NEECA News April 2025

The

NEECA News

April, 2025

AND WE'RE OFF......!!!

Spring has SPRUNG! Days are getting longer, temps are warming up, and horse lovers' FAVORITE time of the year is finally upon us! And we can't wait to get NEECA's slew of great events scheduled for this coming year up and running. It's always a little "iffy" planning something in April, but we've got more than a couple of things lined up in the hopes that Mother Nature is in a good mood. We've highlighted a few of those events below, it's still not too late to sign up for any of them that you might be interested in.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!! AND REMEMBER TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE/FACEBOOK PAGE ON MORNING OF EVENT IN CASE OF CANCELLATIONS, ESPECIALLY IF THE WEATHER IS IFFY.

Ryan Rudy from Whitehorse Trailer will be conducting his second clinic on trailer maintenance and safety for NEECA. The clinic will cover topics such as trailer maintenance, equipment needed in event of emergency, driving tips, proper tow vehicles suitable for pulling trailer size, and much more.

The clinic will be held at an indoor arena a couple of miles down the road from NEECA to avoid inclement weather. More info:

https://www.neeca.org/trailer-safety-clinic-info-reg

Every year we schedule a Work Day up at the park to help get NEECA ready for the new season. This year the Work Day will be on Sat., April 19th. We try to spruce things up after the winter, maybe work on a few "fix-it" items, and just generally work towards getting NEECA looking good.

The Work Day is heavily dependent on volunteer support. The more helpers we have, the more we can get done. So even if you can only spare a couple of hours, it all helps! Questions? Contact carolinemansfield01@gmail.com

Heron's Crest will be hosting the first of its six show schooling jumping series at NEECA on Sunday, April 13th. Open to everyone, designed to be a supportive, learning environment for riders of all levels.

Follow link for all the information regarding show series, and entry form.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IjCL-WjyghwFgWdQDphl671kVIkc7-ls/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawJU--FleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHcw5Ewy4hpu_yeCb3dS4zmErVn3jIT4jIsJnk2ydP83aAGf1yifTOX88_w_aem_UseM6ZBa7Q47n8skAHHk_A

NEECA Drivers are kicking off their new season on Monday, April 14th,which includes a Tack Swap/Sale! These days are about learning, camaraderie, and just having FUN!

* Includes driving instruction in Pleasure, Dressage, Cones, and Obstacles

* Two groups during morning, based on level of experience of horse & driver.

Click on following link for more information and registration form:

neeca.org/neeca-drivers

NEECA Fun Gymkhana and Tack/Swap

NEECA's first gymkhana of the year will be a fun lowkey event, designed to give everyboy a chance to "tune up" for the upcoming season.

It will include practice runs, some tips and coaching if you want it, Vendor spaces will be available if you've got some unused tack & equipment you want to sell. Pizza orders will be taken for lunch, and after lunch there will be a series of patterns for participants to run. Ribbons will be awarded but it is not a pointed event. Food, Shopping, Horses, Ribbons....what else could we ask for? Contact Tina at neecagymkhana@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Robin Groves ZOOM Discussion

Conditioning Your Horse

Wed., April 9th at 7 p.m.

Robin Groves has graciously agreed to do a ZOOM presentation for NEECA on the evening of Wednesday, April 9th at 7 p.m. The topic of her talk will be "Conditioning Your Horse".

Please contact Pam at pamdeg2002@yahoo.com if you are interested in receiving a link to participate in this presentation.

Sign Your 2025 Waiver Today

Waivers need to be signed every year so if you plan to ride at NEECA this year, whether participating in an event, using the Confidence Course, or just riding the trails, you MUST have a 2025 signed waiver on file with us. Please follow link to sign waiver, or print copy out which you can mail to us. Thank you for your cooperation regarding this.

ONLINE WAIVER

HOW CAN YOU HELP NEECA GROW?

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 CONTINUE TO 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!

_________________________________________

B & D Mansfield - Field and Pasture Mowing

The Farm at Millstone Oaks - Lessons

Nikki's Nook - Horse Camping

Family Pet Veterinary Services - Small Animal

Mallet Roll Off Dumpster Service

Petersham Pump - Well and Pump 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):

Community Horse Magazine (spring/summer and fall/winter online issues)

Hardwick Farmers Co-op (3% Off All Purchases)

Horseback & Body Massage ($10 off, 413-320-7690 )

Family Pet Vet Service ($15 off annual exam, 978-249-4626)

Déjà vu Women's Consignments (10 % off, Main Street, Athol)

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 throughout the year.

"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."

WWW.NEECA.ORG