinkson Valley Pony Club), loves the Research Project Fair and tries to encourage everyone in her club to try it at least once. “It is an amazing way to gain experience doing research, speaking in front of a group of judges, and working on a long-term project,” she says. “I am currently in my first year of college, and I have been able to find resources for papers and give presentations more easily than my peers. I struggle with anxiety, particularly with speaking in front of others, but the Research Project Fair allowed me to learn how to manage that anxiety in a safe space. I have given individual and group presentations, and either way, there is always a plethora of support, both from the other presenters and those who came to watch.” Michaela Frye (H-B HM, C-3 EV, of both Mill Creek Pony Club and Hinkson Valley Pony Club) has participated in the Research Project Fair for six or seven years and enjoys it for many reasons. “The Research Project Fair is a great opportunity to research specific elements of horses that interest you,” she says. “I hope to be a veterinarian one day, and I have enjoyed researching disorders in horses, as well as scientific advancements in equine veterinary research. I feel as though my different projects have made me a more well-rounded Pony Club member. Over the years, my topics have gotten progressively more in-depth and complicated. For example, my second literature review was about the different Triple Crown winners, and one of my most recent literature reviews was about pacemaker implantation in horses. “In addition to learning more about equine science and anatomy, it has also helped me in non-horse-related things,” she continues. “For example, I am currently taking a college-level public speaking class, and the experience I have from giving Research Project Fair presentations has been a tremendous help.” Michaela reports that she has also gained many friends, including Alaina Morrissey, whom she counts as one of her closest friends, as well as a friendly rival when it comes to the competition.

1. You do not have to do a scientific, research-based experiment. “Many members do, and I’ve been blown away by some of the topics and amazing presentations, but there are other ways to participate,” shares Lisa. “Members can also do literature reviews on any equine-related topic they would like to know more about. They can also work with others in a small group if they wish or do an individual presentation. Some members do both!” 2. You will be judged based on your age group and certification. An 8-year-old D-1 can have a fantastic presentation just as well as an 18-year-old H-B. The judges gauge their scoring and discussion based on the age and certification level of the presenter. “I have watched the Research Project Fair for 10 years, and I can attest that the judges are consistently encouraging, interested, and make sure the member finishes with a positive experience,” says Lisa. 3. Don’t fear the presentation. There’s no need to worry about memorizing everything. You are welcome to have note cards and to use your display poster to help you stay on track as you present. 4. You do not have to be present at the convention to participate. For several years now, the Research Project Fair has had both in-person and online options. Online participants present via Zoom to the panel of judges and receive prizes through the mail. 5. Parents and leaders can help the process. In addition to speaking to their club or center members about the Research Project Fair and encouraging participation, Lisa says there are a few things parents and leaders can do to help preparations go smoothly. “Make time for members to form groups or brainstorm topics,” she says. Lisa also advises getting entries in early and starting the research as soon as possible so that participants aren’t stressed. She finds that making time during an early Quiz practice is a great way for members to present their topic. “This will help them practice for the Research Project Fair, and everyone will learn something,” she says.

Five Things to Know About the Research Fair

Topics of Interest

If you’re curious about giving the Research Project Fair a try, here are Lisa’s top things to know about the USPC Research Project Fair:

The first step to success in the Research Project Fair is choosing a topic. “The range of topics for literature reviews and research-based DISCOVER USPC

ponyclub.org

A Successful Experience

“In the past, my horses’ veterinarian has helped me further understand my topics,” says Michaela. “She has also helped me decide on what topic to research, and she has given me props to use, like a skull and a spinal needle.” Also, remember to use your Pony Club resources, says Alaina. Your club likely has a library of books and information on various horse topics and can also be a great source of support, she says. Many people get nervous about public speaking, but Alaina and Michaela both have tips to conquer those jitters. “If you are worried about having to present your topic, practice presenting it to some friends, your parents, or other Pony Club members before the Research Project Fair. The more you practice, the more confident you will be,” advises Michaela. “I like to have some note cards when I present my projects, but if you go this route, make sure you don’t read your entire speech. Glance at your note cards occasionally and make sure to look at the judges. After you give the presentation, the judges will ask you some questions. My advice is to be confident in your answers. If you don’t know the answer to something, it is okay.” Alaina adds her tips for dealing with nerves. “If you are nervous about presenting, it helps to have an emotional support person there, such as a friend or a parent, and I like to think about speaking in a yoga instructor voice to keep myself from talking too fast,” says Alaina. “Visual aids are an amazing addition to a presentation, and if you are able to incorporate them, they help engage the audience and make what you’re describing easier to understand.” Lastly, Michaela reminds everyone to have fun with the Fair. “Choose a topic that you find interesting. If you’re nervous about presenting, do a group project. It makes it more fun and less scary to have a friend presenting a project with you,” she says. “I did group projects my first four years competing in the Research Project Fair, and I didn’t start presenting individual projects until recently. Competing in the Research Project Fair requires effort and time, but it’s definitely worth it!” To enter a future Research Project Fair, visit www.ponyclub.org, or stay tuned to the Pony Club E-News for notification about the next one. To subscribe to Pony Club Enews, visit www. ponyclub.org, click on News, and click on E-News.

