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September Happenings
September means the start of the fall indoor show season for hunters and jumpers, the World Show for Quarter Horses and the fall Thoroughbred sales in Kentucky. If you're a foxhunter, you are enjoying these crisp mornings.
In this issue of the EMO newsletter, we're taking a look at West Nile Virus, which is at an all-time high throughout the country. Our contributing veterinarian, Amy Norvall of Virginia Equine Imaging, wrote this month's feature article on the mosquito-borne disease that infects both humans and horses.
She addresses the causes of West Nile Virus and provides valuable information you can use to take precautions for your horse. We've also incorporated her prevention recommendations into our Tip of the Month feature.
This month has been busy for EMO staff members. Our own Mike Moran was in Saugerties, New York announcing the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix as well as the Columbia Grand Prix in Maryland. Our sponsorships include the Middleburg Classic Horse Show in Leesburg, Virginia, as well as The Capital Challenge Horse Show in Maryland.
In addition, our Quarter Horse agent on the West Coast, Chris Hocutt, recently won the Adequan Select World Championship in Horsemanship during the competition held in San Antonio, Texas. We are so proud of her accomplishments!
Here at EMO, our goal is to provide you with dependable service along with quality products. Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about your insurance!
EMO...Ride with the leaders!
E. Sue Bopp
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The incidence of West Nile Virus in the United States as of September 18, 2012. States with the most cases include: Texas (41), Louisiana (28), Pennsylvania (27) and California (26). Map courtesy of the USGS. |
 The Spread of West Nile Virus |
By Amy Norvall, DVM
In the past week, officials confirmed the 11th case of equine West Nile Virus (WNV) in Kentucky this year. Of these 11 cases, six horses are currently alive as of September 20 and five have had to be euthanized.
The significance of this number is that WNV is becoming more prevalent in the United States, and infection is now occurring later in the year.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that although only one horse contracted WNV in Virginia in 2011 and 2012, respectively, both horses had to be euthanized due to the extent of their clinical signs.
This year, West Nile Virus cases have been documented throughout the country, with Texas, California, Louisiana and Pennsylvania reporting the most equine infections. (The pink areas on the USGS map, above, reflect the counties with infected horses in 2012.)
So, what exactly is WNV and how do you keep your horse safe in the face of an insurgence of the disease?
To continue reading about West Nile Virus and its clinical signs and treatment, click here.
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EMO: Meet Agent Meghan Warman
Meghan began working at The EMO Agency in the Summer of 2008 as an intern while she was still attending college.
"Then, in 2010, after I graduated from Lake Erie College (Ohio) I was contacted by EMO with a job offer," she said. "I started work in August of 2010 as a Customer Service
Representative. Then in July of 2011, I tested and passed the Property and Casualty Insurance Agent exam and became an agent for the Mortality and Medical Department."
Meghan comes by her EMO career naturally, as she's been riding for 15 years, primarily showing in eventing and hunter/jumper competitions. While at Lake Erie College, Meghan was a member of the IHSA Hunter Seat Team for four years, as well as the Eventing ICTA Team for four years. "I own two horses named Joey and Cowboy, with whom I occasionally horse show on the local Virginia horse show circuit," she added.
Meghan, a native of Warrenton, Virginia, graduated from Lake Erie with a triple major in Business Administration, Equine Facility Management and Equine Entrepreneurship.
When not out riding her horses, Meghan enjoys shopping, catching
up with her favorite TV shows and playing with her cat and two dogs.
