NETWORKING EVENT
11th Annual Horsemen’s Social sees increase in attendance
The recent 11th Annual Horsemen’s Social, a networking event hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Equine, was reported to be a smashing success with an 87 percent increase in attendance.
This social networking event was created by the CCE Equine Leadership Committee to encourage horse people of all disciplines to gather and discuss the state of the industry and foster relationships within the equine community.
This year’s social featured a new venue, new speakers, and a new partnership with the Saratoga Horse Development Committee.
At the helm of this endeavor was first-time event planner Brieanna Hughes, CCE Equine program coordinator. Hired just before last year’s social, Hughes was able to see the event’s potential and was quick to take it in a different direction. With the help of new hire Nicolina Foti, assistant program educator and Farm to School Grant coordinator, the new vision resulted in a greatly increased attendance.
“Over the last year in my role as program coordinator of CCE Equine I have been grateful for a community that has welcomed me, supported me and helped me stay motivated to improve and grow this program,” Hughes said in a press release. “I hope to see the success of the Horsemen’s Social reflected in future events.”
The redesigned event, hosted by the CCE Equine and the Saratoga Horse Development Committee, was held on Feb. 21 at the Saratoga Winery.
“The venue provided the perfect place for mingling, socializing, and networking for guests of the Equine community,” the release said. “More than 150 equine
enthusiasts gathered in the new room at the winery to enjoy a BBQ dinner, silent auction, and educational presentations from three sparkling speakers.”
Kim Trombly, field advisor for the New York Farm Bureau, New York State Horse Council recording secretary Sarah Collier, and Jennifer Stevens, national director of development and communications at the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, represented their organizations by explaining their missions and community outreach efforts.
Thanks in part to prizes like a gift basket from Triple Crown Nutrition and a gastroscopy and sedation package from Rood and
Riddle Equine Hospital, the silent auction raised more than $1,600 to benefit the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center on Middleline Road in Ballston Spa.
The training center boasts an indoor and outdoor arena that has proved to be an asset to the local equine community.
The Saratoga Horse Development Committee is made up of professional influencers of the equestrian community in the Capital Region. The Horse Development Committee has three core objectives: to identify the needs of the Saratoga County equine community, to assist in developing educational opportunities for the local equine community partnered with CCE Equine, and to act as advisors/resources for local equine youth organizations, such as 4-H, pony clubs and youth rodeos.
The committee distributed surveys to guests at the Horsemen’s Social, asking for the opinions of equine community members.
“The responses have been insightful and will allow the committee a great vantage point to provide the community with the resources they’ve been looking for,” the release said.
The next CCE Equine event is the Annual Horse
Symposium on Saturday, May 16 at the Saratoga County 4-H Training Center. At the symposium, speakers, trainers, and demonstrators will provide a variety of educational experiences.
More information about Cornell Cooperative Extension Equine and the Saratoga Horse Development Committee is available online at www.cceequine. com.