M.S.P.H.A.

Every year the MSPHA usually has a raffle of some sort to help raise money for our ongoing efforts to rehoming the standardbreds.  This year my good friend Jeff Roberts has generously taken the time to paint a picture for the purpose of selling tickets on to help the cause.  This will be on display at the 6th  annual Atlantic Horse Fair this year, but will be selling tickets on it up until that point. Tickets will be $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.

For more information on purchasing tickets please contact us at contact@mspha.ca

For more information on the artist, I encourage everyone to check out his Facebook page at JMR Photography & Paintings – http://www.facebook.com/groups/466256053446939/

Shedding, mud, and longer days are all things that we as horse people look forward to with the prospect of spring! In Central NS the Atlantic Horse Fair is always a great way for us to kick-start our riding routine, do a bit of shipping, and take in some great clinics and demos. There is something for everyone to look forward to! For a change, the Horse Fair will be starting on Friday night, rather than the usual Saturday!  Check out the link to the AHF website over the next couple of weeks for updates to guest speakers, clinicians and vendors. Also, the tentative date for live racing to return is Sunday April 21st!

http://www.agridome.ca/AHF/

MSPHA would like to thank Fundy Veterinarians Ltd for including us in their Nail Trim fundraiser.  Proceeds from the nail trims offered in-clinic for cats and dogs are used to help support local animal rescue efforts for both small and large animals.

Thank you for thinking of us during this capaign and supporting the MSPHA in our efforts to help rehome these great horses!

http://www.fundyvets.com/

As many of you know, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College has recently gone through a merger with Dalhousie University.  Now known as the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus (still known as the “AC”), they offer a diploma in business management specializing in equine studies.

For the next 2 weeks, the DAC has invited 2 available standardbreds listed through the MSPHA to stay at their beautiful new facility to help the students gain a hands-on approach to equine health and care.  Mandy (Mannart Wave Swept) and Mysti will spend the 2 weeks together gaining great socialization skills together and with the daily handling with students.

These mares are still available for adoption.  If you or someone you know may be interested in offering one of these two great mares a home they can contact us at adoptables@mspha.ca for more details!

I encourage everyone to check out the new DAC website, including the details for the Equine Business Management course!

“Classes in the Equine specialty are designed to ensure that students seeking careers in horse-related industries have the knowledge base required to succeed.  Your class work will cover science-oriented topics such as equine behavior and learning, nutrition, genetics and reproduction, as well as business-related topics like equine facilities management.”

http://www.dal.ca/academics/programs/undergraduate/business-management/specialties/equine.html

Another year, another sale. This year the 2012 Select Yearling Sale is being held on Friday, October 19th at the Agridome in Truro.  Some of the top yearlings in the Maritimes will be available for auction starting at 6:30pm. If you are looking for your next winner you may find them here!

“One of the yearlings sold last year, The Rev (previously Win Storm Dancer), is currently one of the top two-year-old colts in Atlantic Canada- with three wins and four second place finishes out of eight starts and more than $14,000 in earnings.

One of the fillies from the 2010 sale, Seeyouonthebeach, is currently one of the top three-year-old fillies. Veteran horseman Hollis White has had a very successful season with his purchase from that year- Miss Miss Miss Fit.

Autumn Gottem is another success story from the 2010 sale, with five wins in six starts- the last two in Mohawk, and a mark of 1:51.3″ – Truro Raceway Website

For more information please check out the Trurp Raceway Website - http://www.truroraceway.ca/

The Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition has come and gone for another year! There was a great turnout for the standardbred undersaddle class with 7 entries! For those of you who are not familiar this class is designated for standardbreds only and it is a walk / trot flat class. It is a great way to showcase the versatility of these horses, especially since many had started their race career at the Truro Raceway itself!

Included is a video of the class as well as some of the horses warming up. There are many more pictures of the class available on our Facebook site compliments of Lynn Curwin!

The Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition is a week away and it is the time of the year where we call on Central Nova standardbred riders to take part in the Standardbred Undersaddle class! This class is reserved for standardbreds only and it is a walk – trot / pace class. We are the only exhibition in Nova Scotia to have this class and it is a great opportunity to showcase your retiree! The class is Wednesday, August 22^nd at 3:30. There will also be a roadster class following the undersaddle class where standardbreds are presented in jog carts and harness as well!

Forms have not yet been posted on the NSPE website, but you can get them by contacting admin@nspe.ca

Family day and open house has come and gone for another year during Atlantic Grand Circuit Week.  It was a hot hot day, but that did not stop the kids from coming out to enjoy some activities sponsored by Little Wonders.  The double seated jog-cart was giving rides, there was a wall of race harness for people to better understand the equipment, and Greenhawk was there as well. We had 5 under saddle standardbreds who were available throughout the afternoon presenting the other side of their use.  All behaved very well considering many of them had not been on the racetrack since they had retired.  Many thanks to everyone who took time to take part that afternoon.

All in all it was a great afternoon, and we look forward to next year!!

Atlantic Grand Circuit Week has kicked off for another year and there will be lots of live harness racing to take in! On  Saturday, July 28th the Raceway will host children’s activities from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, and an Open House from 3:00pm – 5:00pm. If you have never had the opportunity to see the races and would like to learn more about the sport this would be a great opportunity!

Retired standardbreds (many of whom had retired from the Truro Raceway itself) will be available for undersaddle demos. MSPHA will also have an information booth set up so if anyone was considering a standardbred as their next horse we would be happy to answer any questions you may have! We currently have 3 lovely, local, sound horses available to adopt so it would be a great time if you were considering this great breed!

Come out for the festivities! We look forward to meeting you!

Summer is here, and so is another great week of harness racing in central Nova Scotia! Atlantic Grand Circuit Week kicks off Sunday, July 22nd and continues throughout the week! Saturday, July 28th is the Open House and Children’s Fun Day! To view the schedule for the week, or to learn more about the Truro Raceway, check out http://www.truroraceway.ca/