 |
|
Thoughts of Spring
"April showers bring May flowers" as the saying goes. We are welcoming spring in Virginia with open arms as the winter cold seems to be hanging on a little longer than usual this year. I hope you've had a glimpse of spring in your world this April.
In this issue of the EMO newsletter, we have provided you with some sound advice for liability releases from our friend and attorney Julie I. Fershtman.
Whether you operate a boarding and training facility or you have your own private stable where you have someone exercise your horses, this article--newly updated by Julie with the latest information--will give you some food for thought.
We've also tapped veterinarian Amy Norvall for her thoughts on the equine herpesvirus vaccination requirements some shows are implementing this spring. Her tips should answer many of your questions.
We are happy to report that our agent and partner Mike Moran is "back in the saddle" after his recent surgery and is currently in Texas course designing and judging jumpers. Welcome back, Mike!
As always, we appreciate your continued loyalty to EMO and welcome any suggestions you may have.
EMO...Ride with the leaders!
E. Sue Bopp
 |
 Liability releases are an important component in an equine business and can protect you if you follow the proper protocols. |
10 Tips For Liability Releases
Need an effective liability release for your equine business or want to check the viability of your existing release? Equine Law Practitioner Julie I. Fershtman offers a great check list.
Signing a liability release has almost become commonplace for horse owners and riders when they relocate to a new boarding facility, attend a local competition or send their child to pony camp. But not all releases are created equal.
Julie I. Fershtman, of Farmington Hills, Michigan, a shareholder with the full-service law firm, Foster Swift, is an experienced equine law practitioner. She offers suggestions for reference (not intended to constitute legal advice) so you can utilize an effective liability release for your business. Remember that states can differ in their requirements.
Liability releases are an important component in an equine business protocol, but a critical fact to remember is that even a well-worded release never eliminates the need for proper liability insurance. People who sign these documents, can, and sometimes do, make claims or lawsuits.
Make sure that you're sufficiently insured, and keep your insurance coverage in effect at all times.
Contrary to popular belief, the overwhelming majority of states nationwide will allow people to release others from liability due to their negligence. In this connection, a release document used by a stable, trainer or instructor can mention that guests, visitors and/or customers are releasing it (and others) from liability for its own "negligence" or "ordinary negligence." But always make sure to follow the requirements of your particular state.
To see Julie Fershtman's 10 Tips, click here.
|
 EMO: Meet Janet Finley
Janet Finley grew up in Southern California and lived there until the 1990s, when her husband's career in the defense industry required that the family move to Virginia.
"After living in this beautiful state for more than 20 years now, I call it home," she said.
Janet's background is business, organization and administration, and she joined the EMO staff in 2007.
Janet found a niche at EMO, where she's responsible for oversight of the agency's licensing compliance (48 continental states and the District of Columbia) and budget preparation and coordination of the agency's advertising and sponsorship initiatives.
Among other things, she also contributes to workflow auditing, HR functions, and customer service.
"When your job is varied, like mine, it helps make the day much more interesting," she said with a smile.
|
EMO: Tip of the Month
EHV-1 Vaccination Protocols
Due to the recent outbreaks of EHV-1 (equine herpesvirus type 1), horse show managers throughout the country have implemented stricter biosecurity protocols for horses entering their show grounds this spring.
Many horse shows now require horses to have an EHV-1/EHV-4 vaccination/booster within 90-100 days in addition to a "Statement of Health." In many cases, horses will not be issued a number until proof of vaccination has been provided to the show secretary.
If a horse competes on a regular basis, the animal may be receiving three or four EHV-1 vaccinations over the course of the year if these protocols continue. This situation has caused some concern for horse owners.
Veterinarian Amy Norvall, of Virginia Equine Imaging, researched this question for "On The Go With EMO" and noted some of her findings.
- The American Association of Equine Practitioners guidelines recommend EHV-1/EHV-4 vaccinations at six-month intervals for horses housed at facilities with frequent equine movement on and off the premises.
- Performance or show horses in high-risk areas may be required to have more frequent vaccinations as a criterion for entry to the facility.
- Discuss your horse's vaccination schedule with your veterinarian to determine a safe and effective plan for the competition year.
- Administration of a booster vaccination is likely to be of some value if the horse has a history of vaccination.
- No vaccination will prevent the horse from getting the virus.
- Vaccinations safely expose the horse to the virus so when he does meet it in his natural environment he can mount a strong immune response.
- Vaccination reduces the severity of the virus and shedding, thus minimizing the likelihood the virus is passed from horse to horse.
