March/April 2018 Newsletter
WELCOME SPRING!
Spring is upon us! I'm happy to be back in the tack after a broken collarbone last fall and to be bringing my young horse back from a soft tissue injury. 

It's important to have goals and, as the saying goes, "A goal is just a dream without a plan." My plan is to get back on track by taking lessons with my trainer and also participating in a clinic the end of March.  

My plan for my horse is to increase his fitness level before I begin to jump him so he won't re-injure himself. Hopefully, with this plan in mind I'll be able to show at the end of April.

With the challenges that spring weather can bring, you'll also want to have a plan should a weather emergency occur, especially, when you're responsible for the care of animals. Our Tip of the Month provides you with five tips to help you prepare and plan.

I hope you have a great spring and your goals and plans come to fruition! 

Ride with the leaders!

Sue Bopp 
EMO BY THE NUMBERS 
EMO SUPPORTS THE INDUSTRY!
In 2018, EMO sponsorships include:
  • 29 EVENTS & ASSOCIATIONS                    
  • 12+ DISCIPLINES 
  • 15+ STATES  
INSURANCE TIPS
PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY COVERAGE ISN'T
JUST FOR PROFESSIONALS!
Despite its name, Professional Liability Insurance isn't just for professional horsemen.

You might be surprised to learn that amateurs also have a need for this type of coverage. A judge presiding over a horse show or a person presenting her own horse for sale to a prospective buyer could become legally obligated to pay for bodily injury and/or property damage to a third party. 

We all know that riding and working around horses offers inherent risks: after all, we're dealing with 1,200-pound animals with natural instincts and unpredictable behavior. 
 
Yet, those of us who love being with horses understand that aspect of this special relationship and do our best to reduce those risks through responsible training, proper safety precautions and adequate insurance.

Unfortunately, accidents do occur, and sometimes they even happen despite the best oversight. If an incident happens and a person is legally obligated to pay damages due to any negligent act, error or omission, Professional Liability coverage can become vitally important. If you own a home, you should also check to see if your homeowner's policy includes liability coverage.
 
While most incidents do not result in bodily injury or property damage and subsequent legal processes, most of us are familiar with instances where a person was held liable for a rider or horse injury that occurred during training or competition. Be sure you understand your liability exposures, whether you're considered a professional or an amateur with the United States Equestrian Federation.

To find out if you could benefit from Professional Liability coverage, please contact us: 800.347.3552. 
CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
- Susie Baker and Just So -
Come hail or high water, Texan Susie Baker has been an EMO client since the early 1990s and insures her horses and her Woodbridge Farm in Argyle.

"You certainly never want to have to use the insurance; I'd be more than happy to pay premiums and never have to use it," she said. "Unfortunately, I've had several claims on horses and multiple damage claims on the farm--living in a hail-prone state has its drawbacks!"

Baker and her husband, John, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who has been the team physician for Southern Methodist University since 1985 (and formerly with the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars), seek solace at their farm.

"It was actually John who really wanted to move out to the country before I did," said Susie. "He's a big part of why we're here and I'm doing this sport."

Susie is a top-level amateur hunter rider, USEF judge and Board of Directors member for the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and Dallas Charity Grand Prix (both EMO-sponsored events). She trains with PJP Farm but keeps and cares for her horses at home.

"Over the years, E. Sue Bopp, Martha Hall and Mike Moran have been wonderful to work with. To start a claim, all I do is call and tell them what happened. Unfortunately, when I've suffered losses with the horses, they've made that process much less stressful to handle, and I truly appreciate that," she concluded.

SPONSORSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby - Nevada
The Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby is truly a remarkable experience for athletes and spectators alike. This one-of-a-kind equestrian competition raises charitable funds for deserving nonprofit organizations serving the northern Nevada community. 

It's the only stand-alone Hunter Derby event in the country that offers some of the largest purses--more than $45,000 in prize money--over two days of competition.This exclusive setting, paired with the prize money, brings some of the best riders and horses in the country to this event year after year.

This year's Franktown Meadows Hunter Derby will be held June 23-24, at the facility that's been  family-owned and operated  for three generations, with Lynne MacLean as president and owner. Franktown Meadows is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in historic Washoe Valley, conveniently between Reno and Carson City, Nevada.  

The EMO Agency and EMO's Mike Moran are proud to partner and work with Franktown Meadows. EMO sponsors the live-streaming, and Mike is the show announcer. For more information, please visit: www.franktownmeadows.com
TIP OF THE MONTH
 
NEWS UPDATE
The American Horse Council Provides Updates and Information About New Equine Transportation Regulations

With the Commercial Driver License and Electronic Logging Device mandates going into effect last December, many people who transport horses have been concerned about how these new laws will affect their operations.
  
According to the American Horse Council, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently released two documents further defining the existing Commercial Driver License Regulations. 


The AHC will continue to pursue clarifications until the industry is satisfied that there are no unintended consequences from current CDL or ELD regulations.  AHC staff members are still compiling the industry's concerns and questions to forward to DOT and invite people to share their comments. 

Additionally, the DOT has established a specific email address for agricultural-specific questions at  agricultural@dot.gov . This address will be used to generate a future F.A.Q. page.

Please contact the American Horse Council with any questions or comments.

AWARDS AND ACCOLADES

EMO Congratulates
Congratulations to Cece Campbell and Creepin In My Sleep, who received the EMO PCQHA High-Point Horse of the Year Award from EMO's Chris Hocutt during the PCQHA Awards Banquet!

Client Testimonial!
Courtney Cummings of Virginia
"I have had nothing but positive experiences since I've been insuring my horses with EMO. Claims are paid very promptly, and the staff is wonderful!"
GET TO KNOW EMO
Explore all of our products - How can we help you? 
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COME FIND US
If you would like to say hello in person, here is where a few of us will be this spring:

Sue Bopp:
April - Lexington Spring Premier and Encore - Lexington, VA 
May - Keswick - Keswick, VA
June - Upperville Colt & Horse Show and Loudoun Benefit - Upperville, VA

Martha Hall: 
March/April - Winter Equestrian Festival - Wellington, FL 
April/May - Tryon Shows - Mill Spring, NC

Mike Moran:
April - Arkansas Hunter Jumper Association - Siloam Springs, AR 
April - HITS Coachella, Thermal, CA  

Chris Hocutt:
 April - Double Feature Quarter Horse Circuit - Del Mar, CA
April - AQHA Level 1 Championships West - Las Vegas, NV
May - SLOQHA Mother's Day Circuit - Paso Robles, CA
May - Sun N Surf Quarter Horse Circuit - De Mar, CA
June/July - The Celebration Circuit and EMO Western States Championships - 
Las Vegas, NV

Or give us a call at the office! 
800.347.3552 

EMO EAST:

EMO WEST:





FIELD AGENTS:

Lisa Boswell
J. Blake Boyd
Bil Hartman
Daran Lockhart
Mike Lowry
Bill Reightler
Nate Rolfe
Drew Taylor
OFFICE/AGENTS:

Mortality/Vet Services 
Stephanie Heflin
Amanda Atkins
Bascomb Alexander
Lindsay Williamson

Farm & Liability 
Chrissy Ward/CSR