Pony News, Views and Attitudes -- Vol. 1 Number 49 -- June 23-29, 2008

Worth Her Salt

Suzi Q. started out as a humble pack pony.
Read the "From Packing Salt to Champion Show Pony" story in this issue.

Scholastic and Local Trainer Take Steps Toward Fall Launch of Pony Pals Game!

Club Pony Pals readers' letters and Pony Pal spirit can make a big
difference.

Jane Crandal reports that a Club Pony Pals online game will open for players
during Wiggins' Fall Festival of 2008. This is due in no small part to
Scholastic, publisher of the Pony Pals books.

"Scholastic's executives are so great to help us with this," Crandal said.
"We know that with their announcement of our game's launch in a mailing, we
will have many new people come to visit our game and ride around Wiggins
with the Pony Pals."

Scholastic operates the world's largest school book club. Four million
Scholastic fall catalogs will invite teachers, kids and parents to visit
Wiggins through Club Pony Pals.

"They're not so big they don’t pay attention to what their books' readers
want," Crandal continued. " All of readers' letters to the Wiggins Weekly
have helped show the publisher that Pony Pal Power is alive and well today.
Now more than ever, Pony Pals will have new ways to solve problems and make
the world a better place. Pam, Anna and Lulu will be able to show quite a
few more site visitors how they can do that every day. After all, it was the
three girls who inspired me to think of a game based on their adventures!"

"With Scholastic's help," saidFred Jones of the St. Francis Animal Shelter,
"we think that our event will draw visitors from all over the world. Scholastic is
offering to help bring a great many new people to visit Wiggins and join
Club Pony Pals!"

For decades the Wiggins Fall Festival has entertained thousands of attendees with games, pony rides, dog shows, contests and amusements. Proceeds from the festival go to benefit the St. Francis Animal Shelter, according to Jones.

This Week's Featured Club Pony Pals Game Review

• I played the game. That's a great little game for children to learn about horses! I'm gonna tell my friend about it for his daughter.

 

This Week's Survey

What would a fair price be for the Pony Pals game be? (Pony Pals, please ask your parents to vote, too!)

• $10 a month
• $ 9 a month
• $ 8 a month
• $ 7 a month
• $ 6 a month
• $ 5 a month
• Less to play but has ads on site
• Other...

Vote on this current survey here.

 

Last Week's Survey Results

What kind of Pony Pals items would you most likely want to buy if they were available?

Other things Club Pony Pals members wanted to get were

• New Pony Pals books -- what happens next after the last one?
• Pony Pals dolls
• Pony Pal school supplies
• Saddle pads, helmets, gloves
• DVD of the Pony Pals
• all

 

Club Pony Pals
Letters & Drawings

hi Jeanne,
i am 1 of you biggest fans!
i love the pony pals and i am looking forward to reading more can i sign up 4 wiggins weekly please Samantha

We would like to sign up for your newsletter but if possible, could you send it to this email? Thank you! Laura (mother of Pony Pal reader Sara)

Hello
My name is Melanie and I love reading the Pony Pals books. Can you please sign me up for the free weekly e-newsletter. Thank You.

WebMaster: I wanted to tell Sunshine congrats for pass the quiz. I also have a question, Do I have to register to the weekly E-paper to play the real pony pals game? Summer F.

Dear Pony Pals Samantha, Sara, Melanie and Summer - -

This week has been so exciting with our new game. There's been little time to write back to everyone. Thanks for signing up to all of our many new readers! We all look forward to reading more letters from you and hearing about your adventures, with or without a pony.

Summer --yes anyone who plays the game will have to register their email address on the ClubPonyPals site. Everyone who registers will get the free e-newsletter each week.

Right now Club Pony Pals needs as many new members as possible now that we have the exciting news and a date when our new game will be online. Please pass this on and in invite all your friends to join our Club, we'll look for their letters.

WebMaster

______________

When will the virtual riding lessons be available? Sincerely, Cayce

Dear Pony Pal Cayce- -

This week has been so exciting with our new game and virtual riding. Lessons will only be part of the new game. The first thing everyone will be able to do is care for and ride Ponies!!! More soon... WebMaster

______________

Hey !!
I love the Wiggins' Weekly, my fav. part is the thought for the day at the bottom. I wanted to tell you about Shandi. Shandi is a 34 year old Arabian (white) mare. She is skinny, fur is in mats and isn't a riding. But I love her more than anything in the world!!! To me she is beautiful Every Tues. or wed. I come and fill her water buckets,groom her, bathe her, keep her whiskers short. She doesn't get any attention because her owner had two twins, and she is 34 years old. No one takes the time to see how wonderful she is. I pretty much just think of her as my pony. See Yah!!! Audrey

Dear Pony Pal Audrey

Shandi is so lucky to have you as a human. Not every 34 year old mare is so wonderfully cared for. In warm weather like this horses loved to be washed, the same way we like to take a shower. Here on my ranch at about 4pm my ponies all line up at the fence waiting to come out for their evening "spa treatment." ;-)

Give Shandi a kiss for me. See Yah!

