November 30, 2011
Issue Number 28

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In This Issue
What's New
Great Gift Idea
Find your perfect Christmas tree
Win a Membership
Livestock Care Alert Line
About Us
Quick Links

You can now add your show or event to the AEF Show Calendar or Events Calendar by contacting Allison Blackmore at : [email protected]
Win Tickets to see "War Horse" directed by Steven Spielberg
 
War Horse Poster

From DreamWorks Pictures and director Steven Spielberg comes "War Horse," an epic adventure for audiences of all ages, and an unforgettable odyssey of friendship, discovery and courage.

You must live in or around Calgary to win and be available for the advanced screening dates on December 1 (7:00 pm at SilverCity CrossIron Mills), December 8 (7:00 pm at Eau Claire Market) or December 15 (7:00 pm at Scotiabank Theatre Chinook) . A double pass ticket will be given to each winner. This film is subject to classification and no purchase is necessary! The winners will be notified via email. Contest closes December 12, 2011.

To win tickets, simply email me your:

1. Full Name
2. Full Mailing address
3. Email address (winners will be notified by email and tickets must be picked up at the AEF office)
4. Telephone Number (with area code)
5. Answer to skill testing question:  What fun riding program does AEF offer for children aged 5 and over?
 Horse Breeders & Owners Conference  Jan 13-15, 2012
Red Deer, AB
 
Don't miss out on the Annual horseman's mid-winter escape with education, entertainment, networking & socializing!

For more information, confirmed speakers and the weekend events or to register on-line please go to www.albertahorseindustry.ca

Attention AEF Business Members, Provincial Associations and Affiliate Organizations 


The AEF is always 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 members, 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.

Horse Savvy Dayplanners
are selling FAST! 
Make sure you get your copy today before they are all gone!
2012 Horse Savvy Cover
 
The AEF is pleased to announce that we have received our first shipment of the Horse Savvy Day Planners.  These planners have room for all your information and details from a contact list, veterinarian and farrier records, expenses, show results and much more! 
You can go to our online store to order your copy today or include it on your membership form with your annual renewal.

Our Price: $ 30.00 (includes gst and shipping & handling)
Equine biosecurity
Workshops
 
 
Protect your horses by developing and implementing a disease control and prevention program. Attend a free AEF Equine Biosecurity Workshop to learn the importance of risk assessments, complete a risk assessment form and discuss risk management strategies with a veterinarian with your horses in mind! 
 
For details and to register for an upcoming workshop please go to
 
Workshop participants will be entered to win a Mobile Biosecurity Kit, stocked with supplies to help you manage disease risk while away from home.
Registration closes 7 days prior to the scheduled workshop.  Please visit the website for more detailed information on these upcoming workshops.  Click
here to view the workshop schedule and register.

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.

Christmas Sugar Cookies 

 
Christmas Sugar Cookies:
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp.
3/4 cup  granulated white sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
xmas sugar cookie
Confectioners Frosting:
2 cups confectioners' sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons milk
food coloring (if desired)
candy to decorate once cookie is iced
Gus
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
Office will be closed Dec 26 - Jan 4, 2012
AEF Annual AGM:  March 17, 2012
AEF Wildrose Ride:  Sept 22, 2012
AEF Annual Conference:  Nov 16-18,2012
 
 Happy Trails!

The Alberta Equestrian Federation
Suite 100, 251 Midpark Blvd SE
Calgary, AB   T2X 1S3
403-253-4411
1-866-463-6233
Fax:  403-252-5260
www.albertaequestrian.com

 

 


"Bread may feed my body, but my horse feeds my soul"
 

What's New and Exciting

 

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP ONLINE
It's easy, convenient and FAST!  You can renew your membership and print each family member's card immediately.  Click here to login and sign up now.

 

COMING SOON FOR ONLINE USERS  
The AEF is pleased to announce that the Alberta Horse Trials Association (AHTA) and the Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association (AEVA) have partnered with us in a new one-year membership processing pilot program for the 2012 membership year.   Available beginning in mid-December AHTA and AEVA memberships will only be available to purchase through the AEF online system.   This program is designed to facilitate the process of purchasing multiple memberships, offering a one-stop membership option for members of these organizations.  AHTA LOGOAEVA LOGO

Individuals wishing to either purchase or renew a membership with either the Alberta Horse Trials Association or the Alberta Equestrian Vaulting Association will have the opportunity to do so through the AEF online membership system.   Individuals who wish to use this system, must either have a current AEF membership or be purchasing one at the time of purchasing either additional association membership option.   

Individuals with access to the AEF membership verification database will be able to verify not only an individual's AEF membership status, as before, but soon, also AEVA and AHTA memberships that are purchased through the AEF.

Alberta Bits Member Magazine
Watch for the Winter issue coming to your mailbox before Christmas!  If for any reason you have not received your copy please contact Wendy at the Office.

 

Are you looking for ways to promote your Business?  Why not let the AEF help you.  For article and advertising options with Alberta Bits, please click here; or if you would like information on how to become a Business Member, please click here.

 

AEF members save!  Click on the logo to take you to the listing of AEF business members that offer great discounts for AEF members.  Help support our business members and save money at the same time! 
 
