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New Beginnings
It's hard to retire a special horse, and I had to come to that decision the end of the 2015 show season. I have owned my show hunter Chawton for six years, and he's the horse that made my dreams come true. He took me to the Devon Horse Show in Pennsylvania and all of the East Coast fall indoor shows, from the Capital Challenge in Maryland to the National Horse Show in Kentucky.
A month after I purchased him, he got hurt and had to sit out a year. He taught me patience. I treasured every ride on him, and for some reason this year at age 19, I knew that The Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg would be his last show. I planned to keep him in work after his show career concluded, but a paddock injury in early November changed my plan, and he's now a cherished pasture ornament.
Therefore, it was time to go horse shopping this winter. When I went to look at a 4 year old, I thought to myself, "What are you doing? You have no business with a horse of this age!" He was the one, however, and I'm now starting from scratch.
In a way, my experiences this winter reflects the many seasons of change we all experience throughout our lives. My veteran show hunter reached the end of his career last fall, and this new horse purchased in January offers a fresh start. I had one that had all of the experience, and now one that has never even been to a show.
While I'm going to miss Chawton and the years we spent together as partners and friends, I know I'll enjoy this new and exciting journey. The New Year often brings resolutions and fresh starts for people, and I wish you all the best if you're embarking on a new journey this year as well.
EMO...Ride with the leaders!
E. Sue Bopp
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Positive Horse ID Arrives in the Hunter/Jumper World
The pressing question regarding microchipping and positive horse ID in the Hunter/Jumper industry has finally been answered after several years of research, data compilation and discussion. Three Rule Change Proposals were passed in each of the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation sections of the USEF Rulebook under "Eligibility to Compete" to create a system to ID horses registered in the United States Hunter Jumper Association and competing in United States Equestrian Federation-recognized competitions.
USHJA President Bill Moroney offered his thanks. "Congratulations on passing a milestone rule that will push the sport forward in a positive manner. I thank you all for your hard work," he said during the final USHJA Board of Directors meeting, held last December in Florida.
The move to positive horse ID was seen as a way to improve the transparency of horses that are bought and sold within the sport as well as a way to better track sport horses bred in North America. It's believed that breeders will be able to produce better athletes if they're able to follow the performances of their stock over the long term.
Positive ID also opens the door for young horse development classes based on a horse's verified age. Microchipping, at its most basic level, also offers protection for horses that are lost or stolen.
A transition period was built into the process so that microchipping will not be mandatory for all USHJA competition horses until December 1, 2018. Beginning December 1, 2017, owners seeking USEF and USHJA National or Zone Horse of the Year honors must have their horses microchipped for points to count. Microchipping is estimated to cost between $35-$60 per horse.
To read more about Positive Horse ID and additional resources regarding microchipping, please click here.
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 EMO Meet The Client: Cedar Creek Farm
Cedar Creek Farm in Sterling, Virginia, is owned and operated by Jenny and Mike Graham. Located in suburban Washington, D.C., Cedar Creek draws riders from throughout the metropolitan area who are enthusiastic equestrians and competitors at all levels in the Hunter/Jumper sports.
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| | Trainer Jenny Graham with student Kelsi Okun and Consigliere at the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival circuit. |
Cedar Creek has the unique reputation as a perennial winner of the Washington International Horse Show's Barn Night competitions. In addition to earning the Spirit award in 2014 and receiving a private clinic from Olympic Show Jumper Peter Wylde, Cedar Creek has earned the Largest Barn Contest as well as the Best Barn Video Award in the past.
Cedar Creek riders and horses regularly earn Virginia Horse Shows Association and United States Hunter Jumper Association Zone 3 year-end championships and compete at the country's best shows, from the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Florida to the Washington International.
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EMO: Tip of the Month
Protecting Yourself with a Lease Agreement
Now that the 2016 show season is well underway and the spring horse shows are on the horizon, more riders are gearing up and figuring out their goals for the competition year. When making these decisions, some riders may consider leasing a new horse to help improve their skills and move up in the levels.
It's important for the horse owner and the lessee to formalize the arrangement, even for a horse leased from parties within the same barn, with a written document that identifies a variety of important legal and liability issues to protect each side.
A few of the topics that may be addressed in a formal lease include:
- Detailed description of the horse
- Full disclosure of the horse's vices/traits
- Payment arrangements
- Use and limitations
- Care and maintenance requirements
- Insurance coverage requirements
- A Written Release of Liability
- Hold harmless clause
- Default clause
Most owners require a leased horse be insured by the lessee, with stipulations on the coverages, such as mortality, major medical and loss of use be included.
The owner of a leased horse may also be wise to consider liability insurance in the event the horse injures a third party or property while being handled or ridden by the lessee. Even though the horse may not be in the owner's care, he or she may be held responsible in the event of an accident or injury and held liable.
