Underestimated Pony! The home of Mackenzie Kurtz and PonyClubDad -

Still #1, Bucks County Horse Park Combined Tests April 2011

2011-04-24T06:21:00.000-07:00

Bucks 4 17 2011 on Harry

Sentimental "Stella" is Mackenzie's new mount!

2010-11-01T03:02:00.000-07:00

5 y.o. Dutch Warmblood-Trakehner Mare Sentimental "Stella" is with Mackenzie at the farm near Bloomsburg. You can follow Mackenzie and Stella at the new blog Houdini Eventing

This blog will continue to post updates of Mackensie and Harry.

Chronicle of the Horse, July 16, 2010: Young Entry

2010-07-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

"Mackenzie Kurtz Has Made The Most Of One Special Pony"

After nine years in Harry Houdini's saddle, this junior is making an inevitable transition"

by Ali Taylor Lange

Mackensie Kurtz is one year younger and 13 inches taller than the leading man in her life.

When they first met, she was a 7-year old beginner about to purchase a sweet well-broke pony. He was an 8-year-old chestnut terror - a mediun Welsh pony with four white feet, a crooked fishhook blaze and a tendency to charge at fences. Her trainer attempted to kindly point out the pony's complete unsuitability and recommended against the purchase.

But Kurtz' reply was simply, "I think I like him."

5 PAGE ARTICLE:

In the News:

2010-07-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

2008 Wellpride American Eventing Championships - Friday

Rain didn't interfere with Mackenzie Kurtz' round in the junior novice division. She finished in a true tie for second place with Harry Houdini.

Mackenzie Kurtz and Harry Houdini
Junior/First Level

Mackenzie is riding her 13.2hh Welsh pony to a selection of film and classical music, with choreography by Beth Hall.

Keystone Dressage and Combined Training Association: Earned a First Place winning score of 72.5% to become both the Musical Freestyle and High Point Champion for the day.

From Mackenzie's mother: "Mackenzie received a 72.29% at qualifying dressage rally with her musical [freestyle] and a 75.8% [at a different show]. Both of them [judges] LOVED the music and choreography."

From her father: "The judges continue to love Mackenzie and Harry Houdini!'

US Eventing Association 2009 Awards

Wonderful weekend at Lendon Gray Youth Dressage Festival!

2010-07-12T01:34:00.000-07:00

First place Pleasure, First place Trail, 2nd place Prix Caprilli, 4th place (and youngest rider) in 17-21.

Pics to follow.

Kenzie's Sweet 16 party!

2010-02-07T09:45:00.000-08:00

Had a fun party, co-hosted by g/f Taylor Yencho at the Ferrar Performing Arts Center in Hazleton.

Here are the pics.

Mac's Sweet 16

Our affiliations

2009-11-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

2009 USEA Junior Novice Rider of the Year

2009-11-22T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hi Mackenzie,

Congratulations! The USEA is pleased to announce that you are the 2009 USEA Junior Novice Rider of the Year.

The USEA is proud to honor your accomplishment at our annual Awards Luncheon scheduled for Noon, Friday, December 4^th, at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, Virginia.

Please let us know if you will attend the Luncheon; if you are unable to join us, the ribbon and certificate will be mailed after the Annual Meeting. Also, please email a photo (preferably in JPG), for the awards presentation and/or the magazine awards issue, no later than Tuesday, November 24th to Sharon@useventing.com.

We hope to see you soon!

Sharon Gallagher, Director Competitions

useventing.com

USEA AEC Pony Rider Award Recipient 2009

2009-11-08T03:06:00.000-08:00

United States Eventing Association American Eventing Championships

The recepient of the Novice Mark Phillips Pony Rider Award was Mackenzie Kurtz and the 13.2 Welsh pony, Harry Houdini (pictured left). For the honor, Kurtz was awarded a medal, ribbon, and monogrammed saddle pad. This was the inaugural year of the award.

The USEA will be added a special award at the Bit of Britian/USEA American Eventing Championships. The Mark Phillips Pony Rider Awards was presented to the highest placed Pony Rider in the Beginner Novice, Novice, and Training divisions at the American Eventing Championships. Capt. Mark Phillips, Chef d’equipe for the US Eventing Team has long been a proponent of Pony Rider competitions and the value they bring to younger riders and has willingly lent his support to this program.

As Published on USeventing.com

Inquiries about Harry

2009-10-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

Please send inquiries to jlkurtz@reykurassociatesinc.com

Jeff

1st Novice at Flora Lea in NJ!

2009-09-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

What a challenge... drizzle, mud, and tough stadium course.

Dressage test went pretty well. One slip on final canter, but a 9 on the "enter trot"!! Picked up a 30.0 for 1.5 point lead.

Stadium was seeing lots of time penalties, lots of rails and knock downs. jump 5 brought a run-out but Mac recovered nicely. A swift smack on the hind quarters, rolled around and rocked over (without left stirrup!). Mackenzie and Harry were now chasing the clock but needed to stay clean. 6-OK... 7 - OK, u8-turn to #8 oxer and skyrocketed over the fence... (mom muttered "she's crazy!)... clean on 8 and made the bend to 9 and cross finish. 4 points and no time penalties!!!

We had walked cross country, paced off every distance, ran the math thru the laptop and had quarter-points figured out. I couldn't see the first 5, but photo'd rolltop at 6, 3' drop at 7 (great shot), couldn't see 8,9,10,11... approach to 12 water hazard was slick so she took that slow and did fine. Great form over 13, 14, 15 (with corn stalks 6' high on sides and a center post). couldn't see 16 but 17 was an easy clean and then across the finish.