New for Business Members - the AEF is now offering membership for your business to run year to year vs MPP Logocalendar year memberships! This is a very exciting addition to the membership benefits. For more information and to start receiving your member benefits, contact Wendy at
  
We have also made shopping with the AEF easier for you and are excited to launch our improved Online Store!!  Watch for new products coming soon.

 

Donations Made Easy 
Please consider a donation to the Alberta Equestrian Federation  in any amount.  Each year, the AEF can apply for the Alberta Community Spirit Donation Grant to match your donation.  

The donation grant provides an opportunity for eligible non-profit organizations to receive a provincial grant. The grant is based on total annual cash donations from individual Albertans that have been received by an eligible organization over a 12-month fiscal period. The grant can be used to support an organization's operations, programs and/or capital projects. The maximum grant available is $25,000 up to a maximum of $50,000 over three years. A minimum total of $1,000 in eligible cash donations needs to be received prior to applying for a grant.

This grant goes toward supporting our programs and educational scholarships given out each year to AEF members.
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Great Gift Idea! 

Available in English and Western.
Go to the online store to order your copy for Christmas!
 

 Conference Logo
 

This program is designed for children aged 5 years old and up and their parents and/or coaches.  It is a program devoted solely to the initiation of equitation and to the horse world so that young children can discover the pleasures of western or english equitation and understand how to care for the horse.

This program fills a need for young  riders that are very interested in this  subject.
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Find your perfect Christmas tree in Alberta's Wilderness

 

Search for your family's perfect Christmas tree in one of Alberta's many forests this season. Permits are available to cut up to three Christmas trees on Crown land, and at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park near Medicine Hat.


A permit to cut down a tree on Crown land is available for $5 plus GST at Sustainable Resource Development forestry offices throughout the province. They are also available at Bow Habitat Station in Calgary, which is open Tuesday through Saturday.

Staff from local forestry offices will direct permit-holders to the most appropriate areas to cut trees. Tree-cutters must be on Crown land and not private property, and should avoid areas where forests are in early stages of regeneration. Tree-cutters are encouraged to search out a small tree - up to two metres - and avoid the waste of cutting trees that tower six metres or higher and are later trimmed to fit inside a house.

 

Cutting a tree without the proper permit on Crown land is subject to a minimum fine of $100. Permits are valid for 30 days. More information about tree-cutting permits is available at www.srd.alberta.ca under the Recreation and Public Use tab. Contact information for forestry offices is under the About Us tab - click on SRD Contacts on the left-hand side.


New this year, you can also search for your Christmas tree at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. To prevent trees from further encroaching on fescue grassland, tree cutting is available in select areas of the park from December 1 to 23. Begin your adventure at the Visitor Centre, where you can obtain a permit to cut down your tree. Donations will be accepted and used to purchase outdoor equipment like skis and snowshoes for park visitors.


Within the park, Christmas tree cutting is available at Murray Hill Road between Highway 41 and Spring Creek Trailhead/ Shelter; Reesor Lake Road between Highway 41 and Reesor Lake Viewpoint; and Spruce Coulee Road between Reesor Lake Road and first cattle guard. Cutting a tree on park land without a permit or in a non-designated location is subject to a fine of $287 under Section 10 of the Provincial Parks Act.

 

Approximately 30 minutes southeast of Medicine Hat, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is a year-round recreational area, including Hidden Valley Ski Hill, cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails. For more information on the park, visit

www.cypresshills.com or call 403-893-3833.

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Win a Membership in the "Ride and Drive" Program 

 

List your favorite trail (not yet shown on the map) and you can win a free membership in the Ride and Drive Program!  

 

If you're already actively using Alberta's great equestrian trail system, why not note the hours you've spent on the trail and "collect" them through our Ride and Drive program. For 2011, provide us with the information on your favorite trail (photos are great too). You will be entered into a draw to win a FREE 2012 membership in the Ride and Drive Program.  In addition to a free membership, we will include your favorite trail riding photo in an upcoming issue of Alberta Bits magazine and publish a 150 word article on a trail riding escapade you've recently had. One trail and one registration, other restrictions may apply. 

 

The Alberta Ride and Drive program rewards riders and drivers of horses for logging the hours they spend riding or driving!  It is open to riders/drivers of all disciplines, including therapeutic & Vaulting, whether competing, schooling, or simply having fun with their horse! Even non-horse owners are eligible to participate.  There is no age restriction...it's for the young and the young-at-heart!
 
Please contact Erin Lundteigen at [email protected]  for any further questions and to submit entries. Deadline is January 31st, 2012.
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Livestock Care Alert Line 

The Livestock industry working together for responsible animal care - Call if you have livestock care concerns.
 
The Livestock Care ALERT Service is:
  • A confidential alternative for producers and the public to report any concerns regarding the care of livestock.
  • Involved before neglect becomes abuse; thus preventing an incident from becoming a crisis.
  • Available for self-reporting to assist and counsel producers who are experiencing management problems.
  • Working with Alberta SPCA and RCMP.
  • Working to reduce the number of cases of inhumane treatment of livestock.  (Situations involving obvious neglect and abuse are handled by the Alberta SPCA).

The Resource Team Members are:

  • Trained volunteers, producers and an on-call veterinarian, who offer solutions to help producers and their livestock.

AFAC Alert Line 

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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.

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.