- Commonsense biosecurity measures--cleaning and disinfection, preventing horse-to-horse contact and frequent hand washing--will help to prevent the spread of many contagious diseases.
- All vaccinations have pros and cons--your veterinarian can help you to weigh the risks and keep your horse in tip-top shape for the show season.
- For more information on EHV-1, EHV-4 and the AAEP vaccination guidelines, please click here.
Amy Norvall, DVM, is a senior associate at Virginia Equine Imaging in The Plains, Virginia. She's a native of Zimbabwe, Africa, and received her veterinary degree from Louisiana State University. Her primary focuses are sport horse medicine, diagnostic imaging and the equine athlete.
|
|
EMO Salutes Rich Fellers
Defending Rolex/FEI World Cup
Show Jumping Champion
Best of luck this week in Gothenburg
with the fantastic Flexible!
Rich Fellers, center, on the podium in 2012 with runner-up Steve Guerdet, left, and third-placed Pius Schwizer.
This is the 35th season of FEI World Cup™ Jumping, and the Final takes place in Gothenburg, Sweden on April 25-28.
World Cup Fast Facts
- Rolex took up title sponsorship of the FEI World Cup™ Jumping series in 2007.
- A total of 479 riders from 50 nations have competed at the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals since the series started back in 1978.
- The USA holds the record for the greatest number of competitors over the years, with 107 in total. Next in line is Germany with a relatively modest 47.
- Great Britain's Michael Whitaker holds the record for most participations at FEI World Cup™ Jumping Finals having competed on 22 occasions.
- 39 athletes from 17 countries will be in action in 2013.
- Seven qualifying leagues will be represented - Western Europe, South America North, North America East, North America West, Chinese League, Central European League and Arab League. Riders from 16 leagues around the globe competed in the qualifying rounds.
- Four riders have won the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping title on three occasions: Germany's Marcus Ehning (2003, 2006, 2010), Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (2005, 2008, 2009), Austria's Hugo Simon (1979, 1996, 1997) and Brazil's Rodrigo Pessoa (1998, 1999, 2000).
- Only four lady riders have ever clinched the title, and three of those - Melanie Smith (1982), Leslie Burr Lenehan (1986) and Katharine Burdsall (1987) flew the flag for the USA.
- The fourth lady champion and three-time winner, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, competes for Germany but originally hails from Los Angeles in California, USA.
For more information on the FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals or to watch live online with FEI TV, click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EMO's E. Sue Bopp and Chawton at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival circuit (Florida).
|
President
Vice President EMO WEST: Vice President
OFFICE AGENTS: Mortality/Vet Services
|
The EMO Agency, Inc. 400 Rosedale Court Warrenton, VA 20186 (800) 347-3552
(540) 347-3552
FAX: (540) 347-5906
|
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?
|
EMO
Out 'N About 
Sue Bopp and Jonathan Rabon at the USHJA Annual Meeting.
Join EMO Staff and Agents at these upcoming events:
- Lexington Spring Premiere, April 24-28 in Lexington, Virginia (Sue Bopp)
- The Texas Shoot Out, April 24-28 in Tyler, Texas (Mike Moran)
- CAQHEA Spring Show, Brookside Equestrian Center, April 26-28 in Elk Grove, California (Chris Hocutt)
- The Lone Star Round Up II, May 1-5 in Tyler, Texas (Mike Moran)
- SLOQHA Mother's Day Circuit, May 9-12 in Paso Robles, California (Chris Hocutt)
- Blue Rock Classic, May 15-19 in Littlestown, Pennsylvania (Sue Bopp)
- Sun N Surf Quarter Horse Circuit, May 16-19 in Del Mar, California (Chris Hocutt)
- The Show Jumping Classic, May 15-19 in Tyler, Texas (Mike Moran)
- The Southwest Classic, May 22-26 in Tyler, Texas (Mike Moran)
- Upperville Colt & Horse Show, June 3-9 in Upperville, Virginia (Sue Bopp and Jonathan Rabon)
- Tryon Riding & Hunt Club Charity, June 6-9 in Tryon, North Carolina (Martha Hall)
|
Thinking Green? Don't forget you can pay for your insurance online with echeck!
|
|
EMO Welcomes
 We welcome new agent Mike Lowry to the EMO family and look forward to introducing him to you in an upcoming newsletter!
|
 Do you have an EMO- insured horse who's made you proud? Let us know, and you and your horse could be featured on our Facebook page or in our newsletter!
|
|
