RALLIES ARE FUN IF EVERYONE IS PREPARED!

One-Day Eventing Rally and Show Jumping Rally

Click here and here to see more pictures of the 2007 Show Jumping Rally. More photos are also available on the website of JTSport Photos and McNeil Photo.

Preparing for a Rally is a lot of work! You need to have a clean horse, clean tack, clean clothing, your own grooming supplies, water bucket, hay, etc., and all the necessary kits (human first aid, equine first aid, utility). Beverwyck has kits for three teams and just before each Rally we'll get together to make sure they're all complete.

Teamwork is very important -- you are not riding on your own, you're working as part of a team and representing Beverwcyk to the outside world. We'll be working hard this year to make Beverwyck's teams work well together.

Parents can only help the PC members get ready before the Rally starts, but once the PC members are on the Rally grounds they're on their own, relying on their own skill and on their teammates. It can be very hard for parents to watch the kids struggle, but you must stay out of the way or the team will be penalized.

The forms you need to fill out in order to attend a Rally are available on the forms page of the USPC website. On the Forms page, go the the M section and download the Medical Release 2009, then go to the R section and download the Release: Activity and Rally 2009 form. You must turn these in to Terri Belmonte with the necessary fees (usually $75 for a rider and $25 for a horse manager), in the form of a check made out to Beverwyck, prior to the Rally.

Also on the USPC website are checklists for Rally preparation. Download these checklists and make sure you're prepared. Work with your team members to prepare so you don't duplicate efforts.

  • Under Forms, H, HM: Phase Score Sheet - Equipment Checklist (make sure you get the correct one: one day or overnight rally; jumping, dressage, etc. or polocrosse)

Other important information from the USPC website:

  • Under Forms, S, download the Stall Card and fill it out for your mount.

  • Rulebooks for each discipline. Each team should have a current Rulebook, including the current year's annual newsletter -- make sure your team's kit has one for the discipline AND for Horse Management. You can download each Rulebook by clicking on the link below, and make sure you also get the annual newsletter separately from the Rulebooks page.

  • You will also need a current Coggins and Rabies certification any time you attend a Rally.

  • If you're crossing state lines you'll also need a Health Certificate, available from your vet.

  • Be sure to leave enough time for the vet to process all the necessary paperwork.

The Horse Manager is an important member of each team, and each Beverwyck member will be a HM at a Rally at some point. The HM does not ride, but is there to assist her/his teammates as needed. Before each Rally we'll go over the responsibilities of the HM in detail -- in general, remember that the HM is NOT a groom -- it's her/his job to make sure the riders get to their rides on time and to supervise the stable area and tack room.

Here are some tips for your first rally from a graduate Beverwyck member:

AT THE RALLY:

  • All members of your team will be stabled together. There will be one stall per horse and a tack stall for the team. ALL of your equipment must fit into the tack stall, so organize it carefully! Keep all non-team/personal items in your trunk or in your trailer.
  • Put all of your CLEAN extra equipment out in the open. This will make it easy to find if you need it or to show to the HM judges. Put small extras, such as Peacock rubber bands, in a plastic bag in your trunk.
  • Pin your Pony Club pin to your pinny so that you are always wearing it.
  • Put your Rally schedule up on your note board, and follow it closely! Have a clock with the correct time near the board. Penalties are harsh for being late!
  • Make a large, neat chart showing the times for Tack and Turnout and all Rides for each rider, so everyone knows when to be ready and when s/he can help the team members.
  • Once the riding starts time will go quickly, so make sure your horse is fed and watered and your stall and horse are clean before everything starts.
  • Tack and Turnout is very important. Be on time, or early! This is a good opportunity to impress the HM judges with your and your horse's presentation. You must know why you are using each piece of equipment, for example, if your horse is wearing boots, what is their purpose. Judges might ask what the difference is between formal and informal attire, and which you are wearing (D Manual, chapter 13, page 283).
  • LABEL EVERYTHING with your last name, BVPC, and your number.
  • The Equipment List will tell you what extra equipment you need. In addition, bring an extra belt, hairnet, baling twine, safety pins, roll of masking tape, Sharpie pens, white-board marker, screw eyes, double-ended snap, and a small step stool.
  • Help out your team, and other Beverwyck teams. You will be rewarded for teamwork! Have a good attitude about your rides, the judges, the rules, other teams, and your teammates.
  • Ask for help if you need it, from other teams, other Beverwyck teams, or the HM judges. The judges are there to make sure everyone is safe and to help you learn.
  • HAVE FUN!!

THE KITS:

  • Keep all kits together and out of the way so they don't get messy and can be reached if needed.
  • All team members must know what is in the kits and why.
  • All medications must be up to date.
  • Everything must be labeled (BVPC, team number)
  • Make sure the correct equipment is in each kit.

HOW TO SET UP:

  • Before you start, clean out the tack-room stall. Sweep the floor and discard any debris. We have some tarps to use on the floors -- it makes the tack room look neater and helps keep things clean.
  • Make sure saddle racks are labeled.
  • Attach screw eyes for water and feed buckets.
  • Hang fire extinguisher and flashlight by the tack room door and make sure all team members know where they are.
  • Only bring what you need!