High honors for local pony club
Liberty Oaks Pony Club (LOPC) is finishing the year out strong. The last rally attended was hosted by Sierra Gold Pony Club at Murieta Equestrian Center, the weekend of Oct. 12-14.
The regional clubs participated in a Halloween/Harvest Tack Room contest, as well as equitation and show jump rounds. There were 40 riders overall, making up 10 teams, with 50 total participants. Kayla Ramsdell was the LOPC coach, with Elizabeth Jenner of Gateway Farm being the club instructor. The on-call veterinarian was Jim Garfinkel, with the on-call farrier being Ben Garcia.
Liberty Oaks had two teams. LOPC Team 1 consisted of Alexa Thorns (stable manager) from Acampo, Erica Kirchagatter of Valley Springs, Mattison Owning of Lodi, Rachel Peters of Acampo, and Kielynn Powell of Lodi. Their team took third overall and second in horse management. Rachel Peters placed first in jumping, with Kielynn Powell taking reserve champion in trot poles.
LOPC Team 2 consisted of Morgan Marquardt (stable manager) from Wilton, Gia Gamma of Valley Springs, Jessie Garfinkel of Plymouth, Mikenzie Owning of Lodi, and Abigail Ruport of Lodi. They took first overall and third in horse management. Gia Gamma was first in trot poles and reserve champion for equitation, with Jessie Garfinkel placing first in jumping.
Mikenzie Owning took first in jumping and Abigail Ruport placed first in jumping.
Liberty Oaks Pony Club meets twice monthly (second and fourth Saturday, weather permitting) at Gateway Farm, 18025 Collier Road in Acampo.
Feel free to stop by and observe. For additional information, please contact Allison Gamma at 209-277-9651 or the national site at