2-3-12
We have all worked it out so there will be two FEH/YEH/NEH events in Area I in 2012! GMHA will be moving their event to June 1st and Stony Brook Farm will hold our event on September 1st. It will such a great experience for the young horses to get them out twice and we are hoping that everyone can attend both events! Stony Brook Farm

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2-3-12
I am so excited both Stonybrook and GMHA will both be holding YEH/FEH competitions. I hope there is a big turnout as these programs will be very useful for our sport. I'm hoping the organizers of both can get together and perhaps make the spring one on the lighter side and build as the season goes on and gets closer to championships. These are great programs to run and I'm excited to run my young horses in both competitions. Way to go area 1! Jessica Halliday

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2-3-12
Good news everyone. Thanks to the generosity and hard work of the Organizers, Area I will now have TWO of these great events in the 2012 season. GMHA will be moving theirs to June and Stoneybrook will hold theirs in September. Please show your support to both these wonderful venues by participating in both. Heidi Beaumont, Area I Chair

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1-27-12
FYI- I recently e-mailed GMHA because I noticed that their posting for the NEH/YEH trials did not include the Future Event Horse Trials for yearlings/two year olds. They are NOT planning to run that part of the competition... This means that there is not a FEH trial in Area I now... Anyone that is interested should e-mail GMHA and/or Stonybrook to try to get this competition back in the area!! Jackie

1-31-12
How come its says on the competition schedule on the Area 1 wedsite.... September 14: FEH/YEH at GMHA (VT) Yearlings, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds then??????

2-3-12
I don't know the answer to that... Maybe it was assumed that they were doing it all. I contacted Molly at GMHA and when I initially placed that post they were not planned to run FEH. Since I have talked to her they are adding FEH and are now moving the event to June 1st. Stonybrook will (I believe) be re-instating their event in September as well. Jackie

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1-27-12
I would also like to know GMHA's reasoning as to why they scheduled this way. I know that calendars can be hard to manage, especially with all of the events GMHA packs into their summer schedule, but why couldn't they run the FEH/YEH with their "Festival of Eventing"? Seems like it could be an easy add-on to the N3D or T3D events, which do not fill as it is. Sad that an event has essentially pushed out another fledgling event. Amy

1-28-12
I totally agree Amy. Everyone loves GMHA, but wouldn't it be a nice gesture if they changed their date to either June or August so Stony Brook can continue to hold the FEH/YEH show. Everyone knows how hard it is to organize an event and I know Stony Brook were building every year. It would be very sad to see this venue (which is beautiful) no longer on the Area 1 competition site

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1-17-12
I agree that it's too bad that this has happened. I was excited to bring my newly acquired filly to Stonybrook in September. I wish there was a way for both Stonybrook and GMHA to hold a FEH/YEH competition, but at different times of the season. I would absolutely do both if they were a month or two apart!

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1-17-12
I hope that Stony Brook will consider holding a FEH/NEH/YEH earlier in the season. I would be thrilled to have another chance to show my boys and expose them to a quieter competition environment. Their facility is perfect for this age-group and experience level! Given the new FEH Champ. qualifications for 2012, it would be great to have another chance to qualify as well. Katie

2-3-12
I am also looking for an affordable jumping saddle and struggling to find anything used in that price range. It seems that the higher end saddles hold their value so well that even used they are out of my price range. I have been looking at M. Toulouse Marielle Monoflap Saddle that Smartpak carries but the reasonable price makes me skeptical about the quality-has anyone ridden in one? Liz

2-3-12
the quality control on the toulouses is not fantastic. i work at a tack store and we had one come in with the panels legit put on wrong... special. they're ok, but wouldn't be my choice if you can afford something a little bit better. also, most of their saddles are covered leather- they will even tell you that the lifespan for that is 5-10 years, depending how much you ride. it's not bonded like some of the higher end ones are, so it wears through even easier. it's cosmetic, in that there is still a normal saddle flap under there that you aren't going to wear through, but having worn through the covering is going to kill its resale value. i would look for a used bates, or consider one of the newer circuit models- the master or the special are nice. i don't have extensive experience with the ovations, but i like the balance of the ovation show jumping, and it oils up pretty nicely.

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2-3-12
i have a bates caprilli, and i love it- they run around $900-1000 used. $1350 new at dover i think.