Ended the day 1st. #2 guy out of dressage picked up 8 in show jumping + 30 time, #3,4,5,6,7,8,9 all picked up points and #10 from dressage finished clean to close the day in 2nd.

This will hold or possible advance Mac's USEA position from 1 point out of first. Two riders (someone is struggling to get the point system up to date at USEA) are tied in 1st.

#2 Novice in USEA AEC National!

2009-09-21T08:28:00.000-07:00

Mackenzie's 4th place finish at the American Eventing Championships moved her up the leader board to 2nd in her division for the year.

Only 3 points out of first, the next month or so will give us limited opportunities to advance that mark!

Good Luck, Mackenzie!

Daddy.

2009-09-06T03:21:00.001-07:00

fbeh5s2a7d

Mackenzie wins novice @ The Loudoun Hunt Pony Club Horse Trials

2009-08-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

Mackenzie took an early lead at Loudoun VA on Saturday in the dressage phase. Eventing.com

Saturday night update: Mac in 1st by ONE.5 points... This will be a nail biter!!! Due to last minute registration she's last rider in the division... which can be an advantage...

Jump #3 in stadium produced a resounding CLUNK but the rail stayed in place... Her wrist stopwatch failed our of the gate of cross country but riding her usual, elapsed time was right in th window at 4:45, 13 seconds under optimum. Brought home the Blue again!

229	Mackenzie Kurtz	Harry Houdini	29.0	1
223	Georgie Wilkins	Wilhemina	30.5	2
222	Haley Tucker	Carpe Diem III Dana Bivens	32.6	3
218	Caroline Quanbeck	Likoto's Boy	33.2	4
226	Alexa Easton	Tiger Lily Carly Easton	34.7	5
221	Michaela Yowaiski	Chubby Checkers Kelly Cody	35.8	6

Mackenzie wins novice @ Waredaca Horse Trials August 16, 2000,

2009-08-17T02:51:00.000-07:00

Opening the Novice Division dressage competition with a score of 31.5 (next best = 36.0) Mackenzie rode clean stadium jumping and cross country.

Beautiful day, nicely organized show. Slide show will post shortly.

If you should visit Waredaca and stumble across a Verizon Razor in the meadow north of the lake, please contact me! (argh...)

Lendon Gray Youth Dressage Festival - Dressage4kids

2009-08-06T20:00:00.002-07:00

Today was set-up/early arrivals/pre-show jitters... well in advance of tomorrow's schooling show and the Saturday Sunday competition. Probaby about 50 horses arrived. Perfect weather!!!

What a blessing...

Bill Davis and his set-up team assembled 5 dressage rings. Laura Akin (I think this was her project) had a group of kids preparing competitor welcome buckets with plenty of freebies from sponsors. Two cutsie guys (eat my heart out) distributed D4K polos to the early arrivals (99.9% young ladies). Registration got started. So far so good.

Tomorrow is the schooling day. Easy start at 10:30 and runs till 4'ish. looks like 50 or so riders, then THE TEST at 6:00... This is the deal killer... Can cost the best riders 5 - 9 positions in the final tally... I wish our kids would figure out that you can win the show here...

It's also the day that the "committee" gets to put one round of classes under their belt and get ready for the big weekend.

Me? I'm announcing. Two sound systems. Bose acoustic wave AND my Verizon/HP mini notebook all integrated to the shound system... just watch... I'll end up broadcasting a yahoo chatroom and eat my lunch...

Pics from today are pretty bland... will get beter as weekend progresses. ( look at those great clouds)

Jeff

Lendon

2009-08-06T20:00:00.001-07:00

Is HM insiduous?

2009-08-01T05:21:00.000-07:00

OK, so I'm out on Tuscarora Lake last night... 10:00 pm in a boat I bought Tuesday. A few things didn't come togethat as I had expected... afterall, the night before was really nice, and not complicated... and then...

The evening cools off... Yesterday was plenty warm and I fished untill 10:30 PM, no problem... but it's dropping into the 60's and I'm in a t-shirt and shorts...

My cell phone starts beeping... "LOW BATTERY:... not a big deal... I have another cell phone in the truck. ( one mile away by water).

The electric trolling moter is so easy to operate. I wonder how long that battery will last? No spare but I have oars. That reminds me, the oar locks must be in the truck.

To Do List:

Seat Cushion

Back up battery

warm clothes

oarlocks

anchor (the glitzy new anchor rope didn't latch right and the anchor is about 6' down and slightly to the left.)

Spare Cell Phone ( also in the tuuck)

Waterproof box to store spare cell phone, camera, a note pad (this is all from memory)

Make a check list

So I head back across the lake about 10:30. lovely moonlit evening. I Close the tackle box so that if I happen to hit a bump (in a lake?) nothing will spill... Live jacket is right there, under the oars and the poles... I wonder how difficult that is to find if you're upside down in a boat at 10:30 PM in cold water?...

You know, it's only been 27 years since I went fishing in a boat. With a buddy onboard.

What? Me Worry?

Maybe there should be a WCM version of HM! ( WCM = watercraft management vs the obvoius alternate of Boat Management)

Jeff

USPC Champs photo albums

2009-07-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

More Photos, in groups:

Thursday afternoon and Opening Ceremony
Friday Misc
USPC icons
Saturday - The Storm!!! No more Tent City... I was shooting for Gary @ GRC photo so didn't collect much of my own photos.
Sunday - Morning & Eventing Stadium Jumping
Stadium Jumping
Awards

If you want high res originals jsut send me an email identifying the photo(s) you would like.

Donations to Mountain Laurel PC accepted.

Jeff

United States Pony Club Opening ceremonies USPC

2009-07-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

President Tom announces, "Let the games begin!".

more to follow when I find a real internet connection.

