United States Eventing Association

The Area I Annual Meeting takes place Sunday, January 13, 2013 from noon-4:00 at the Springfield Marriott in Springfield, Massachusetts. This fun filled day kicks off with an Organizers meeting in the morning to work on the 2014 calendar and to discuss issues important to Organizers. From there we move on a presentation from Fitch’s Corner, the host of our 2011-2013 Championships, and then the highlight of the year, our Awards Banquet where our year-end awards will be presented to honor our members. We will also be presenting awards for the Vermont Event Challenge, PROCHAPS Trainers awards, and announcing our scholarship winners.

There will be a short business meeting with updates from the Treasurer and our Adult and Young Rider Coordinators before we continue with the day with a fascinating talk on The Importance of Conformation to Soundness and Longevity in Eventing by our Guest speaker Steve Kraus, Head of Farrier Services at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Steve Kraus is an American Farriers Assn. Certified Journeyman Farrier with over 40 years of experience shoeing many breeds and types of performance horses. His personal practice has included eventing and dressage horses as well as race horses, polo horses, endurance racers, hunter/jumpers, and draft horses. For the past two years he has been Head of Farrier Services at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, where he is the instructor for the Farrier School and a Lecturer in the Dept. of Clinical Sciences. For most of his career, Steve has been the farrier consultant for Mustad Hoofcare, the world’s largest manufacturer and marketer of horse nails, horseshoes, farrier tools, and hoof care products. He is also a Board Member of the American Farriers Assn. representing Region #5 which includes the North Eastern U.S.

Steve’s presentation is a systematic approach to understanding equine limb and hoof conformation and the farrier’s role in managing conformation defects. He will present specific examples of conformational defects with their consequences and management. Understanding conformation is the only way to select and manage horses for any performance work. Most horses have issues that need to be managed before they become problems. Athletic ability and future soundness can be accurately predicted when conformation is understood. This presentation has been given all over the country to horse owners, farriers, and is now part of the Equine Specialty Curriculum for veterinary students at Cornell.

From 10:00 a.m. until noon, there will be a Silent Auction which will be accepting call-in bids to raise money for our Area; items include lessons with our top trainers and entries to Area I Horse Trials. A list of specific items will be avaialble on the Area I website prior to the start of the auction. Email George Cheney for details on how to participate in the auction at maineuropa@yahoo.com. Contact information from bidders will not be shared.

There will be displays from Salisbury Bank and Trust, the sponsors of the “Sportsmanship Award," Joan Davis/Flatlands Photo and the “Career2” program. Salisbury Bank and Trust has donated a $200 Bit of Britain gift certificate for a free drawing for those attending the meeting on Sunday. It is not part of the auction, all you have to do is attend the meeting and enter your name.

Meeting admission fee: $20 pre-registration, $25 at the door

Registration form can be found at http://www.area1usea.org/2013-AREA-I-MTG.pdf