NEECA News May 2025

The

NEECA News

May, 2025

NEECA IS LOOKING GOOD FOR THE YEAR!

THANK YOU!! Over 30 members and friends showed up to help out at our annual Work Day. This was the largest turnout we've ever had and we got a lot of the projects off our "Honey Do" list accomplished. Many people think of NEECA as just a place to go to ride their horse on the trails, or take part in one of the numerous events we sponsor every year. But it really is SO much more than that. Days like today remind us that it is a community of kind, caring people who are willing to volunteer their time, energy and talents to help NEECA continue to thrive and grow. Without people like the ones who showed up today, there wouldn't be a NEECA.

The day got so busy so fast that we didn't get a chance to have everyone sign in, so I'm afraid that we won't be able to mention everyone. But a special shout out to NEECA Board Members: Sue Ellen Mowcomber, Kory Laughlin, Margo Petracone, Sue Ellen Mowcomber, Caroline Mansfield, Linda LeBlanc, Pam DeGregorio and Darlynn Oberg for taking the lead on a number of projects. We'd also like to thank the HUGE crew who showed up from The Farm at Millstone Oaks to help out. Dawn Laughlin was on hand taking some wonderful pictures of the day. Thank you Dave Mansfield for working on remodelling a booth so that it can be used to cover our new jump rails, and installing a mail box in the Confidence Course. And another HUGE thank you to Mark Oberg from Gardenworks Landscaping in Hardwick, MA for getting our front entrance looking just beautiful. Mark was literally the first person there, and the last to leave.

Thank you Sam Farrington, Mary Page, Cyndie Rowell, Jeanette York, Paula Peabody, Sue Taylor, Charlie Chase, Carol Bright, and Monte Roberts. I know I'm missing some names and I'm so sorry about that.

With record setting membership numbers already, a very spiffy looking facility, and members like these.....NEECA is off to a GREAT start for 2025!

MAY EVENTS HAPPENING AT NEECA..... AND YES!! THIS IS JUST THE MONTH OF MAY!!

NEECA Gymkhana - Sunday, 5/18

This will be our first "pointed" competition of our six event series for 2025.

For more information, go to: https://www.neeca.org/gymkhana-information

Happening Tomorrow at NEECA! Spectators welcome!

Join Us For The Annual NEECA Poker Ride on Sunday!

The 2nd NEECA Drivers Day Is Planned for This Monday, May 5th

There's Still Time To Sign Up for the Jerry Schurink Clinic!

BRAND NEW EVENT THIS YEAR!

Still Time To Sign Up!

NEECA UPDATES

NEECA's New Jumps Have Arrived!

We can't WAIT to put our fancy new jumps into use this year. We'll be picking up color coordinated poles next week, and hope to rehab a couple of gates, and build a few flower boxes. Speaking of that, is there anyone out there with basic carpentry skills that might be able to build a couple of flower boxes for our new jumps? NEECA would pay for all materials. If you, or someone you know, could help out with that, please contact Caroline at carolinemansfield01@gmail.com.

Thanks!

GREAT TURNOUT FOR TRAILER CLINIC

A BIG shout out to Ryan Rudy from Whitehorse Truck and Trailer for doing another fantastic Trailer Safety Clinic for NEECA this past April 12th. We were hoping it wasn't going to rain, but we certainly didn't expect 4-5 inches of snow!

Fortunately we had access to a heated area for the presentation, and an indoor for the various demos Ryan did. We had 18 people sign up for this clinic, and 17didn't let the weather deter them and showed up eager to learn some very important trailer maintenance and safety tips.

EVENT CANCELLATION POLICY

Since most of NEECA's events take place outside, we are at the mercy of the weather. This weekend is a good example. The weather is "iffy" at best, and there's just no way of knowing what the day is going to do until you wake up that morning and stick your head outside, and THEN go check the forecast. Let's face it, even the weather forecasters have gotten it wrong on a number of occasions.

So the way we handle notification regarding event's status is to post on FB the morning of each event if it has been cancelled/rescheduled due to weather. Sometimes we will send emails directly to each participant if we have their names and contact info listed for event. But if pre-registration is not required, then we probably don't have email addresses.

So please be sure to check out our FB the morning of any event you plan to attend before leaving for the park.

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