The Lendon Gray Youth Festival was a blast! It was my first time there. I rode on the USPC team and it was cool to meet Pony Clubbers from other regions. My first day on the show grounds was a very interesting day and my dressage test was not one of my best. On the second day, I rode formal for the first time and got a 70.7 on my Training Level 2 dressage test! I won the class and it was so cool, because when I was done riding my equitation class (in the pouring rain!) I was asked for an interview by Phelps Magazine. So everyone, make sure you ride your best, you just might get interviewed next year! On the final day, I rode the Trail Class (lots of fun-but I missed the 'bucket'!) and Prix Caprilli, which was a little nerve racking for me since jumping is new for my horse, Kirby. But, he was a good boy, jumping all the fences, and we had a fun ride. Kirby and I also won the Superstar Perpetual Trophy for the highest scoring rider on a Quarter Horse. The Lendon Gray experience was just amazing, I never wanted to leave, and neither did Kirby! I told my Mom that we are definitely coming back next year. She said, "save your money!" Oh, I almost forgot, make sure you STUDY for your written test! I have my books for next year already and plan to be better prepared since the written test is as important as the ridden tests! Look for me and Kirby next year, we'll be there.

    My sister Meghan, who is also a Pony Clubber, also rode Kirby at Lendon Gray and they came in Second Place overall in the Intro Division. So, Kirby did 'double duty' at the festival – we love Kirby!

    If you love dressage, get your qualifying scores and head to the Lendon Gray Youth Festival, it's an awesome time and you meet lots of great people.

Thank you Pony Club!

Dear United States Pony Clubs,

I am taking this opportunity to thank the United States Pony Club organization for making my participation in the Lendon Gray Youth Dressage Festival possible. I do apologize for my tardiness on this letter. My family moved this summer and time moved very quickly. Anyway, Lendon Gray's Dressage Festival was a great learning experience for both my pony and me. It was my last year with him as I have outgrown him, and with Lendon Gray's festival in the equation it seemed perfect. He gave me his all in every ride and taught me what a truly honest horse is. The experience made my summer and it was even better than winning my first recognized event. We as a team performed a musical past any expectations that I or anyone else could have had. It grew our love for each other and created a true team between horse and rider. I have also learned much from Lendon Gray's roving trainers that I have applied to my riding technique. The roving trainers treated me to exceptional teaching for not one penny. It was great being taught one on one by phenomenal instructors that I would normally not have access to. Elizabeth Austin was very knowledgeable and helpful to me which really improved my tests. It was also fun being part of a Pony Club team that I had not previously known. We communicated over e-mail about our tack room design and what everyone was bringing for it. We all came together when there and created a tack room from what each of us brought creating figuratively a team. We all supported one another and tried our very hardest for the team. We studied together and helped each other prepare for rides and the written test. Pony Club has been the foundation of my riding. It taught me how to ride, horsemanship, and overall love for the sport. It educates us as well as teaches us to ride well. I am now a C2 and worked very hard to get there. I have come from a D1 (age eight) to a C2 (age thirteen) and am focusing on my A rating. The levels are only part of it though; the other part is the joy for horses. Pony Club focuses on the horse's welfare and care more than anything else and stresses our obligation to our horses. This is all too forgotten in other organizations. Hopefully, next year I will be able to participate in Lendon Gray's Youth Dressage Festival as I truly enjoyed it this year. The positive atmosphere and overall emphasis on learning left a lasting impression on me. Without the support of Pony Club, I would not have had this wonderful opportunity.

Thank you again,

Caitlin Wischermann

Red Jacket Pony Club

Member of the 2007 USPC Lendon Gray Dressage Festival Team