Both Alaina and Michaela recommend speaking to a veterinarian if you are doing a health-related topic, Organizer of the USPC Research Project Fair, Yvette Seger (center), with members of the whether it’s a literature review or an Hinkson Valley Pony Club. experimental project. DISCOVER USPC

14 Winter 2023/2024

Courtesy Alison LaCarrubba

experiments is so broad!” says Lisa. Any topic that you find in the USPC Manuals of Horsemanship or that a member has an interest in can be made into a Research Project Fair presentation. Here she shares some of the topics that have stood out to her over the years, including: ■ Tow vehicles and trailers—This was a fantastic review of the capabilities of various pulling vehicles and what size of trailer is appropriate for them. ■ Equine genetics ■ Stable design ■ Fire safety ■ Equine euthanasia—This was by a high school member who plans to attend veterinary school. ■ Tests of various kinds of bedding for absorbency, comfort, dust etc. ■ Tests of various breeches for grip on the saddle ■ A review of installing a water collection system on a stable ■ Equine pacemakers ■ An experiment to see what type of treats various ponies preferred ■ Equine retirement facilities across the country—This group surveyed many facilities and compiled data about them. ■ Equine narcolepsy ■ Club foot—This member owned a pony with a club foot, so they used this opportunity to learn more about him. ■ Reviews of various breeds ■ Data on bacteria levels in swabs of the mouth, hoof, and skin ■ Analysis of various commercial feeds However, Lisa’s best advice is to “find a topic that interests you or relates to what you and your mount are experiencing. This will make it much more fun to research.” Alaina agrees with choosing a project that interests you and that you can connect with personally. “My most recent topic was equine cancer, which had taken two of my horses in the past year. The project served as a way to connect with them by better understanding what happened, as well as educating others on the warning signs of the most common forms of cancer in horses, and the best routes of treatment. I suggest picking a topic that you are excited about; the judges can tell when you are invested.”

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HEALTH For the Rider

By Sarah Evers Conrad, USPC Marketing and Communications Director

All riders struggle with fear, anxiety, anger, and frustration—in riding and in life—but how can we help ourselves and get back to better riding? Two experts share tips on developing happier riders.

n today’s culture where everyone seems to be emotionally struggling in some way or another, talking about our mental health has become a critical topic. Does improving our mental health mean we should wait until our struggles hit a breaking point? Or should we become aware of our mental state and recognize where we are, where we’re headed, and when we need to intervene for ourselves, and/or when we need to seek outside help? After all, anger, fear, frustration, and other “negative” thoughts are all just normal human emotions. We all go through them, and we hope to reach the other side in a happier place than we were. In some instances, these negative thoughts can make us better … by pushing us to do our best. And sometimes that negative thought or emotion could be impacting our life or even our riding in ways we don’t intend. With a degree in sports science and 25 years of experience coaching riders all over the world, mental coach and equestrian Daniel Stewart has authored multiple books and developed the Pressure Proof Coaching Academy. He decided to focus on the mental aspect of riding when he was a young instructor and realized that what was holding his students back was mostly mental and not physical, even though most instructors focus on the physical skills aspect. Stewart points out there is no one answer for everybody. “It’s important for us to understand that the middle-school riders are going through different things in their life. They’re trying to feel accepted. They’re trying to fit in. They’re trying to find a place DISCOVER USPC

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in life,” he says. “And with adult riders, we’re recovering from injuries. We’re trying to live our best life, even though we’re not as good as we were when we were in our 20s. At different ages in our lives, we go through different emotional challenges. So, it’s important to believe that we cannot teach one mental lesson to all riders. We need to be mindful of their ages and what they’re going through.” As a licensed psychologist and sports performance therapist for the past 35 years, as well as an author and longtime equestrian herself, Janet Sasson Edgette, PsyD, says her number one piece of advice for helping riders get to a healthy mental space is to accept the situation and not fight it. “I don’t believe in the idea of negative thoughts,” she says. “They’re just thoughts you don’t like.” She adds that sometimes these thoughts or feelings of fear can be good judgement, and it could be your brain’s way of protecting you. Edgette gets people to respect the thought or emotion and then works from there. Anxiety is a given at times when the stakes are high and you really want something, like a win at a horse show or rally, but that doesn’t mean it will make you ride poorly. “We don’t have to take on this big endeavor of vanquishing your anxiety,” says Edgette. “We’re just going to make it so it moves from the foreground to the background, so it becomes like white noise.” Edgette’s job is to help her clients discover how their emotions specifically affect their riding. After this, she can then help them determine how to compensate for these changes to their riding. She herself under-rides when she’s nervous and

