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list for our new releases - //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Media Release Costs of Eradication of Equine Influenza Pony Club Australia has resolved to continue representations to the Federal Government opposing any attempt being made to impose on horse owners the costs of the program to deal with the consequences of the outbreak of equine influenza from the Eastern Creek Quarantine Station in August 2007. We thank Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, who said today “I have no intention of introducing a levy before receiving the final Callinan Inquiry report.” as we believe that it would be fundamentally inappropriate and inequitable for the horse industry to bear the costs of mounting a response to a disease outbreak in circumstances where it had been established that the Commonwealth did not maintain an adequate set of measures to protect the horse population from that outbreak occurring. He also said “I am committed to discussing any future action on levies with industry and have ensured this is required under the legislation.” Pony Club Australia looks forward to taking part in industry discussions after the final Callinan Inquiry Report is received. XXXXXX Media Release Thoroughbred Racing Industry request for a continuing vaccination program. All available evidence after a wide ranging active and passive surveillance program testing for the presence of equine influenza indicate it has been eradicated from Australia. Pony Club Australia strongly supports the arguments against any continuing vaccination program presented in a paper prepared by the Australian Horse Industry Council Inc and headed Questions and Answers About Vaccination Against Equine Influenza which was presented to Federal and State Government Ministers on Friday. This paper argues strongly that there is no good reason to continue to vaccinate against a virus that is no longer present and there are substantial disadvantages in allowing any group or individuals to continue vaccinating. The paper is well worth reading and can be accessed by following this link AHIC Report EI Vaccination here All incidences of the introduction of Equine Influenza into a country can be traced to a breakdown in quarantine. Effective quarantine prevents the introduction of exotic diseases and so the inevitability of another Equine Influenza introduction into Australia is far from certain so long as effective quarantine is maintained. ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// July 2007 International Mounted Games Report. The Australian Mounted Games team met in Brisbane to fly to Sydney, where they were too meet up with me and we were to travel to Penrith as a group to attend training camp. They arrived on time and I had had the opportunity to organize a vehicle prior to their arrival – so we were able to go straight to the vehicle and travel to Penrith. Billie Pearson’s bag didn’t arrive with them and we were assured that it would be delivered to us latter that night. We found the motel with the aid of Sean’s GPS that told us where to go in an American accent. On arrival we discovered that there were only six beds, we need seven and that somebody had to sleep on a roll out bed. We checked out our surroundings, went up to the Pony Club to make sure we knew where we were going the next morning and found an all you can eat Pizza place and had our first meal together. Camp was excellent, with all riders showing their skills and very quickly forming a team mentality. Cards and eating became the focus of our lives when they weren’t riding; we also went to the opening night of the latest Harry Potter movie. Penrith PC was excellent grounds for training and unfortunately we were asked to leave the Pony Club on Wednesday as the PC President told us that she didn’t know we were there and we would cut their grounds up as they had a games competition that weekend. We decided that we’d have a day of washing and preparing instead of riding, which actually worked out well. The people who loaned ponies were very helpful and the ponies were very much appreciated by us all. Our trip back to Sydney was earlier than expected however it allowed for more duty free shopping, dinner with some of the parents and an evening of ten pin bowling. Friday morning saw us up early and leaving for USA, 27 hours later and with some of us who hadn’t slept, we arrived at Dulles airport to be met by Janey Lawrence our tour organizer. Through immigration we found out that a Patrick Fitzsimmons is on the USA terrorist watch list and we had to deal with this at each airport that we went through until we go back to Australia The organization in the USA was excellent, our host families and accommodation were all very good and charming. The tours and sight seeing was well organized and very appropriate for our group. This group of riders was an excellent team; they “jelled” together very quickly, and as individuals and a team they were a pleasure to travel with each state and PCA should be very proud of this group of young Australian ambassadors. We achieved third position and the score sheet is attached.
