The

NEECA News

January 2026

Did everyone know that 2026 is the Year of the Horse? The Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac occurs every 12 years, and the upcoming year is the next one! 2026, specifically the Fire Horse year (Feb 17, 2026 - Feb 5, 2027), signifies energy, freedom, and ambitious action. We sure hope that's a good sign for all we've got planned for NEECA this year! Hope you can be a part of it.

While looking forward to 2026, we can also look back on a very busy and successful 2025 with great satisfaction. We once again hosted over 30 events for our members and supporters to participate in, along with continuing to improve the NEECA facilities. This year we put brand new PVC 3 rail fencing around our warm-up ring, in addition to purchasing new jumps and rails in NEECA's beautiful blue/yellow colors.

New this year was a dressage schooling show, and we were finally able to host an organized NEECA trail ride directly off NEECA's property, a goal we've been working towards for years! We're happy to report it was a tremendous success, and we plan to do it again next fall. We love getting feedback from people who participate in our events letting us know how much they enjoyed themselves. We pride ourselves on making a welcoming and supportive environment for horsemen of all disciplines and skill levels. No matter what your riding interest, there's a pretty good bet NEECA will have something you'll enjoy trying with your horse.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF NEECA!!

NEECA's Calendar of Events for 2026 Is Available Now!

We've been hard at work putting together another action packed calendar of events for our members and supporters to enjoy in 2026. We still have a few things to potentially add, but the majority of event dates have been set. To preview the 2026 calendar, please go to https://www.neeca.org/calendar

If you'd like to see something on the calendar that's currently not there, please reach out! If you're willing to help organize a new event, we'd love to add it!!

Online Winter Lecture Series Starts Next Week!

We have a great line up of topics and presenters for out Winter Lecture Series happening in January and February of 2026. Click on link below for more detailed information.

Click Here For More Information

Ranch Riding Series coming to NEECA in 2026!

The Sunrise Ranch Horse Show Series is managed and run by the Cavalry 4-H Horse Club. They are building a day full of age and skill friendly classes for all ranch horse discipline lovers to enjoy, and will have several divisions to offer. Please contact Kelli Wainscott with any questions or suggestions at:

Kwainsco@mtholyoke.edu

NEECA Board Update

At the last Board meeting of 2025, the officers for the NEECA 2026 Board were voted in. Sue Ellen Mowcomber will be assuming the responsibility of Board President, Jane Peirce has taken on the duties of Treasurer, Pam DeGregorio will remain in her position of Vice President, and Linda LeBlanc will continue on in her role as Secretary. We're excited to announce that Tina Dixson and Charlie Chase will be joining the Board this year! We also regretfully accepted the resignations of two former Board members, Darlynn Oberg and Kendra Uusitalo, but appreciate all that they did for NEECA during their tenure on the Board.

Departing Board President, Caroline Mansfield, will be assuming a new role as NEECA Park Manager. As NEECA continues to expand its membership base and activities, the need for someone to assume the role of managing the park itself became apparent over the past couple of years. Caroline will perform those duties on a volunteer basis, and will continue to remain an active member of the Board.

We'd like to thank the other Board members who continue to work so hard every year for NEECA: Althea Bramhall, Kory Laughlin, Margo Petracone. We say it all the time, but it bears repeating....without a very active and involved Board of Directors, along with some great volunteers who help out at events.....NEECA would cease to exist.

Thanks to the Membership Special we ran in the month of December, NEECA already has nearly 150 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.

Today is the last day to take advantage of the 2026 Membership Special. Join/renew by midnight tonight and get a FREE membership for a friend. Click here for that special offer form.

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 2025 ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

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

_________________________________________

Aaron Forestry Services -

B & D Mansfield - Field and Pasture Mowing

C & J's Custom Creation -

Equine Art by Devan Waskiewicz -

The Farm at Millstone Oaks - Lessons

Nikki's Nook - Horse Camping

Family Pet Veterinary Services - Small Animal

Mallet Roll Off Dumpster Service

Saddlefit And Solutions - Saddle Fitting

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."