The

NEECA News

February 2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON POTENTIAL CHANGE TO STATE LAW THAT WILL ALLOW HUNTING ON SUNDAY IN MASSACHUSETTS!

We are in danger of losing the one safe day of the week during hunting season that we can walk, cycle, ride our horses on. This bill would also decrease the setback from houses that the hunters are allowed to hunt on. Please get involved by submitting your feedback in the link provided below, and being ready to contact your state reps if Mass Wildlife decides to recommend changing the existing laws.

ANNOUNCEMENT: MassWildlife is gathering public input on several opportunities to expand hunting access in Massachusetts, including Sunday hunting, hunting with crossbows, and minimum setback distances for hunting.

You can submit your feedback by filling out the online form or by attending one of the public listening sessions.

January 27 at 6 p.m. on Zoom.

January 28 at 6 p.m. in Westborough

January 29 at 6 p.m. in Pittsfield

February 2 at 6 p.m. in Bourne

February 3 at 1 p.m. on Zoom.

Learn more and submit your comment online at bit.ly/HuntingFeedback

Following the public input, MassWildlife will make a recommendation.

Statutes require legislative action to change

GENERAL MEETING HAPPENING ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18th

NEECA's first "official" event every year to kick off our new season is the General Meeting we hold in March. It takes place at the Millers River Environmental Center, located at 100 Main Street in Athol. It gives us the first opportunity of the new year to get together and talk horses!

We'll review all the great things that have been happening at NEECA recently, and preview plans for MORE great stuff to come!! The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. with a powerpoint presentation that reviews some basic NEECA information and policies, followed by a quick review of recent accomplishments at the park.

After that, organizers of all the upcoming events that will be taking place this year will hop up to say a few words about their event(s), and answer any questions people may have. We finish up with a drawing to choose a couple of lucky winners of our Door Prize, and then look forward to the opportunity to socialize a bit with our friends, and enjoy some complimentary refreshments courtesy of NEECA.

Tina Dixson Joins The NEECA Board!

We'd like to introduce you to Tina, who accepted our invitation to join the NEECA Board this year.

Tina, and her husband Jim, have been organizing and running the very popular NEECA Gymkhana series for years now.

To learn more about Tina, click here.

To learn more about the gymkhana series, click here.

We'll be introducing our next new Board member in February newsletter.

New Events Coming To NEECA!

So the good news appears to be spreading! We have always wanted our facilities at NEECA to be available for use by other horse organizations. Over the past number of years Heron's Crest Stables has rented NEECA to host a multiple date schooling jumping show series, and they will be returning again this year for some more great shows.

We're very pleased to announce that NEECA will be the venue for two more brand new events this year. We were recently contacted by the Cavalry 4-H Club who have decided to host their Sunrise Ranch Horse Show Series at NEECA on the following dates: June 20th, Aug. 15th, October 4th. And we're thrilled that the organizers of the Franklin County 4-H Show have chosen NEECA as the location for their show on June 27th. Important to note that all these events will be happening IN ADDITION to the numerous events that NEECA itself will be hosting throughout the year.

We are so pleased that these organizations have chosen NEECA as the venue for their events. We've worked hard to get to this point, but we are ready! NEECA has developed into a wonderful facility for horse events. We have two large rings, easy parking, a PA system, water hydrants and electricity. There are some panel stalls that people can rent to keep their horses in, a round pen, great trails, and a ConfidenceCourse if anyone is interested in doing a Versatility themed event!

If you, or any organization you know, is interested in renting NEECA for an event, go to https://www.neeca.org/rental-information for more information.

Thanks to the Membership Special we ran in the month of December, NEECA already has over 200 members, MANY of them new to NEECA, signed up for 2026. To say that we are hitting the ground running would be an understatement. If you haven't renewed your membership for 2026, all you have to do is go to https://www.neeca.org/membership to join/renew today.

New to NEECA? Follow link below for answers to some commonly asked questions about your NEECA membership, and use of the park.

https://www.neeca.org/faqs

HOW CAN YOU HELP NEECA GROW?

In 2025 NEECA has been the grateful recipient of nearly $6000 in donations from supporters. All of this money is used to help NEECA grow and improve. These recent donations made the purchase of the jumps mentioned above possible this year.

If you would like to show your support of NEECA, we have added a donation button to the home page of our website, www.neeca.org, where you can make a one-time or recurring donation to NEECA in the amount of your choosing. As always, we are so very appreciative of all the support shown to NEECA from our very generous supporters!

NEECA is a 501(c)3 so your donations may be tax deductible.

SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT NEECA WHENEVER YOU CAN!

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES WHO SUPPORT NEECA BY LISTING THEIR BUSINESS/SERVICE IN NEECA'S 2026 ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

https://www.neeca.org/online-business-directory-listings or click on direct links below!

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B & D Mansfield - Field and Pasture Mowing

Mallet Roll Off Dumpster - Trash Removal

Nikki's Nook - Upstate NY Horse Camping

Primp My Ride - Saddle Fitting -NEW!!

Interested in listing your business? Sign up and payment can conveniently be done online at neeca.org, follow link from home page.

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):

C & J's Custom Creations (10% off first order, and/or waive $35 set-up fee for sweatshirts)

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)

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.

"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."