has less of a canter than she needs. To compensate, she keeps certain phrases in her head, such as, “More pace, keep coming, go forward!” Stewart also sees a connection to a rider’s thoughts and to their riding. “When we worry about losing to other people, we create the pressure that makes us lose to other people,” he says. “We cannot control our opponents, so I always ask my riders to remember these words, ‘Always remember that an opponent is there to motivate, not intimidate.’” Edgette asks riders to think about the worst thing that could happen if they fail. And while memory recall can be affected when someone feels anxiety, which can affect Pony Club members during a certification test or a Quiz rally, this is a normal thing, according to Edgette, who recommends building more preparation into your process. In the case of not passing a certification test, she encourages members to understand that while it’s an inconvenience, or it might be a little embarrassing to some, it’s manageable, and you just take the test again after continuing to practice.

Skills for Mental Growth

Stewart emphasizes that our goal is to grow through life. “Experiences create foundations, which create growth,” he explains. “And our foundation is built on two things: success and failure. They are both equal to foundationbuilding. In psychology, one is not better than the other. Riding isn’t about doing everything right; it’s about having the right amount of wrong. If you are not failing, you are not trying hard enough.” Edgette encourages riders to develop the skills below to deal with emotions like disappointment. Keep Perspective: Frustration tolerance and maintaining perspective is important for riders. This includes being able to accept that you’ve done something poorly, but not let it ruin your day, or the rest of your jump course when you pull a rail. Riders should give themselves the margin to not do well and not add additional meaning to it by thinking things like, “I rode so poorly in the clinic. I must not be as good a rider as I thought I was.” Instead, a rider should accept that they’ve just had an off day, or maybe their horse did, or maybe they just missed a skill they needed for that day. “It’s a very difficult sport, and there’s just so much to it, and it’s so nuanced that you can’t always get it right,” she says. Setting Boundaries: This can be important to do with your horse and for yourself. If there is drama at the barn, Edgette encourages riders to maintain their composure and not get drawn into it, and just focus on their goals. Staying Open-Minded: Edgette emphasizes the importance of listening to the expert’s perspective, rather than just saying, “I already tried that.” Perhaps a rider hasn’t taken that suggested solution to a problem and tried it decisively enough or strongly

enough or in the right manner. Stop Trying to Be Perfect: When riders try to be perfect, they either end up under-riding or over-riding. Edgette adds that riders often have such a fear of making mistakes that they will stop riding as they should. “That’s what happens to a lot of riders when they go to finals or big championships classes,” Edgette explains. “They lose the boldness and the assertive decision-making that they have that got them there in the first place, and they try to be perfect, and trying to be perfect just strangulates anybody who tries.” Rebuild Confidence Gradually: After a fall or another incident that has affected a rider’s confidence, Edgette cautions that you just can’t manufacture new confidence. It must be rebuilt. For example, she shares that when a horse likes to get too strong or bolt with a rider at the canter, she will ask the rider to think about the conditions they need to feel confident to ask for that canter, such as having their horse ridden first or turning him out the night before, or cantering on a longe line, or only cantering in a certain corner away from the rail, etc. “If you try to work through an anxiety that you have as a rider by doing it more or by just doing it over and over again, it’s not going to get better,” says Edgette. “It will always get worse. We don’t do that to our horses if they’re nervous. We drop the back rail, or we do something to make it more inviting to them. We have to do the same for ourselves.” It’s okay when you need to step down in level for a time to work through what’s going on. Edgette asks her clients to be able to own that rather than feel like they have to maintain the same level of riding that they’ve been doing. “That’s what you did, and it will be what you do again, but it’s not what you need to do right now,” she says.

Making Things Better

Stewart has developed several techniques during his career that he uses with his students. Mojo-Mantras: Like chants for yoga or meditation, mojomantras can be used to stimulate the calmness center in the brain to help us get in the athletic zone. His mojo-mantras, and those his students have developed, have rhythm and rhyme, and they tell the rider what to do. Stewart says that when we are in the zone and at our best, we are relaxed, focused, clear on our goals, and have brilliant memory and no fear. “In order for us to get into the zone, we need to create what’s called a flow state,” he says. “A flow state is when your brain switches over from analysis paralysis to just being relaxed and trusting. To get into a flow state, you need a rhythm and rhyme.” Some examples of mojo-mantras include: Keep calm; ride on. Push on, finish strong. Rest of the ride, best of the ride. I can do it, nothing to it. Others that Pony Club members have come (continued past sidebar on page 20) DISCOVER USPC

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Developing a Safe Space in Your Club/Center Currently, there is an effort in schools for students to learn social-emotional learning (SEL) skills., which are critical for all of us to have healthy lives and to succeed in our educational pursuits, careers, and interpersonal interactions with family, friends, and even strangers. SEL skills, according to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), include: ■ Self-awareness: the abilities to understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts ■ Self-management: the abilities to regulate our emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations ■ Responsible decision-making: the abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across situations

