WINTER 2016; VOLUME 8, ISSUE 4
Alberta Bits is the Alberta Equestrian Federation’s official member magazine. It serves the equestrian community of horses and riders of all ages, interests and involvement as Alberta’s premier resource for education, information and support. T H E A L B E RTA E Q U E S T R I A N F E D E R AT I O N H A S B E E N I N C O R P O R AT E D S I N C E 1 9 7 8 Alberta Bits magazine is mailed four times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter) to all current AEF members and is made available at the office and special events attended by the AEF. Alberta Bits is distributed throughout Alberta with news and events on behalf of recreational, sport, breeds & industry and educational sectors of the Alberta horse industry. Alberta Bits is distributed to approximately 18,000 members; 9,000 households and businesses, an exclusive list of tack and equine establishments and at events and trade shows annually.
AEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT PRESI DENT ELECT PAST PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL INDIVIDUAL
Les Oakes 403.540.9859 lesoakes@gmail.com Dena Squarebriggs 403.760.0512 dmsquare04@hotmail.com Tara Gamble 780.945.7516 tcgamble@xplornet.ca Lauren Parker 403.813.1055 lmparker@shaw.ca Barb Easthom 403.801.4111 easthombarb@gmail.com Trish Mrakawa 403.938.6398 trish@willowgrovestables.com Nicolas Brown 780.454.5001 bruchev@gmail.com Lewis Hand 403.722.4690 lewhand@live.ca Alison Douglas 403.762.8570 thealicat@shaw.ca Jessi Chrapko 403.627.5696 jdc@platinum.ca Robert Simpson 306.641.5579 rmsimps1@ualberta.ca Darcee Gundlock 403.308.7500 darceejean@gmail.com Christine Axani 403.816.8979 chrisaxani@gmail.com Sandy Bell 403.700.7880 chinookcomm@gmail.com
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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AEF BITS & PIECES The Social Bit.
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L I V E O U T S I D E T H E B OX W I N N E R S The winners of the program that awards time away from television and computer screens, and more time with horses!
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C L U B P RO F I L E There’s an overwhelming need in today’s society for the Bear Valley Rescue located in Sundre, AB.
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O U T S TA N D I N G VO L U N T E E R Kelsey Lappin found her voice and her path through equestrian volunteerism.
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W I L D RO S E S H O W S P O T L I G H T Profile on the Fall Candy Classic BRAVE horse show.
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HELMETS DEMYSTIFIED The truths and myths about wearing a helmet for riding.
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B R E E D P RO F I L E The many talents and characteristics of the impressive Hanoverian.
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HORSEKEEPING Identifying barn air quality inhibitors is especially important during the winter months.
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TRAINER'S CORNER Pat Ross explains how to use feel and effective hand communication to guide your horse.
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ASK THE INSURANCE GUY Mike King offers a “cheat sheet” to help AEF members understand their automatic coverage.
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CLUB & BUSINESS LISTINGS
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CLOSING THOUGHTS The AEF is pleased to present two new Honorary Lifetime Memberships to Trish Mrakawa and Lorraine Hill.
AEF STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Sonia Dantu execdir@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 5 MEMBERSHIP
Norma Cnudde membership@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 1 MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Ashley Miller marketing@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 6
COACHING
Erin Lundteigen coaching@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 3 COMPETITIONS
Sophie Beswick competitions@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 2 FINANCE, GENERAL INQUIRIES
Rita Bernard info@albertaequestrian.com 403.253.4411 ext 7
O F F I C E H O U R S : 8 : 3 0 T O 4 : 3 0 , M O N D A Y T O F R I D A Y, E X C E P T H O L I D A Y S A L B E R TA B I T S I S P U B L I S H E D B Y W E S T E R N H O R S E R E V I E W I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H T H E A E F
FOR EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES CONTACT: ALBERTABITS@ALBERTAEQUESTRIAN.COM T H E O F F I C E W I L L B E C L O S E D D E C E M B E R 2 6 A N D R E O P E N O N JA N UA RY 3
Jennifer Webster Natalie Jackman Ashley Miller, Sonia Dantu
MANAGING EDITOR ART DIRECTOR PUBLICATION COMMITTEE
CONTRIBUTORS
Equitop Farm, Emmie Cor Photography, Foto Garbani, Suzanne Hale, Alexandra Morris, Riqueza Riding Academy, Cheryl Smythe, and Carmen Walker. ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Sally Bishop 403.815.1289 sallysuebishop@gmail.com 2017 ADVERTISING DEADLINES
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or marketing@albertaequestrian.com. All material is copyright 2016. Ideas and opinions expressed in articles do not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of the AEF. Alberta Bits reserves the right to accept, and/or edit material submitted for publication. The AEF makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein, but assumes no liability in cases of error or changing conditions. Any business relations or other activities undertaken as a result of the information contained in Alberta Bits, or arising therefrom, is the responsibility of the parties involved and not of the AEF. We welcome signed letters to the editor, but reserve the right to publish, edit for grammar, taste and length. For reprint information, please contact execdir@albertaequestrian.com
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THE AEF GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM ALBERTA SPORT CONNECTION
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A L B E RT A B I T S | W I N T E R 2 0 1 6
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Winter wonderland. Photo by Chad Rowbotham Photography