Michele Wilkie Chaperone International Mounted Games 2007
July 2007 Inter Pacific Exchange Report The IPE tour group met in Sydney prior to leaving for the flight to USA. Problems with Boarding cards in Los Angles meant two members (Coach & Josh Sozou) did not arrive at Baltimore until 1.30am, staying in an hotel, contact was made the next morning & we arrived at our “host family” by midday (before the teams luggage !) We were beautifully looked after in Maryland but I certainly missed the “team bonding” that had been done so well in Canada in 2005. The horses for the Kangaroo Cup were a mixed collection with one or two soundness problems, some extra horses were found, some horses that were used twice for this competition.
Horses arrived in the
morning & riders did their dressage on first day with a Hickstead type
jumping round early on the second day.The rules were changed more than once,
which confuses riders. The reason given was that the organisers did not want
horses to be ridden too hard on firm ground. These changes did not mar the competition, which was enjoyed by all riders from all countries. The IPE participants attended the Maryland Horse Trials to act as Jump Judges, It was interesting to see the standard of fences & competitors, Dressage arenas were on quite undulating ground & although I did not get the opportunity to walk any Show Jumping courses they appeared quite testing. It was rather a long hot day however the commentator thanked us during the day for our assistance. Leaving Maryland we made the journey to Bethany College in the “pan handle” of Pennsylvania. This was an interesting trip, as the coach was sent on a road more suited to a “rally car”.
The stay at was rather
disappointing as the Itinerary said that there would be a Trail Ride, this
was then not available. After much persuasion a ride was organised for a
small number, the Australians made the suggestion that the Hong Kong team
should go on the ride. They had an enjoyable ride, but it did cost them U.S
$50.oo per head.
In Lexington we were put up
at the University of Kentucky dorms, this was rather a shock. The tour to Kentucky Equine Research was most interesting & the Haagard Veterinary Clinic mind blowing having 61 Veterinary surgeons, many of whom are specialists. We were taken to Keenland racetrack & saw the world famous sale ring, but unfortunately were too late in the morning to see any horses’ breeze. A dinner cruise on the wide & fast flowing Ohio river was one of our evening entertainments & we also attended a Baseball game in Lexington, fortunately some “locals’ were willing to explain the game. The Kentucky Horse Park is amazing, every sort of exhibition & the most superb horse statues. The X-country course was impressive; it would have been fantastic to have had a guided tour informing us of what fences were used for various competitions. We took part in the Opening Ceremony with all International teams & USPC teams competing at the USPC National Championships.
The draw for the Nations Cup
horse took place at the IPE meeting, we became very confused as we were told
there were 24 horses, but having drawn our horses, some had the numbers 1 &
2 against the name. To our horror we eventually understood that these horses
were supposed to be ridden twice, some times by different teams. This seemed
most unusual & as a coach I found it unsatisfactory. It was then discovered
that there were only 19 horses, so we suggested that each team draw 4 except
for the US who would have 3. When the day came more horses were found & each team had sufficient for each of their riders. However there was very little time for trials as our competition time was brought forward to fit in an award ceremony for the USPC Quiz Championships. This time was then changed giving more time, but then a big hurry to get finished before a thunderstorm. The Course designer built a testing but rideable course with curving lines & true distances, great for who could keep a good tempo, riding a careful horse. However some of the horses did not mind rubbing a few poles. The prize giving ceremony was sadly lacking, in particular there was no National Anthem or flag raising for the winning New Zealand team, which left us feeling that the IPE Nations Cup was very secondary to the other competitions held at Kentucky Horse Park. The Australian team came second performing extremely well on the horses they had drawn. The final evening was spent watching the International Games, the Australians cheered themselves hoarse supporting their team who came home with a Bronze medal to add to the IPE Silver medal. I would particularly like to thank the four Australian team members for their superb contribution on the tour. Complements were made on many occasions, regarding their willingness to help in any way & they all were excellent ambassadors for their Pony Club, State & Country. The Chaperone was never ending in her commitment to all duties & our team spirit was outstanding. Thank you APC for allowing me to take part in an Inter Pacific Exchange & for the generous reimbursement. It is a wonderful opportunity & the experience will not be forgotten. As this is my third IPE it is difficult for me not to compare one exchange to another, they are all different & much is gained from each tour.
May they continue giving
Pony Club members the opportunity to see Pony Club in the IPE region. Anthea Sutherland Inter Pacific Exchange Coach 2007
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