The United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is pleased to announce that Hawley Bennett, Pony Club graduate and two-time Eventing Olympian, will be the keynote speaker during the Saturday night awards banquet at the 2017 Equine Symposium & Convention hosted by USPC January 25-29, 2017, in Los Angeles, CA.
Bennett (Grove & Langley Pony Club, British Columbia) grew up on a hobby farm and was involved with the 4-H Horse Club and the Grove and Langley Pony Club throughout her childhood. In 1994, Hawley met Livingstone, a 4-year-old off-the-track Canadian Thoroughbred gelding bred by Dr. Anderson of Langley, BC. Following a 4th place finish at the North American Young Riders’ Championship, Hawley, then just 21, was named to the Canadian Eventing Team Long List. Since then Hawley has accomplished numerous Top placings at the Three Star and Four Star levels including top placing at The Rolex Kentucky CCI4* Event. Hawley has competed on two Canadian Olympic teams, been a member of the Silver medal Pan American Games team and World Equestrian Games Team.
Early bird registration for the Convention ends November 15th; registration and schedule information can be found at https://www.ponyclub.org/Events/AnnualMeeting/. The 2017 Equine Symposium & Convention will offer many educational opportunities for both adult and youth equine enthusiasts. Throughout the week attendees can participate in a variety of workshops covering disciplines such as: Polocrosse, Games and Tetrathlon; or topics such as saddle fitting and energy sources for horses. In addition to workshops the Symposium includes a trade fair, silent auction, research project fair and a hands-on educational anatomy room followed by evening dinners and award banquets.
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 a growing number of adults through Horsemasters membership.
