Cathy B Reports on Prep Camps; Help Needed for Sr Ratings

Regional supervisor Cath B reports:
"Just to update all the clubs on this camp which was held at my farm during the past week.

All H-A candidates, 1 C1 for one day and 2 C3 candidates for the entire week went through all areas of the H-A test. This included all bandaging and specialty bandaging, preparing a horse for presentation and then going through the questioning that will happen at the three stations, braiding, conformation, movement, all knowledge areas, etc. A farrier demonstration also was included.

The group also practicing their teaching with volunteer D and C students as they will have to do at their rating. Their evaluation of each other's performance was very helpful to the entire group.

In addition, an entire afternoon was spent at Del Val College, the site for our testing, with a clinic on lunging by Angelo Telatin, the head instructor at the college. After a very thorough demo and lecture by Angelo, each of the members had a chance to longe one of the college's horses and practice in the indoor where they will be tested next month. They also had a chance to tour the equine facility and are now more comfortable about their upcoming rating.

On Wednesday, Barbara Hay, our resident CHMJ in NJ and Susanne Matos, a graduate H-A and now Jt. DC of Spring Valley, joined us to give the candidates extensive questioning, go over areas where the kids wanted additional help, help them understand how to prepare and present their horse through Stations 1,2,3, etc. Wednesday's dinner was take out Chinese.

On Thursday, Trish Lutfy, Jt-DC of Skylands, and her daughters Sofie and Gracie joined us. Sofie and Gracie were students for our candidates, along with Rebecca Brogan for the D group, and Anna Maddalena of HHPC and Lindsay Walker of SHPC were our C students. After a long day, Trish did a very thorough Yoga session with everyone to teach them relaxation and focus. Trish is a certified Yoga instructor and we thank you and the girls for making the trip to our camp. Dinner was a cook out with salads.

On Friday, we reviewed all bandaging, braiding, etc. and spent the afternoon reviewing knowledge, etc. After a dinner of lasagna and salad, Kate Brogan joined us to discuss the psychology needed to successfully pass your rating and how to cope during this stressful process. Thank you Kate for your words of wisdom to the group.

I hope that all who were able to spend all or part of the week feel that they are better prepared for their testing and we wish them well as they continue their studying and prep work.

I will be sending a separate email requesting specific help for various stuff that has to get done for this rating
- Picking up raters at Trenton RR station, Philadelphia Airport - King of Prussia. -- Feeding and taking care of the candidates during the 3 days of testing - including meals and snacks
- Need 4 groups of volunteer students - 2 groups of D's (3 or 4 in the group) and 2 groups of C's (3 or 4 in the group) to bring themselves and their mounts to Del Val on Saturday afternoon for the teaching sessions.
- Transportion back to the Trenton RR station and to whichever airport the other examiners are leaving from.

Thanks for all your anticipated help.

Cathy B, RS