Monthly Meetings 2008
Meetings are held at the Marburg Community Hall, commencing at 7.30 pm.  Agenda items are to be forwarded to the Secretary by phone or in writing, by the Sunday preceding the meeting.  Aileen's address is: 2004 Forest Hill-Fernvale Rd, Mt Tarampa, Qld. 4311
19th August, 2008
16th September, 2008
21st October, 2008

MANAGING HORSES ON SMALL PROPERTIES WORKSHOP - FRIDAY 1st AUGUST - 8.30 am-2.30 pm
One day workshop on sustainable land management for horses, held at Glamorganvale Hall.  Guest speaker Jane Myers MSC (Equine Studies).
Topics are Property Design, Pasture establishment and management, Grazing management, Horse facilities, Water protection, conservation and supply, Manure management, trees and plants, animal health and benefits for the wider community.
Demonstrations of Yeoman's plough.  Marie Vitelli (DPI) displays and information on grazing management.
Bookings essential - contact Tania McDonald 5464 4401/0439 832 508 Email: taniamac9@bigpond.com

Blue Cards
It appears that we are all being 'encouraged' to possess Blue Cards if we have any juniors in our sporting clubs.  We are hoping that all members will apply for a Blue Card.  There is no cost to the member, but to apply for a Blue Card a member must supply two forms of personal identification, complete an application form which is then signed by Marcella Maycock once she has sighted the personal idenficiation (which can be any 2 from a range - passport, medicare card, licence, credit card, rates notice, phone bill etc.).
Unfortunately, this must be done in person so we are hoping that at competitions we will be able to assist all club members to apply for a Blue Card.  If you already hold a Blue Card please let Aileen know, otherwise make sure that you have some personal identification at the next competition so that an application can be made.
We understand that this is a sensitive issue and appreciate that you may want to discuss matters further with us before applying.  Please don't hesitate to contact a committee member for more information.
Anyone wishing to apply for a Blue Card, please contact Marcella on 5464 2413 to arrange the appropriate paper work. 

No Smoking Policy at Events
The EFA now have a "No Smoking Policy".  This policy does NOT allow smoking in the arena and in or around the canteen and gear steward areas.

Dress Standards for Official & Members Days
As we have quite a number of new members I thought it may be helpful to mention what is acceptable dress for our competitions.
Member's day competitions are very relaxed but nevertheless, safety cannot be compromised.  Smooth soled boots, a safety helmet and gloves are compulsory and sleeveless shirts are not acceptable.  Coloured jods are OK as are coloured shirts/polo shirts - preferably something with a collar.  We are hoping that club members will wear the new LEG polo shirts that are now available.  Of course, if you wish to wear a coat and tie, you can.
EFA rules apply to the horses tack - same as for official competitions.
Boots
Short boots (black/brown only) and short boots with matching black or brown gaiters (with or without black/brown hunting tops) and long brown boots can only be worn up to advanced level.  Long black boots (Top Boots) can be worn at all levels, including FEI.
Bits
Bits must be made of metal - can be different metals or metal covered with rubber or synthetic material.  All parts of the bit coming into contact with the horse's mouth must be of metal and shall be rounded, smooth and not ridged, sharp or corrugated.
Military personnel or police may wear service dress if they wish when competing.

Helpers Vouchers
Helpers Vouchers are issued to members who help out with the duties of running a competition.  Please remember to ASK at Gear Check for your HELPER’S VOUCHER before you leave the grounds. (A voucher is worth $5.00 and can be redeemed when entering your next competition.) We often find that we are busy and don’t always know when helpers are leaving, so it is up to you to collect your voucher.

Advertisements
We run a FOR SALE page in our newsletter.  If you have an item for sale: tack, horse, clothing, service etc, please let the Publicity Officer Ngaire Reilly know the details of your advertisement.  There is no cost involved.  Ngaire can be contacted on phone: 5426 1905 or email: ngairereilly@optusnet.com.au

Dressage Queensland Labels
All members that currently hold EFA performance cards will note that Dressage Queensland have again provided labels with all the necessary information on them to allow you to use them on your entries to events.  Please use these labels and encourage all the competition organisers that you have contact with to request entrants to use them as well.  The purpose of the labels is to make the filling out of entry forms easier and to ensure that the entry results at the conclusion of competition and their subsequent uploading into the database is as accurate and efficient as possible.  The labels also guarantee to event organisers that you are fully paid up as a competitor, you hold a performance card and your horse is registered for competition purposes.
It DOES make it so much easier for those organising the competition to have your full and correct details when receiving your entry.  It is a waste of someone's time and money (in phone calls) when registrationnumbers have to be found because you have incorrectly or incompletely filled out the form.  The labels also indicate that you and your horse are both current EFA members.  USING THE LABELS SAVES TIME!