The
NEECA News
March, 2025
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New NEECA Jumps Coming This Spring!
WOO HOO! NEECA is getting fancy! Every year we identify goals/improvements that we want to accomplish in pursuit of constantly improving NEECA's offerings. For 2025 we decided that a nice, quality set of jumps, decked out in our beautiful NEECA colors, would be our next big investment. And we're very happy to report that the order for the jumps has been placed and we should be receiving them in time for our new season. These jumps can be utilized in planned jumping clinics at NEECA, our Hunter Pace, and the Three Phase we're planning for the first time ever this year.
We want to thank all of our members whose ongoing support helps to fund NEECA's constantly expanding amenities and services. It couldn't be done without you all!!
Jump in the picture is sample of what our jumps will look like. WOWSER, RIGHT??!!??!!
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Please remember that we will be holding our annual March General Meeting on Wednesday, March 19th this year. Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Environmental Center, 100 Main St., Athol. Parking lot is available in back of buidling, or you can park on street in front of building.
We will be reviewing past and future goals, previewing our 2025 calendar of events, and having a little social time, with refreshments, so members have a chance to socialize.
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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!
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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
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RESCUE EQUIPMENT DONATED BY NEECA TO THE AFD HELPS SAVE HORSE IN ATHOL THIS MONTH! | |
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We couldn't be prouder to learn that the Athol Fire Department used the rescue equipment NEECA donated to the department to good use in assisting with the rescue of an older horse that went down in the snow and ice and couldn't get back up. The owners called the AFD, they brought the equipment with them,she was secured on the equine slide and moved back to the barn where she was able to get back on her feet with some assistance.
So, a special shout out to the Athol Fire Department for their efforts to help rescue this horse, and special shout out to all the people who donated towards the purchase of this equipment (which was around $3500). This should put a happy smile on all our faces today. Remember, part of NEECA's Mission Statement addresses the goal of "the betterment of the horse", and we couldn't think of a more perfect example of fulfilling this mission.
Unfortunately everyone was kind of busy, as you can imagine, during the rescue so no photos were taken, but we wanted to share a picture of the day we actually donated the equipment to the AFD. You always hope there will never be a need for this equipment, but we knew there would be sooner or later, and we're just so happy that NEECA played a part in making sure it was available.
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Trailer Safety/Maintenance Clinic
Saturday, April 12th
Ryan Rudy from Whitehorse Trailers will be returning this year to do another Trailer Safety/Maintenance Clinic.This is quite possibly the most important clinic you may ever attend if you trailer your horse anywhere, for any reason.
Topics covered will include the importance of proper maintenance (tire pressure, brakes, tire wear, etc.), pre-trip inspections, changing a tire, emergency supplies to have on hand. Information that's SO important to know for the welfare of your horse. Registration for this clinic is open now, please go to: https://www.neeca.org/trailer-safety-clinic-info-reg
WE STILL HAVE A FEW SPOTS AVAILABLE IN THIS CLINIC IF YOU'RE INTERESTED!
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THANK YOU TO OUR ZOOM PRESENTERS!
This year our Winter ZOOM Educational Lecture Series focused on Driving. Pam DeGregorio has organized all of these very well received events for the benefit of the NEECA Drivers, and any other driving enthusiast that might be interested on learning from some of the best.
Many thanks to Linda and Eric Wilking for their extremely helpful presentation, "Walking the Cones Course for Drivers". This was followed a few weeks later by Martha Nicoll's discussion, "A View Down the Center Line".
Coming up on Wednesday, April 9th, at 7 p.m., Robin Groves will be doing a ZOOM presentation for us on the topic of "Conditioning Your Horse".
As always, NEECA is pleased to be able to make these learning opportunities available to our membership thanks to the generosity of these talented equine professionals.
We record these presentations, with the permission of each presenter, so if you would like to receive a link to watch them, please contact Pam at pamdeg2002@yahoo.com.
If you have any suggestions for topics for next year, please reach out and let us know!!
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HOW CAN YOU HELP NEECA GROW?
In the past year NEECA has been the grateful recipient of nearly $4000 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.
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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, 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)
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.
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"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." | | | | | |