1-17-12
To all you pro-slaughter people! I challenge you to watch 4 slaughter videos on YouTube, and then come back here and tell us you still support slaughter. Horse slaughter, no matter in which country it’s done , is INHUMANE. The horse is stunned with a gun designed for cattle, and being flight animals, they usually don't get a direct shot, so the horse then is barely unconscious, and most of the time fully conscious at time of visection. They are hung up by one leg and slit open with a knife, most of the time awake and fully aware of what's going on! If you are still unconvinced, read below, do some research on the net, talk to your vet.
“Horse slaughter has never been considered by veterinary professionals to be a form of euthanasia. Congress and the general public must hear from veterinarians that horse slaughter is not and should not be equated with humane euthanasia. Rather, the slaughtering of horses is a brutal and predatory business that promotes cruelty and neglect and which claimed the lives of more than 100,000 American horses in 2008.” -Taken from vetsforequinewelfare.org
And furthermore, American’s don’t eat horsemeat. Our horses are raised as favored animals, pets. We treat them with wormers, bute, banamine, and other drugs that make their meat tainted and unsuitable for consumption. This meat is shipped to Japan and Europe where it is sold for human consumption. How wrong is that!
So please, people, educate yourselves. I’ve been to the Auctions at New Holland, with my rescue group. I’ve seen them load hundreds of horses onto the slaughter trailers. It breaks your heart. It affects you for months after. You have nightmares about these poor animals Most of these horses are sound, healthy and young. Having the option of slaughter enables a callous and irresponsible person to walk away from a problem, pocket a few hundred dollars and feel good about it, is a disservice to our industry and the animal they profess to care about. Slaughter is not the same as Humane Euthanasia, it's the opposite!
So come on people, Eventers are better than that!! Marion Quigley

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12-16-11
WOW!!! It's called Humane Euthanasia people! Why can't Obama make this an affordable or even free alternitive for people??? NO animal should have to go through a horrible, painful death! Come on, you people are horse people? Scary.

12-17-11
i'm in no way against government spending, but i wouldn't be surprised if you were- seems to be the in thing of late. euthanasia is NOT free, and the government providing it doesn't make it any less costly. while it may be the humane thing to do in many cases, and it is what many of us would do if we were in that position, it is simply not feasible for everyone. it's just not. and that isn't going to change any time soon. instead of spending tax money euthanizing horses, the government can allow slaughter, control the circumstances in which it is performed, and gain revenue from the industry. on another note, we are horse people, and we are entitled to our opinions- judgement is never constructive.

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12-11-11
Before anyone declares themselves a anti-slaughter, I encourage you to do some research on the topic of pro-slaughter. It is very important because it stops many neglect cases of the unwanted animals. Also the ones that don't get slaughtered in the United States get sent to Mexico and Canada, many arriving dead because of the conditions on double deckers. If you'd like some more information on why I am pro slaughter email me for my persuasive essay. flickalovin@yahoo.com

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12-7-11
This legislation is a step in the right direction. I would love for it to be illegal to slaughter horses, but right now, the alternative is much more inhumane with long hours on crowded vehicles, and who knows how horses are treated once they get to Mexico or Canada.

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12-6-11
I'm sorry, but I can't sign this until there are enough viable alternatives for dealing with the unwanted horses in this country. Rather than focusing on a slaughter ban, I think we need to turn our efforts and money toward providing more support to organizations such as CANTER and starting a public education campaign discouraging people from breeding so many horses in the first place. Andrea Waldo

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12-6-11
Don't stop horse slaughter! We need a place for "unwanted horses".Just like we need a place for the over population of cats and dogs. Otherwise these horses have prolonged deaths of starvation, cruel tratment, and suffer much worse then the slaughter house. If we don't have horse slaughter in the US, then these animals are sent over US lines, and their sluaghter houses are much worse!!!! I don't like to think about any horse dying, but I think suffering is much worse. Wish we could stop the mass production of horses born everyday in this country-regulate breeding. Have stricter laws and punishments for people who mistreat their animals! Have a place that these unwanted or lame horses could go without costing the owner too much $$. Just think about the otherside of slaughter before you sign anything trying to stop it.....

12-7-11
Thank you! I felt like I was the only one who felt this way. I agree that I never want to see a horse or any animal suffer. The slaughter houses they suffer for a few minutes. When they are starving to death they suffer until they die. There are too many horses and too few homes and sadly they need a place to go. Starving is a far worse death!

1-17-12
Once again, all levels will be held at Fitch's Corner. A summary of the annual meeting will be forthcoming. Webmaster

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1-17-12
So the annual meeting was yesterday, did they decide on the venue for championships there? Does anybody know? Jamie

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1-17-12
Ok i was wondering where the championships will be held this year?