■ Social awareness: the abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including from those from various backgrounds, cultures, and situations ■ Relationship skills: the abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups Adults in a child’s life can help facilitate these skills in their interactions. And for adults, we’re always learning, so it’s up to us to grow these skills. But how can Pony Club help? After all, one of Pony Club’s biggest attributes is the sense of community that develops around our clubs and riding centers. Mental coach and equestrian Daniel Stewart has authored multiple books and developed the Pressure

Proof Coaching Academy, where he has trained mental coaches. In this area, he has developed the T Strategy to deal with five different kinds of struggles (Troubled Ts): ■ Tears: sadness brought on by mistakes or a failure ■ Trust: not trusting oneself or their horse ■ Tantrums: when a rider struggles with their emotions ■ Temper: when a rider directs anger towards themselves, others, or their horse ■ Trauma: when a rider is dealing with difficult situations, like a breakup, a divorce, a death, etc. When dealing with each T, he and his coaches have a basic script as they counsel the rider, which includes the following 5Ts: 1) Treat the rider with respect, empathy, and compassion; 2) Tell the rider they aren’t alone in their feelings; 3) Teach

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the scientific reason why they’re experiencing what they’re feeling; 4) Task them with an easy-to-achieve exercise for a win; and, 5) Thank them for their effort and sincerely compliment them for believing in themselves. Stewart recommends this strategy for all trainers/leaders who are trying to help a person get past something difficult. The person helping should identify the trouble(s) involved and then use the above formula for a script, but it must always be done with sincerity. If a problem is beyond their scope, then the next step—if the person is a minor—would be to alert the parents that the rider is struggling with something and to share the effect that this has caused. Then, if need be, refer them to an equestrian mental coach. He offers his team to anyone who is struggling. In addition to knowing how to help in a particular situation, it’s important to create the right type of atmosphere

in the barn, says Janet Sasson Edgette, PsyD, a licensed psychologist and sports performance therapist, author, and longtime equestrian. It’s the trainer or the person who’s really running the barn who does this, says Edgette. In Pony Club, this could also be said for the leader of a club, center, or region. On the flip side, we may find ourselves at a barn where there is a lot of judgement, a lack of support, and negativity or toxicity, and that trickles down to the riders. Edgette shares one thing that the industry doesn’t talk about enough is the amount of yelling that happens in barns and what we can do as an industry to change the issue. “Do we really like all the yelling that goes on? Is this really how we want to show up as a sport? Yelling has become so normalized,” she says. “Adults yelling at children, adults yelling at adults. People think that’s just the way it’s done.” She suggests a solution. “You

can begin to de-normalize it by the social response to it,” says Edgette. “And if we talk about it enough, it will become something that people get a little self-conscious about, and that’s how you begin to change the behavior.” She recommends trainers try to find a different way to help a rider work through their struggles. While there are many scenarios that can happen within a group, one way to work on developing a positive atmosphere, and a safe space for riders/members to be supported and open to discussing any problems, is to focus on developing the SEL skills. To learn more, CASEL offers additional education and ways to learn how to implement SEL in a variety of situations on their website at www. casel.org. In addition, there are many organizations across the web with solutions and activities if you search for “SEL activities.” (main article continued on page 20)

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up with tell us to stop being so serious, like: Duck, duck, goose. Fish are friends, not food. This technique is like when trainers tell riders to count aloud, using, “One, two. One, two. One, two.” “I know that 99% of riders will struggle emotionally and I know that a mojo-mantra will help 99% of them within 30 seconds,” says Stewart. However, with a mojo-mantra, we must be able to remember to use it, so Stewart helps riders pair the mojo-mantra with a trigger to help them to subconsciously fire the mojo-mantra, similar to the way you put your seatbelt on automatically upon sitting in a car. There are five types of triggers with the acronym SMILE: ■ Sound, like the sound of a pole hitting the ground after a jump; ■ Movement, like shortening the reins to start a jumping course or a dressage test; ■ Individual, like seeing the judge or a National Examiner; ■ Location, like passing the letter M in the dressage ring and thinking M for mantra or passing the in-gate in stadium jumping or being in the start box in eventing; and ■ Emotion, like every time a rider feels fear. The Maker: Stewart uses another technique for calming jitters, pressure, or stress. The Maker is a sentence we repeat to ourselves that “makes things better” and takes the pressure off—and it’s a simple one— “I will do my best.” Stewart explained that parents don’t care whether their kids win or lose … they just want them to be happy. “To anybody who loves us, they will never expect us to be perfect,” he adds. “They will never expect us to never lose, but to somebody who loves us, they do expect us to do our best.” Stewart offers an important reminder, “We can’t control outcomes. The only thing we can control is our efforts.”

