Downeast Medal Finals
September 12-15, 2019
If you have qualified for DMF please send us your full address and email so we can send your qualifying medal!
Email to
katie@downeastmedalfinals.com
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Message from the President
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Welcome to show season 2019!
We are pleased to have several new shows offering the DMF qualifying classes this year: Wild Iris Equestrian, Central Mass Show Series, The Northampton Horse Show, Boston Polo, Seacoast Show Series, Spring Tide Farm, and Tri County Horseman. We also welcome back all of the shows from previous years- thank you for helping our riders to qualify!
We are excited to have so many wonderful sponsors join us this year. Huge thanks to New England Equine and Surgical Center, Dover Saddlery, Meader Supply, Hemphill’s (the tack shop will be on grounds again!), American National, SmartPak, MIPR, and Stoney Brook Landscaping. EquiFit has signed on so that every winning rider in the Medal Finals will receive a EquiFit Essential Gift Set. Townsend’s Trailer Sales/Exiss has helped to bring the 2’6” Derby up to a $1500 class, and Laffey Construction is the second round sponsor of the 2’3” Derby to bring that up to a $1500 class as well. Shires has once again stepped up to provide the awards for highest placing Maine rider in all of the Derbies and Poulin Grain is providing a bag of grain to all Reserve Champions in the Derbies and Medal Finals. Old Dominion Saddlery is now sponsoring the High Point Maine Rider. Rod’s RV is our camper dealer and Nutrena Feeds is sponsoring the Pro/Am. Dunkin Donuts, The Bankery, Horses Maine and NH, IEA, Mill Pond, Blue Seal…..Thank you for your support. Thank you to our Medal Final sponsors,
Lucky Clover Stables, Maggie Mae Memorial, My Horse Heroes, the family of Peter Thompson, SeaHorse Stables, and Seery Hill.
Please support our sponsors and tell them you are from Downeast Medal Finals!
We still have sponsorship opportunities available, so if you would be interested in supporting DMF, please contact Ginger at
ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com
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We have four
scholarship opportunities
as well. Please be sure to read the specs as the due dates have changed this year.
Thank you to Meadow View Equestrian Center, Titan Tire Chain and Custom Welding, and the family of Jim Tynan for providing these wonderful scholarships.
We here at DMF hope that you have a wonderful show season and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in September!
Best,
Ginger Klingenstein Albert
Downeast Medal Finals President
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Equine Metabolic Syndrome
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By Dr. Margaret Gabour, DVM
Seacoast Equine
What is your horse’s body condition score? An ideal body condition score (BCS) for a horse or pony on the Henneke Scale is a 5 or 6 out of 9. Most horses and ponies today have a BCS of 6 or higher, and if your horse or pony is over-conditioned or has a cresty neck, they are at risk of developing Equine Metabolic Syndrome and subsequently, laminitis.
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Any horse can develop EMS if fed more calories than required- especially diets high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) like sugar and starches. Horses that get little exercise or are easy keepers are the individuals most at risk; some breeds predisposed to EMS include Morgans, American Saddlebreds, ponies, American Miniatures, Andalusians, and Warmbloods.
Most horses affected by EMS have generalized obesity or have accumulations of fat in specific areas only (regional adiposity). The crest of the neck is a common site for fat deposition; other sites include the tailhead, sheath or udder, and the depression above the eye.
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Equine Metabolic Syndrome occurs when a horse stops responding to insulin normally (insulin dysregulation). Insulin is a hormone found in people and animals that helps cells take glucose (sugar) out of the bloodstream so it can be used for energy or be stored. When the cells stop responding to insulin, the horse makes more and more insulin (hyperinsulinemia). Veterinarians and scientists are still learning about how insulin dysregulation and hyperinsulinemia lead to laminitis.
Laminitis is the most important consequence of EMS. The lamellae are microscopic, finger-like structures that connect the coffin bone (pedal bone) to the inside of the hoof, like Velcro. When the lamellae become inflamed (laminitis), they stretch out and fail to hold the coffin bone in place properly. This is extremely painful and leads to serious abnormalities within the hoof, including rotation of the coffin bone. Recovery from laminitis is possible but is often a long, uncomfortable process, which is why prevention is of utmost importance.
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Equine Metabolic Syndrome can be prevented with appropriate diet and adequate exercise. Some horses need a high NSC grain (like sweet feed) and tolerate it without any problems, but most horses will do well on a low-NSC diet. A low NSC diet includes good quality grass hay (in general, first cut tends to have lower NSC content than second cut) and a ration balancer or low NSC grain. Some horses must be turned out on dry lots to minimize their access to grazing. Horses competing in athletics often need to be on fat supplements in order to maintain condition and energy without adding sugar to their diets.
In addition to diet, exercise is essential in combating EMS and experts recommend gradually working up to 30 minutes of vigorous exercise five times per week (with walk breaks as needed). Of course, if the horse is suffering from active laminitis they should be rested until their painful feet are well under control.
You veterinarian can perform blood tests to determine if your horse has EMS. Periodically evaluating your horse’s diet and exercise regimen are important steps to maintaining appropriate BCS and preventing EMS and laminitis.
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Get to Know- Lauren Edwards
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The 2018 Long Stirrup Medal Final at the 10th anniversary Downeast Medal Finals was won by Lauren Edwards. In this Get to Know series, we will be highlighting the champions of our 2018 Medal Finals classes as well as our 2018 Hunter Derbies. Here is what Lauren had to say:
"Hi there, my name is Lauren Edwards, and I am a currently a student at the University of New Hampshire. With graduation on the horizon at UNH, I’ve spent time reflecting on the last four years and how they have shaped me into my many roles: a rider, a student, a tutor, and a nursing assistant. Without focus and determination, I would not have been to balance everything that this past summer has had in store for me.
