Arlington, Virginia, has just finished playing host to the 2015 USPC Annual Meeting and Equine Symposium held January 21-25. The 650 attendees were treated to more than 60 educational workshops, presentations and interactive learning experiences on a variety of equine topics.
Most of the fun was held in the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Arlington. Representatives from 32 Pony Club Regions, including Alaska and Hawaii, were on hand working to improve Pony Club programming for members and future members. The workshops and presentations were all well attended, as well as other activities including the Trade Fair, Silent Auction, Research Fair, Art Fair, Anatomy Room and The Trust for the National Mall Mounted Police Barn Plans.
Friday’s sessions included honoring the inductees into the Academy of Achievement for 2015: Jennifer Goss, Heather Rosenker, and Brian and Lisa Sabo.
Many Pony Club awards were presented at the Saturday morning Meeting of the Corporation. Three Clubs received 50 year awards and Eight Clubs received 25 year awards. Upper Level Members received special recognition: Two members were awarded A-level certification plaques. The Brookfield Land Conservation Award was presented to Woodside Pony Club, Middle California Region and Moore County Pony Club, Carolina Region. The Flash Teamwork Award went to The Middle California Region. The Trust for the National Mall Certificate of Design Excellence went to, Ani Blair, Ella Rak, Jane Thomas, Kiersti Wylie, Kurtis Monahan, and Nila Venkat. For more information on honored clubs and members, click here.
The Saturday night Banquet and Dance were highlights for many attendees as they honored the recipients of the Founders Awards for 2014: Anna Clader, Ellen Fischer, Vicki Fox, and Barbara Germann. The keynote speakers were Brian and Lisa Sabo, both graduate A Pony Club Members and Academy of Achievement 2015 Alumni Recipients, who have contributed endlessly to USPC over the years. More than 350 people attended the banquet and danced the night away.
It was announced that the 2016 USPC Annual Meeting and Equine Symposium will be held Feb. 3-7 at DoubleTree Universal, in Orlando, Florida, hosted by the Sunshine Region.
The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. (Pony Club) was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit national youth organization to teach riding and horsemanship through a formal educational program. There are approximately 9,000 Pony Club members in over 600 clubs and riding centers throughout the country. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including several of our Olympic team members, business professionals, government leaders and career military officers, have roots in Pony Club. Youth members range in age from as young as 4 through age 25. Pony Club also offers educational opportunities to over 500 adult members in its Horsemasters Program.