Focus on:

Music as a Mood Modifier: Stewart recommends riders listen to music before a ride as a pre-ride ritual, but it has to be music with positive messages, like never quitting, getting back up when you’re down, etc. MASKs (Mental Tasks): Since the brain can only hold its attention on three thing as we perform, we must keep our focus on three mental tasks, or “masks” for the most positive outcome, says Stewart. If we start to focus on too many things, we experience analysis paralysis, and we get tense and tight, which affects our ride. Therefore, before an important event, keep focus on three positive things in what he calls “the brain bucket.” “My first mental task is to focus on corners, because I know that when I balance my corner, I execute a brilliant corner. I have a great track and balance to my fence. My second mental task is a quality canter, because when I get in the zone because of that sort of mojo-mantra feeling that I have that rhythm and rhyme. My third mask, I’ve got the course memorized. So, if my three masks—my efforts—come together, I increase the likelihood of success. I am teaching myself to avoid focusing on the uncontrollable outcome while focusing on the controllable effort.” While riding is more complex than just remembering three mental tasks, the rest of the ride should come down to muscle memory that a rider attains from practice. Stewart reminds riders that if during a ride, you then start focusing on another mental task, like the judge, you kick one of your three desired mental tasks out. Since your goal is to remain focused on three positive things, the likelihood of a successful ride decreases, he says. These skills and techniques remind us we’re not stuck with our negative emotions. And if we choose to build our own mental selfawareness and open up the discussion of mental health with others, we can improve our own health and perhaps that of those around us, including fellow riders, other Pony Club members, and volunteers. And that can help us all become happier riders.

Effort

Outcome

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Reducing Test Anxiety

By Sarah Evers Conrad, USPC Marketing and Communications Director

Manage the nerves for your next certification test. Your nerves have kicked in, despite your best attempts to stay calm. You’re now sweating, nauseous, and your heart is racing. You’ve lost all ability to focus. Your mind races as you try to pull the answer out of your brain, but despite all your preparation for your certification, it’s still eluding you. You glance around at all the stares from other testing candidates as they await your answer. The Examiner awaits your answer. Your anxiety has hit full force. Now what? In a world where mental health is being talked about more often, and more people are learning to deal with things like anxiety disorders and other mental health issues, the United States Pony Clubs is also well into the mental-health conversation. It’s one that gets discussed as the USPC curriculum is developed, and it’s one that USPC leaders are addressing to help members and to help other leaders. In 2022, National Examiner Nancy Grout presented a webinar to National Examiners (NEs) and others on the topic of test anxiety. She pulled upon her more than 35 years of experience as a high school teacher and more than 40 years of experience as a local examiner and an NE. Grout defined test anxiety as “the relatively stable tendency to generate disproportionate emotional response in academic assessment situations due to concern about poor performance and possible negative consequences.” She emphasized stable and disproportionate to highlight the extent to which someone could experience anxiety. It goes beyond just your typical nerves or worries during a high-stakes situation, like a certification, an important competition, or a Quiz rally. Many emotions come with test anxiety, such as fear, anger, helplessness, guilt, shame, and disappointment. In addition, physical symptoms can appear during a bout with test anxiety, including nausea, excessive sweating, headache, dry mouth, a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness,

and tense muscles, which then make the rider not as fluid with the horse when mounted.

A Diagnosis

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders affect 18% of adults, with only a third seeking treatment. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 25% of those 13 to 18 years old are affected, and untreated childhood anxiety can cause children to perform poorly in school and on tests. However, a 2020 study stated, “Since the start of the pandemic, 50% of students reported worsened mental health … a majority reported feeling ‘lonely’ and ‘anxious.’” While schools are regulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), schools can offer individuals accommodations, modifications to curriculum, special instruction, and goal-setting initiatives to lessen the anxiety through 504s and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The United States Pony Clubs isn’t regulated in that way. “In the last couple of years, that has affected us in Pony Club. In school, due dates have lengthened or laxed because students found it very difficult to meet the stress of the material,” explained Grout. “For Pony Club, during certifications, we’re trying to get information in a very short amount of time, whereas for school, time extends and it’s structured very differently.” Despite that difference, accommodations can be requested through the USPC process. For instance, during the briefing at a national test (H-B to A), a National Examiner asks if there is anything a candidate would like them to know, to please see them after the briefing. That is your cue to request any

What people think anxiety is: ■ Nervousness ■ Worrying

What anxiety really looks like: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Overwhelm Intense negative thoughts Restlessness Rapid heart rate Feelings of panic Difficulty concentrating Tension Distress Fatigue/Loss of sleep Loss of appetite Avoiding others Intense fear Nausea/Sweating

necessary accommodations if you deal with a condition. If medications are a concern, instructors and Examiners may need to be aware for safety reasons. Accomodations may need to be shared among staff, as needed, for safety and the well-being of the rider. In addition, Connie Jehlik, USPC’s Instruction Services Director, added that it’s a common call to the National Office requesting accommodations. Jehlik recommends talking to your District Commissioner (DC)/Center Administrator (CA) to develop reasonable accommodations ahead of time. “We don’t reduce the Standards, but maybe we provide extra time, or rephrase something, or maybe they do some of their answers in writing, do it by themselves, or need to move around or they need to do more pointing and demonstrating,” explained Jehlik.