Jeff

2009-07-23T08:22:00.001-07:00

Heading for Lexington VA to US Pony Club Eastern CHampionships! Will post pics as weekend progresses.

Bucks County Horse Park Dressage July 5th

2009-07-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

Quite an improvement!!! (photos seem to be out of whack... focus?)

Added 10 points to Level 3 Test 2 score from earlier attempts. 2nd of 8 in that division. FEI Pony looked nice but scored at 60.0 . I didn't see the comments, but he did drop from canter twice.

A lovely day in a lovely park!!! and GREAT weather.

Live from George Williams Clinic

2009-07-01T03:41:00.001-07:00

Live from Glenden & Gray Dressage @ SunnyField Farm in Bedford , NY!!
Spot Quiz (asked of rider during her clinic): How many vertebrae under your saddle?
Day 1 was perfect weather and great results. Saw training specific to use of corners, maneuvering corners, dividing a circle into quadrants, getting on-the-bit, getting your horses attention vs. distractions, getting your pony OFF the ground, “surrounding your pony with the aids”.
Mr. Williams was very interactive. Each session was uninterrupted from distractions, other than replacing microphone batteries, and non-stop. Explanations of “you asked your pony to do that so he did” to “down, down, down, that's ok, if you can touch your pinkies then your hands are in a position to surround your pony with aids.”
The after-the-day dinner included mandatory questions from all from fav experience “Representing
USA at World Cup” to “so we trail rode 250 miles home without GPS” when Mr. Williams was 13. He and Lendon happen to have been at activities together way back then!!
Will post photos when home on real connection.

Mac wins novice at Bucks County Horse Park!

2009-06-29T04:07:00.000-07:00

What a lovely day!!! Mostly sunny,,, comfortable temps, no bugs and a blue ribbon!!

Dressage rings were perfectly flat and nicely groomed. Cross country course was really pretty. The organizers bypassed one jump which was in a muddy grass area, but it wasn't nearly as bad as we've seen recently.

Harry pulled a shoe in the mud between 14 and 15 but no damage.

Stadium jumping was nice and open, colorful jumps, and great lighting for the photographer.

Her 31.0 in dressage yielded a 4.5 point lead for the day.

Tomorrow heading to Glenden in Bedford NY for a George Williams dressage clinic (ponys only) hosted by Lendon Gray.

NJ Horse Park Dressage

2009-05-27T10:21:00.000-07:00

Perfect day for dressage! Broken clouds, light breeze, Maui Wowi vendor serving coco mocha slushies... what more could you want?

The warm up ring was pretty intimidating. Lots of higher level (and older) riders on horses (big) doing paife's and such... while Mac cruised between them.

Her two rides were a bit off the mark compared to recent performances,,, and the judges didn't hesitate to make marks for every little thing.

Good news is a guy named Rich who is with a NJ newspaper and had taken the show on as a personal photo adventure. Got some GREAT photos of Mackenzie and her mom and I.

USPC EPA regional qualifying dressage rally is this weekend coming, at Radnor Hunt. Wish us luck!

Mackenzie wins KDCTA trophy!

2009-05-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

KDCTA spring dressage show = 67.5 Third Level test 2 and 67.37 FEI Pony test!!!

Landed top two scores for the day, amidst raindrops... (see: KDCTA.org)

Fair Hill Horse Trial Eventing yielded 19.5 (!!!!) dressage score. Unfortunate mis-q on show jumping turned into 4 pt refusal and 4 time penalty points for 2nd in her Novice division. Ended the day smiling and more work to do on accepting team approach to input on course walks,,, and focusing on the course before entering the ring.

Mac and Harry qualify for USPC National Championship!

2009-05-04T01:47:00.000-07:00

A great ride (which I missed) took Mazkenzie into the lead with 24.2 score in Novice level dressage, and top score for the weekend. Show jumping was wet with a close call in a corner, but cross country went well with no faults!!

Mac and Harry lead field at Redlands PA eventing

2009-04-20T02:24:00.001-07:00

Beautiful day! Nicely run show. There was a hole at X but the dressage ring worked very well. Still a 6 on one of the walks, but also good comments of being forward. In-out 6AB was close over B, but all great color. 58 seconds. X-country was exactly as planned, 8-9 was easier than expected, coming back from 12 waterhazard was a hike, but all went well. The cross country was also quicker than prior so was way under the 5.20 optimum.

26.0 dressage score gave her 4pt lead which held through the day. Everyone was on the road by 1:30 or so. Nice day!

Mac wins Novice at Plantation Eventing, Coatsville, PA

2009-04-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

Dressage 26.0 in the pouring rain and 4 points in show jumping for 1st position after Saturday. (I missed this day doing taxes and home junk).

Sunday was powerful wind all day, but conditions dried and most riders went clean. Mac went on course just after 3:00 for a beautiful ride to bring home the first place ribbon! Nicholas Hanson (Danville, PA Keystone PC) was 2nd with 34.0 . He's quitting USPC (drat) to do stuff that is more "fun".

Next Sunday is Redland Pony Club Horse Trials in MD.

Flora Lea Eventing

2009-04-05T05:33:00.000-07:00

.5 points out of first place after dressage phase... trouble in the water hazard led to dnf... argh. but no serious injury.

The season progresses!

Jeff

2009-03-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

Listen to three interviews on >>> HORSE RADIO NETWORK

Three Extreme Horse Women join us today for a fascinating look at what it is

like to have an extreme job in addition their riding. With us today we have
eventer and race car driver Liz Halliday, California Highway Patrol Officer
and endurance rider Kassandra DiMaggio and Apache Helicopter Pilot Colonel
Lorelei Wilson Coplen. Don't miss this episode, listen in.

