NEECA News -- JULY 2022
PREVIEW NEECA'S 2022 CALENDAR OF EVENTS. CLICK ON EACH UNDERLINED EVENT FOR DETAILS.

A BUSY month for NEECA!
There has been a LOT happening at NEECA since our last newsletter. Thanks to a very energetic Board of Directors and a lot of enthusiastic volunteers, we seem to have something fun and exciting happening every weekend. We hosted a Cash Gymkhana on June 18th, our Donkey and Mule Show took place on June 25th, our members proudly participated in the Petersham 4th of July Parade, and we just hosted a horse show in Barre this past weekend with over 80 riders and drivers attending. And we can't forget that our new NEECA Drivers group meets up at our new driving area next to the Confidence Course one Monday every month. So, in a word......WHEW!!!!
CASH GYMKHANA
PETERSHAM 4TH OF
JULY PARADE
NEECA HORSE SHOW
But wait, we're not done!! In the next couple of weeks we have the two MSPCA Equine Rescue Clinics happening on July 16th and 23rd, the 4th Gymkhana of our 7 event series taking place on July 17th, and the Devin Burdick Clinic happening the weekend of July 23rd/24th.

For more information on any of these events, and all the other we've got lined up in the months ahead, check out https://www.neeca.org/calendar
Peter on mustang
VERSATILITY CLINIC JUST ADDED!
Pete Whitmore from It's A Pleasure Training in Orange, MA will be doing a Versatility Clinic for NEECA on Saturday, September 10th. This clinic will take place on NEECA's pretty cool Confidence Course, and will start at 10 a.m. and go through around Noon. Cost for clinic is $75/person, space is limited. If interested please contact Caroline at carolinemansfield01@gmail.com
And don't worry, Pete won't be asking you to stand on top of your horse with a flag in this clinic. ;)
Please let us introduce you to Althea Bramhall - Althea has been involved with NEECA since the start, even before it was named, and has been on the Board of Directors of the New England Equestrian Land Management Conservation Corporation since its inception over 20 years ago. She says her life is Family, Real Estate, and NEECA, but the priority placings vary often, day to day!
Althea has been a “horse nut” about all of her life, and now has downsized to her small driving pony, Hoggle. She is also a former teacher, and is excited that one of NEECA’s missions is to educate folks about horse care and safety.
MUSTANG MAKEOVER CHALLENGE IS COMING BACK TO NEECA!!
August 27th, 2022
It's It's A Pleasure Training is again joining the Mustang Heritage Foundation to bring the Mustang TIP Challenge back to New England! 
Selected trainers will have 100 days to gentle and train a young wild mustang and return to compete in hand for cash prizes and the title of "Trainer of the Year"!

You will be amazed at what these young trainers have been able to accomplish with these mustangs. So much fun to watch. SAVE THE DATE and join us!

WE HAVE A WINNER!
Congratulations to Nicole Laffond. Her "Somewhere Under The Rainbow" picture was the runaway winner in NEECA's calendar photo contest. This picture received 112 votes, nearly twice as many as the next most popular picture.
This beautiful picture will be featured in NEECA's first ever calendar for 2023. We hope to have them available by the end of the year. Along with Nicole's picture, the calendar will include pictures of various events and attractions that are available at NEECA.
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to submit your pictures. We could only choose one winner, but we know those beautiful pictures brought a smile to many! As always, thanks for your support!!
So...how much fun are these guys having?!
What fantastic fun the NEECA DRIVERS group are having! Enthusiastic drivers participate in the event- from miniature horses and a donkey to full-size horses. We are pleased to have Devin Burdick as our driving instructor for these special days!

There is a group skills class in the morning, followed by lunch together, and ending with a cones class, which is a lot of fun to watch!
Our next NEECA DRIVERS day will be on Monday, July 25th! Contact Althea Bramhall to sign up!
SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT NEECA WHENEVER YOU CAN!
Interested in listing your business? Sign up and payment can conveniently be done online at neeca.org, follow link from home page.
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
  • If you would like to use the Main Arena, cost is $5 per 90 minute session, and you need to contact terrylupien360@gmail.com to schedule a time
  • We ask that you sign a waiver before riding at the park. You can do so online: https://www.neeca.org/liability-release-form
  • 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
A NEECA membership is only $25/year, and comes with all the great benefits listed below. But, more importantly, it is your introduction into a community of caring, dedicated horse owners who are committed to creating something very special and unique. Your membership fee goes towards the continued development of NEECA.
Want to join NEECA, or renew your membership?
Here's How!
Go to
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):

MassHorse Magazine (free online subscription)
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 )
Premium Home Inspection LI LLC ($25 off inspection, 413-378-8202)

White Pickets Studio (10% off, Petersham, MA)

Plus NEECA members receive special rates on certain NEECA sponsored events throughout the year.
Support NEECA When You Shop!
AmazonSmile is a program that donates 0.5% of your eligible purchases on Amazon to a charity of your choice. All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com. and choose New England Equestrian Center of Athol as your charity.
"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."