Signs of Anxiety

Parents and instructors might see some general signs that show recurring fears and worries about routine parts of everyday life, which then cause the below issues: ■ Changes in behavior, such as irritability ■ Avoiding activities, school, and social interactions ■ Dropping grades or school avoidance ■ Trouble sleeping or concentrating ■ Substance use or other risky behaviors ■ Chronic physical complaints, such as fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches Those with high working memory can succeed despite having test anxiety, but DISCOVER USPC

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cognitive symptoms might show up during an event, like a certification, or even during a lesson, such as: ■ Difficulty concentrating ■ Forgetting everything (like during warm-up or riding to a fence) ■ Comparing oneself to others (such as comparing oneself to a switch-ride) ■ Racing or jumbled thoughts ■ Struggling between answers ■ Thinking negatively about performance Examples of anxiety during a certification include: ■ A candidate freezes during oral presentations and just doesn’t know why they froze ■ A candidate experiences self-doubt and psyches themselves out of trying a jumping line again to show a competency ■ A candidate might be shaking or experience dry mouth, which causes problems with speaking ■ A candidate is so tense that they never relax their muscles during the test, which affects how they ride; and/or ■ A candidate has an unusual reaction to an Examiner’s comments.

Navigating Anxiety

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General treatments are available for severe anxiety, such as counseling, to learn methods for coping or to learn to cope with any self-doubt/low self-esteem that could cause performance anxiety. Some might use tools, such as the Calm app. When faced with an anxious feeling, try some of the following techniques: ■ Squeeze on a stress ball. ■ Use a focus word or develop one with an instructor to bring your focus back. ■ Sing/hum a song to help calm down or find your riding rhythm (such as “You Are My Sunshine;” “Mary Had a Little Lamb;” or “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”). ■ Practice mindfulness exercises (e.g., box breathing, imagery, etc.). ■ Tell your parents or other adults how you want them to support you in various situations or if you are upset. ■ Use an exit strategy, such as asking yourself what you will do in various situations (e.g., You get your certification, but your friend doesn’t. On the ride home, what do you talk about so you don’t upset your friend further.). ■ Ask the examiner to come back around

to you if you freeze. ■ Pet or stroke your horse. ■ Stroke down your arm or close your hand into a fist and then open quickly and flick the tension away. ■ Count to five to reset and start again. Visualize yourself having success in the moment or find your happy place during a visualization. Prepare to lessen anxiety using the following methods: ■ Participate in a mock exam or mock Quiz rally or even on a pre-test Zoom call. ■ Use different tools for studying (e.g., diagrams, coloring pages, tactile learning, etc.), and don’t just rely on reading and memorization. ■ Sit down with a Regional Instruction Coordinator or an instructor and go over the logistics of candidate letters to understand the terminology. ■ Use the study materials for D through A members on www.ponyclub. org to prep. ■ Make use of the National Testing Feedback Project, which allows current C-2 and above members to submit a video or document of a mounted or Horse Management skill and receive feedback from one or two National Examiners. ■ Be a horse holder at a test that you are thinking of taking within the next year or so. ■ Practice teaching. “Practice teaching, we find, is the most important,” said Grout. “For some of us, we were lucky when we came through Pony Club. Our DCs threw us out in the ring early, when we were C-1s/C-2s, maybe teaching the D-1s and D-2s, absolutely with supervision, and that is something that needs to be done. At the H-As, we find the candidates can teach one, maybe two, in a lesson. However, they’re now teaching three or four. And they’re not used to the traffic control, the time, and the environment, such as projecting their voice in wind, because they’ve been only in an indoor. Practicing with a mentor is a great way of having them get ready.” Key takeaways included the reminder that test anxiety is real and supported by the Americans with Disabilities Act and that compassion is a good thing to have for those in the throes of anxiety. Tips for leaders and examiners can be found at www.bit.ly/uspc-test-anxiety-tipsfor-leaders.

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GROOMING GOALS

COLD WEATHER GROOMING TIPS By Liv Gude, Brought to you by Shapley’s Grooming Products, the Official Grooming Products Sponsor of USPC

rooming your horse in the winter takes a little more elbow grease than in summer. The routine and grooming steps are the same, but you must account for longer hair and no option to bathe if it’s too cold where you live. However, there are ways to deep-clean your fuzzy horse in cold weather.