USPC Summer camps at Wilson College

2009-03-17T03:06:00.000-07:00

This posting is for Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA. Their equestrian center is beautiful... Like an upgraded copy of the Virginia Horse Park. (Wilson has real grass!)

Here's the BROCHURE about their 2009 camps for USPC members.

and here's the REGISTRATION FORM. <<<

Please contact Ellen Schroyer, stable manager, at (717) 658-4485 with any questions.

Combined Tests at Wilson College 2/15/09

2009-02-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

Had a nice day, with sun and decent weather. The dressage test (29.2!!!!) was indoor, as was jumping (with two clear rounds at 3'3") so no decent pics there. Not a bad way to begin the season.

Sunday at USPC annual National meeting

2009-01-25T19:53:00.000-08:00

Started the day with early rising so I doulc be settled and prepared for show and tell... headed to town and hit Mickey'D's for food groups...

This was really creative of them... instead of fast-food they offerec Same Day Delivery!!! three cars in drive thru and it took 30 minutes... (I'm certain because I counted them...)

None the less... I arrive 90 minutes before show time so I had plenty of time to load the screens I was going to use and be settled in to greet the attendees... and then Hyatt AV Dept finished setting up for me 5 minutes before 8... and forgot to plug in the cable at the far end of the room...

It came out pretty nice... started the seminar with shadow puppets and voice-overs. The crowd seemed impressed!

Feedback to follow.

Jeff

USPC Mounted Games Demonstration

2009-01-23T10:59:00.000-08:00

Since 2002, the Prince Philip Cup Mounted Games have been held at Rolex Kentucky 3-day Event. Prior to this time, the exhibition was held at the National Horse Show. A similar demonstration called the President's Cup is held each year at Fair Hill International 3-Day Event in the fall.

The United States Pony Clulb is planning an exciting series of demonstrations for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. see www.ponyclub.org

World Equestrian Games USPC Quadrille Demonstration

2009-01-23T10:53:00.000-08:00

The Mounted Quadrille has been part of the United States Pony Club Dressage (USPC) Competition at out Championships since 2000. Prior to that time, Quadrilles were performed by numerous clubs and regions as part of membership drives or for the promotion of Dressage. Numerous Pony club Alumni are well known for their participation in and promotion of Quadrille, including Robert Dover and Lendon Gray. Video Link

Since 2000, the Quadrille has been an option for Championships Dressage teams each year. At the discretion of the World Equestrian Games (WEG), single or multiple demonstrations could be performed. three(or more) 8-person teams could perform. One of each of the 8-person teams would be a Celebrity USPC Alumni. Another Video Link

The United States Pony Clulb is planning an exciting series of demonstrations for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. see www.ponyclub.org >>> Lion Country Video

Live from USPC United States Pony Club National Meeting

2009-01-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

From beautiful Downtown Greenville, SC, in the comfort of the Hyatt, where everything is available for a price! Extension cords $5, tmobile $9.95/day, hacked into their wireless system - PRICELESS!

Will rant about the Red Roof Inn at http://www.sojustshootme.com/

Lots of familiar faces, hoge agenda and lots of questions about what's official and what's rumored. ...and are the rumors true?

Communications committee had a nice morning meeting (coffee $2.95, tea $4.5 and they can't make change because the guy with the key to the cashregister wasn't here yet. Coffee shop next door with great cheap coffee and free wifi - priceless).

Planning to shoot some videos to initiate online 60 second "US Pony Club minutes" for various uses. (to be announced.) Do me a favor. If you would like to see something called a USPC Minute posted online, what would it look like? How about you create your own and email it to me, or post on YouTobe.com and send me the link!!! It's open season for creativity!!!

Check out National Youth Board on United States Pony Clubs, Inc.:

More as it develops!

Jeff

Open letter to Lendon Gray

2008-12-31T17:50:00.000-08:00

My heritage is somewhere between farm boy turned organic hippie throwback... have always figured leftovers, wire and duct tape were an prudent solution to almost anything...

The software arrived today... slicker than snot on a door knob!! and it's only 5 years younger than what I have been using. Doing my experimental learning on www.mountainlaurel.ponyclub.org and then will move to d4k. (once I'm fairly certain that nothing is going to explode!)

Just you watch... they'll publish a new edition this spring.

Happy New Year, Lendon!!! Looking to supporting your efforts beyond what the new economy expects!

You know your hug always brings tears to my eyes... a shared respect from someone who I truly respect. BIG HUG!!!! Always a moment I don't want to end.

Do give an 'ola' to Mika and the staff.

Courtney King-Dye fundraiser clinic.

2008-12-30T02:39:00.001-08:00

SAVE THE DATE – Courtney King-Dye/Anne Gribbons
JR/YR Symposium
For the Benefit of “The Dressage Foundation” and the
“Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund”

WESTFORD, MA (12/17/08): Olympian Courtney King-Dye and (O) Judge Anne Gribbons will be the featured clinicians for a fundraising event to be held at Settlement Farm in Townsend, MA. This educational forum will take place on May 1 - 3, 2009. Eight Junior and Young Riders will have the opportunity to work with King-Dye, and the symposium will be opened to auditors on Saturday May 2 and Sunday May 3. Sunday will feature open warm-ups with King-Dye and a judged test by (O) Judge, Anne Gribbons. Auditors will be provided with immediate test results and an explanation of the scoring. The riders will be chosen by a selection committee.
A dinner and dancing, open to the public, will be held on Saturday evening at The Stagecoach Inn in Groton, MA. King-Dye, Lendon Gray, Gil Merrick and Renee Isler will be featured speakers. Raffle and Silent Auction items will be available for purchase. All proceeds from the symposium and dinner will support the Renee Isler Dressage Support Fund administered by the Dressage Foundation (www.dressagefoundation.org). Guidelines and applications for the riders will be available www.islerdressage.com. For more information please contact Renee Isler at mailto:mreneisler@aol.com, 978-257-2754 (cell). This interactive opportunity is sure to be instructive and educational for all who attend