WebMaster

______________

I am currently working with a 3rd grade child with high functioning autism and she LOVES the Pony Pal series. Could you send me a list of the main characters/names and their descriptions/attributes (any features that can be used in therapy sessions such as unique personalities, color of hair, eyes, etc.) Photos would be great.
Warm Regards,
Connie

Dear Pony Pal Connie
Any Pony Pals book has a paragraph-long description of each of the three main characters. Good photos are on books 1, 2 & 3’s covers, this Reading Well link
http://www.readingwell.com/pg-ponypals.htm
has a page of scanned covers with artwork.

In short, the three Pony Pals are

• Pam, a tall, African-American, she's smart her pony is Lightning
• Anna, who's a short blonde & dyslexic, her pony is Acorn
• Lulu is medium height, brown straight hair & rides Snow White

I’d strongly Pony Pals #2 "Pony for Keeps" as a starter book for you. It focuses on Anna’s learning disability.

We would love to hear from your student. Write back to Wiggins Weekly we will likely publish her/his letter.
Pony Pals,
WebMaster

 

Suzi Q's Story: From Packing Salt to Champion Show Pony

by Lisa C.

I had spent a year and a half looking for an inexpensive, decent, sound pony for my son. It was the impossible quest. I bought Suzi Q from Becky F., in Kentucky. Becky usually gets a few thoroughbreds off the track each year, puts some training in them, and sells them on. Well, Becky went on vacation to New Mexico and while on vacation here, she saw Suzi, working as a salt packing pony. Becky clearly has a good eye for horses and thought that Suzi was too nice of a pony to be packing salt.

So Becky brought Suzi to Kentucky, broke her to saddle and put about 6 months of basic training into her. At this point, my friend Debi went to look at the TBs that Becky had for sale. Becky mentioned to Debi that she had a cute pony for sale, but since Becky normally deals with off-track thoroughbreds, she had no pony contacts in regards to getting the pony sold. Debi tried the pony, and knowing of my endless quest for a pony, immediately contacted me and said she had come across a "one in a million" pony that I must buy. Fortunately I was already set to travel to Kentucky to watch the Rolex 4* event, so I arranged to try the pony while I was there. Even though 6 months under saddle was much greener than I wanted for my then 8 year old, once I sat on Suzi, I was sold. Her price was listed as "negotiable", but I didn't negotiate - I got off and wrote a check for full asking price, pending vet check. I probably inflicted several ulcers on myself while waiting for the results of the vet check.

When my son decided last fall that he did not want to ride on a regular basis anymore, I leased out his pony. Suzi Q is very near and dear to my heart, and so I was very particular about who she went to! So she went to a family in our pony club and the family's daughter, Kelly, is competing in her first-ever recognized events this year with Suzi. It has been a wonderful partnership: in 4 events so far this year, they have placed 4th, 3rd and 1st and have qualified for both the Area championships and the American Eventing Championships. And, of course, the family properly reveres Suzi for the princess that she is. Here's a picture. Don't they make a cute pair?

But anyway, yesterday was the event that they won. What made it especially impressive is that the event did not split the division by junior and senior and Kelly ended up competing mostly against adults including at least one professional. She finished 9 points ahead of the 2nd place horse, which is a MILE in eventing scoring.
Of course Kelly is a wonderful rider, and Suzi Q, is, without a doubt, the most wonderful event pony to ever walk the earth.
However, the real reason for yesterday's success? Magical Unicorn Power! Kelly's mom did the braiding. She had previously braided hunter-style with yarn, but I've been extolling
the virtues and speed of braiding with elastics to her, so she decided to give it a try for yesterday's event. The rubber band braids came out nice, except for the forelock...it stuck straight up like a unicorn! So when they unloaded Suzi from the trailer and I saw the forelock, I told Kelly she was going to have a great day because look at Suzi: Suzi wasn't a pony any more, Suzi was now a magical unicorn! After an amazing dressage test, everyone decided that maybe there was something to the magical unicorn power of the pointy forelock, so when Kelly took the braids out for jumping, she left the forelock braid in for the rest of the day. Everyone probably wondered what on earth Kelly was doing, making that particular fashion statement, but you can't argue with magical unicorn power. :-)

