Downeast Medal Finals

April 2025

September 11-14, 2025

Visit our website for more information about Downeast. We welcome all feedback and suggestions: please email Ginger at ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com

American National Insurance

American National is a Proud Sponsor of Downeast Medal Finals. Thank you to American National!

Whether you ride for recreation, race, breed, or show, being a horse owner comes with a deep sense of passion, loyalty, and pride. At American National, we understand that dedication, which is why we’ve designed our Equine Owners Insurance with the needs of equestrians like you in mind.

Our specialized insurance helps address the inherent risks involved with horse ownership. It’s flexible enough to cover operations of all sizes and can be tailored to your specific needs and interests. General coverage options include horse-related activities, event participants, and property, while our equine-package policy enhancements allow you to add options like records protection and liability coverage for horses in your temporary care.

With more than 70 years serving the equine community, we’re committed to making sure your coverage is as unique as the horse you ride. Connect with an American National agent today to explore a customized equine insurance policy for your farm or horse operation.

Visit AmericanNational.com to learn more.

Why Choose American National?

We’re Trailblazers. As the leading insurer of farms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, we set the standard.

We’re Local. Our agents are just around the corner and understand your lifestyle.

We’re Experts. With over seven decades of dedicated and dependable support, we bring unmatched expertise.

We’re Equipped. We offer a comprehensive selection of insurance coverage for farms and families.

We’re There. Our excellent claims assistance is available 24/7.

American National is a group of companies writing a broad array of insurance products and services. Products and services may not be available in all states. Terms, conditions, and eligibility requirements will apply. Life insurance and annuity products may be underwritten by American National Insurance Company, Galveston, Texas. Property and casualty products and services may be underwritten by Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company, Glenmont, New York.

If you are a Downeast Medal Finals rider, we would like to feature you! Send your bio and picture to ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com

The Equine Pulse

Brian S. Burks DVM

Diplomate, ABVP

Board-Certified Equine Specialist

Horse owners should know how to evaluate the basic health parameters of their animals, including temperature, pulse (heart rate), and respiration, better known by the acronym TPR. They also should know how to evaluate capillary refill time to judge the horse’s circulatory health. Checking your horse’s heart rate is an important skill that is often done with a stethoscope. Sometimes a stethoscope may not be readily available when needing to check the pulse rate, or there may be another reason for wanting to check your horse’s pulse. When checking the TPR and pulses, the horse should be at rest and relaxed.

If you have a stethoscope, place it just above the elbow and push under the triceps muscle. One heart-beat has two parts “lub-dub”- so do not double count.

The normal resting heart rate for an adult horse is 28 to 44 beats per minute (bpm). Neonatal foals will be 80-120 bpm. To calculate find the pulse or heartbeat and count for 15 seconds, then multiply by four to get the number of heartbeats each minute. Listening for at least one minute helps determine if the heart rhythm is regular or irregular, or if a murmur is present.

Read the rest of the article here.

Upcoming Shows with DMF Qualifying Classes

Qualifying for DMF 2025:

Apr. 13 Evenstride, Byfield, MA

Apr. 26 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

Apr. 27 Lucky Clover Stables, Sanford, ME

May 2-4 NHHJA Spring Show, Northampton, MA

May 3 Life’s A Ride Equestrian Center, Saco, ME

May 4 Graystone Stables, Berwick, ME

May 4 Coastal Classic, Nobleboro, ME

May 10 Seahorse Stables “Spring into Show Season” Schooling Show, Belfast, ME

May 11 Ryan Home Project Benefit Show, TBD

May 17 Seacoast Show Series, Fremont, NH

May 17-18 GMHA Spring Hunter Jumper Show, Woodstock, VT

May 18 Lucky Clover Stables, Sanford, ME

May 25 Autumn Sky Farm, Newbury, MA

Want to see your show listed here? Fill out our Downeast Classes Form to host our classes!

Become a Downeast Medal Finals Sponsor:

All levels accepted and appreciated!

Visit www.downeastmedalfinals.com for more information.

For more information or to become a sponsor, please email Ginger at ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com.

Thank you to Spotted Vision Photography, It's A Horse Life Photography, Hillary Turner, and Riitta Fortier for providing us with many wonderful photographs from the Downeast Medal Finals.