Siberian Huskies

The Siberian Husky Club of Western Connecticut will hold its second annual Winter Holidays Festive Dinner Party on Sunday, January 16, from 3 to 6 pm, at Barcelona on the Black Rock Turnpike (Route 58) in Fairfield.

Family and friends are invited to join fellow Siberian Husky enthusiasts. For further information, visit shcwc.org on the web or call Kimberly Piagentini at 203-396-0118.

Second Company Dedication Ceremony

The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard received an invitation to represent the state of Connecticut in the presidential inauguration on Thursday, January 20, in Washington, D.C.

The Horse Guard announced it would be riding in its historic cavalry uniforms with each horse bearing a black ribbon with the name, rank and branch of service of one of the 22 Connecticut military men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A dedication ceremony honoring those lost heroes will be held Sunday, January 16, from 11 am to 12 noon, at the Horse Guard headquarters on the campus of Fairfield Hills. Major General William Cugno, CT Adjutant General, will be attending.

In order to attend the inauguration, the Second Company must raise $12,000 in four weeks to fund this four-day journey (which includes budgeting for travel, accommodation and meals for guardsmen and horses).

The Second Company is reaching out to state organizations, local communities and businesses asking for help by providing tax-deductible donations to the “Inaugural Fund.” Donations will sponsor a team, trooper and horse, in the parade as well as help defer travel expenses.

Any donation would be appreciated, no matter the amount. Support the guard by sending donations payable to 2GHG to 4 Wildlife Drive, Newtown, CT 06470, c/o Sgt. Karen Farrar “Inaugural Fund.”

Dog Obedience Short Course

The Fairfield County 4-H program will conduct a five-week Dog Obedience Short Course starting Saturday, February 5, at Wags Doggie Day Camp & Boarding, LLC, in Danbury.

Abby Hill of Exceptional Pet, LLC, will conduct the program and classes will include basic obedience; proper interactions with humans and strange dogs; coping with behavior problems; teaching your dog tricks; and basic dog care.

Any youth ages 9 to 15 is eligible to participate. Enrollment is limited and registration is required. Call 203-207-8440 for further information and registration materials.

Post University Educational Programs

Two educational programs for horse people will be held together at Post University in Waterbury on Saturday and Sunday, January 22 and 23.

One program will be aimed primarily at young dressage, Pony Club, and eventing riders, and the other at professional equestrians and stable owners. Both programs, however, will cover subjects that competitors, horse owners and parents should know and are open to anyone interested.

The first program will be the 3rd Annual Weekend Educational Program organized by Olympian Lendon Gray. It is titled “Helping the Rider on the Road to FEI.” Acknowledging that for horse and rider to be successful they must not only be well trained, but also healthy, with good competitive skills, financially sound, and with a strong support system. Most subjects will be ideal for Pony Club members going for higher ratings and for instructors planning on USEF or USEA certification.

For most sessions there will be a choice of two speakers and topics will cover training, competing, and horse care. There are special sessions just for parents, for trainers only, and for young children. The program is giving special attention to summer jobs for youth as well as non-riding equine jobs. It will be held 8:30 am to 7 pm on Saturday and 8 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

The Financial and Risk Management Seminar will be conducted by Beth Clarke, who is an equine lawyer and financial manager. Among her topics will be equine safety, liability releases, insurance, written agreements, business plans, time management, tax and estate planning. The program will run from 8:30 am to 5 pm Saturday and 8 am to 4 pm Sunday.

Participants are being encouraged to bring any equestrian clothing or equipment for a tag sale to benefit the Dressage4Kids, Inc Scholarship Program.

Some of the speakers and topics for the Weekend Educational Program will include: “S” dressage judge Margaret Freeman; sports psychologist Dr. Leslie Weiss; equine nutritionist Mary Beth Gordon; veterinarians Dr. Margaret Brosnahan and Dr. Matthew Eliott; Lendon Gray; Beth Clarke on risk management; along with panels on being a Horse Show Mom/Dad, the European scene, competitor hints, and freestyles.

Admission will be $5 per day or $8 for the weekend for youth and $15 per day or $25 for the weekend for adults (prior to January 10 – after, fees jump $5). The Financial and Risk Management Seminar costs $100 per day and $180 for the weekend (prior to January 10 – after, fees are $110 per day and $299 for the weekend).

Both programs will be held in the Leever Student Center. Lunch and dinner can be purchased at the cafeteria. Space will be limited so early application is recommended.

For applications and further information go to www.dressage4kids.com.Or contact Lendon Gray (graydressage@optonline.com) at 1-914-234-4158 or Carole Baker (cbaker@teikyopost.edu) at 596-4631.