One Last Bath

As you watch the weather report, you may notice that your chances of giving a full bath to your horse start to dwindle as temperatures drop. Take advantage of that last bath to treat your horse’s skin and coat. Choosing the best shampoo can make a DISCOVER USPC

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difference going into the fall season. Shampoos with lemongrass and tea tree oil soothe skin. Itchy horses or those with allergies benefit from these natural ingredients. Tea tree oil also helps to ward off the last of the summer bugs. A gentle shine-boosting shampoo is also an option

for horses of all skin types. Shampoos with added shine ingredients help keep the coat slick and shiny. After bathing, consider rinsing or toweling your horse with some grooming oil. A little oil goes a long way toward conditioning the coat and boosting shine.

Piotr Zajda/Shutterstock

Use a quarter sheet to block the wind, absorb moisture, and to keep your horse warm when cooling out your horse in the winter.

Manes and tails benefit from the detangling and conditioning, too. Mix several capfuls of grooming oil with a gallon of warm water for a post-bath rinse. Sponge this mixture on your horse, then sweat scrape and allow your horse to dry. Your horse should not be sticky. To condition your horse’s mane and tail, use a quarter-size dollop of oil and massage into the mane and tail. You may need to use a little more for extra-thick tails. Now, your horse is spotless as you transition into colder weather—at least for a little while. Using a sheet is helpful to keep most dust and dirt out of the coat.

Elizabeth Moyer

A Routine Boost

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Longer hair coats mean more currying. Perhaps you change Toweling your horse can come in handy when removing your curry comb to a design with longer teeth stains, adding grooming oil, or when using no-rinse or use grooming gloves shampoo. to use both hands and to keep your hands warmer. and sores. You may see these sores Your dandy brush and hard brush around the girth area or the ears. could also change. Look for brushes with The sweat can also create a damp longer bristles with some stiffness to reach environment for bacterial and fungal skin through the winter coat. Your finishing infections. Mud fever can happen when brush should be just fine, as it’s designed to dirt, moisture, and bacteria get trapped smooth the surface of your horse’s hair and in long leg hair. The same can happen help distribute natural oils. anywhere your horse sweats.

Dealing With Sweat

One grooming challenge in cold weather is a sweaty winter coat. When you finish riding, you must safely cool out your horse. All of that sweat can make your horse chilly. Use coolers to block wind, absorb moisture, and keep your horse warm. Walk your horse out longer than usual to help facilitate the cooling-out process. Sweat can also lead to saddle sores. Sweat, friction from tack, and long hair can combine to create hair-loss patches

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Bathing In Winter

There is usually a time over the winter when bathing is not an option. You can give your horse a hot toweling treatment to lift dirt and deep-clean your horse’s coat. You will need a bucket of hot water, a bucket of cold water, some no-rinse shampoo, and several cloths or sponges. Mix a few gallons of hot water with a few capfuls of no-rinse shampoo. Dip a cloth in the hot water, and wring it out until it’s warm and steamy. It should be damp.

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Is Clipping Right for Your Horse? Many horses benefit from body clipping or trace clipping in the fall and winter. When sweat management becomes difficult to manage or if the weather is too warm for their thick coat, your horse feels uncomfortable after exercise. Then it’s time to consider clipping. Shawn Hamilton/Shutterstock

Before clipping, your horse should be spotless! If you can bathe your horse, do so. If you need to groom and hot towel your horse instead, that’s also a great way to prep the coat for clippers.

If your horse is regularly blanketed but is getting too sweaty during winter workouts, consider a trace clip.

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Use that warm cloth to curry your horse, working against the direction of the hair growth to reach the skin. Your horse should stay almost dry during this process. If the coat gets too much moisture, use a cooler to cover the area. Toss any dirty rags into the cold water as a rinse. Keep going until your horse is clean! You can also use this technique with grooming oil instead of spot cleaner to add shine and conditioning.

Using sheets and blankets creates a barrier for stains. Waterproof blankets are best for keeping your horse dry and to prevent grass, manure, and urine stains from seeping through the blanket. Boost your stall- and paddock-cleaning efforts. Light-colored horses turn yellow after continuously resting in dirty shavings. Pick manure as often as possible, and don’t leave urine patches under shavings.

Preventing Stains

Address new stains immediately. Use a curry comb or gloves to break up dried stains. Then spritz the discolored area with a few pumps of no-rinse shampoo and let set for five minutes.Then use a clean, damp cloth to buff out the stain. Adding too much product or water will create a bubbly mess. If that happens, dry with clean towels. Brought to you by:

Elizabeth Moyer

Gray, white, and light-colored horses often show stains. It’s easy to rinse or bathe away stains in the summer, but winter temps often prevent this. Stain management in winter boils down to prevention and spot treatment. Daily grooming with extra attention to currying and brushing helps your horse’s natural oils coat the hair, which helps prevent stains. You can also hot towel him with grooming oil to add more conditioning and stain protection. To use grooming oils in the winter, spread tiny amounts of oil on a dandy brush; massage into the coat. You can also use a few drops on a clean cloth and rub into the coat.