For more information about the insurance coverages to best protect you in a lease agreement, please contact your EMO insurance agent or contact the EMO office (800) 347-2332.
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EMO Congratulates
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EMO's Mike Moran, left, and Al Schlom at the Pacific Coast Horse Shows Association Awards Dinner. Congratulations to all of the PCHA Awards recipients who celebrated their year-end titles during the awards celebration at the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas!
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Congratulations to Lauren Hester and Wender on their victory in the $10,000 EMO Jumper Classic on the Gulf Coast Winter Classic Pensacola circuit in January! She was also awarded the Kastel Denmark Style of Riding Award! (A&S Photography)
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A huge congratulations to the legendary Flexible and Rich Fellers for continuing their amazing winning streak during the $25,000 Smartpak Grand Prix at HITS Thermal in California. The 20-year-old former FEI World Cup show jumping champion topped a competitive field of 46 entries for the victory on February 27. (ESI Photography)
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Congratulations to the 2015 EMO/PCQHA High Point Horse of the Year I Wanna Keep Playing, owned by Isabel Schween and trained by Jenn Doubrava and Justin Wheeler. EMO agent Chris Hocutt, center, and PCQHA President Doug Brown presented the award to Isabel at the PCQHA Awards banquet held in Del Mar, California, on February 27.
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2015 United States Hunter Jumper Association Annual Meeting
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The EMO Agency's E. Sue Bopp, left, and Marla Holt presented the Mrs. A.C. Randolph Owner's Legacy Award to Shelley Campf, center, who accepted the award on behalf of EMO clients Harry and Mollie Chapman for their long-time support of the sport and ownership of the venerable Flexible.
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2015 United States Equestrian Federation Annual Meeting
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Congratulations to clients Finally Farm, Liza Boyd and Janet Peterson for Brunello's USEF National Horse of the Year title!
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EMO 2016 Sponsorships
 | | Tracy Fenney and MTM Timon fly over The EMO Agency fence. |
Did you know that The EMO Agency, Inc., actively supports the equine industry through show and association sponsorships?
In 2016, EMO will sponsor competitions, events and year-end finals in a variety of disciplines throughout the country, including Hunter/Jumper, Western, Foxhunting and Equitation.
Best of luck to all of our clients and friends, and we hope 2016 is a great year for you and your horses!
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EMO's E. Sue Bopp and Chawton at the 2015 Warrenton Horse Show. |
EMO WEST:
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?
Your Quote is Just a Click Away!
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 
EMO's E. Sue Bopp and Bill Schaub at the 2015 USHJA Annual Meeting.
Join EMO Staff and Agents at these upcoming events:
- Winter Equestrian Festival circuit, March-April in Wellington, Florida (Blake Boyd, Nate Rolf and Martha Hall)
- HITS Ocala Winter circuit, March in Ocala, Florida (E. Sue Bopp)
- AQHA Convention, March 11-14 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Chris Hocutt)
- Silver Dollar Quarter Horse Circuit, March 15-20 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Chris Hocutt)
- Pin Oak Charity Horse Show, March 27-April 2 in Katy, Texas (Mike Moran)
- Spring Gathering Horse Show, April 5-10 in Katy, Texas (Mike Moran)
- Tryon Spring Horse Shows, April-June in Mill Spring, North Carolina (Martha Hall)
Upcoming EMO-Sponsored Events
- The Classic Company Horse Shows - Mississippi and Georgia
- Silver Dollar Quarter Horse Circuit - Nevada
- Southbound Show Jumping Series - Texas
- Pin Oak Charity Horse Show - Texas
- Arizona Sun Country Circuit - Arizona
- Lexington Spring Festival - Virginia
- Rose Mount Farm Horse Shows - Virginia
- Texas Pre-Green Super Series - Texas
- West Palm Events - California
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Don't forget you can pay for your insurance online with echeck!
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What Our Clients
Are Saying...
I would like to pass along my appreciation for your staff member, Ms. Stephanie Dean. You are so lucky to have her! She has helped me with insurance coverage for our club, the Old Dominion Morgan Horse Association. She is always responsive, professional and timely when I email or call her. I really appreciate her commitment and support.
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New Addition?
 Did you have a new foal, purchase a horse, add a farm-related vehicle to your business or hire a new staff member?
Be sure to update your insurance policy or check your coverages to be sure you're fully covered. Questions? Please email or call us!
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EMO Client Spotlights
Congratulations and best wishes to all of our clients and friends spending the winter on the country's show circuits, from Coast-to-Coast and North to South!
Please send us your photos and results so we may highlight your accomplishments on our Facebook page and in future EMO Newsletters!
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