NVSJC Getting on with it!

Northern Victorian Showjumping Club is proud to announce a week long Show Jumping extravaganza from the 26th of April until the 4th of May.
Competition days will be: Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April

Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th April

Friday 2nd of May, Saturday 3rd of May, Sunday 4th of May.

The program is being developed as we speak and is sure to provide something for everyone. So book your holidays and prepare to be entertained at the NVSJC Hunter Reserve Shepparton Victoria.
If your club is interested in being involved please contact Trevor March 5873 2181 , 0428 258 057 or Stuart Abrahams 0417221967.

Tasmania opens doors - a little

HOBART – Tasmania is now accepting horses from non-infected zones of NSW, the ACT and Queensland provided they have met Department of Primary Industries and Water requirements.

The Tasmanian DPIW advises that people wishing to bring a horse into Tasmania from the mainland should apply for a permit to do so. The permit conditions include an undertaking by the importer that the horse will be closely monitored for at least five days after its arrival.

The importer is the person legally responsible for the horse at its Tasmanian destination. A written record of all horse movements on and off the destination property for the five day post-arrival period must be available for inspection by animal health authorities for 30 days after the arrival of the horse.

If the horse has been in NSW, Queensland or the ACT at any time since 25 August 2007, the importer must arrange for it to complete the Victorian government’s quarantine requirements before it enters Tasmania. A horse that has been in a Restricted Area (ie infected area) of NSW or Qld during any of the 42 days prior to arriving in Tasmania will not be allowed into the State.

The permit application form and advice relevant to the permit are available below or by contacting the Disease Control Centre on (03) 6233 6875.

Horse restrictions eased in SA

The Department of Primary Industries has eased the restrictions imposed after last year's horse flu outbreak.South Australia's chief veterinary officer Rob Rahaley says from February permits for the movement of horses will go.
"As a result of the declining prevalence of equine influenza in New South Wales and Queensland, we will be moving from a permit system for events to a registration system where events of 10 or more horses will have to register with Primary Industries but there will no longer be a requirement for a permit application," he said.
Dr Rahaley says South Australia is on track for all equine influenza restrictions to be lifted by the end of March.
Thousands of properties across the country were affected at the height of the outbreak and many sectors of the horse industry lost millions of dollars.

Riders saddle up for gymkhana

The first horse event outside racing in the NSW north coast green zone since the outbreak of equine influenza (EI) was held over the weekend.
The Rollands Plains Gymkhana yesterday attracted riders from across the region eager to get back in the saddle and compete.
Local rider Emma Gamack, winner of Champion Stockhorse Hack, has not competed since the Glowalman Championships last July (held in Gloucester, Nabiac and Wingham on the mid-north coast).
"It's been bad because I've missed out on Sydney Royal this year because of the EI so I haven't been able to get points or anything to go for National Point Score Champions and stuff like that," she said.
"My horse has been out of work and I'm in Year 12 this year so I won't get any chance to ride really at all."
"My horse has been fat in the paddock but there's always a chance that maybe something's going to happen like this so you've got to ride once a week just to keep her fit in case something does run."
Anna Lisa, winner of Champion Ridden Hack, says even her horses were excited about coming to the gymkhana.
"I started plaiting them up last night at about four o'clock in the afternoon and my horse Jester he stayed awake all night at the gate, he was really excited," she said.
"This morning when we loaded them on the float at about four he ran onto the float, he was really happy to be out, because he's used to showing."
Anna is hoping her next competition will be at the Camden Haven Show in early February.
"It's really hard you've got them in work and they're learning but you're not working towards ever competing," she said.
"It's a bit puzzling when you don't know when your next event is. We found out this one was on a week ago so it was all guns blazing to get all the gear ready and get the horses ready and get the show condition on in a week."
An auction and market day was held in conjunction with the gymkhana to raise funds for the community.
The president of the Rollands Plains Recreation Reserve Trust Phillip Morton says it's the first time an event has been held on the grounds since March last year. "The important thing is communities like ours we make our money for our community hall, sports ground and tennis courts by running horse events, usually campdrafts and gymkhanas and endurance rides, and we haven't been able to run them," he said.
see the photo's

Border horse restrictions may be eased

Horses from New South Wales may soon be able to enter Victoria without quarantine restrictions.
Horse movements across the border have been restricted since the outbreak of equine influenza last August.

But the New South Wales chief vet, Bruce Christie, says there have been no positive cases reported for three weeks, and the number of infected properties has dropped dramatically.
He says horses could be allowed across the border with minimal restrictions early next month.
"Look, I'm hoping certainly by the beginning of February to demonstrate to the other states that our green zone is as free of disease as possible and there is no disease there and therefore they'd have no excuse not to accept horses from our green zone," he said.

