LETTERS TO THE EDITOR I wanted to share something that happened [in January] this weekend in our region (Sunshine) with our local Pony Club (Wekiva Basin.) For months, our members had been looking forward (with great anticipation) to our regional Dressage Rally. Our little club FINALLY had enough members to make a team. Everyone got busy, planned and prepared for the big day. About a week and a half prior to the rally, one of the members had a family member diagnosed with COVID. Our dream team now had a snag, one of our riding members would have to quarantine; leaving us one member short for an already short team! Thankfully, one of our super seasoned rally moms presented the "extraordinary circumstances clause" from the 2021 Dressage Rally Rulebook and the region allowed our team to proceed as a two member riding one member stable manager team. 2. In extraordinary circumstances when a short team (three rider team) becomes a shortened team (two rider and one stable manager), prior to the start of competition, the following team scoring will take effect. A. In the event of the competitor being removed completely from the team. Ghost Horse Management scores will be determined per the Horse Management Hand book. Ghost riding scores will be determined by averaging the riding scores of the two remaining competitors. B. In the event of the competitor no longer being able to participate in the riding portion of the competition. They shall continue to earn Horse Management scores, and ghost riding scores will be determined by averaging the riding scores of the two remaining competitors. Please note: The above scoring is not to be used in a 4 man team’s loss of a rider or mount. Only to be used with a 3 man team rather than losing a team completely from the rally.
The show could now go on as they say. The best part of this story is yet to come - these extraordinary team members remembered the MOST IMPORTANT thing about being a "team!" Even though their teammate could not be present physically, they decided they would come up with a creative way for her to be an ever present reminder of what it means to truly be a team. The attached photos say it all and I am extremely proud of our members and their initiative. They are learning so much more than just preparing for a rally thanks to Pony Club! Thank you Pony Club for always finding a way to make opportunities available to our members - even in extraordinary circumstances! Submitted by Allison Thomas, DC Wekiva Basin Club
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Spring 2021
