NEECA News September, 2025

The

NEECA News

September, 2025

NEECA Gymkhana Series

Last Sunday we had a great day and awesome turnout for the NEECA Gymkhana. We appreciate all the participants and spectators who showed up to spend the day and have some fun with us. Next Gymkhana is happening Sunday, Sept. 14th. Patterns are available here.

We also wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the people who volunteer hours and hours of their time to make events like this happen.

Thank you to Tina Dixson for organizing the entire gymkhana series every year, and her husband Jim for being a one man ring crew. And to Paige Palen for helping out in the booth all day. A special shout out to our NEECA Nibblers Food Booth crew who show up at every gymkhana to help out. Linda LeBlanc does all the shopping and prep for the Food Booth, Caroline Mansfield is the "grillmaster" (and no one is more surprised about that than Caroline ), Margo Petracone works the windows, and Charlie Chase makes sure the food gets where it needs to be!!

NEECA is an all volunteer organization so everything that happens up there is because of the support and generosity of our volunteers. We're lucky to have some great people in NEECA!

NOW YOU SEE IT......NOW YOU DON'T!!

Our ongoing efforts to improve NEECA continue. Sometimes it's the little things that mean a lot. Many of you have probably ridden or driven by the old freight trailer at the bottom of the hill leading from the main arena to the Confidence Course/Driving Area. At the start of our efforts to develop NEECA, over 20 years ago now, this trailer was a Godsend. It provided a safe, weather proof location for us to store supplies and equipment, because there was literally NOTHING else up at NEECA. Just that trailer, a lot of trees, and some people with big ideas and dreams! But times change... and as NEECA began to grow and expand, the need for that trailer decreased to the point where it became more of an eyesore than a necessity.

Last year we had the trailer removed, and this year we removed all the remaining debris around and behind the trailer, then had that area leveled off and mowed. Wow....Wow...Wow... what a difference!

While our "major" improvement to NEECA for this year is yet to come (we're hoping it will be done in September), it's important to recognize all of the work that goes on up there throughout the season. Because it all contributes towards making NEECA the beautiful, and very special, facility that it has become.

Monday, Sept 8th is our last Driving Day of the season! This Driving Day will also include lunch for drivers that have participated in at least one driving day! We have had another great season and I want to thank Devin Burdick for her coaching!

Please contact me to sign up. Skills instruction, lunch, cones, and fun people- what more can you ask for?!!!

Visitors are always welcome- bring a chair and lunch.

pamdeg2002@yahoo.com

Registration NOW OPEN for this year's Hunter Pace! Go to https://www.neeca.org/hunter-pace-registration to sign up today!

We'd like to thank Stephanie Sanders, Community Horse publisher, for her generosity in providing us with the Community Horse Youth Award that NEECA will be able to present to a young person who exhibits good horsemanship and good sportsmanship in a NEECA event(s). A big part of NEECA's mission is to encourage and nurture future generations of horse lovers, and we're very pleased to be able to acknowledge a special one this year thanks to Stephanie.

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

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

NEECA Fall Social

Happening Saturday, Nov. 1st

Be sure to SAVE THE DATE!

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.

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) NEW

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."