To our dear friends in the Deep South Region of USPC:

I am very touched by your generosity in the gift of a brick in the Faithful Equine Friends walk of Fame.  I am truly honored by this gift.  It shows we are not forgotten by the wonderful people, adults and kids, who we have had the joy of working with over the years. 

By the way, it's all white here in KY.  We had a good snow here 2 days ago and the world is spectacular.  It's close to zero degrees and the sky is crystal clear.  The moon was just full and when it reflects on the snow, it's bright enough to ride your best dressage test ever.  We like it here but miss all your cheery faces.  Thank you again.  You are the very best.

Cantering Cajuns member Kalie Beckers won second place in the United States Dressage Federation Youth Art Contest in the “Candid Photograph 15 & Under” division.  Her winning photograph is of her sister, Emma Beckers, kissing Kalie’s horse Tobascco.   What a great shot!  You can see all of the winners in the USDF Connection 2008 Yearbook February publication.

Tyler, Texas – A spirited competition combining Show Jumping and Tetrathlon events of the Red River Region of the United State Pony Club (USPC) was held in Tyler, Texas at the Texas Rose Horse Park last week-end, Nov. 14-16. While intending to participate ‘just for fun’, 4 local riders and members of the Deep South Region’s River Riders Pony Club came away with a host of awards and medals including 3rd place in team show jumping, 2^nd place in team tetrathlon events, and a much celebrated first place win in horse management. Over 70 participants and 20 teams from Louisiana and Texas competed in the 3 day event. Local members of the River Riders team included 16 yr. old captain, Emily McConnico, 17 yr. old Chloe Accardo, 12 yr. old Ashlyn Anderson,  and 10 yr. old Kaelan Merrifield. Eight yr. old Justice Merrifield participated in the shadowing program and assisted with horse management and as a scoring scribe. In addition, individual tetrathlon awards for McConnico included 2^nd overall in the pre-novice division which included first in riding over fences and swimming, and third in both running and shooting; Anderson placed first overall in the rookie division including a first in riding and second in both swimming and running; K. Merrifield placed first in running, third in shooting and riding, and 4^th in swimming.  McConnico, Anderson, and the Merrifields attend school at the LSU Laboratory School and Accardo attends Episcopal High School. Team coach, Elena Eller of Baton Rouge, was extremely proud of the display of team spirit by her students and by all of the other young horsemen and women throughout the week-end. Many of the nation’s top equestrians, including our Olympic team members, have USPC roots. Activities are English-riding based, and members ride both horses and ponies depending on the size of the rider and the discipline in which s/he is competing. Pony Club competition is team competition, much like the Olympic Games, where members learn the importance of cooperation and teamwork.

Congratulations to Cantering Cajuns member Camille Coleman on earning her USDF Dressage Bronze Medal!  The United States Dressage Federation awards the Bronze Medal to those riders that receive two test scores above 60 at levels first through third at recognized shows.  The Medals are awarded at their USDF National Convention held December 3-7 in Denver, CO. Camille is currently majoring in Animal Science at the University of Maryland and is a member of the UM Equestrian Club where she trains horses and teaches dressage and jumping lessons to students.