Downeast Medal Finals

August 2022

Presented by Dover Saddlery

September 15-18, 2022

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

Message from the President

The countdown to DMF 2022 has begun! In just 46 days we will all be meeting up at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. The prize list is out (if you have not received the email please add your email on the website) and can be found on FB as well as the website. The closing date is a postmark of no later than 8/30/22. Please be sure to have all of the required paperwork completed (entry blank, stall form, camper form, Covid forms as well as rider and trainer info). We need ALL of these complete before we can process your entries. (A reminder that we will not be accepting entries or any other information via email this year). Please allow 1 week for mailing and 1 week for processing before you see your entries appear on horseshowing.com. Early entries are greatly appreciated and help us to plan for the number of horses/riders we will be seeing.

Please be sure to contact the vendor, McCarthy Enterprises (207-474-8952 or agmccarthy@hotmail.com) for all of your hay, shavings and stall mat needs so that everything will be at your stalls when you arrive. If emailing orders please be sure to leave contact info for payment. All payments must be done with McCarthy before you arrive as there will be no payment options on grounds.

For those of you who have not yet qualified, please note the changes to combining of the Junior and Adult classes to fill, as well as Juniors who have won the finals once may compete again but may not win the finals more than twice.

Points: If you see your name in red on the Points Page, you are qualified but please send your mailing address to katie@downeastmedalfinals.com to receive your qualifying medal!

Ringside Tables are back this year, be sure to reserve yours on the entry blank. There will be an award for the best decorated table as well as the best decorated tack room so put your creative hats on!

Our complimentary exhibitor’s party and ice cream social will be Friday during the Team Challenge. Remember we will be doing a random draw to choose the members of the 6 teams, 4 riders and 2 alternates. Riders will be notified if they are on a team and will be required to be at the team meeting (on time please) or they will forfeit their place on the team, so please be sure to fill out all contact information completely.

Horsemanship riders: Information for your questions will be taken from the 2021/2022 newsletter articles (starting with November 2021) as well as basic horse knowledge that can be found in the Pony Club manuals as well as the USHJA study guide. Trainers, please encourage your riders to participate in this class as it is an important foundation for their future!

Scholarships: Applications have closed for the DMF continuing education scholarship. All of the other scholarships open on August 8. Please get your applications in early!

Trainers: We will be having a trainers' meeting on the bleachers next to the announcers booth at the end of day Thursday in order to provide any and all information for DMF 2022. Also, there will be awards for all trainers of the winning riders of each medal final!

For any questions please contact ginger@downeastmedalfinals.com.

Thank you to all of our incredible sponsors for their support of DMF 2022 as well as all of the shows who have generously offered our classes this year. The DMF team is looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Infectious Equine Diseases

Equine Encephalomyelitis (Sleeping Sickness)

Encephalomyelitis is caused by a virus, which is transmitted by mosquitos. The virus causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and is often fatal. Stricken horses may lose their appetite, display excitable or compulsive behavior and walk blindly into objects. Surviving horses may suffer permanent damage. There are three strains of the virus. Eastern (EEE) is the most deadly, killing 75-100% of infected horses. Western (WEE) is more common and somewhat less virulent. Both EEE and WEE can occur throughout the U.S., and horses should be vaccinated for both. Vaccination advisories for the Venezuelan strain (VEE) have been issued for horses in the southern states, especially those bordering Mexico. The vaccine is very effective against the disease. We typically recommend administering the vaccine annually.

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)/Rhinopneumonitis

Of the several equine herpes viruses identified, Type 1 (EHV1) and Type 4 (EHV4) are the most clinically important. EHV is characterized by respiratory infections, paralysis, abortions, inflammation of the spinal cord and occasionally death in young horses. EHV is highly contagious, spreading through aerosolized secretions, contact with infected horses, and contaminated feed and water utensils. Though the vaccine is not 100% effective and the protection only lasts 10-12 weeks, every horse should be vaccinated. Pregnant mares should be vaccinated at 5, 7 and 9 months from their breeding date. Horses that are travelling to shows, races, sales, etc. should be vaccinated every 6 months. Pleasure horses that do not travel should be vaccinated annually. The vaccine does not protect against the neurologic form of the disease.

Equine Influenza (Flu)

Influenza is a highly contagious virus that appears suddenly and causes high fever, coughing, nasal discharge and loss of appetite. Infected horses should be kept at complete rest to avoid complications such as pneumonia. The virus mutates into new strains over time, and several distinct strains are now circulating in the U.S. All horses should receive a vaccine containing the most current influenza strains available. The vaccine is not 100% effective, and the protection lasts only 10-12 weeks. Horses travelling to shows, sales, racing events, etc. should be vaccinated every 6 months. Horses that do not travel should be vaccinated annually.

Continue reading on the Lisbon Veterinary website.

MIPR - DMF Sponsor

Thank you to MIPR for sponsoring Downeast Medal Finals!

Maine Industrial P&R Corp. is a Maine owned and operated company proud to be one of the many sponsors of Downeast Medal Finals.

MIPR Corp. has been supplying the agricultural industry with new and used conveyor belts for over 35 years. Many customers include ranchers and farmers using conveyor belts to line corrals, trailers, stalls, and aisles, as well as using conveyor belts in custom feed troughs.

Visit the MIPR website at www.miprcorp.com or call 1-800-540-1846 for more information on how they can provide a quality product delivered in a timely manner.

MIPR sponsored our first year of livestream in 2019 and have sponsored it since, including 2022! Thank you so much for your continued support of DMF!