2003 Connecticut Horse Symposium: A Time for Horse Enthusiasts to Learn and Unite
2003 Connecticut Horse Symposium: A Time for Horse Enthusiasts to Learn and Unite |
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 There was a draft horse shuttle, driven by Doug Smith, that shuttled people between the Ratcliffe Hicks Arena and the Horsebarn Hill Arena in the afternoon.  Peter von Halem driving a team of Belgians for the Eastern Connecticut Draft Horse Association Versatility Demonstration.  Peter Saglio of Winter Hill Farm driving a six-horse hitch of Percherons for the Eastern Connecticut Draft Horse Association Versatility Demonstration.  Group of Percherons, note Johnathan, the UConn mascot, in Al Cyr's carriage.  The grand finale line up by the Eastern Connecticut Draft Horse Association |
It was a fun and exciting two days of events for attendees of the 2003 Connecticut Horse Symposium. The theme was "Horsemen Unite!" It was held on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16 at the University of Connecticut's Ratcliffe Hicks Arena and Horsebarn Hill Arena, with an attendance of 400-500 people. Johnathan, the UConn Husky mascot, was also in attendance. The event was sponsored by the Department of Animal Science and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Connecticut as well as the Connecticut Horse Council. It featured a vendor fair, silent auction, Blimpie's food, art show, draft horse shuttle and speakers and demonstrations. There were about 30 vendors present including feed companies, alternative therapies, a mustang and burro petting zoo, horse rescue, therapeutic riding and horse clubs and organizations. The silent auction included many items ranging from water tubs to halters to horse clothing and much more. Silent auction donors included Babcock Hill Equestrian Center, Carol Birdsey, Cloud Nine Equine, Tracy Davis-Harmon, Sugarfoot Farm, Jamison Wallace, Breyer, Kerry Comisky, Dr. Stewart Beckett, Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, Leslie Hudson Tolles, Equine Journal and more. The art show had 33 participants, featured a poster and photo contest and included all age groups. This year's art show theme was "Protect Your Head, Wear A Helmet!" The art show was sponsored by the Connecticut Helmet Safety Program, the Northwest Draft Horse Association and the John Bennett Stable. All art show participants received a ribbon and prizes included a helmet cover, a one day pass to the 2004 symposium, or a free UConn ice cream cone. The draft horse shuttle took people between the two arenas. Coffee breaks were sponsored by Annaray Farm Morgan Horses, Branford Veterinary Hospital, Connecticut Valley Fence, LaSalle Harness, Stonefield Equine Clinic, and horse show judge Karen von Bachelle. The speaker sponsor was Blue Seal Feeds, Inc. There were excellent speakers on both days on informative topics. Dr. Stewart Beckett spoke about alternative therapies and when to use them, Dr. Sandra Bushmich gave an update on West Nile Virus in horses, and Amy Stegall told how to positively promote equine interest to affect government policy. In the speaker demonstration area on Saturday, Dr. Peter Jones spoke about using chiropractic techniques to enhance equine health and performance, and Margie Amster Herr, T.P.M. spoke about equine myotherapy. On Sunday, more excellent speakers were present. Dr. Michael Reilly talked about first aid for your horse, Dr. Rose Nolen-Walston gave an update on nutrition and parasites, Dr. Jenifer Nadeau discussed horse health and disease and Kristyn Sturken spoke about equine nutrition and selecting the optimal feed. In the speaker demonstration area on Sunday, Dr. Peter Jones gave a talk on infrasound therapy, Doug Smith gave a talk on fitting your horse with collar and harness, Curtis Hanks of Smith Worthington explained about saddle fitting, and the Connecticut 4-H Horse Program put on an informative fashion show of equestrian clothing. Demonstrations were excellent and were very educational. On Saturday, the First Company Governor's Horse Guard really drew a crowd with their stirring color guard and musical ride. Taylor Chambers, UConn senior, sang a stirring rendition of the National Anthem. The NEA sidesaddle demonstration put on an excellent demonstration. The UConn Vaulting Team took up the St. Patrick's Day theme to put on an exciting display of their talents. Jami Wallace gave an informative talk on how to walk and ride a course for hunters and eventers. A demonstration on equine behavior, training a young horse to drive by UConn Horse Barn manager and showman extraordinaire John Bennett, and advice on adopting mustangs by Wild Horse Mentor Kim Dore rounded out the day. On Sunday, the Eastern Connecticut Draft Horse Association put on an excellent versatility demonstration. The Vaulters of Ice Pond put on an exciting display of gymnastics on horseback. The Northeast Connecticut Parelli Natural Horse-man-ship Study Group gave an impressive display of their horse training talent, filling the ring with horses doing the limbo, allowing plastic bags and other scary objects to be around them, and even obeying their owners at liberty. The Horse Farm of Environmental Distinction awards for being good stewards of the land and properly managing manure and pastures were given out by the Connecticut Horse Environmental Awareness Program. An informative demonstration on therapeutic riding by volunteers from High Hopes was also held that day. The day ended with T.R. Potts speaking about what the judge is looking for in western pleasure and the Second Chance Ranch Horse Rescue shared their story of horses needing homes and those who had been successfully adopted. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Calendar Item - Next year's Horse Science Symposium is scheduled for March 27 & 28, 2004
If you would like to be on the mailing list for next year's symposium, are interested in
becoming a sponsor, vendor, speaker or give a demonstration, please call, fax or email: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