Lendon Gray Weekend Educational Experience

2008-12-29T02:54:00.000-08:00

The 7th Annual Lendon Gray Weekend Educational Experience will be held January 31 & February 1st. Complete detail at the PRESS RELEASE and forms to be posted at dressage4kids.com.

uspc calendar

2008-12-13T04:18:00.000-08:00

2009 Lendon Gray Dressage Clinic!

2008-12-12T05:54:00.000-08:00

Mountain Laurel Pony Club and Wilson College in Gettysburg, PA have come to an agreement to host Lendon this year!!! A repeat of Dressage@Bloomsburg 2008, which was met with rave reviews.

Very little detail available yet, but we should have a date set this weekend and details to follow. Will definintely be Saturday/Sunday limited to about 40 participants each day.

We are considering adding a Prix Caprilli clinic featuring another clinician so each rider can have two sessions each day.

This will be open to the public, with USPC teams and Wilson students given preference.

Waredaka Horse Trials

2008-10-27T03:16:00.000-07:00

Beautiful day! 1st place in dressage by 2 points... 26.6 as I recall... One rail in Stadium jumping... that moved her to 2nd. then,,, last fence of the day in cross country... runout. bummer... live and learn.

Radnor Horse Trials 2008

2008-10-12T02:38:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful and successful event! Decent food ($$), good friends, and great show jumping and X-country courses.

Finishing 2 of 20 something wasn't a bad deal either. Judges comments were all about being more 'forward' which could have deducted 5+ points from Mackenzie's score... Lesson learned!

Slide show should be appearing on the right.

Enjoy the day! Jeff

Dressage at Devon, Lendon Gray Pony Demo Team

2008-09-30T23:33:00.000-07:00

Lendon called and asked Mackenzie to ride Harry as one of her pony demo riders. Harry was the smallest pony on the team, but Mackensie was sure he did his stuff.

On Saturday evening Coutrney King came out and traded places with mackenzie for several loops around the ring. Terri Miller Photography picked up a great shot of That pair.

Then Mackensie asked "Can I have my pony back?" and Courtney pulled up to give the reins back to Mac.

Great time! Thanks much to Lendon for asking Mackenzie to participate.

Boots and Hats at Devon

2008-09-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

Fun time at Dressage at Devon, in the rain... Lots of color and smiles!

Watermellon Room

2008-08-18T01:50:00.001-07:00

We painted Mac's room this weekend. ( OK, I know this isn't horsey)

Slide Show She heads to high school in tow weeks! yipes!!!

Eventing at Weave A Dream Farm This weekend.

Jeff

USPC Clubs volunteer at MS Polo fundraiser

2008-08-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

Stomp out MS One Divot at a Time Polo match, sponsored by Sun Motor Cars in Mechanicsburg, PA. GREAT reception! Silent auction and live auction was going strone when we departed. Thanks to Blue Ridge PC and another ( I need to find their affiliation) and us ( Mountain Laurel PC) for assisting with parkine, ticket sales, Terier races and other (as assigned)!

Weather was perfect! More to follow.

Jeff

How I spent my summer vacation...

2008-08-07T03:45:00.000-07:00

This weather has been unbeatable!!! Other than a 97 degree event at Plantation (which Mac did GREAT with!) we haven't had much weekend rain, and the temps have been nice!

My forehead is falling...

2008-07-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Haven't posted anything for ages... Three weeks of shows and some nice results!

Forehead is peeling from sun in Lexington VA, USPC nationals. Mac's team brought in first in Novice Eventing with a little help from each. She went off course on xcountry (zzzzzz) and added an opening halt-salute to the eventing dressage test. Shannon knocked a rail in SJ so Mac's 3 time points counted and they finished at the top. I forget where they were in Horse Management points, but it appears that the final decision was swayed from that and not from riding.

I'll get pics here soon, and a blurb about Dressage4kids in NY the prior week.

Remind me to do my epistle on "lead-line crosscountry" with a recommendation to the appropriate committees... ;(

Jeff

D4K on the horizon

2008-07-06T01:39:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th weekend!

Started painting Mac's room(s) yesterday... pink on me and lime green ceiling today. Then deilvered her and her g/f to 3rd friend in resort community for fireworks and food.

Dressage4Kids is only three weeks away, with US Pony club nationals in two weeks. Will be a fun month. Next weekend will do eventing at Oxbow, NJ.

D4K seems to be coming together smoother this year. Couple online forms, active updates on the website. Looks like quite a few new families... should be fun!

Now to spend AM cleaning up a couple office things, PM painting and evening chilling for a big business week!

Enjoy the day.

Jeff

Weekend off

2008-07-04T06:44:00.000-07:00

Amazing... Last weekend she did a hunter show that I didn't know about (why am I paying her cell phone bills) and wins $$$ in jumper purse!!!

This weekend, three day holiday and no competition. Time to breathe.

She did invite me over to paint her bedroom(s). Lime green over pink, I think she said... She and her mom are picking out the paint today, so at lease I;m not going to take the blame for conceptuals.

I think we're off next week, then two weekends of biggies... US Pony Club Nationals followed by http://www.dressage4kids.com/ in NY. My fav.

Meanwhie, have been collecting samples and prices for new footing for horse arena at Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Our clinic was a success but Lendon won't return if we don't upgrade from hardpack dirt. Go figure!

Happy 4th!

