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A Special Young Competitor
August is the last month of our summer, and for many competitors it's the end of the qualifying period for the fall championship shows.
EMO is the proud sponsor of the VHSA/EMO Medal Finals Festival, held earlier this month at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington.
As always, it was a great show, but I was most impressed by the sportsmanship displayed in the Pony Medal Final. After the riders jumped a course, the judges tested them on the flat and then chose four entries for the final work-off.
A young man named Adam Edgar from Leesburg, Virginia, emerged as the winner (see below). Not only did he lean over and give the second- and third-placed girls a congratulatory hug while on the podium, but I also found out later that he groomed his own pony! He also saved his own money so he could pay to have the pony professionally braided for the finals.
The icing on the cake was when he was walking back to the barn. I congratulated him, and he said, "This is the best pony in the world. It was all him!"
Moments like these are why I go to horse shows...period. Have a great Labor Day weekend!
EMO...Ride with the leaders!
E. Sue Bopp
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Who is an employee and who is an independent contractor? It's important to realize that grooms and riders sometimes fall into different categories.
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Understanding the Difference Between Employees and Independent Contractors
Managing employees is one of the many challenges equestrian professionals face as their businesses grow and prosper. And one of the issues many business owners must address is whether to classify their help as employees or independent contractors.
Traditionally, many equine businesses have chosen to treat their employees as independent contractors, especially if they're hired for part-time work. But, according to the Internal Revenue Service, there are strict guidelines as to how workers are classified, and often it's not as straightforward as it might seem.
A worker classified as an employee generally accepts the job without a specific end date, receives a salary/compensation/raises set by the employer, works full or part-time, and receives training and tools/equipment from the employer based on the requirements of the job.
An employee does not provide his services as part of an independent business and often receives an "offer letter" that stipulates pay and benefits, such as medical insurance, worker's compensation, vacation and leave criteria. An employee receives a W-2 at the end of the year, which details the salary and taxes the employer has deducted.
Typical equestrian jobs classified as employees include: grooms, barn managers, stable workers and riders.
An independent contractor generally begins employment with a contract that stipulates a start and end date, negotiates compensation details for that time period, sets his own hours and supplies his own training and tools/equipment to fulfill the requirements of the job. Contractors often submit invoices after their services are rendered and are responsible for paying their own local, state and federal taxes.
Typical equestrian jobs classified as independent contractors include: farriers, braiders, veterinarians, chiropractors and catch riders.
To read more about employee classification and for resources to help you, please click
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 EMO: Meet Client Liza Towell Boyd
Liza Towell Boyd is one of the country's top hunter riders and trainers and works out of her family's Finally Farm in Camden, South Carolina
As a junior, Liza was named Overall World Champion Hunter Rider three times and won the Best Child Rider Award at the Washington International Horse Show four times, setting a record that remains untouched.
After completing her junior career, Liza graduated from the College of Charleston (South Carolina) before returning to the family business.
Since then, Liza has had an extremely successful career, most recently winning the $120,000 Tier I USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship aboard Brunello (see below). She's also won more than a dozen USHJA International Hunter Derbies on a variety of mounts and was selected by the USHJA High Performance Hunter Committee to be a member of the 2010 World Equestrian Games USHJA Hunter Derby Exhibition Team.
In partnership with her father Jack, Liza has also trained the Leading Junior Hunter Rider at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show two times as well as many other successful junior and amateur riders.
Liza is married to EMO Field Agent J. Blake Boyd, and they have a 4-year-old daughter named Elle.
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EMO: Tip of the Month
What Constitutes an Equine Emergency?
This list will help you to know when to call your veterinarian and insurance agent.
Some horses seem to have a knack for finding trouble. There are several emergency situations that may arise, and you as a horse owner will need to take appropriate action.
The following is a list of several emergencies that require immediate veterinary attention. If you feel your horse is showing any of the signs below, it's best to call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
- Colic--rolling, listlessness, lack of interest in feed, sweating, pawing and biting/looking at flanks, restlessness/pacing, standing stretched out, little or no manure, laying down more than usual, and the flehmen response.
- Reproductive Emergencies--Dystocia (difficult birth), abortion, uterine hemorrhage (bleeding from the vulva, acting shocky), uterine prolapse are all included in this category. If your broodmare is showing any of these signs, it's crucial that you call your veterinarian for immediate attention.