EQUINE INFLUENZA – SOUTH AUSTRALIAN UPDATE

Changes will be made to facilitate recovery of South Australia’s horse industry in the wake of very positive reports from New South Wales and Queensland regarding the containment and eradication of equine influenza.
The changes will come into force on 1 February 2008 and include:
• Moving from a permit system for events to a registration system (all gatherings of more than 10 horses from two or more properties)
• Freeing up horse movements between the green zones of New South Wales and Queensland into South Australia (Allowed under permit with a relaxation of pre-entry and post arrival requirements)

Organisers must register events with PIRSA and people attending events must complete and hand in an Event Participant Declaration (EPD) or a Horse Health Statement (HHS) if travelling from interstate on arrival at the venue.
Appropriate biosecurity measures will still be required at all events.
Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Rob Rahaley said that it was pleasing to be able to relax requirements but warned that the equine influenza (EI) fight was not over.
“There is increasing confidence that the disease will be stamped out in the next few months, although there will need to be a period of time without a new infection before interstate authorities can claim to have achieved eradication,” he said. “The big risk now will be complacency and we simply can’t afford for that to happen at this stage when we’re so close to becoming EI free.”
Dr Rahaley said that the new requirements for event organisers and horse owners were a balance that provided greater scope for events and horse movements to resume but which maintained a reasonable level of biosecurity.
“I am confident we have the mix right and I hope that we will announce further changes but it very much depends on everyone doing the right thing and playing their part in maintaining South Australia’s disease free status. Of course, any change will be dependent on continued success in eradication of the disease interstate.”
Specific details regarding the changes will be listed on the PIRSA web site closer to 1 February 2008. More information:
• PIRSA website – www.pir.sa.gov.au/horseflu
• PIRSA hotline – 1800 675 888
• Equestrian clubs and associations
• Horse SA 0402 488 306

EI vaccination deadline nears in Purple Zone

15 January 2008
Owners of horses in the equine influenza purple zone that have not contracted EI are being urged to contact their vet if they have not yet been vaccinated.
NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Bruce Christie, said the first round of purple zone vaccinations was nearing completion, with firm evidence the strategies being used to control and stamp out the EI were succeeding.
“Two rounds of vaccine are crucial to building up immunity in uninfected horses”, Mr Christie said.
“First round vaccinations in the purple zone are scheduled to finish on 3 February with the second round expected to be completed at the end of February. Applications for vaccination must be lodged by 21 January.
“After 4 February only second round vaccinations and special cases will be eligible for vaccination under this program.”
Mr Christie said DPI now required all horse movements in the purple zone to have a Travelling Horse Statement (THS).
From 4 February only horses that have been vaccinated or have documents to show they have recovered from EI will be permitted to move in the purple zone.
“So we are urging horse owners in the purple zone to contact their vet if their horses have not had EI and are still not vaccinated,” Mr Christie said.
Application forms for vaccination are on the NSW DPI website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au
“It’s more important than ever that we find any undetected pockets of EI, so if you think your horses may have EI or you know of an unreported infection, call the hotline on 1800 675888,” Mr Christie said.
“The situation remains very encouraging with no new cases of EI identified since 20 December. However we still have a long way to go before we can be sure horse flu is completely eradicated.
“Even without new outbreaks it will take time to ensure there is no risk of further virus spread. Once vaccinations have been completed surveillance will continue to ensure EI does not reoccur.”

Comment on Workshops to focus on horse industry recovery

Pity the Qld DPI did not think about the the rest of the horse industry when they let Qld racing run the control of EI. I suppose we should be eternally grateful that now they are a least aware that there are other forms of horse sports other than horse racing and that these also provide huge benefit's to the local communities that they are held in.

NSW to be EI-free by mid-March?

SYDNEY - New South Wales could be free of Equine Influenza by mid-March -- but new purple zone requirements are causing some gnashing of teeth.

From today, horse movement in the purple zone is not permitted without a travelling permit -- but the permits are only available as an online form on the rather daunting NSW DPI website.

It is not possible to print a hard copy of the document and fax or post it to the DPI, which creates problems in rural and remote areas and especially for members of non-profit groups who either do not have internet access at home or who are intimidated by the confusing array of forms on the DPI site.

With a number of vaccination and testing clinics planned at venues such as Scone, Denman and Wallabadah in coming weeks, some Upper Hunter residents are concerned that people may be dissuaded from participating due to confusion over online forms.

Others have suggested that the NSW DPI has intentionally made the process laborious and somewhat daunting in order to discourage horse movement in the purple zone in early 2008.

This is problematic not only for horse breeders but also for many community-based equestrian organisations endeavouring to get back on their feet in 2008, having been shut down since August. While there is much willingness to comply with DPI requirements, actually doing so is not as straightforward as it ought to be.

The last case of EI notified in the purple zone was December 21 and there have been no new cases since that date.

Acting Minister for Primary Industries, Verity Firth, said: “A period of time without new infection after March will need to pass to ensure EI has been eradicated once and for all".

NSW chief veterinary officer, Bruce Christie, said there were now less than 250 infected properties in NSW. Most of the properties are now not actively infected and a process is underway to clear them.

“At the height of outbreak there were more than 5800 infected properties and more than 200 new infected properties detected per day,” he said.

“It is a remarkable effort to turn this disease around in such a short amount of time.

“By the end of next month at least 50,000 horses will have been vaccinated as part of the eradication effort.