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1-12-12
Yes, Location will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Sunday. It's well worth attending if you can! Heidi Beaumont, Area I Chair

1-12-12
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but unless I misread the rulebook, the Pomms would not be kosher in competition for any phase. Earmuffs and earplugs are rolled into the prohibited category of "blinkers" in the dressage saddlery section, and blinkers are expressly forbidden for the jumping phases. Hopefully you're already aware, but figured I would mention just in case! Hannah

1-16-12
Hi, thanks for the info- I had never considered that they might be illegal! I checked the dressage rule book- illegal there too. Now I hope he wants to be a hunter or a jumper! Tania Cambridge

1-14-12
Actually, the home page (main web site) indicates who the speaker is (Peter Gray), but the registration form was not updated and should have been. It's been corrected now. Webmaster

1-12-12
I'm not an expert on homeopathics, I would think by the very nature of homeopathy that after all the dilutions etc., there would be nothing to detect. Holistic treatments on the other hand you'd have to be more cautious about wrt to testing.

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1-11-12
You can find a list of the prohibited drugs/medications on the USEF website. They will also give you a list of medications that can be used prior to the competition, how much you can give per 1000lb, when to stop prior to competing and what method of giving the medications IM,IV, orally etc. I have found this list very helpful. You can also call the USEF and they will give you all the answers you need. As far as "homeopathic" medications they can possibly show up in the drug testing, there are no guarantees, I personally wouldn't risk it! Just and fyi regardless of what level your competing you can/will get drug tested. Beginner Novice - Advanced

1-11-12
Madalyn, You might try Robin & Wilson Groves, S. Woodstock VT or Cheryl Rivers, Stockbridge VT. Unfortunately, both are probably south, or headed there, until April as that is where all the driving shows are! Good Luck Sue

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1-11-12
Susan Rogers is fabulous! She is so wonderful with the horses a really teaches you!

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1-11-12
Robin & Wilson Groves are in Brownsville, VT and Robin is topnotch. Sue Rogers is also in the area and she works with Robin but is a great teacher as well. Hilary

1-6-12
Dealing with herd bound horses can be done successfully by employing some basic parelli work. Any round pen work pursuing join up and submission will help. The horses most prone to herd bound characteristics are the ones lowest in the herd order. You need to change the relationship between you and your horse not that of your horse relating to the herd. Essentially you need to become the alpha. Once the work is in the horse you need to continue it to a smaller extent. Beth Murphy

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12-7-11
Unfortunately in my experience horses are just born herd bound or not. I have a mare and gelding who are great at home but herd bound at shows. My best advice is to try and nip it in the butt as best you can by taking them off the property with buddies and practice leaving the group etc. I do the same warm up of figure eights every time I am at shows and it helps to get them calmed down but they still whinny. Elizabeth

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12-6-11
My mares have a major case of "small farm disease." I've talked to dozens of people (maybe 100!) about this from vets to trainers to "horse whisperers." The more experienced the horseman, the less hopeful they were! Basically, the best thing to do is to seperate them gradually on a daily basis, i.e. start with a short walk away, and work up to long periods away. They get used to the seperation and it becomes routine. Mine are fine at home leaving the others and going to work. But if I trailer them someplace together, it's a nightmare. After two years of taking constant trips just to try and work throught it, I finally gave up. I take them alone to compete now because I could not get them over leaving each other once they took even a short trailer ride together. Katherine Cooper
PS - I actually did try some of the weird stuff and old wive's tales, and none of those worked any better than basic repetitive training.

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12-6-11
I have the same issue. I have a yearling, who when weaned, immediately had a buddy put with her. So now I have the same issue. I can put buddy in stall adjacent to field, with window. she is ok with that. I even ride the buddy in ring adjacent to the field, and she is ok with that sometimes, but then other times runs around like a psycho. When i leave the property with buddy, i put another horse with her. So any suggestions also appreciated for me.

1-6-12
I apologize- I was incorrect in stating that the Tipperary vests are ASTM approved- the Tipperary Eventer vest is not ASTM/BETA approved due to the spaces in the sides (where the laces are). Apparently ASTM won't approve them due to the danger of a puncture wound in that area. Many people still wear theses vests (including myself) and they are allowed at this time. Jackie

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1-1-12
USEF/USEA "recommends" ASTM-approved vests. Not "requires." Yes, wear your new Tipp, if you like. Put an airbag over it, if you like. But do check out the approved vests, too. The newer ones are much more comfortable than some of the early models (IMHO, of course). Whatever you do, welcome to eventing! Ride smart, be safe!

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1-1-12
You are completely fine with your Tipperary body protector vest. They are usually ASTM certified (I'm assuming that yours is?). Many riders are now adding an inflatable protection vest on top of their Tipperarys, or other vests. Hope that helps! Good luck and have fun! Jackie

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