Or

OK, I'm Sure I Can Do That

As I left Stacey's house the other day, after dropping off a load of the essential RS stuff, I found myself deep in thought, laughing and crying at the same time.  Good thing that we live fairly close.  I found myself going way back into the depths of the file cabinet in my mind to the beginning of my path to becoming an RS.  Mind you it was a position that I knew nothing of only a few short years ago. 

When Michelle was 8 or 9, she finally convinced us she was old enough to ride.  Knowing nothing about horses, trainers (or even that you needed one), I looked for convenience and safety.  We started her at a well known barn in the area where she began to ride with a young gal who I now realize was probably about the level of our C3's.  When she was no longer going to teach in the area, I asked her to find me the best instructor she could and she said she wanted Michelle to be in a pony club barn.  I thought she was as there was a Pony Camp sign out front.  That began our career in Pony Club.  I drove up to observe a lesson where Jennifer Merrick Brooks was teaching 7 students in the sand arena. I took one look and said that is way too many kids, my daughter was not riding with that crazy woman!  However, I stayed and watched and the rest is history.  So the next step was to join Pony Club.  JMB instructed me to contact a DC.  What in the world was that - Drain Commissioner?  I spoke to a very nice and inviting lady who suggested that I bring Michelle out to watch their cross country practice at the home of a club member.   So off we went (notice my husband is no where around at this point).  Here were various sized children, some on what appeared to be crazy ponies (Molly or Gillan on Cocoa Bean?) jumping very large jumps that did not fall down. They wore bullet proof vests to protect themselves. The jumps were barely beginner novice level.   Some of the parents suggested that we come up to Mt. Pleasant and watch the Games Rally next weekend.  Now that is an event for someone new to pony club to attend.  Kids jumping on and off ponies while carrying sticks with a nail in the end to pop balloons while trying to remain on the pony.  Kids leaning all the way over to the ground to pick up dropped items.  Riding as fast as they could to cross the finish line?  What was the program anyway?  Well we joined anyway.  I don't know what I was thinking.

The Club we belonged to was a good sized club (Huron Valley).  They liked to spread out their jobs).  So after I had attended maybe two parent's/sponsors meetings it was time for elections.  Now mind you, I was still trying to figure out when to show up and where.  But would I mind being a Jt. DC?  After all they don't do much.  They just hang around and occasionally the DC (which I finally figured out meant District Commissioner), will ask you to do some little job.  "SURE, I CAN DO THAT" and that was the beginning.   That year as a Jt DC, I learned about how the club was organized.  I learned all about ratings.  I learned a lot about rallies.  Our first rally was a show jump rally.  As always our kids were grouped in multi rating/aged teams.  I agreed to chaperone and have the kids stay over at our house for Saturday.  That Friday night, I got the first surprise call at 11:30pm, could I go to Meijers and pick up a few things for the kits?  "SURE I CAN DO THAT" - never again.  Michelle's teams did their kits ahead of time.  I had decided that it would be fun to stop by our swim club and let the girls swim before heading home Saturday evening.  We did not have a lot of time before the pool would close.  As I was driving, a rather unmentionable object flew from the backset to the front seat and secured it self to my mirror as one of the girls was changing into her suit. I learned how efficient/resourceful pony club kids are.  I stayed on the Jt. DC for another year.

The next year, the club needed a treasurer so Steve became the treasurer.  I became the rally coordinator as two people from the same family can not hold office in the same club.   Having been in Pony Club for just three years, JMB came to me and said, "HVPC is a large club and should be involved at the Region level. The Region is looking for a secretary.  All you have to do is take notes."  Now, I knew very little about "The Region". Since JMB had recently persuaded us to buy a horse and then a trailer, it didn't take much to persuade me to say, "SURE I CAN DO THAT". 

From there the journey was fairly straight forward.  I moved back into the role of Jt DC and then the next year in a moment when asked if I would be the DC, I said, "SURE I CAN DO THAT".

As Michelle was now moving into the upper level group, I was becoming increasingly more interested in the workings of the regional level.  So when asked to become a Vice RS, I of course said, "SURE I CAN DO THAT".

As a VRS, I began to learn about the National By-laws and Policies (WARNING DO NOT READ WHILE TRYING TO STAY AWAKE) that govern not only the region but the individual clubs.  I became familiar with some of the issues that were happening within the region and especially within some of the individual clubs.  I began to talk to individuals about what they felt would help them as club leaders.  I kept hearing the same thing, more communication and more information.  I also heard that they wanted the RS to be accessible.  The former RS decided not to return.  I said that "WITH THE HELP OF THE GREAT PEOPLE OF THE GLR, I AM SURE I CAN DO IT'.

As I look back, I could count the achievements, the mistakes, the unfinished things but to me that is not what is most important.  To me it has been the journey.  It has been the joy of watching the children grow from the littlest D to the most advanced A.  It is the fun that we have had - that parents' rally, the annual meetings, etc.  And the times where we have had to deal with the difficult situations that have made the trip worthwhile.  But what makes it truly meaningful is all the people that I have had the opportunity to get to know.

I know the one thing that I have learned is that some of the most wonderful, caring people are part of this great region.  I know that if I ever need someone, one of you will be there. 

For that I am eternally grateful. 

A WELCOME TO THE NEW RS

I would personally like to welcome Stacey Urbin as the new RS of the Great Lakes Region.  Stacey comes with lots of unique skills.  She is an expert on having fun but also knows how to read and interpret a policy with the best of them.  I hope that you will give her the same cooperation and respect that I have always felt from you.

All pony club business should now be sent to her.  This includes new member forms. 

Deb Spencer

USPC Annual meeting and convention

January 26 - 29, 2012

New Orleans, LA

Deadline for early registration is November 15 ($120)

Regular registration January 5

For more information go to ponyclub.org

GLR Scrubs!!

Keep your turnout-inspection breeches clean while looking awesome in the new GLR scrubs!

·       This is a fundraiser to help the JLC.

o  We'll keep costs low for future rating preps

o  And bring in some awesome clinicians for the Upper Level members

·       Cost is $15 per pair.

·       Sizes are XS-XL.

·       Color is teal and they say "Great Lakes Region" down the left leg.

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