United Counties Pony Club has arranged two horsemanship clinics this fall, and 
we have room for a few more pony club participants if anyone is interested.  
They are described below.  There is quite a bit of room in the October 
clinic, but space for only three more in the November clinic.  Please email 
Alex at grixwalker@hotmail.com if you would like to attend either one, and 
please tell me of which branch you are a m ember.
 
The first is on Friday evening from 7-9pm, 13 October, in an indoor arena in 
Cumberland (east end of Ottawa).  It will be given by a Silver Instructor in 
the Chris Irwin school of horsemanship.  The demo pony will be an unruly 
Shetland Pony, and the instructor will take problems that you have had 
handling ponies yourselves and demonstrate techniques to help you deal with 
them.  Please think about problems you have had in the past, and come 
prepared to ask abou t them.  This clinic will cost $10 each.
 
The second clinic will be from 1-4pm on Sunday 12 November, in an indoor arena 
in Long Sault (on the St Lawrence just west of Cornwall), and will be on the 
first four parts of the Parelli system of natural horsemanship. There is a $5 
charge for non-UCPC members. This three hour clinic will consist of a 
demonstration using Parelli schooled horses, and then each pony clubber will 
be able to try out the techniques themselves, both as ground handlers, and 
then as riders. Riders of all levels may participate.
 
 
"The demonstration covers 4 Savvy's of Natural Horsemanship, namely, On the 
ground: Savvy with a lead line,  Savvy without a lead line (At liberty - no 
halters or leads), and riding skills: Freestyle riding: various methods such 
as bitless, no halter, carrot stick riding, etc. and Finesse, riding with a 
bit.
 
The first part of the demonstration would involve an explanation of the 
principles of natural horsemanship with the Savvy Team and their horses. The 
second part would be a hands on experience with the pony clubbers working 
with one of our Savvy team members and their horse, and finally a chance to 
ride using some of the natural horsemanship techniques."
 
There is a waiver which MUST be completed by both pony clubbers and attending 
parents in order to participate in this clinic, and you MUST have a certified 
helmet, riding boots, and medical armband.
 
There is a badge for Natural Horsemanship, and attending these clinics would 
go towards earning the badge.