July 20, 2011
Issue No. 21 |
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Upcoming Events:
REGISTER EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
Check out the coaching clinics and updates page for the most up to date list of coming events
You can now add your show to the AEF Show Calendar by contacting Allison Blackmore at : competitions@albertaequestrian.com
Stables and Clinicians are Invited to Partner with the AEF in Education
The AEF is exploring ways to bring educational clinics to local riders throughout Alberta. The AEF welcomes the opportunity to partner on an existing clinic or to support a new clinic. The AEF can help with developing ideas, registering participants, providing educational handouts, promoting the event and so on. As a business member, your event will be publicized to thousands of AEF members.
Please contact Wendy in the AEF Office if you are interested in a mutually beneficial partnership in support of education.
Help the AEF enhance the well-being of Alberta equines and their riders!
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About Us
The Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) is a member driven, nonprofit Provincial organization responsible for organizing, coordinating, sanctioning and administering equine sport and recreation in Alberta since 1978.
Membership is in excess of 12,000 individual members as well as over 100 member equine Provincial organizations and industry partners. The AEF is the only Equestrian Body recognized by Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation. As such, we are the only body to directly receive funding and to have a voice within the Alberta Government on behalf of all equestrians in Alberta.
Photo Credit: Rob Stratton
Vision
The Voice of Equine Alberta. The premier source for education, information and support for Alberta's entire equine community.
Mission
To assist in creating a positive environment for the enjoyment of equines through leadership and a proactive approach we promote, facilitate, and coordinate equestrian related activities in Alberta.
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Contact Us
Executive Director
Sonia Dantu
Marketing/Program Support
Wendy Kemble
Competitions
Allison Blackmore
Coaching
Jessica Paul
Memberships
Rita Bernard
Office Administration
Norma Cnudde
AEF President
Dixie Crowson
Suite 100
251 Midpark Blvd SE
Calgary, AB T2X 1S3
Phone: 403.253.4411
1.877.463.6233
Fax: 403.252.5260
www.albertaequestrian.com
Photo Credit: Brenda Hagen
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The AEF would like to welcome our newest addition to the
AEF Staff. We are very excited to have Norma Cnudde join our team as Office Assistant. Norma can be reached at info@albertaequestrian.com
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It's here!!
We have just launched our NEW Website , it is much more user friendly with new links and information. Take some time and explore through all the changes and updates.
Along with the new website we are proud to launch our new Trails Database. You can now visit our Website to find some local and distant places to take your favorite horse and have a great trail ride experience. This is a work in progress; please be patience with us as we perfect the system.
Do you have a favorite trail with or without camping/stalls? Maybe you have to pack into your favorite location? Tell the AEF about it and share with your fellow riders! Send some pictures and we can add them too! Email marketing@albertaequestrian.com ________________________________________________________ |
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Click here for Fall Special offer!
2011 Fall issue of Alberta Bits - Include your FLYER and your LOGO with the AEF's largest annual mailout
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Albertans should take precautions against Lyme disease as ticks carrying the disease have been identified in the province.
So far this year, 5 ticks have tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The ticks were found on 4 dogs and a cat. These pets live in the Calgary and Edmonton areas and the ticks were submitted by veterinarians to Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) for testing. A bite by an infected tick can cause illness in people, wildlife and domestic animals if the tick remains attached for longer than 24 hours.
There have been no reported human cases of Lyme disease in Alberta this year and none since 2008. "Lyme disease can be a serious condition if it's not detected early and is left untreated," said Dr. Andre Corriveau, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "Your best defence against Lyme disease is prevention. Everyone should use insect repellent and cover up when walking in tall grass, woods or brush to avoid being bitten by ticks."
Borrielia burgdorferi was detected in 13 ticks that were submitted for testing from around the province in 2010. ARD tick surveillance has identified over 25 ticks that carried the Lyme disease bacteria since 2007.
There were 20 cases of human Lyme disease reported in Alberta from 1989 to 2008. Public health officials have not been able to confirm that any of the infections were acquired in Alberta. The majority of cases have been linked to travel in the U.S. or Europe.
"Ticks that carry Lyme disease are rarely found in Alberta, however, Agriculture and Rural Development is continuing to monitor the situation and is trying to determine whether or not the ticks that carry Lyme disease are established in the province," says Dr. Gerald Hauer, Chief Provincial Veterinarian. "It is important for pet owners to inspect their animals for ticks, especially after they've visited areas where ticks are, such as grassy fields and wooded areas."
Ticks that carry Lyme disease normally attach and feed in the summer months from May to August, and may even attach up until the late fall. In humans, the disease is recognized as a circular, red rash starting at the tick bite three to 30 days after the bite occurs. The rash may be accompanied by fever, chills, headache, fatigue and swollen lymph glands. In some cases, Lyme disease results in neurological and muscular problems weeks or months after the original infection. More serious cases can lead to recurrent meningitis, heart problems and arthritis.
If you find a tick on your pet, contact your local veterinarian so the tick can be identified and collected for testing. The veterinarian can provide advice on how to remove it and prescribe treatment for the pet if it is necessary.
For more information on Lyme disease, visit myhealth.alberta.ca: (https://myhealth.alberta.ca); or view the Alberta Top Doc video at (http://topdoc.alberta.ca).
Anyone who suspects they have Lyme disease should contact HealthLink Alberta - in the Calgary-area at 403.943.LINK (5465); in the Edmonton-area at 780.408.LINK (5465) or, outside the local calling area, toll-free at 1.866.408.LINK (5465).
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Looking for a fun, exciting volunteer opportunity?