- Acute lameness--This includes founder, puncture wounds, joint and tendon injuries, abscesses and fractures. A basic way to tell if your horse's lameness is an emergency: if your horse was sound yesterday and lame or non-weight-bearing today, it's best to call a veterinarian. Any time a horse has stepped on a nail or other penetrating object, call immediately.
- Lacerations and punctures--anything that's deeper than just the skin requires sutures and needs immediate attention. Although these injuries are rarely life-threatening, it's important that they be cleaned up and sutured to avoid infection or further injury.
- Eye injuries--This includes corneal ulcers, uveitis and lacerations near or involving the eye. If your horse's eye seems swollen, the eye is squinting or is producing any discharge, it should be examined immediately. It's best not to take chances at permanently damaging the horse's sight.
- Choke--This occurs when feed is lodged in the esophagus and the horse is unable to swallow. You will see a green nasal discharge and often lots of coughing paired with raspy breathing. The horse will be in distress, but, if taken care of immediately, is rarely life threatening.
Special thanks to the Tryon Equine Hospital PLLC for providing this Tip of the Month. For more information about their services or to sign up for their e-newsletter, please click here.
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 | | Liza Boyd and Brunello captured the $120,000 USHJA Tier I International Hunter Derby Championship in Kentucky. |
EMO congratulates Liza Boyd for her fantastic win in the $120,000 USHJA Tier I International Hunter Derby Championship on August 15-17 at the Kentucky Horse Park. Liza guided Brunello, whom she co-owns with Janet Peterson, to the victory over a field of 89 starters. She also placed 10th with Fieona, owned by Kelley Maloney and Hardin Towell.
Congratulations to our many clients and friends who qualified and competed in this year's championships!
 | | Congratulations to Ernie and Betty Oare's Tryonite, with rider Liza Boyd, who earned the High-Score American-Bred Award during the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship, held August 14-15 in Lexington, Kentucky. USHJA President Bill Moroney presented the award. Tryonite is an Oldenburg mare by the sire Riverman. |
 | | Congratulations to Adam Edgar, left, and Virginia Bonnie, the champion and reserve champion in the VHSA/EMO Pony Medal Final. |
EMO Congratulates all of the VHSA/EMO Medal Finals Festival Winners and Participants! This year's winners included:
- Hunter Seat Medal - Isabella Norton
- Flat Championship - Kelsi Okun
- Horsemanship Championship - Maddie Valenzuela
- Children's Medal - Zellie Wothers
- Adult Medal - Caitlin Hewitt
- Pony Medal - Adam Edgar
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EMO's E. Sue Bopp and Chawton earned excellent ribbons at the 2013 Devon Horse Show & County Fair. (Photo Courtesy of The Book LLC) |
President
Vice President EMO WEST: Vice President
OFFICE AGENTS: Mortality/Vet Services
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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 
Sue Bopp and Jonathan Rabon at the USHJA Annual Meeting.
Join EMO Staff and Agents at these upcoming events:
- Adequan AQHA Select World Championship Show, Aug. 23-31, in Amarillo, Texas (Chris Hocutt)
- Warrenton Horse Show, August 28-Sept. 1, in Warrenton, Virginia (Sue Bopp)
- Middleburg Classic Horse Show, Sept. 18-22 in Leesburg, Virginia (Sue Bopp)
- CQHA Fall Classic and Futurities, Sept. 19-22 in Del Mar, California (Chris Hocutt)
- Southeast Medal Finals, Sept. 19-22 in Jacksonville, Florida (Jonathan Rabon)
- AZ Fall Championship Show, Sept. 25-29 in Scottsdale, Arizona (Chris Hocutt)
- Capital Challenge Horse Show, Sept. 28-Oct. 6 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland (Sue Bopp & Jonathan Rabon)
Upcoming EMO-Sponsored Events
- Middleburg Classic (Virginia)
- Capital Challenge Horse Show (Maryland)
- USHJA Annual Meeting (Georgia)
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Thinking Green? Don't forget you can pay for your insurance online with echeck!
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Testimonial
"I think you all do a tremendous job and truly set the bar for other companies. It brings me such peace of mind to know you all are out there."
Lauren G. Allen President Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association
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 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!
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