Lisa C.
Brookline, NH

P. S. Aren't you impressed with my restraint upon seeing the
pointy forelock, given my "obsessive compulsive disorder" (OCD) in regards to turnout? I will admit, for one very minute moment, when Suzi got off the trailer with that pointy forelock, my fingers twitched and I was all set to rip out that unicorn and rebraid the forelock properly. But I sat back and looked...it was charming in its own way, and it wasn't going to kill anyone, so we might as well have some fun with it. I'm kinda proud of myself for letting go of the OCD there...I think I'll have lots of practice of letting go of my turnout OCD, because I think the unicorn look is now going to be a regular thing for Suzi going forward. She'll probably be galloping around the AECs looking like a unicorn...but, hey, as long as the magic remains, that's all that matters!

Picture It

The story so far....

Ponigirl writes:
In the picture it looks like the horse is saying, "What's that? Is it edible?"

Pam Crandal writes:
Meredith tells her horse, "You silly, I'm learning to drive…."

NB Elementary writes:
"You'll hurt my feelings. Why are you riding that funny little machine instead of me?" whinnies Squirrel.

Pam Crandal writes:
Meredith laughs. Then she says, "You are too big for me, Squirrel. I want a pony. Then I would ride with the Pony Pals, and...."

Summer F. writes:
"I'm not too big!" neighs Squirrel. "I'm just the right size!"

Lulu Sanders writes:
Meredith thought Squirrel was funny. She looked very serious. Really she was trying not to laugh. Then she said, "Some little ponies want to be big horses. You're lucky to be so big. "

Summer F. writes:
"I am not too big!" yelled Squirrel. "See, I can lay down and you can just hop on!"

Anna Harley writes:
Squirrel sniffed the ground with his nose. He pawed the dirt and bent his front legs. Then he bent his back legs. Whump. He was on the ground. "Its nice down here," Squirrel thought. "While I'm down here I'll ...."

Isabelle M. writes:
"... just eat some of this clover. Hey when are you getting on?????!"

Anna Harley writes:
Meredith looked at Squirrel decided maybe jumping on without a saddle or bridle could mean problems.

Isabelle M. writes:
"Ok Squirrel I will go home and see if I can find someone to ride you."

Anna Harley writes:
Meredith drove off to the barn. When she got there she was really surprised because she found...

Summer F. writes:
...A girl sitting in a stool. She had dark blonde hair, and was petting a dapple gray pony with a black mane and tail. "Who are you?" Meredith asked.

Lulu Sanders writes:
She quiet and seemed to be thinking, but....

Summer F. continues:
The girl didn't stop petting the pony. "Wait a minute," said  Meredith to herself, "she isn't petting, she is writing a note."

When the girl was done, she clipped on her helmet, and tacked up her pony. "He ya!" shouted the girl. The gray pony galloped. Meredith saw when the girl was away from the light, her hair was brown. When she was in the light, her hair was very dark blond.
   
When the girl and the pony left,  Meredith read the note. It said;

DEAR ALL PONY PALS: Pongo, the Appaloosa foal is missing. He's in the Darkwood Forest, (I found tracks). If you want to help, grab a pony and go. P.S. Sorry if I'm scared about Darkwood Forest; I had nightmares about it. SUMMER

Meredith was scared. "I have to help," she said.

She ran to find Squirrel. He was hiding behind a bush. "Squirrel! shouted Meredith.

Squirrel came out from hiding. "A foal has gone missing," Meredith said, we have to help them find it."

Meredith tacked up Squirrel.

"But, I thought I was too big for you," said Squirrel. "Your size isn't what matters," said Meredith, "the foal is what matters now."  

Meredith swung herself on the saddle and chipped her helmet on. "Hy-ho, Squirrel! Away"

With an angry blow, Squirrel galloped. "To Darkwood Forest!" Squirrel slowed to a canter, then back to a gallop. No matter how scared they were, they had to help the girl find the foal. "This could be he greatest adventure in all of Pony Pals History," Meredith said to herself, "We could be heroes. Just wait till the Pony Pals read this!"           

What happens next? Write in and tell us -- you can help write this new Club Pony Pals e-story!
Send your e-story idea to WebMaster@clubponypals.com

 

LETTERS TO PAM

Pam: Wow Pam. That's cool. Do you go to Mt. Morris often? Sounds like a pretty place. Anyway tell Lightning I said hi. Summer F.