Volunteer for the AEF Casino on New Year's Eve!
The AEF has received Casino dates for 2011; the AEF Casino will be held at the Elbow River Casino on Friday and Saturday, December 30 and 31, 2011. You are invited to volunteer and we hope you will, we need our volunteers!
If you are interested in volunteering, here's what you need to know:
- All volunteers must be over the age of 18 and not have a criminal record
- There are many past experienced volunteers and casino staff available to ensure you are comfortable and enjoy this experience
- Dining and concession is available for volunteers and costs are covered; if volunteers require special food, let us know and we notify the casino ahead of time
- AEF Key Casino positions have been filled (GM, Banker, etc)
- Volunteers are needed for the positions of Cashier, Chip runner, Count room. Please see attached volunteer form.
- Additional volunteers in the Calgary area are needed that are willing to be on call in the event someone is unable to attend at the last minute.
- Please complete, sign and date an AEF Casino volunteer worker application; send to our office via fax or email.
- Be sure to indicate which position you are interested in working and times (shifts are from either 10:30 am - 7:30 pm or 6:00 pm - close), count room is 10 pm until closing.
- If you would like to volunteer for both days, please indicate this on your application and note that any volunteer working both days, must work the same position, e.g. you cannot work as a cashier one day and chip runner the next
- The AEF will pay for hotel and meals (volunteers will need to make their own accommodation arrangements). Days Inn on MacLeod Trail 3828 MacLeod Trail South 403-243-5531. When you make your booking, please ask them to mention you will be volunteering at Elbow River Casino for two days and there should be a discount. If you choose not to book with Days Inn, there are multiple hotels along MacLeod Trail as well as downtown Calgary. Elbow River Casino address is 218 18 Avenue SE Calgary, if anyone would like to Google the address and see what other options are available to them.
- We will confirm your participation at the AEF Casino and provide you with a schedule, expense form and other details you will need prior to the Casino. We will confirm as soon as possible.
The AEF uses Casino funding to help support and deliver programs to members, we hope you will consider volunteering to help.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Sonia Dantu at execdir@albertaequestrian.com.
We ask that you please forward this message to your members and encourage them to volunteer as well. Friends are also welcome to come and volunteer with you to spend the New Year together!
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What's the buzz on biosecurity?
Sessions will focus on biosecurity principles, risk assessments and best practices to help participants develop equine biosecurity programs for unique herd/facility situations.
Use this link for details and to register for AEF's Plan, Prevent, Protect workshops http://www.albertaequestrian.com/Biosecurity
Alberta Equestrian Federation is leading the way to provide education and support for horse owners, facility operators and the equine industry by offering FREE interactive workshops to help participants develop a biosecurity program.
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Take the Equine Code of Practice Survey
The welfare of farmed animals is receiving increased attention and changes are happening. In Canada, we have an opportunity to demonstrate that sound animal care standards are in place.
The National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) is conducting a survey to gain stakeholder insights on the Codes of Practice and views on the care and handling of equine. Your participation is important. To complete this 10 minute survey, go to www.nfacc.ca/codes-of-practice/equine and click on survey.
Codes of Practice renewal project
NFACC is engaging in a multi-year project to renew the Codes of Practice for several farm animal species, including equine. Each species has a lead organization responsible for facilitating their individual Code's development. For equine, it is Equine Canada.
A key factor for successfully renewing the Codes of Practice is achieving buy-in, particularly from industry as they are expected to follow the Code. This is done through
- having industry initiate the development of their Code,
- ensuring that Code Development Committee members bring a broad range of expertise and industry knowledge, and
- providing opportunities for all stakeholders to provide input.
We want your input
This confidential survey is one tool that will help ensure we get full participation from all stakeholders. You are an important part of this process and your input is critical to updating the Equine Code of Practice. Your privacy will be protected. You will have the option to receive updates on the equine code development process, if you wish.
More information on the Code development process and progress on the various Codes under development are available from NFACC's website www.nfacc.ca.
* Funding for the Codes of Practice is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Agricultural Flexibility Fund (Addressing Domestic and International Market Expectations Relative to Farm Animal Welfare).
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 How can I reward myself and support the growth of equestrian sport in Alberta?
Every time you use your BMO® Alberta Equestrian Federation MasterCard®* to make a purchase, a payment is made to the Alberta Equestrian Federation, supporting equestrian sport recreation and industry in Alberta from BMO Bank of Montreal at no additional cost to you.
Apply for the BMO Alberta Equestrian Federation Gold AIR MILES® MasterCard you'll earn 1000 Bonus AIR MILES reward miles on your first card purchase! That's enough for a return short-haul flight almost anywhere in North America. You'll also earn 1 reward mile for every $15 in card purchases and receive an exclusive discount of 25% fewer reward miles when you redeem for any AIR MILES flight worldwide, with no blackout periods, all for an annual fee of $99.
Or, choose the No Fee BMO Alberta Equestrian Federation AIR MILES MasterCard and you'll earn 400 Bonus reward miles on your first card purchase! In fact with 400 Bonus reward miles you already have enough for movie tickets, a gift card or the latest merchandise . You'll also earn 1 reward mile for every $20 in card purchases, all for no annual fee.
Apply by August 31, 2011 for the BMO Alberta Equestrian Federation Gold AIR MILES MasterCard or the no fee BMO Alberta Equestrian Federation MasterCardand take advantage of this special limited time offer.
™/ Trade-marks/registered trade-marks of Bank of Montreal.
™*/®* Trade-marks/registered trade-marks of MasterCard International Incorporated.
™/® Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by
LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Bank of Montreal.
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