Deb Titus recently interviewed Katie via email - here's what she had to say about her HA experience.

DT: For starters, how long have you been in PC?

KB: This is my 8th year.

DT: How has PC contributed to the person you are today?

KB:It's made me more responsible and very goal-oriented. I always have to be doing something with myself, working towards something.

DT: You are clearly an achiever and you chose to pursue your HA- for the record, would you please share with us, and for the benefit of our newer members, what does HA stand for and why did you decide to go for it?

KB: I see the HA as just the next step up from the B. It's all knowledge, lunging, bandaging, and teaching, and it has a lot to do with barn management. I did it because, again, I am very goal oriented and it would have really bothered me to not go for something that I love doing this summer.

DT: What above all else do you believe a candidate needs to possess to make this achievement happen? (This is about attributes/qualities)

KB: They definitely need a lot of determination and discipline. This is a very time consuming rating and you need to be more than ready for it!!!!

DT: What should they have in place before they decide to pursue it?

KB: Emotional stability, haha. It's a very long proccess and it can really do some damage on you emotionally. You need to make sure that you are able to handle whatever comes your way, good or bad, because you never know what is going to happen once the weekend comes.

DT: What were some of the biggest challenges in attaining your HA?

KB: Learning everything, like systems, diseases, drugs, and everything else. Everything that you need to know is not in the pony club manual, and you need to do a lot of researching to find all you need.

DT: What resources did you access to help you meet these challenges?

KB: The internet, regional clinics, and most importantly other candidates. The other candidates are very knowledgeable and usually also have some books or notes that you can study from.

DT: How do you see achieving your HA helping you in your future as a rider, horse owner and senior member of RPC and CNE?

KB: People recognize the HA as a big rating, so I feel that people will be more understanding of how much time and work I put into riding and pony club. I also hope that it will help me give back to pony club when I'm older :)

DT: What did you find to be the most positive aspect of going through the HA program?

KB: Making the friends I did. I know all the upper level kids in CNE, but you meet even more people from out of region at regional preps and national ratings. The kids are great and even if the rating doesn't go well you ALWAYS have fun with the other kids!

DT: What would you say you learned most about yourself?

KB: Well I definetly learned that I am sometimes a huge nerd, but also how much I love horses in general and how I am stuck with them for life.

DT: What were, if any, some of the new learning opportunities you had?

KB: I always learn at ratings, talking to the examiners and seeing their way of doing things. I also learn from the other kids at ratings, who are sometimes from accross the country. They learn from us, too. At my HA there was a boy from California who had always lived in warm weather. Some of the girls were talking about blanketing and the winter and all of a sudden the boy asked, "Can horses really survive in the snow?" Ratings are learning experiences for everyone.

DT: What would you recommend to others as they pursue their Pony Club development path?

KB: Don't feel like you have to push yourself, go at your own speed. Ratings can be a blast, but only if you don't feel pressured or rushed.

DT: Do you have specific suggestions in preparation for the testing?

KB: Your best resources are your peers. I studied best with the other kids around the region, and had fun with it. Don't get too stressed the majority of the testing is practical knowledge. Also, practice practice practice. You can never lunge, teach, or bandage too much.

DT: Do you see yourself participating in RPC and CNE differently now that you have attained your HA? If so, how?

KB: I think I've always been involved in RPC and CNE as much as I can, but I'm hoping that now some more opportunities will open up.

Katie - we are really excited about your HA - you are a great role model, you always have been. We (RPC) believe in you and your abilities and style with which you put your best foot forward, every step of the way.

So, this interview is as much about showcasing you as it is about educating our membership. Enjoy your ongoing success!

6/22/05