Dear Summer

It's been hot so it was nice to get your email so I could come inside and work on a computer where its cooler.Even up on Mt. Morris it's been really warm. Anna and Lulu and I try to ride early every the morning. Monday night we camped out at Ms. Wiggins estate and got up really early and rode to the Ranger Station and back before breakfast.

Then on Wednesday night my Mom and I went out to ride when there was a full moon. It was very bright and also very different. Ponies see just about as well as we do in the dark, so Lightning and JB could see just fine. It seemed more quiet than in daytime without all the birds singing. There was a BIG owl that flew over while we were riding! Owls have very soft feathers so when they fly they don't make any noise.

I was really sleepy the next day, though and I didn't get up until really late. Write back! Your Pony Pal,

_______________

Dear Pam,
What's it like to be a big sister? Is your sister older or younger than your brother? Ya'll should ignore Rema, Mike, and Tommy. They're not worth it. Please give Lightning a kiss for me. Sincerely, Cayce

Dear Cayce

Being an older sister is kind of fun. Sometimes when Jack and Jill want to play games, I sit and play silly little kid games with them. We pretend to be ponies and run around in pastures kicking up our heels. Mom likes it that I help lead them around on Daisy and Splash so they can learn to ride.

I don't know who is older, I'll ask my Mom. She was there when Jack and Jill were born. I kind of think they were born at the same time.

Mike is working at Ms. Wiggins Estate this month, keeping her garden weeded and mowing the lawns.

Tommy is working part time at Nelson's. He gets to shovel the compost piles to turn them. Its kind of smelly but he says he's going to buy a new mountain bike with his pay.

Rema is off at sleep away camp, so we haven't seen her at all.

Lightning gets a kiss every night, but I'll give an extra one from you tonight.

Pony Pals,

________________________

Dear Summer

Snow White is really good. She and I entered a show this weekend and did jumping and we won a 2nd prize and a 5th prize.I put the ribbons in my tack room.

My Dad will be here next month. When I was in Africa with my Dad the last time we saw a cheetah which can run really fast. Way faster than even a horse or a pony. It was just laying there resting when we saw it, though.

Where did you read about the Genie head? Was it in one of the books Jeanne Betancourt wrote about Pam, Anna and me? If I saw a Genie, I'd take pictures with my camera, I think. They might be worth a lot of money! ;-)

Your friend,

_________________

LETTERS TO ANNA

Dear Anna,

Acorn's got a big heart. There's enough room for you, Bette, and Christine. Are you in a learning disability class at school? I have a learning disability in Math. How are Acorn and Shadow doing? Please give Acorn and Shadow a kiss for me.

Sincerely, Cayce

Dear Cayce

I have a good teacher who helps me at school.I have a tutor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am not in a special class at school.

My tutor really helps me with writing and with math. I do better with drawing than almost anything else.

Acorn does have a big heart. I think it's big enough for everybody you talked about and for a new Pony Pal called Cayce too. I'll pet Shadow and kiss Acorn for you.

Pony Pals,

____________

Anna:
Stretching? Sounds neat. In the drawing, I looks like Acorn's legs wobble.

It was a great drawing. I'm glad I don't have dyslexia. I did, I wouldn't pass fifth grade. I'm seeing the teacher on Friday at 11:00. I did lots of things, math, writing in cursive, lucky your not a homeschooler. Miracle? That's a good name for Beauty's foal. Tell Mrs. Wiggins, Picasso and Acorn I said hi.
Summer F.

Dear Summer

Acorn is getting so much better at his trick. At the show this weekend I had him do it. Everyone laughed and clapped! Ms. Wiggins laughed so hard she had tears in her eyes.

Not going to school sounds like fun. Who grades your tests? Do you have tests? How do you know if you pass fourth grade to go to fifth?

Write back, Pony Pals,

We want your drawings or letters! Send them in to the Wiggins Weekly.

email WebMaster@clubponypals.com

or mail them to

Club Pony Pals
16654 Soledad Canyon Rd. #382
Canyon Country, CA 91387

Pony Pals Thoughts for the Day

Always try to make folks happy, even if that means going out of your way to avoid them.

Gladiola Montana
______________________________________

In riding a horse, we borrow freedom -
Helen Thomson
______________________________________
There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle; one is a sense of humor and the other is patience.
John Lyons
______________________________________

No matter how far away you are from your pony, inside, you're not.

By Summer F.