Removing Stains

Stain management in winter boils down to prevention and spot treatment.

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NUTRITION NOTES

Nutrition for the Working Senior Horse Article and Images Provided by Triple Crown Nutrition, the Official Feed Sponsor of USPC

It’s no surprise that our horses are living longer and staying more active than ever before. The combination of progressive veterinary care, parasite control, improved dental management, and nutritionally advanced feeds have made it possible for many horses to live well into their 30s. For a lot of horse owners, trainers, and instructors, this also means continuing to compete, ride, and keep trusted partners and much-loved schoolmasters in work. DISCOVER USPC

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In addition to scheduling regular veterinary examinations that include dental and eye exams, monitoring your horse’s body condition can help you discover early signs of weight loss, metabolic syndrome, and Cushing’s disease and let you know when it might be time to consider a change in your horse’s diet.

A Baseline

to natural age-related issues with dentition, you need to find a way to replace those calories and nutrients. Luckily, there are quite a few options to make up this shortfall. Goodquality complete feeds—in addition to chopped forages, hay cubes, hay extender pellets, and shredded beet pulp—can help fill the gap. Generally, using a couple of these options can help get your desired result. Older horses can sometimes become pickier eaters, and it’s nice to have a couple of options on hand!

Ideally before you have a concern, evaluate your horse. Take a picture from the side, front, and back and then note your observations— too fat, too thin, just right. Learn how The Right Feed to establish a body For the aging horse condition score (BCS) who is still working, and use a weight tape attention to detail to get an idea of what when choosing Monitor your horse’s body condition to look for early signs of weight loss or your horse weighs. his feed can really health issues. Also, document how make a difference. he is moving (his gait), his temperament, (leaving small balls of chewed-up hay It is vital to choose a feed that provides and how much work he is doing. Many on the ground)? Is there a lot of waste, adequate calories and is formulated people find it is easiest to do this with each indicating the hay may be harder for him to your horse’s vitamin and mineral farrier visit so they can catch things early to eat or that it is no longer palatable? requirements. So even if the feed is a and have a baseline to compare to. The goal is for him to consume a “senior feed,” it may not be the best minimum of 1.5–2% of his body weight choice for your senior horse. Most senior Feed Basics in forage daily. Remember, it’s not the feeds provide more calories per pound For any horse, it’s forage first. For your amount of hay you are feeding him, it’s with the assumption that the horse is older horse especially, stay aware of how the amount of hay he actually consumes. a harder keeper; however, many older he is chewing his hay. Is he quidding Once that starts to decline, generally due horses struggle with being overweight,

Steps You Can Take Today To make sure your trusted equine partner ages well and continues to happily show up for work, we offer the following tips: ■ If you haven’t already, get on a regular schedule with your veterinarian and farrier. ■ Stay on top of dental care and parasite control. ■ Establish a body condition baseline for your horse with pictures, body condition score, and weight, and check it regularly. ■ Set aside a few minutes to watch your horse eat, especially his hay. ■ Keep track of what and how much your horse is eating today that keeps him in ideal condition. Be sure to weigh your hay and feed and note any supplements and medications. ■ Read your feed tag. Are you feeding the recommended amount per day to meet requirements? If not, contact the feed company to identify what feed would be a better choice for your horse. DISCOVER USPC

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Get a baseline on your older horse and document his body condition, how he is moving, his temperament, and how much work he is doing. and more calories are not helpful. This is how a lot of horses get shortchanged on vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. They are put on a high-fat senior feed, but are only fed a small amount because they are an easier keeper. In that situation, a quality ration balancer is the better choice to meet their needs.

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If you have any questions or would like help evaluating your horse’s diet, contact Triple Crown at 800-451-9916 or info@triplecrownfeed.com. Brought to you by:

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ponyclub.org

PONY CLUB PICTURE PADDOCK

Courtesy Audria Reed

To be included, email a high-resolution image to marketing@ponyclub.org with name, Pony Club/Riding Center, and name of horse.

Ashley Zupan, of Annapolis Pony Club in the Maryland Region, on Al Capony.

Courtesy MaryAnn Vreeken

Mark Zupan

Mista Reed, of Hunter’s Run Pony Club in the Tri-State Region, riding Lexi.

Desert Hooves Charlie Anne Warner, of st Region, with we Pony Club in the South Thor the Mustang.

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32 Winter 2023/2024

Courtesy Miran da

Courtesy Clair Thunes, PhD/

Jill Warner

Donnelly

Avery Vreeken, of Four Corners II Pon y Club in the Southwest Region, jumping Vogue at a camp.

Miranda Donne lly, of Harts Ru n Hunt Pony Cl in the Tri-State ub Region, on Luv the Diamond.

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