EI claims another victim

Chris Haigh, EFA National Office,

Friday, 9 November 2007

Nature Vet has announced that its 2007 Eventing Star Search Final, scheduled to take place during the Lakes & Craters 3DE CCI***, 6-9 December, has been cancelled because equine influenza-induced horse movement restrictions mean that many of the finalists will not be able to attend the event.

Nature Vet spokesperson Clare Oxley says, ‘We’re really disappointed about having to take this decision, but we realise it just wouldn’t be fair to all riders and horses if we had to disqualify a lot of our finalists simply because they can’t attend the event.

‘The competition only began in 2005 and already we know it’s a great way to showcase and support our up and coming eventing riders. Our inaugural winner, Christopher Burton, and 2006 winner Megan Jones are both rising stars on Australia’s elite eventing scene and Nature Vet is proud to have been able to give them substantial support in their ongoing campaigns’.

The winner of the Nature Vet Star Search Final receives a $2500 cash prize and a year’s supply of Nature Vet products for their horse.

All horse/rider combinations at CIC*, CIC** and CCI* events accrue points throughout the eventing year and after Adelaide CCI**** the top 20 combinations are invited to contest the Nature Vet Star Search CCI** at Lakes and Craters in Victoria.

It was going to be another great final in just a few weeks time, but EI killed that dream.

2008 is another year. Nature Vet says, ’The show will go on! We can’t have our Star for 2007 but we’re definitely searching for our 2008 Star. We hope our continuing support for eventing’s rising stars will encourage riders to put EI gloom behind them and start planning for a great season in 2008’.

Online survey

HI everyone, well I have just completed the fed govts survey and what a load of garbage it is. The questions are stupid in the extreme. I don't know what they think the results are going to prove. except show up the lack of communication and show how little in touch they are. Pardon my vehemence, only I really thought this may have been an opportunity for the govt to begin to understand what it has done to the enjoyment and livelihoods of thousands of horse lovers. I am sure they are looking for a way to distance themselves from the blame of the outbreak but THE FEDS ARE IN CHARGE OF QUARRANTEEN. WHO ELSE IS TO BLAME? And to the NSW DPI, How many horses in the amber zone have been blood tested? when will we see some results? if they are all neg when will we go green? all these questions and more are burning away in my mind and not a peep from either govts. Don't hold your breath amber prisoners, if we go green before next year I'll be very, and pleasantly surprised.DPI and DF people, start communication through the general media and let us know what is going on!!

All the best, Penny

Remain vigiliant ???

I must say that heading into week 12 (that’s 3 months) remaining vigilant has and will be my endeavour.

However every day that passes by is a growing concern for all non race horse owners.

I wake up every morning thinking LET ME OUT

You know why THATS WHAT MY HORSES ARE SAYING.

How long can we keep fit animals in small paddocks with no work.??

The mare that was supposed to go in foal this year locked tight as she is not a thoroughbred??

Applications for vaccinations with no reply???

Applications for movement with no reply???

Emails to State representatives with no reply???

Increased feed bills no reply???

Increased interest rates no reply???

Increased food prices no reply???

How many will fall off the ladder at the end of this???

If we are lucky enough to have a job outside the industry the above increases have put owning a competition horse almost out of the ????

How many more of you are their out there that feel like me???

Election or no election we will suffer as the cost of owning our beloved competition horses has just sky rocketed through the roof???

DPI QLD I will remain vigilant, I will continue with bio-security, I will not let any one onto my property, I will not visit my friends with horses, I will sit and look endlessly at your web site hoping that one day you will have an answer!!!!

And when you do have the answer, I hope I am still sane!!!

Thanks Horse Deals for allowing another, no-one, have their say.

Troy

Equine Influenza Online Survey

Horse owners and handlers are invited to provide feedback on the equine influenza situation by completing our online survey.
The survey will provide us with a better understanding of your communication needs in regards to this outbreak.

http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/equine-influenza/online-survey

EI Report on Landline Tomorrow 12 noon.

Landline is Australia's national rural issues program. The full hour of Landline can be seen on the ABC on Sundays at noon and is repeated on the following Monday at 11:00 am.

http://www.abc.net.au/landline/

Excerpts from a media conference

Excerpts from a media conference with NSW Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth. He talks about:

• the current situation
• protection zones
• vaccination that is taking place in buffers
• legal requirements regarding the use of the vaccine
• how the vaccine being used makes it possible to differentiate between horses with wild strains of the virus and those that have been vaccinated
• why the second round of vaccination is quicker and easier

Just follow this audio link.

Winning the flu fight — so far so good

EARLY this morning, the Victoria Racing Club's risk manager Dev Basu will complete his final patrol of the rose-covered exclusion zone set up within Flemington Racecourse to protect the $260 million spring carnival extravaganza from an invisible foe.

He'll pace out the horse trails that wind under and around the track, from the float park to the stables and the new showpiece parade ring, down to the turf and the mounting yard, each step secured by tall brush fences, steel barricades and the tangled briars of those once purely aesthetic blooms.

At every gateway he'll check that guards are in place with the weaponry of germ warfare — footbaths and handwash. Come 8.50am it's lockdown, and traffic between the secured zone — with horses, handlers, riders and trainers — and the public playgrounds virtually stops. The objective is to keep the people away from the horses, for fear that so much as a slap on the withers could fell the $2 billion Victorian industry. This is racing in the time of equine influenza.

Read more.

Show Jumpers must not contract ei..!!!

Do you see what the brain surgeons in our Show Jumping heirachy have done? Werribee Park is to be used as a quarantine station for the months of Nov and Dec.; so that in case an infected animal is brought into the state, it will be unable to pass the virus on to others. We have been told over and over just how active and mobile this ei is, and that it can travel several kilometers on the wind. So what do the Show Jumping Committee do.???? They schedule 3 or 4 events, plus squad training etc. at Werribee Park during those same 2 months. Would you not think that they would seek another venue for that couple of months? I know we all want to get back to normal, but this action just defies logic. No wonder Vic Showjumping is lagging behind other states.

Bushfires & Horses Seminar

Are YOU prepared this summer??

For information on how to protect your family,property and horses, come along on ….

Friday 30th November 2007
7.00pm – Registration
7.30pm - Seminar
Committee Room,
Pakenham Racecourse

All Welcome! Entry $5 Light supper provided

To register & for more info,
contact Janice 5942 8485
goricks@nex.net.au