World Equestrian Games Connemara Info

Hi Folks - glad to see our Team Connemara Facebook page is getting a following. I apologize for having to link you to my personal blog (sounds very self-aggrandizing, doesn't it?) but this was the quickest method I could come up with for disseminating this time-sensitive information to you.

First: The ACPS folk who are organizing our display for the World Equestrian Games are looking for suitable ponies to exhibit. If you think you have a pony that will make the grade, please consider tossing his/her "hat in the ring." See the ACPS website (www.acps.org) for more info and deadlines.

Second: Be aware that there is a timetable for appropriate vaccinations and other health care issues. I'll try to simplify the FEI and Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) Regulations:

KHP: Non-competition horses (i.e. demo models!) brought onto the grounds must comply with FEI rules governing influenza (flu) vaccination protocols. More on that in a minute.

KHP: These horses must be certified by a licensed veterinarian that the horse coming in meets these standards for vaccination.

KHP: Each horse must have a Valid 30 Day Certificate of Veterinary Inspection when entering the park. This must also have attached a valid negative Coggins test certificate from the preceeding 12 month period (i.e. done within 12 months prior to the WEG).

KHP: Each horse must have a valid certification (form to be provided by the WEG Veterinary Committee) stating that the horse has been dewormed with Ivermectin during the 21 day period preceeding the animal's entry onto the Park's grounds (primarily this is for tick control, since ticks are a vector for Equine Piroplasmosis).

KHP: All documentation needed by September 5, 2010. The veterinarians will need to submit SERIAL AND LOT NUMBER AND EXPIRATION DATE FOR FOR EACH AND EVERY INFLUENZA VACCINE GIVEN.

FEI: Horses intending to participate must have an initial primary course of two infuenza vaccinations given between 21 and 92 days apart, folowed by a third dose given 6 months + 21 days after the date of the second primary dose. The last booster must have been given within 6 months (+ 21 days to allow for vaccination requirements to fit in the competition schedule) of the event.

FEI: No vaccination shall be given within 7 days of the day of arrival at the event.

FEI: Horses that had a proper "primary course" of vaccination prior to Jan 1st 2005 (CHECK WITH YOUR VET!) do not need the 2 initial vaccine series as long as they have a booster 6 months (+21 days) prior to the event. You must have documentation of the pony's vaccines!

FEI: All proprietary equine influenza vaccines are acceptable regardless of the route of administration.

FEI: ALL VACCINES MUST BE ADMINISTERED BY A VETERINARIAN.

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Those are the salient points for us Connemara people. I have just spoken to Laura Balding, who is on the committee designated to decide which Connemaras will be brought to the WEG for display/demonstration purposes. The committee has been determined that that first flu vaccine must be given on or before Feb 15th (that's Monday, folks); it is suggested that you then fax your veterinarian's statement of vaccination (a written statement on his/her letterhead) to the committee c/o Laura Balding @ 636-441-8387.

The committee would also like to see your videos, photos, and other information about your pony ASAP (preferably by March 1st), according to Laura. Given the fact that some of us can only take "snow videos" of our ponies at this point, there is a little leeway (my only video was one done last year, the week after we had a death in the family, and I don't think my head was in the ideal spot for riding. However, Paddy tried his best to make up for the lack of initiative from the Control Tower, saintly pony that he is...).

Rule of thumb: You can never have too much information, OR documentation! Keep your records! This is a BIIIIGGGGGGGGGGG deal - !

So call your vet asap and get busy on those vaccinations. More info as it develops! Please feel free to post any info, questions etc. on the Team Connemara Facebook page and we'll address it as soon as we get the facts for you!
Best Regards,
Steph