“Good biosecurity, reporting of suspect horses and sensible movement of animals is more crucial to the campaign than ever. There is no room for complacency; one undiagnosed sick horse could bring down the house of cards.”

Phone the NSW DPI EI hotline 1800 675 888 for more information.

Qld Breeders Call For Annual EI Vaccination

Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland president Bob Frappell called for "decisions to be made now on the subject of vaccination post-EI" & declared: "We are firmly of the view the Canary Pox-based GM Vaccine should be the only vaccine approved for use in Australia. GMV has been successful in the fight for eradication in Queensland from the moment it was used & we see no reason to chance other types of vaccine. It is important the high concentrations & highly mobile horses are subject to annual vaccination to protect the economic viability of these sectors (racing & high performance)." Frappell added annual vaccination of these sectors "would also protect the wider pleasure sectors (approx 70%) where vaccination should be voluntary", noting: "The UK & Europe adopted such a model in 1981. There have been outbreaks of the disease since that time, notably in 2003, but the level of protection from vaccination has dramatically reduced its impact. The most significant reason tabled in the UK's Animal Health Trust research papers is that the vaccination policy covers the most mobile component of the horse population: racing & competition. Adoption of this model will give certainty to crucial sectors of the equine industry at a very small expense compared with the cost of the epidemic we have had to bear so far."

Importation Of Karaka Yearlings From NZ To Aust

Following advice from the NSW Department Of primary Industries "with regard to the importation of horses from New Zealand into NSW", NZ Bloodstock advised prospective buyers for the upcoming Karaka Sales that "effective immediately, no horses are permitted to fly into Sydney airport (being in the Purple Zone) unless they have been fully vaccinated with the Protec Flu Vaccine. As a genetically-modified vaccine, the use of Protec Flu vaccine is not permitted in NZ & therefore it will not be possible for horses to be vaccinated with this in NZ. However, all horses from NZ may fly directly into Melbourne unvaccinated (for the same cost as flying into Sydney) & then be transported into NSW to a property designated as Green, Amber or Red where they can then be vaccinated." NZ Bloodstock also noted that: (i) travel permits are required, which will be obtained by NZB on behalf of buyers; (ii) there is no quarantine period required; & (iii) the only additional cost to owners will be the float trip to the property of their choice & the vaccination shots. Alternatively, for buyers not seeking to transport their horses to Australia immediately, horses can remain in NZ until travel restrictions are lifted by the DPI, "with many NZ vendors willing to assist purchasers in this regard"; NZB noted "horses can remain in NZ for up to 24 months without attracting GST (unless raced or on-sold in that period)". NZB also advised that it "will make all travel arrangements required on buyers' behalf, so buying horses at Karaka this year will be no different to previous years".

Victoria gets all-clear over equine influenza

VICTORIAN thoroughbred racing is free of equine influenza restrictions from this morning, ending almost five months of bio-security measures.

Racing Victoria chief executive Stephen Allanson last night said that, after a meeting with the Department of Primary Industries, all bio-security measures that had restricted access for unlicensed persons to race stables, trackwork sessions and other racetrack areas were lifted immediately.
"It's business as usual in Victoria," he said. "All bio-security measures will be pulled down."
Equine influenza was not detected in Victoria but after the initial outbreak at the Eastern Creek quarantine centre in NSW in late August, Victorian racing has been in lockdown. Access to thoroughbreds was restricted to approved licensed persons, meaning owners have not been able to visit their horses or trainers at their stables or get close to them on raceday.
Entry into Victoria for interstate horses had been limited. Restricted access for NSW and Queensland horses permitted only since mid-December. No horse from those states could enter Victoria for the spring carnival.
Allanson said the lifting of bans meant interstate owners would not have to go through any bio-security measures and the onus would be on licensed interstate visitors to disinfect themselves before entering Victoria. Licensed people from NSW and Queensland could not enter a Victorian racecourse without some period of time spent away from their horses.
It is expected the department later this week will relax border controls, meaning horses from NSW in the designated green zone can cross into Victoria with an approved DPI permit.
About 80 per cent of NSW is now regarded as being "green", meaning areas that pose no threat of spreading the disease.

Workshops to focus on horse industry recovery

The Queensland Government will hold meetings throughout the state to help the performance and pleasure horse industry get back on its feet after equine influenza.
The workshops will provide an overview of the horse flu eradication plan and protocols for events.

Kate Mullens from Sport and Recreation Queensland says the sector will be damaged if activities do not resume within the next few months.
"Without the events being conducted in the industry the industry won't continue to build and maintain the participants that they currently have," she said.
The manager of Maryborough Park is due to meet officials from the Department of Primary Industries today to discuss the biosecurity measures for upcoming events.

Qld could be rid of horse flu by March: Govt

The State Government says Queensland could be free of horse flu by March.

There are still 300 infected properties in the south-east 'red zone', but that is down from more than 2,000 in November last year.
Acting Primary Industries Minister Andrew Fraser says vets will carry out random testing and intense surveillance over the next two months to ensure equine influenza has been eradicated.
Last week, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) relaxed restrictions on horse movements.