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Horseback Riding in Arizona

admin — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:52:24 +0000

If you are looking for a way to get out of the worst of the winter in those parts of the US where the weather tends to be most depressing, think about going horseback riding in Arizona. It can be intolerably hot down there in the summer, but in the winter it is usually glorious. Find yourself a place with good horses, saddle up and have a brisk gallop across the desert with spectacular formations like those of Monument Valley or the Grand Canyon in view. This is the area most favored by movie producers for western movies and they knew what they were doing. It is difficult to find more dramatic scenery anywhere in the world.

Arizona also has old riding traditions which go back several centuries and many scholars believe that the wild horse in America got its most important impetus from the Indian rebellion against the Spaniards in Santa Fe about 1680. This was the greatest setback to European conquest which ever took place in what is now the US. It took the Spaniards many years to recapture Santa Fe and hundreds of horses were taken by the Indians or allowed to escape. The Spanish were keenly aware of the advantage that horses bestowed on them and guarded them jealously. How many escaped before the Santa Fe rebellion is uncertain, but what we do know is that the horses did not arrive in Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota until about 1720 which seems a reasonable period for them to multiply and work their way up after the rebellion.

United States Pony Club

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:13:23 +0000

United States Pony Club members are aged 25 years old and below, which explains the use of the word “pony.” It is not used to dictate what types of horses are allowed into the club.

The United States Pony Club (USPC) saw its birth in 1954. Its main goal is to educate children and train then to become “well-rounded horse people.” USPC teaches its young members riding and mounted sports while trying to instill in them proper care of their animals. With USPC, a child will learn proper horse management like feeding and shoeing. Basic veterinary care is also taught.

USCP-trained riders become more disciplined individuals with good leadership skills and increased self-confidence.

When a child joins USPC, he is given the opportunity to access or use a horse or pony but he does not necessarily need to own or buy one.

The club offers programs like eventing, dressage, and show jumping. There are annual competitions and quiz contests that tests a pony clubber’s knowledge on horses and horse care.

At present, there are more than 600 individual clubs in 48 states, including the Virgin Islands.

The newest addition to the USPC family is the Horsemasters, an adult horse riding club and volunteer group that assists in Pony Club activities.

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