What’s New?

Biomechanics: Balance, Seat and Posture
MCTA FREE Evening Lecture with Colleen Kelly

July 3, 6:30 pm at An Otherwise Perfect Farm. Click here for more information >>

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Barn destroyed by fire at Windchase Farm

As many of you now know Phyllis Dawson suffered a devastating fire at her Virginia based Windchase Farm on Tuesday, June 10. After being struck by lightening the barn ultimately burned to the ground. The fire occurred in the afternoon and thanks to quick thinking and lots of available and willing hands all animals and humans escaped without injury. However the barn and all of the contents are a total loss. Although Phyllis has insurance for the barn, replacing the tack, equipment and supplies accumulated throughout a lifetime of work will not begin to be covered. Go to www.teamwindchase.com to see photos and read about the fire in Phyllis’ words. Also there you will find information about what you can do to help get Team Windchase back in the saddle.

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Shawan Downs Photo Gallery    Award Winners

Click on the photo to see more great pics from the MCTA HT at Shawan Downs. Photos by Leslie Bertram.

Thank You to our Shawan Downs Volunteers!
We Couldn't Have Done it Without You!

     Photos by Leslie Bertram

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Horse Paintings Exhibit at Maryland Historical Society

'The Voss Family, Artists of American Sporting Life'
April 11-July 27
Presented by Brown Advisory

Organized by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. More than 70 horse-related oil and watercolor paintings, pastels and prints featuring polo, steeplechasing, foxhunting, and more. Four members of the Voss family were artists, the best known Franklin B. Voss having painted racing's classic superstars Man O' War, Seabiscuit, War Admiral and Whirlaway, to name a few.
Open Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm. Adm: $4 adults, $3 seniors/students, under 13 FREE. Visit www.mdhs.org or call 410-685-3750 for more information.
 
[VOSS RELEASE]

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The 2008 MCTA Handbook has been updated and is now online -- it includes info on the new Shawan Downs trophies, as well as the new point system, the Triumph Award, the new Starter Trophies and the two new Fulton year-end trophies.

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Darren Chiacchia

Friends and family of Darren Chiacchia have established an assistance fund to aid with medical bills as Darren recovers from a serious injury suffered in a fall at Red Hills HT in Tallahassee on March 15.

Darren is the ultimate 4-star competitor. He has represented the USA at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, 2004 Olympics, 2007 PanAm Games (team gold medal), and is the 2003 PanAm Games Individual Gold Medal Champion with the black stallion Windfall II. Darren is a volunteer member of the USEA board of governors and heads several committees. Visit his website www.eventrider.com for updates and to learn more about fund raising efforts. An emergency designated fund in Darren's name has been established at www.EquestrianAidFoundation.org.

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Sidelines Magazine features MCTA member 'Super Horseperson'
Brenda Herzog

If you don't already know her, the title 'super horseperson' hardly describes MCTA member Brenda Herzog.
Farm owner, manager, horse trainer, riding instructor, coordinator for HorseWorld Expo, co-organizer of MCTA Horse Trials at Shawan Downs, multiple clinic organizer, mom to Maggie and Heidi, wife to Mike, board member of MCTA, and so many more hats (or helmets) to wear than one can count only begin to reveal Brenda's depth of involvement with horses.
 
If you want to read more about Brenda's story (she's featured in a 2-page spread in the March 2008 issue of Sidelines Magazine). See [2003pages114thru115.pdf] for complete article, permission of Sidelines Magazine.

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Sidelines Magazine is offering a 1-year subscription for $10 (regularly $24.95). Sidelines is a national magazine based in Wellington, FL, that covers many aspects of equine sport. It began as a polo magazine, but has expanded to include showjumping, dressage, eventing, and all of the trimmings. Sidelines features some of the country's most prominent horses and riders, and even gives kids a chance to strut their stuff. Don't miss their May Rolex eventing issue. To subscribe: [startingboxad.pdf]

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WANTED: PONY KIDS Do you want to be featured in a national magazine?   Tell your story (with parent's permission), fill out the Sidelines Magazine Pony Kids questionnaire, and send it in. Maybe we will see you and your equine friend(s) featured in upcoming issues!

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Valerie Vizcarrondo makes headlines

Maryland eventer Valerie Vizcarrondo managed to garner local publicity as she prepared to head south for the winter competition season. Visit Valarie's website and see the Annapolis Capital Gazette article at www.blueclovereventing.com.

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Kim Meier awarded USEA Ironman Trophy

During its annual conference in Colorado Springs in December 2007, Kim Meier was presented the Ironmaster Trophy by the USEA. Kim and her daughter Kelly flew to Colorado Springs to accept the award. Check out the USEA website for the presentation introduction. [permission USEA]

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Jamie Furtado named National Amateur Champion

The New USEF National Eventing Championships took place at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington October 17-21. Five CCI* titles were awarded at the Mid-South Three-Day Event, and one of them went to an MCTA member! Jamie Furtado and Come Out and Play were named National Amateur Champion. Jamie and her bay quarter horse mare completed the CCI* in second place. Congratulations, Jamie!

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Local Filly 'Sashay's to National Championship

Congratulations to Hans Gerling and Janene Gerling-Dunsmore whose Hanoverian/DWB filly Sashay won the Two-Year-Old Fillies division of the Inaugural USEA Future Event Horse Championships at Morven Park in Leesburg, VA in October.

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MCTA Members Experience the AEC

Young Rider Savannah Fulton and FMF Gracefully Dun completed the American Eventing Championships at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois in Sept 2007. Savannah competed against 75 riders, many of whom were adults, to finish respectably in the Open Beginner Novice division.

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Equine Studies at University of Maryland

Prepare for a career in equine industry. Get tips on pasture care. Meet the faculty of the University of Maryland Equine Studies program. Check out the Equine Studies Update newsletter.

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Mark your calendars for the latest mcta events...

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE UNDERWAY - Don't miss out on special awards and trophies available ONLY TO MCTA MEMBERS! Contact Ami right away to update your information and renew your membership, or to JOIN US! Nominate a friend for membership; give an MCTA membership as a gift; our membership rates have not increased!  Download MCTA membership form or contact Ami at ahoward152@msn.com or phone 410-877-7690.

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Do you have news to share? Met a milestone? Have you had a horse holiday someplace different? Interesting or funny photos? Let us know, and you might even make it to the News page! Contact Leslie at 410-282-9313 or LJBertramart@hotmail.com for details.

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Correspondence to Kim Meier...can still be sent via CarePages or mail to Corsica Hills Center, PO Box 50, Centreville, MD 21617 or email the Carepage manager, Molly Sorge at sasorge@crosslink.net.
All future donations for Kim Meier should be directed to: Maryland Network for Injured Equestrians, Box 296, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084-0296. Do not write Kim's name directly on the check but include a note that states the money is for her. All donations are tax-deductible.

Ralph Hill Recovery Fund...Tax deductible contributions to Ralph can be made to the Equestrian Aid Foundation to assist with medical and rehabilitation expenses. Send checks to: Janise Gray, Equestrian Aid Foundation, 228 Phillips Terrace, Union, NJ 07083. *Please write "Ralph Hill" in the memo section of the check to ensure your donation directly helps Ralph. Please send mail for Ralph to: Ralph Hill, P.O. Box 974, Paris, Kentucky 40362.