More than 20 years ago, Flash, a then young Morgan gelding, was found everywhere: in the show ring, the hunt field, participating in mounted games, and helping his young rider earn her progressively more difficult ratings in the U.S. Pony Clubs. Today, the 14.1h bay Flash is still doing much the same thing, this time with the next generation of young riders, all of them eager to know what Flash has to teach them! Flash is that rare equine who has the patience for beginners, and the sophistication to carry advanced riders to any height of accomplishment. He was, therefore, an easy choice for the U.S. Pony Clubs, when, in order to commemorate its 50th anniversary of teaching riding and horsemanship, they called for nominations for the Pony Club mount that helped fulfill the goals of the USPC. Flash had some stiff competition, but in reviewing his extensive contributions, his unflagging enthusiasm, and his successful list of riders, it was an easy decision. Flash was named the USPC 50th Anniversary Horse after being nominated by the Mount Kearsage (NH) Pony Club. Breyer Animal Creations then commissioned former Chico, CA Pony Clubber, Sue Sifton, to memoralize this great horse!
To commemorate the United States Pony Clubs’ (USPC) 50th Anniversary in 2004, Breyer Animal Creations and USPC, the nation’s leading teaching organization for young riders, joined together for a special essay contest to honor the horses and ponies that make US Pony Clubs possible. USPC members and supporters across the country were invited to nominate the horse or pony that helped them, their families, or Pony Club to fulfill the ideals of the USPC: responsibility, moral judgment, leadership and self-confidence. Chosen from the hundreds of heartwarming letters and photographs that flooded the USPC offices, Flash, a 14.1h Morgan gelding, was the winner! Flash began his Pony Club career with owner Cathy Aranosian in 1983 at the age of six in the Mount Kearsarge Pony Club in New Hampshire. Cathy and Flash participated in dressage, show jumping, cross-country, mounted games, and even foxhunting. Twenty years later, Flash is still going strong! When Cathy graduated with a C-3 rating, Flash continued to be an active member of the Pony Club. Quiet enough to teach beginners the basics, but athletic enough to carry advanced riders to success in competition, Flash has done everything from give Cathy's 17th month old son his first ride to competing at the Pony Clubs National Championships! "Flash is a teacher of children—a professor of sorts who gives of his time, energy, knowledge and support," says Heather Smith, an "A" rating Pony Club graduate and instructor of Equine Science at the University of New Hampshire. Flash was nominated by 14 members, parents and supporters of the Mount Kearsarge Pony Club. A portion of the proceeds from this model will be donated to US Pony Clubs. Article courtesy of Breyer horses |