Jeff

Tornado Recovery

2008-06-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

If you haven't looked at their BLOG (Silver Bits PC) our friends in Iowa are recovering from the tornado last month.

Autographed Scorecard!

2008-06-08T05:37:00.000-07:00

Hey!!! We picked up the pace here!

Dressage rally brought in great scores for Mac! Musical was 72+!!!

Yeaterday was Plantation Eventing day. 1st Jr Novice!!! Out of 13 riders... she had a 30 after dressage and clean round with no time faults in show jumping AND ditto on cross country! Harey was really puffing in the 94+ degree heat.

Makes for a great day!

Jeff

$ in the bank!

2008-06-04T20:46:00.000-07:00

Looks like 72 burgers, 36 egg sandwiches, 36 h-dogs, 10# sloppy-joes and a bunch of soda. Interesting mix!

The girls did well. Two qualified for Nat's and the young one may have had the top score for the d-day! Go Meghan!!!!

Remind me to get photos downloaded!

Jeff

Food Groups

2008-06-02T03:21:00.001-07:00

5 PM Friday we got an email that there was going to be NO food vendor at Dressage Rally... I just can't imagine no food... Certainly it's not the economy, with the Fair Hill caterer gouging like they do.

We volunteered, got the nod, and headed to walmart and aldi's to stock up.

Saturday was kind of a bust... rain shortened the show to about 4 hours. Sunday I think we did pretty well... Looks like we paid for the food expenses and have a freezer filled with hotdogs for life!

Will have to balance the books to figure this out.

enjoy the day!

Jeff

Eventing challenge

2008-05-12T03:29:00.000-07:00

OK,,, so she qualified for USPC Nationals, even though the scorekeeper math seens to be in error. THEN we went to the Plantation event yesterday and Mac had two runouts... wasn't focused to her usual level... Disappointment, but would rather have her learn the ropes early in the season that have continuous string of easy wins. Slide Show

Heading to bookstore to find Tiger Woods biography to see if that may inspire her toward perfection... ( something we could all use!)

Enjoy the day,

Jeff

Season Opener - Fair Hill

2008-05-02T06:02:00.000-07:00

What a lovely forecast... overcast and cool. Will be great for the ponies but chilly for camping. Whatever... will find happy hour with night Richmond NASCAR Saturday night... then layer on the blankets and enjoy the country evening.

Life is good.

Jeff

Fair Hill Schooling day

2008-04-27T02:50:00.000-07:00

Had a great day! Mac and her mom did well together... Harry was in a good mood! and... great atmospherics for photography... just a tad overcast... see album.

There was a good crowd there... mostly pony club age kids and coaches. Fun to watch and listen to one coach ( mounted) leading her team through the obstacles.

Next week is PC qualifying there. and the following week we do another recognized show at Plantation.

Off to Columbia County 4-H for the day. Film at 11'

Jeff

Mountain Laurel & Eastern PA calendar

2008-04-17T02:51:00.000-07:00

Calendar items
USPC Annual Meeting January 26th
Quiz Rally March 1st.
Dressage@Bloomsburg March 29 & 30th
Unrally March 29th
Dressage Rally May 31 Qualifying, June 1st Non-Qualifying
Polocrosse Rally May 25th
Show Jumping June 14th Qualifying, June 15th Non Qualifying
Games Rally June 29th
Tetrathalon Rally June 21st
Dressage4Kids July 17 - 20th
Nationals in Virginia July 24th - 27th

Eventing @ Fair Hills May 3 & 4
4-H, Benton Fairgrounds April 4th
WVIA Day @ Knoebles May 10th

more to be posted as time permits.

Close to the event!

2008-03-24T16:00:00.001-07:00

I really wish you would have a chance to come up to Bloomsburg this weekend and see what goes on... I'm going to do a documentary on the weekend...

We have done a TON of email updates to the participants and it's coming together like clockwork... Mother Nature is our only remaining challenge.

Some of it is hystarical... We've had people make special requests like: "My daughter has never ridden outdoors before... can you do her tests indoors?" ( like we have an extra dressage size building...) "I need three straws"... (That one I figured out.) "My daughter doesn't get up that early, can she be resculed for later int the day?" "My daughter has to leave for school that night. Can she be scheduled earlier in the day?"

Have you seen my http://ponyclubdad.blogspot.com site? I've been doing my editorials there.

Have a good evening, a good laugh, and a great weekend!

Jeff

Two weeks to show time!

2008-03-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

Under 14 days until Dressage@Bloomsburg! Seems like it's coming up fast now... and it's still cold and snowing... argh...

Most of the registrations are in. Then there are stragglers... They expect to see ride times posted and we haven't received their registration... go figure.

All we need now is good weather!

Wish us luck!

Jeff

Pony Club Quiz Rally

2008-03-03T06:26:00.000-08:00

Well... at least the parents had a good session... finished planning most of the dressage clinic details, collected some registration $'s, whined about barn politics.

As for the team... their minds were in social mode and forgot everything they ever knew about horses... Raises that frequent question "We spent the money on lessons for what???..."

Jeff

re: Facebook

2008-03-02T05:12:00.000-08:00

I'm beginning to believe that "being there" is a better bet than missing the exposure.
There's probably very little chance of pereferal damage, and if it picks up one or two additional riders per year it's a cheap success. (ever hear the 'client for life' theory? If it's a movie theater at $5 x 3 movies / hear * 60 years ... it adds up. I think that was a Carnegie item)

Let me suggest (and I use this thought frequently) " What would grandpa Fred have said, and would I have thought he was standing in the way of progress"... and, of course, I was right.

So now what do I tell my daughter? I don't want to have grown up to be her Grandpa Fred? ! ;) This was a good thought... I need to post it!
Enjoy the day!

