NEECA News March, 2024

The

NEECA News

MARCH, 2024

We're getting excited! Looks like Spring is on the way and NEECA's jam-packed schedule of events will be in full swing shortly. To learn first hand about all the great stuff we have planned this year, make sure to attend the March General Meeting on the 20th. Fun way to meet other NEECA members, learn a little more about what NEECA is up to, and maybe win a Door Prize? To preview all of NEECA's upcoming events for the year, please go to https://www.neeca.org/calendar.

There are a number of events planned for April, please see below for more details. Keep in mind that the weather can be iffy in April so be sure to check for updates on NEECA's website and/or FB page prior to attending these events. If the weather, or footing, is not looking good, events may be cancelled or rescheduled. Keeping fingers crossed for an early Spring!!

The first of Heron's Crest Stables Schooling Jumper Show is scheduled for April 21st in the NEECA Main Arena. More details on this relaxed, fun, supportive show will be coming soon but we hope you will save the date!

The NEECA Drivers will be kicking off a VERY busy year with their first driving day scheduled for Monday, April 22nd, in the Althea Bramhall Driving Arena back by the Confidence Course.

MORE INFO

Feeling Lucky? If you are, join us on April 27th for the annual NEECA Poker Ride. Amble around the well marked NEECA trail system looking for that winning hand! Great fun for the entire family. And don't forget about the great prizes!

MORE INFO

Work Day Scheduled for April 13th

Rain Date of April 20th

"MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT THE WORK"

Nearly all of the things you see, and can do, at NEECA have been made possible by the work of volunteers. We are a non-profit organization that invests every penny back into NEECA's growth and improvement. So the more volunteers that show up to help out on our work days, the more we can get accomplished for the benefit of everyone.

Our April Work Day is targeted towards getting NEECA officially open for the season. Following is a list of tasks we are hoping to accomplish: freshen up entrance, power wash the arena fencing, open up the Confidence Course, paint the new well house behind the Food Booth, empty out the old storage trailer, check the trails for winter deadfall. And there is always more to do if we have the help to do it.

We start at 9 a.m. and usually wind up around Noon, just in time for a pizza party! We ended 2023 with over 250 NEECA members, if even 10% were to show up for the work day, we could get a LOT done! If you can't make the Work Day because you are attending another event that day, but would be willing to go up to NEECA at another time to volunteer a few hours painting, etc., please let us know. We've got plenty of work to go around! ;)

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE APRIL 13th WORKDAY, PLEASE EMAIL NEECA1958@GMAIL.COM AND PUT "WORK DAY" IN SUBJECT LINE. WE'D LOVE TO GET AN IDEA OF HOW MANY MEMBERS TO EXPECT. AND FEEL FREE TO BRING A FRIEND!

WE'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER, PLEASE MEET KENDRA UUSITALO!

Kendra was born, raised, and resides in North Central Massachusetts and has been working in the banking industry for over 25 years. She began taking riding lessons at the age of 8, and soon began competing at local horse shows in primarily the hunter/jumper disciplines. Throughout her riding career, she has leased many horses but did not get a horse of her own until January 2021 when she took a trip down to Virgina to look at a few young warmbloods for sale.

Kendra now has two black Westfalen warmbloods named Domino and Davignon (aka Davi), who will be turning 5 years and 2 years in 2024, respectively. She plans to ride Domino in some shows and clinics this season. Kendra loves anything dressage related and looks forward to competing up the levels each show season. If Domino and Davi match close enough in height when they are done growing, she hopes to make them a combined driving pair.

SAVETHE DATE!!

THE NEECA DRIVERS HAVE ADDED YET ANOTHER GREAT EVENT TO THEIR SCHEDULE THIS YEAR! CONTACT PAM AT PAMDEG2002@YAHOO.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Due to the mild winter we've been experiencing so far this year, we've already had members ask about riding at NEECA. You are welcome anytime, but please park in trailer parking driveway if ground is soft, and keep in mind that things won't be fully opened and inspected, until our April 13th Work Day.

What to know about riding at NEECA.....

The NEECA gates are usually closed in order to deter mischief, but they are NEVER LOCKED
Park is open from Dawn to Dusk every day
Members are welcome to ride at the park anytime
If you would like to use the Main Arena, cost is $5 per 90 minute session, and you need to contact 124cab@gmail.com to schedule a time
We ask that you sign a waiver before riding at the park. You can do so online: https://www.neeca.org/liability-release-form
Please close the gate when you leave, as long as there is no official event taking place that day
Clean up around your trailer before leaving. There is a dumpster on site for trash, and please pick up all manure left in parking areas

Sign Your Online Waiver Today!

If you plan to ride/drive at NEECA this year, or take part in any events up there, it would be a HUGE help if you could use link below to sign online waiver. Sign it once, and it's good for the entire year.

ONLINE WAIVER

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: Most NEECA memberships expired on 12/31/2023, unless you joined after October 1st of 2023. In order to receive your new 2024 membership card, and all the great perks that come along with it, please go to https://www.neeca.org/membership to renew today. And remember that all membership dues go towards the ongoing maintenance and expansion of NEECA!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

SUPPORT THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT NEECA WHENEVER YOU CAN!

THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT NEECA BY LISTING THEIR BUSINESS IN NEECA'S ONLINE BUSINESS DIRECTORY https://www.neeca.org/online-business-directory-listings or click on direct links below!

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B & D Mansfield -field and pasture mowing

Deja Vu - Women's Clothing Consignments

Excalibur Farm - hay

The Farm at Millstone Oaks - lessons

Hess McWilliams Veterinary Services

Mallet Roll Off Dumpster Service

Nikki's Nook - Horse Camping

Petersham Pump - Wells, Filter Systems

Triple Crown Tack Shop -NEW!

Ken Wildman - Farrier

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, 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)

Orange Tractor Supply (10% off all HORSE supplies)

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