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 | | Preventing mosquito bites is an important way to reduce the likelihood your horse will contract West Nile Virus. |
EMO: Tip of the Month
Keeping West Nile Virus At Bay As autumn approaches, you might think that West Nile Virus has been left behind with the final rays of the summer sun. Unfortunately, the incidence of WNV and other mosquito-borne illnesses are on the rise. The United States Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported 87 cases of equine WNV cases in the United States in 2011. As of Sept. 18, APHIS has reported 229 cases of WNV, and the season is far from over in many parts of the country. Vaccination serves to minimize the risk of infection but cannot prevent disease in all circumstances; good management practices aimed at infection control also need to be implemented. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) recommends controlling the population of mosquitoes on your property by eliminating breeding sites. Methods to do this include: - Emptying water containers (troughs, buckets) twice a week
- Not allowing water to gather in places such as old tires, tarps, plant saucers or clogged roof gutter
- Improving drainage for low-lying areas that catch and hold water after it rains
- Reducing the number of birds in and around the stable area
- Spraying premises with sprays labeled for use in infested areas
- Applying repellents labeled for equine use on your horse according to the label directions
You can also ask the Mosquito Control District to survey your property and make recommendations for mosquito control. APHIS provides an excellent website for researching West Nile Virus throughout the country, offering educational articles as well as maps and equine monitoring and surveillance. For more information please visit: www.aphis.usda.gov and click on "Animal Health." |
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EMO Congratulates
Laura Owens 
My name is Laura Owens, and I won The EMO Cup Finals in California. I'm leasing the horse I won it on, L. Alta Vida ("Pokey"), from Anders Keitz of Boca Raton, Florida.
I've been lucky enough to have Pokey since March, and our win in the EMO Finals is our biggest to date. On the first day, the first round counted 50 percent toward the overall score. There were two parts to that first round, a flat phase and an over fences phase. We won the flat phase with an 89, then got scores of 85 and 88 over fences.
On the second day, there was a second over fences round to count 50 percent. We won that with an 87, bringing our average to an 87.38. The top five were then brought into the ring for a work-off, and as nervous as I was, Pokey helped me hold it together for that final part.
I am so grateful to The EMO Agency for sponsoring this medal. It has been my favorite class to compete in all year because I just love the flat phase.
Pictured in the photo are: me and Pokey, Mike Moran, Hope Glynn, Heather Roades, Gregorio ("Leo") Lopez, Ashley Herman and Sally Hudson. Photo credit goes to Deb Dawson.
Thanks again to The EMO Agency!
--Laura Owens
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September Featured Client 
Congratulations to our equine client Foothills Maybee for her Open Performance Championship (hunter hack and over fences) at the Region III Connemara Annual Show in Virginia.
Owner Dr. Elaine Meilahn sent us this photograph of "Bea" in her
championship cooler. The gray mare was also High-Point Dressage Horse, second in the Novice Combined Test and took second in the mares 8 years and older Conformation class. Now that's versatility!
Do you have an EMO-insured pony or horse who's made you proud? Let us know of your accomplishments and we'll post them on our Facebook page and consider featuring you and your equine in our monthly newsletter!
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EMO's E. Sue Bopp and Chawton.
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President
Vice President EMO WEST: Vice President OFFICE AGENTS:
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The EMO Agency, Inc. 400 Rosedale Court Warrenton, VA 20186 (800) 347-3552
(540) 347-3552
FAX: (540) 347-5906
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Hunting For Insurance?
Did you know you can request a quote for up to five horses with one easy step?
Just access The EMO Agency website and fill out our easy-to-use form to obtain a quote on mortality, loss of use, major medical and surgical coverage.
Are you paying more than you should for insurance?
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EMO
Out 'N About 
Snowden Clarke and Jocelyn Martin at the Warrenton Horse Show.
Join EMO Staff and Agents at these upcoming events:
- Howard Community College Grand Prix, September 22, in Columbia, Maryland (Mike Moran)
- Southeast Medal Finals, September 21-23 in Jacksonville, Florida (Jonathan Rabon)
- Capital Challenge Horse Show, September 29-October 7 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (Sue Bopp & Jonathan Rabon)
- American Royal Hunter/Jumper, October 12-20 in Kansas City, Missouri (Mike Moran)
- Alltech National Horse Show, October 30-November 4 in Lexington, Kentucky (Martha Hall)
- AQHA World Championships, November 2-17 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Chris Hocutt)
- Atlanta Fall Classic, November 7-18 in Conyers, Georgia (Jonathan Rabon)
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EMO
World Champs!
Congratulations to EMO's Chris Hocutt and Bellieve Hes Blazing. The pair won the Adequan Select World Championship in Horsemanship during the competition held in San Antonio, Texas.
Chris also placed third in the All-Around Championship, sixth in Western Riding, eighth in Hunt Seat Equitation and was a Finalist in Showmanship.
Way to go!
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Thinking Green? Don't forget you can pay for your insurance online with echeck! |
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