The equestrian sport is demanding of both time and finances. However, I wouldn’t want to spend my free time doing anything else. This sport taught me to be humble for my successes, and grateful for the people and horses who have brought me to where I am. I’ve been working extremely hard on improving my riding this past summer especially, as I knew that while in graduate school after UNH, I may not have the opportunity to show. It had been an incredibly stressful summer, as I was determined to make my Physician Assistant application the best it could be, while simultaneously working extra hours to cover application fees, and every horse show and lesson in between. I was so happy to have qualified for Downeast Medal Finals, as I had not participated in them before, and I was looking forward to a new experience. Two weeks prior to medal final weekend in Skowhegan, I got an email that made my heart stop. I was invited to interview at the University of New England’s Physician Assistant program... As elated as I was, I knew that this weekend would be a busy one, and stressful one at that, but I thought of the summer that I had just endured, and I figured if I was able to manage to work 50 hours a week, complete and submit my application, as well as ride the best that I ever have, I knew that I could do it.
I am happy, as well as fortunate enough to say that the weekend was an extreme success. After winning the medal the day after my interview, that next week I got the call saying that I was accepted into the program (50 spots out of 1,500 applicants!). I learned that hard work pays off, if not immediately, then eventually.
As show season and interview season were over and my IHSA season was ramping up, I thought a lot about how different I would be without riding. Having many commitments: being a senior in college, tutoring other students in organic chemistry while keeping my own grades up, as well as working as a nursing assistant in three different facilities, there hasn’t been a whole lot of time to sit and think about how this has all been possible for me. I simply cannot thank my trainer, Deanna Kravetz at Over the Oxer Equestrian, enough. I would be nowhere without the focus and determination that has guided me to balance everything that is important to me in my life. Dream big, aim high. "
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At
Dover Saddlery
, English riders will find a large selection of riding apparel for schooling and show, tack, horse clothing, horse health and stable supplies needed to spend more time in the saddle. Dover is proud to provide top quality products, which have been selected and tested by knowledgeable equestrians to ensure the best quality, and with a local store located in Plaistow NH, it’s easier than ever for equestrians to outfit themselves, their horses and their stables.
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Sample Horsemanship Questions
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Here is a practice quiz like the horsemanship questions you will see at Finals! Look for the answers to be posted on Facebook in one week.
Younger Rider Questions:
1.Which of the following is not a natural aid?
a. Seat
b. Hands
c. Spurs
d. Voice
e. Legs
2.Which face marking has the most white?
a. Star
b. Snip
c. Blaze
d. Bald
e. Stripe
3.When removing a horse’s blanket which should be undone first?
a. Chest buckle
b. Belly straps
c. Leg straps
d. The order doesn’t matter
4.A horse’s height is measured in
a. Hands
b. Grams
c. Inches
d. Feet
5.What is the knotted bag called that holds hay for a horse in the stall or trailer?
a. Fish net
b. Hay net
c. Irish knit
d. Feed bag
Older Rider Questions:
6.What is another term for the cavesson?
a. Throat latch
b. Nose band
c. Headstall
d. Cheek piece
7.What is the ideal angle for properly sloped shoulders and pasterns?
a. 25 degrees
b. 45 degrees
c. 65 degrees
d. 75 degrees
8.What tool is used to float a horse's teeth?
a. Rasp
b. Nippers
c. Chisel
d. Clinche
9.How long after an inoculation is it before a horse develops enough antibodies for immunity?
a. 2-3 days
b. 4-6 days
c. 2-3 weeks
d. 4-6 weeks
10.Which of the following is NOT a stable vice?
a. Weaving
b. Cribbing
c. Ducking
d. Chewing
e. Kicking
11.What is the word describing the time when a horse is in the air over a jump?
a. Hang time
b. Jumping
c. Suspension
d. Flight
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Upcoming Shows with Downeast Qualifying Classes
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May 4
Senator Bell
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Chester, NH
May 5
Boston Polo Club Spring Fling
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Georgetown, MA
May 5
Spring Tide Farm
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Boxford, MA
May 10-12
NHHJA Spring Show
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Northampton, MA
May 19
Central Mass Horse Show
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Spencer, MA
May 19
Cornerstone
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Haverhill, MA
May 19
Lucky Clover Stables
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Sanford, ME
May 25
Senator Bell
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Chester, NH
May 26
North Shore
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Evenstride, Byfield, MA
June 2
Back Bay Farm
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Ipswich, MA
June 2
Seacoast Horse Show Series
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Fremont, NH
June 2
Tri-County Horsemen
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Union, ME
June 8
NHHJA
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Fremont, NH
June 9
Cornerstone
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Haverhill, MA
June 9
NEJA Summer H/J Classic
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Lisbon, ME
June 9
Stonewall at West Neck
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Nobleboro, ME
June 15
Downeast Horse Congress
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Skowhegan, ME
June 16
Central Mass Horse Show
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Spencer, MA
June 16
North Shore
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Senator Bell, Chester, NH
June 22
NHHJA
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Fremont, NH
June 23
SeaHorse Stables
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Belfast, ME
June 30
Lucky Clover Stables
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Sanford, ME
June 30
Spring Tide Farm
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Boxford, MA
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Become a Downeast Medal Finals Sponsor:
All levels accepted and appreciated!
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Thank you to
Spotted Vision Photography and Riitta Fortier for providing us with many wonderful photographs from the Downeast Medal Finals.
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Bernard Klingenstein/Euclide Albert Memorial
Lucky Clover Stables (207-651-1881)
Maggie Mae Memorial
My Horse Heroes Memorial
Peter N. Thompson Memorial
SeaHorse Stables
Seery Hill
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