Jeff

Building a dressage ring

2008-02-27T04:07:00.000-08:00

The best resource I've found ( thanks to Jen) is right on the USPC forms page. Gives you all the dimensions and quite a few options.

I took particle board 'sheething' sheets and got all 12 letter boards from one sheet.

Cut the panel to two 24" x 8ft. pieces. Lay out pyramid shaped patterns 14" wide at the bottom and 6" wide at the top, spaced 6" apart. This creates alternating upside down panels.

Paint them and add self adhesive 6" letters and you're almost done. We're actually going to print the letters on paper and put them in sheet protectors for the first show.

I notched the bottom of the panels to match notches in 2x6 boards ( 12" long) for the bases. You could also just use metal stakes in the ground and those plastic wire-ties through two holes, to hold the panels to the stakes. I like to avoid having pointed things sticking up out of the ground...

Then I shopped for white plastic chain. Mr Plastic gave me a 15% off price of $.59/ft. Then I found Equicross on eBay showing $159 for 500 ft. It's actually about 530 ft around the large ring, and an extra 65 ft piece will let you partition the large ring to a 20m x 40m smaller ring for the lower lever tests. 20 M = 65' 7". That's a handy number to have around when you're measuring.

Will post pics when it's all done.

Jeff Kurtz
Call or Text 570-401-4843

Why pay to "watch your kid ride"?

2008-02-22T07:05:00.000-08:00

OK, so now come the questions from a few parents who are headed to our clinic.

"Why should I pay $35 to audit for the weekend when I'm just coming to watch my kid ride"?

Well... it's a clinic with Lendon Gray speaking to the riders and the audience... ( no ear plugs permitted) so everyone who is in the room will learn about the sport, whether they want to learn or not... like taking kids to the movie and expecting to get in free because you're not going to watch...

It's a fund raiser, so our focus is on exactaly that. It's also the only time anyone will be able to get 16 hours of observation of Lendon, without going to her barn in NY and sitting in the rafters!

To lighten the thought... let me think of the top ten reasons to pay $35 to "watch my kid ride":::

1) You get to watch MY kid ride also! ;) and about 50 others.
2) Entertainment value! We have the Lion Country PC Quadrille team doing a humerous and one-time-only routine over lunch.
3) Perhaps you could drop your youngster off and head to the Columbia Mall! or Panera Bread? (my fav'). I think Son of Terminator III opens that weekend.
4) 200 people drive 200 miles to CT last month to sit through Lendon's Weekend Educational Experience, and they didn't even get to see ANYBODY ride!
5) It's a fund raiser and Lendon's not free.
6) We'll try to get your kid to autograph your shirt.
7) Compared to the typical dressage weekend: You normally spend the day(s) and learn nothing, except that perhaps some judge doesn't understand how well your kid rides. This is a chance to hear from Lendon (twice) and from TWO L rated judges, just what your child can do to improve, and your budding olympian can watch 49 other riders of similar skill learn from their mistakes also. Lendon's among the best! Let's learn what she knows, what she sees, and what she would recommend for success.
8) and,,, the #10 (I'll find two others later) reason to pay $35 is that when it's your kids turn to test you'll probably be muttering "OMG, I can't watch!"

Come on to Bloomsburg and enjoy!

Jeff

Lendon Gray's Weekend Edu Experience!

2008-02-06T02:37:00.000-08:00

What a lovely weekend!!! And this coming from a guy who figured he "knew it all" before I got there...

The photos are already at www.dressage4kids.com so you can check them out. Laura Akin's work on finding sponsors is terrific!!! I've got to get out kids to create profiles and start knocking on doors.

An hour on warming up before getting on your horse... and our kids are lucky if they have their boots on in time... go figure.

Lorraine, one of the observers for my website session has already gone home and created her new blog, to supplement her website! http://springcreek-farm.blogspot.com . I love it when someone picks up on a suggestion!

Now to get busy and wrap up details for Dressage@Bloomsburg. It's going together steadily. Most of the riding slots are booked... now to promote Audit'ing to fill the stands.

One of the 4-H clubs has agreed to run the food stand on Saturday. Will have to come up with a Sunday crew, but that day will be 'after the rush'... Am making list of volunteer positions. Lendon is hyped about our format and we need to insure that we manage it well.

Cut up aonther magazine looking for sponsors. the PA National Horse show is comming up and I'm going to work the vendors for a week... At least they'll all be in one place a tone time for us.

Enjoy your day!
Jeff

Website Tips - What's in a name

2008-02-01T01:45:00.000-08:00

From the Annual meeting on the topic of website names and URL's:

My suggestion, strictly from marketing experience, is that a website name (URL) needs to mean something... After 30+ years people now recognize International Business Machines as IBM and Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing as 3M ( I think I have that right), but who knows what SBPC stands for?

I'm using that for an example because Bridget from Iowa paid attention and just changed www.sbpc.ponycub.org to www.SilverBits.PonyClub.org !!

Just imagine how unlikely it would be for some Budding Iowa Pony Kid to search for sbpc... Congratulations Bridget! Erin Woodall at USPC tells me your site will be moved to the new address as soon as you give her the OK.

Erin also told me that this type of name change can be made at no charge, IF "your'nice" to her... Thanks, Erin!

Bridget told me that her website agenda is as follows:
"
Working links and pictures to start with!! My goals are:

1. That parents will actually use the site for information
2. That we can involve the kids with blogs and pictures
3. That I can give potential members our site, knowing that they will go 'WOW, I need to be a part of that'!!!!

Not ambitious at all :)

"

Good Luck, Bridget! We'll see her Blog, her Picasa albums, and her new ideas on the new version of www.sbpc.ponyclub.org within a week or so.

