When I reflect on my Pony Club days, growing up in a wonderful team and family environment, the bright memories of camps and rallies rise to the surface first.

These memories are strong for many reasons. Not only were they happy core memories, but they were events filled with immense personal growth. I learned more in those short spans of concentrated education delivered by a handful of brilliantly diverse instructors, than I did in entire school years in the classroom.

I learned how to be a partner to a 1000lb animal, how to be a teammate to my friends and peers, how to help others, how to cheer for and serve others, how to manage my own anxieties, how to be a little bit afraid and find the courage to move forward anyway! I learned the art of helping a horse become better, how to expertly apply leg wraps and bandages, tie quick release knots, identify ligaments and tendons in the horse’s leg that need to be monitored, create a conditioning program to reach my goals as an athlete… I learned how to speak out, speak up, and speak life. I learned how to be kinder and build others up.

The value of Pony Club camp stretches beyond the rider and reaches the individual. The value of the Warm Beach Horsemanship Pony Club camp expands on this by also reaching that individual spiritually. Our club is founded on faith, and it is through that very faith that I came to be here in this club.

It is an honor to be a part of a program where the progress in one week’s intensive lesson and ride time is so significant. A program with a vision to advance its riders with integrity and respect under the guidance of a God who knows our worth is beyond the limitations of what we are able to showcase in our chosen discipline. Pony Club camp builds up our team as riders and as people. I couldn’t be prouder of this.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23-24

-Meg Rudy, Assistant Horsemanship Director
Warm Beach Horsemanship