Gardnerville pony club hosts horse Olympian

Members of the Silver State Pony Club got a treat last weekend when Olympic silver medalist Gina Miles conducted a clinic for young riders.

Miles won individual silver for eventing in Hong Kong while riding McKinlaigh on Aug. 12.

Heidi Robison said Miles offered to do a clinic for the children before she left for China and the Olympics.

"This is nice for the pony club," Robison said. "It's nice to let people know we're here."

Miles, 34, owns Miles Eventing near San Luis Obispo, Calif.,

To win the silver, Miles and McKinlaigh had to participate in three events, including dressage, cross-country ride with 45 jumping efforts, and a jumping test. As they rode they were scored. The horse and rider with the lowest penalty score at the end of the event wins the event.

According to Miles' Web site, eventing has been part of the Olympics since 1912.

At her Web site, mileseventing.com, she describes her experience at the Olympics.

"We met every fence on a good stride and he stayed straight and accurate," Miles writes in her journal.

Robison said the pony club is an organization that allows children to learn about horses.

Miles is showing one of Gardnerville horse breeder Sue Wilson's warmbloods.