Happy Friday
Jeff
DC Mountain Laurel Pony Club.org

More Hours, Quick!!

2008-01-31T04:48:00.001-08:00

Here I am trying to be an example for people and who's blog is weeks behind??? go figure.

Recent PC moments include meeting ex-Pony-Club-Mom Jane at Panera bread and discovering a new friend; Jeremy (business friend) discloses that his wife is VRS for Maryland (small world); and then the Annual Meeting... great fun for 90 minutes, and now a new adventure into website stuff for clubs and small groups.

More to follow soon!

Happy Thursday!

Jeff

Harry Houdini is for sale!

2008-01-11T02:58:00.001-08:00

Hey, I'll have to get complete detail from my daughter's mom, but they've decided to put Mac's mount on the market. Harry Houdini, featured on photos and videos on www.youtube.com
and www.picasa.com (search "kurtzinpa" )

http://picasaweb.google.com/kurtzinpa/DUTTON

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4L_gV0Wd5Y

More detail when available

Jeff

Dressage clinics comming together!

2008-01-11T02:51:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday!

Rainy day in PA... but we don't have to shovel it... whew...

15 preregistered riders as of this morning! 30 to go and we're a success. So far we have people from PA, MD, Bermuda, NJ and NY. The Bermuda and a MA rider are looking to borrow mounths for the weekend,, sent inquiries but none so far.

I need to sit down for a day,,, probably next Monday, and focus on sponsors. Had a vew suggestions emailed in, and our PC mom's know all the tack shops in thw area. Suggestions are welcome.

Talked to Lendon,,, she's getting hyped also. Will be nice to bring her to PA and maybe do this again in the fall.

Also need to buid two dressage rings. Good project for a rainy day. My house flipping project will come in handt. We've been bringing salvagable wood from demolition projects to a place behind my garage and there should be some stuff there I can adapt.

Have a good fiinish to your week, and send thoughts any time!

Jeff

Who Told?

2008-01-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

OK,,, so somebody guessed my secret... Pony Club Dad... Was sending out solicitations for sponsors and back came the response...

"You HAVE to be a Dad of a dressage rider to be doing all of this! Lots of moms get involved but not too many dads. Bless you!!"

Go figure... It's easy being a Pony Club Dad... specially if you're divorced... live alone, no kid, no spouse, no horse, no life... well, not altogether...

I miss the daughter, and I miss the horses, and at 5 AM I listen for the coffee maker to click on and the snow beating against the windows and promise that as soon as I get up I'll think about how to help the pony club...

ergo, lots of time to do the mailing and management for the fundraiser. My business life is involved with electronic and email marketing, so it's not a stretch to figure out how to reach out to a couple thousand people when it's time to set something up.

In my spare time I've adopted http://www.dressage4kids.com/ as a probono client and do stuff for Lendon. Great fun, great contacts, and great visability in the eq-world.

Happy Wednesday!

Jeff

New Year already?

2008-01-02T02:29:00.000-08:00

whoooosh... December just blew by! Not much activity for me with Mackenzie and horses. We did get in a shopping day... that was great fun!

Pony club fundraiser is comming along nicely. Got the announcement out to more than 1000 riders. Actually have our first couple pre-registrations and quite a few inquiries. Have to broadcast a press release to as many venues as I can find. Find someone to manage the food stand. Find sponsors... food and sponsors is probably where the cash flow will come from.

Started getting ideas for the website clinic at USPC Annual Meeting. It's a 90 minute workshop and I think I'll break it into 3 30 minute topics. Ideas/Examples - Simple Tips and Techniques - then end with Techie stuff.

Meanwhile, will put as much of the 08 calendar together and get it posted on our website.

Happy January!

Website stuff

2007-11-24T04:31:00.000-08:00

So with my day job being all involved with email marketing and such,,, my idle (?) moments often include updating webites for pony club friends... Here's an article I did last summer about posting photos to Picasa.com to be linked to your club websites.

http://www.reykurassociatesinc.com/clientwebfiles//uspc/Posting Photo albums to your website.pdf

Let me know if it works, have fun, and send examples of your accomplishments!
Happy Saturday,
Jeff

Got something out of the clinic

2007-11-23T03:54:00.000-08:00

http://picasaweb.google.com/kurtzinpa/DUTTON

Last weekend Mac went to two-day jumping/eventing clinic at Philip Dutton's True Prospect Farm near Kennett Square. She rode in group of three riders and it went pretty well.

Interesting conversation with Janice about which rider gets the attention... It's the problem horse and innexperienced rider who gets the most conversation with the trainer... other riders don't get as much quality conversation, but if they pay attention at least they'll learn from how the trainer is handling the situation.

I wasn't there on Saturday, but I understand that he ended up mounting one of the misbehaving horses, taking corrective steps ( lots of crop) and keeping up his coaching with the other riders all the while.

Mr Dutton is a pretty quiet guy, but we enjoyed the time and Mac came away with a great exerience! ( and a 3 hour drive home in the impending blizzard...)

Typical!

Jeff

Show Planning

2007-11-23T03:28:00.000-08:00

OK,,, now we did it...

Club officers agreed with idea to host major dressage clinic. Made a few calls to find date when we were free, favorite trainer (Lendon Gray) was available, Bloomsburg Fairgrounds horse arena was available and pony club region had nothing going on (almost).

Dressage@Bloomsburg is now official and in the planning stages. If we do this right we'll max out at 85 riders and unlimited space (relatively speaking) for people to 'audit'. 16 hours of instruction in two days. Demonstrations during brief lunch breaks. Plenty of food.

Will have to come up with lists and fallback options for weather, safety, equipment breakdowns...

Suggestions are welcome!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Jeff