August 25, 2011
Issue No. 23 |
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Upcoming Events:
Check out our Events Calendar for some great clinics and workshops. Here are a few examples of what you can find on the calendar. "How to buy the perfect horse", "Massage Therapy", "Photography Workshops" , "Riding Clinics" and "Jumping Clinics" . All these are offered by AEF Supporters.
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
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AEF Strategic Planning Update
Due to the gratifying response on our recent survey sent out to Members; the AEF board has opted to have a number of meetings through out the Province of Alberta to receive information that would be included in the process of redefining the Strategic Plan for the Alberta Equestrian Federation. Dates and locations coming soon.
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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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Membership Renewals coming soon!
Our Membership renewal issue of Alberta Bits is in production now! To ensure that this special issue reaches you please let us know if you have any contact information to update with us.
NEW OPTION!!
16 Month membership for NEW AEF members!!
Valid September 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012
Tell your family, friends and your club members about this great new offer. Call the office at 1-877-463-6233 or visit the website membership page.
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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 
Once again the AEF will be offering this great Dayplanner and Equine Health System. Keep track of all your important horse information from deworming/vaccination schedule, vet and farrier, expenses, show results and much more. Order your copy for only 25.00 (gst and shipping included) on your 2012 Membership form that will be coming to you early October!!
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Equine Biosecurity Workshops
Attend a workshop to learn how to develop a biosecurity plan unique to your horse situation. Attendees will include horse owners and custodians, stable owners, users, recreational riders, competitors, show officials, administrators, and facility operators. Presenters will include veterinarians with an equine interest.
There is no charge to attend the workshops. Registration closes 7 days prior to the scheduled workshop.
Click here to view the workshop schedule and register
The objective is to proactively reduce the spread of equine disease through prevention.
AEF Biosecurity Outreach: Plan, Protect and Prevent
Project Media Release - May 6, 2011
Funding for this project was made available through Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Together, the governments of Canada and Alberta are investing $273 million over five years (2009-2013) for flexible and innovative programs for Alberta's agriculture industry.
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West Bragg Creek All Season Trail Plan
Implementation Project Summary
The West Bragg Creek All Season Trail Plan (WBCASTP) was formally approved by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) and Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation (TPR) on September 14th, 2010. The WBCASTP was made possible as a result of a March 2009 Partnership Agreement between the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association (GBCTA) and TPR for the West Bragg Creek Trail System.
The WBCASTP was developed with the goals of improving the visitor experience with the development of a multi-use summer and winter trail system, while minimizing the environmental impact of recreational use. The Plan provides for the expansion and upgrading of the West Bragg Creek Trail System in Kananaskis Country to better meet the needs of all types of nonmotorized users while reducing impacts on the local watershed. The Plan includes 40 km of
new summer trails for hiking, biking and horse-back riding (also snow shoeing in winter), 8 km of new snowshoe trails, 17 km of new cross country ski trails, widening of an existing ski trail for skate skiing and other improvements. The West Bragg Creek area has seen dramatic growth in summer and winter use in recent years. However, the existing trails were originally developed for winter cross country ski use only.
The implementation of the Plan is being led by the Greater Bragg Creek Trails Association (GBCTA) in partnership with TPR, the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance (CMBA), Friends of Kananaskis Country and others. Implementation commenced in September 2010 using a collaborative approach and will proceed as financial and volunteer resources permit. The estimated cost to construct the 65 km of new trails in the WBCASTP is $ 600,000. The estimated number of volunteer hours to construct the new trails is 3,000.
The Snowshoe Hare Loop, a 5.4 km snowshoe trail, was completed in November 2010 and was extremely popular throughout the snowy winter of 2010 - 2011. Several new summer trails and a cross country ski trail also commenced clearing in September 2010. A total of 11 km of new trails were cleared by volunteers during the fall of 2010, before winter conditions halted construction.
The West Bragg Creek Land Users Agreement for the WBCASTP was collaboratively developed by the GBCTA, CMBA, Spray Lakes Sawmills, 4 Grazing Allotment Holders, TPR and the Bragg Creek FireSmart Committee from January to April 2011. Agreements specific to all new summer trails were also subsequently developed based on this Land Users Agreement. Endorsement of these agreements will enable the GBCTA to obtain SRD construction approval for all summer trails in the WBCASTP.
During 2011, all 40 km of the new summer trails in the WBCASTP are slated for completion, provided the necessary funding and approvals are secured. The estimated cost to construct the new summer trails is $ 300,000. The estimated number of volunteer hours to construct the new summer trails is 2,000.
For a more complete summary please click here.
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August is an active month for bears... Help prevent encounters. Albertans are urged to help reduce encounters with bears. August is a busy time for the animals, as they roam for food sources like wild berries. The recent warm weather means more campers, backyard barbeques and ripening fruit trees, which increase risk of bear encounters .
Bears are currently active, travelling along green areas and river valleys as they search for wild berries and other natural food sources. As bears move, they may be attracted to garbage, fruit trees, barbeques or pet food in backyards.
For those living in bear country:
- use bear-resistant containers for your garbage;
- clean barbeques after each use and store in a garage or shed;
- ensure bird feeders are taken down until October;
- bring pet food and dishes inside overnight; and
- when making landscaping decisions, avoid fruit trees or shrubs that produce berries. If you do have these trees, pick fruit regularly and don't leave fruit on the ground.
For those camping, hiking or biking in bear country:
- pack out all garbage in airtight containers and dispose of it at home or in a bear-proof bin;
- do not burn or bury scrap food;
- keep food, toiletries, pet food and other attractants stored in airtight containers and out of the reach of bears - never in your tent;
- do not sleep in the same clothes you wore while cooking;
- if you hike with a dog, keep it on a leash; and
- mountain bikers should avoid bear habitat at this time of year. If you are in bear habitat, be cautious and avoid trails with thick bush, tight corners and hills.
When in bear habitat, always carry bear spray and know how to use it. To learn more about proper use and backcountry camping strategies, visit youtube.com and search "Alberta" and "BearSmart."
If a bear is in your yard or community or if a bear is a safety concern, call the nearest Fish and Wildlife office (310-0000 toll-free) or the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
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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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