If Lynne Arnold is an indicator, moms may be the eventing world’s greatest natural resource.
As a mom, Lynne brought eventing and dressage trainer Stacia Arnold into the world. When her daughter first “showed signs of being on the horse crazy side,” Lynne steered her toward western riding and gymkhana, activities that Lynne loved as a kid.
When one of young Stacia’s friends suggested Pony Club and english riding, Lynne was initially resistant. But Stacia was persistent and Lynne has no regrets about having given in. “She’s a much better horse woman and equestrian as a result of her Pony Club involvement,” says Lynne. Stacia Arnold Equestrian Sports is based in Norco and she and her students compete regularly at Galway Downs and throughout USEA Area VI.
Pony Club and eventing share many common denominators – especially the importance of volunteering. It’s been a throughline of Lynne’s life and inspired her to contribute to the West Coast eventing world and Pony Club in many ways.
Like many moms, Lynne started volunteering to “get out of my daughter’s way,” she shares with a laugh. “I needed to be out of the barn and busy – to be out of Stacia and her trainer’s hair. At one point, she said, ‘Can you just go away, mom?’ So I got busy and started volunteering.”
A Jack of All Trades
She served as hospitality coordinator for many years at Galway Downs — shopping for food, snacks and drinks for show officials. Next, Lynne assisted current Galway Downs volunteer coordinator crew member Jerri Lance with organizing cross-country jump judges. Excelling in these roles led to paid positions in the show office for many years, including ongoing assignments with Galway Downs schooling shows.
“I’m kind of a jack of all trades for an eventing competition,” says Lynne, who’s also a regular at Copper Meadows in Ramona and Twin Rivers in Paso Robles.
Most of Lynne’s volunteer time is now spent with Pony Club. She is District Commission for the River Hills Pony Club that serves Riverside and Norco. Stacia follows in her mother’s footsteps – she is River Hills Joint District Commission and its Instruction Coordinator. (Stacia is also the instructor coordinator for Pony Club Southern California Region.)
“You can never wear too many hats,” Lynne laughs of the modus operandi Stacia learned from her example. “It’s how you live your life. You extend yourself as much as possible.”
Even though she didn’t continue with riding at any serious level, Lynne adopted the eventing and Pony Club world early on. “I love the people and the sport,” she says.
Helping the sport has many personal upsides, she continues. “It’s a great form of self care. When you give to something you care about, you get so much back – even if that was not your intention. You always have that feeling of accomplishment and gratitude for being able to support something like this sport and to be part of it.”
Helping at the USEA’s American Eventing Championships at Galway Downs last year was a highlight. “They did a beautiful job with the Championships. It was a wonderful feeling to contribute to that.”
Lynne has become a knowledgeable horse person along the way. Pony Club began welcoming adults through its Horsemasters program in the early 2000s and opened full membership to all ages in 2015. Lynne is now the proud owner of a C level horse management rating. “Most of it I learned from my kid going through Pony Club,” she recalls. “I was surprised by how much I actually knew. I loved being able to test and get those certification levels.”
Pony Club Research Fair
One of Southern California Pony Club’s big events, the Research Fair – will take place at Galway Downs, Saturday, Oct. 31, during the Eventing Championships at Galway Downs. The ability to have it at Galway Downs is one of many examples of organizer Robert Kellerhouse’s longstanding support for Pony Club, Lynne says. “Galway Downs is a beautiful facility that the whole eventing community is lucky to have. And we’re so grateful that Robert is very invested in supporting Pony Club.”
During the Research Fair, Pony Club members present displays sharing what they’ve learned about various aspects of horse health and care. Staging it within Galway Downs’ biggest eventing competition of the year enables two-way learning and appreciation. “Pony Club members get a chance to see upper-level riders in action and see what they can aspire to,” Lynne says. “And everybody gets to see Pony Club in action. It’s a great program and a great source for future eventers.”
Whether volunteering for Pony Club or an eventing competition, Lynne epitomizes the important role moms play in our sport and at Galway Downs.
