The
NEECA News
FEBRUARY, 2024
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This is NEECA's traditional "kick off" for the new season. We use a Power Point presentation (who doesn't love pictures) to review what we accomplished in the prior year, and preview all the great things we have planned for this year. And it's a LOT! We also have a door prize and refreshments. Basically, it's just a nice opportunity to get together and "meet & greet" other NEECA members in anticipation of the upcoming riding season.
We have added another date onto our Gymkhana Series for 2024, we'll be bringing back some "oldies but goodies" like the Versatility Clinics, Poker Ride and Hunter Pace, and the NEECA Drivers continue to expand their program. But we always like to add in something new and different each year, and this year is no exception. We'll be talking about a couple of new and fun events at this meeting as well.
So we hope you can join us. We start at 7, try to get through the informational part of the evening by 8:15 or so, and then allow a half an hour for members just to socialize. Fun night all the way around. And, as always, feel free to bring a friend!
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DID YOU MISS THE WINTER ZOOM EDUCATIONAL SERIES? FREE FOR NEECA MEMBERS!! | | | |
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Over the past 3 years NEECA has been fortunate enough to have local professionals, in a variety of fields, be kind enough to donate their time to do a ZOOM presentation for us as part of our Winter Lecture Series every January. One of NEECA's primary goals is to provide learning opportunities for our members so that we can all become more educated horse people for "the betterment of the horse".
We would like to thank Dr. Caitlin Eaton (First Aid, Lameness), Kayla Coburn (Equine Dentistry), Theresa Gagnon (Massage, MagnaWave), Libby Lyman (Mindful Training), Dr. Anna Crane (Chiropractic), Lisa Damon (Nutrition), Wendy Ashe (Insurance), and Linda LeBlanc (Toxic Plants). These presenters were generous enough to allow us to record their talks. We will be making links to these 12 different presentations available to all current NEECA members, via a special link.
If you aren't a 2024 NEECA member, but would like to be, please go to https://www.neeca.org/membership
A NEECA membership costs only $25/year, and comes with a lot of other perks as well. Check them out here: https://www.neeca.org/neeca-membership-benefits
Memberships run from January through December, so join today so you can make the most of your benefits for the year!
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NEW NEECA MAP FOR 2024
HEY!!! Look what we got!! NEECA hired a local artist, Kristina Dorn, to redo our trail map. We wanted to make it more user friendly, colorful, and FUN. And we're thinking....."Mission Accomplished"!
The Board approved this new map at last night's first meeting of the year, and it will now be available to download from neeca.org, and also be included in the NEECA brochures that we provide to members and park visitors.
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MARTY ARSENAULT JOINS NEECA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Marty was one of the earliest NEECA members from over 20 years ago, along with being a very involved past BOD member. She lives in Petersham where she, along with her brother, maintains the “family estate”, and with her two sisters all working together to help their parents age in their home. She is currently owned by a Quarter Horse mare and a young female German Shepherd.
Marty got her first pony at the age of six from the farmer next door so she would stop riding his cows. She was a member of the Petersham 4-H, attended Spencer 4-H Camp, belonged to PVHC, competed at Barre Horse Shows, and has attended many equine training clinics. She was past president of the Simplex Riding Club, worked with Joe Delano at Sky High Farm, retrained two off-track thoroughbreds, and belonged to the New England Dressage Association, assisting with their Fall Dressage Festival held at Hits on the Hudson, organizing the Breed Show and Dressage Show awards.
She was excited to see how much NEECA has grown when she attended last year's Fall Social, and enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and meeting new members. Marty was thrilled to be asked to join the NEECA Board again, and the Board was thrilled when she said yes!
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Sign Your Online Waiver Today!
If you plan to ride/drive at NEECA this year, or take part in any events up there, it would be a HUGE help if you could use link below to sign online waiver. Sign it once, and it's good for the entire year.
ONLINE WAIVER
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MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: Most NEECA memberships expired on 12/31/2023, unless you joined after October 1st of 2023. In order to receive your new 2024 membership card, and all the great perks that come along with it, please go to https://www.neeca.org/membership to renew today. And remember that all membership dues go towards the ongoing maintenance and expansion of NEECA!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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What to know about riding at NEECA..... |
- The NEECA gates are usually closed in order to deter mischief, but they are NEVER LOCKED
- Park is open from Dawn to Dusk every day
- Members are welcome to ride at the park anytime
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If you would like to use the Main Arena, cost is $5 per 90 minute session, and you need to contact 124cab@gmail.com to schedule a time
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We ask that you sign a waiver before riding at the park. You can do so online: https://www.neeca.org/liability-release-form
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Please close the gate when you leave, as long as there is no official event taking place that day
- Clean up around your trailer before leaving. There is a dumpster on site for trash, and please pick up all manure left in parking areas
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About NEECA Membership Benefits.......
The following businesses and professionals support NEECA by offering special discounts to our members (current NEECA membership card most be shown to receive discounts):
Community Horse Magazine (spring/summer and fall/winter online issues)
Hardwick Farmers Co-op (3% Off All Purchases, add'l 7% off on special Members Sale Days)
Horseback & Body Massage ($10 off, 413-320-7690 )
Family Pet Vet Service ($15 off annual exam, 978-249-4626)
Déjà vu Women's Consignments (10 % off, Main Street, Athol)
Orange Tractor Supply (10% off all HORSE supplies)
Mending Fences Animal Wellness (Discount off Massage + MagnaWave Treatment for your horse. $180 value, only $155 for NEECA members, 508-864-9840 )
White Pickets Studio (10% off, Petersham, MA)
Plus NEECA members receive special rates on certain NEECA sponsored events throughout the year.
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"The mission of NEECA is to preserve and protect land for equine interests while promoting good horsemanship and educating equestrians for the betterment of the horse now, and for the generations to follow."
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