Resuming Competitions in 2008

I have just read on the AREA forum that the current idea being thrown around when competiton resumes in 2008 in endurance at least, is that horses that are EI immune via vaccine or having recovered from Ei will be able to compete, as horses need to travel between and thru different zones, as well as compete against horses from different zones. For those of us who are in green or amber zones, we won't be able to compete unless we have EI immunity; this would be only via vaccine, which we will have to pay for. I hope that 'the powers that be' don't take this path, as many people will be unfairly disadvantaged in endurance. Owners who have more than one competition horse with log books would be forced to either pay for mulitple vaccinations or choose which horses to compete with. This could in turn lead to an influx of excess horses up for sale at lower prices, (supply and demand). Will other equestrian sport bodies go the same way when they resume competition in 08? Senario; parents have 3 kids at pony club, can only afford to vaccinate 1 pony. I truely hope not.

Prehaps the vaccine could be offered to ALL horse owners at a reduced rate. The Govt' could subsidise the vets so there was a lower call out fee. It should not matter whether you have a retired grass muncher or an olympic champion, or anything in between, registered or not; everyone should have the vaccination option.

I would like to thank Horse Deals for providing this blog site, another great service from a top magazine.

Cheers Rhonda
Albion Park NSW