By Pam Doolittle/WDCTA President

Join us on Saturday, February 25, at the Country Springs Hotel and Waterpark in Pewaukee.

Our Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet is shaping up to be great event, and I would like to invite you to join us for conversation and celebration. Front and center we will celebrate the 2011 accomplishments of our WDCTA members in competition, volunteerism, and other achievements. Our speakers will cover important topics to optimize the performance of your horses, from advances in equine dentistry, to using complementary medicine, to the benefits of cross training—you’re sure to benefit from the expertise and experiences of our presenters.

Dr.’s Travis Henry and Molly Rice are well known for their equine dentistry practice in the Wisconsin and Northern Illinois area. Using complimentary medicine for the well-being of performance horses has become more widely accepted in recent years, and Dr. Tracy Buscallachi will speak about her experiences in making the best choices in using these methods in caring for your sport horse.

I’m particularly delighted to welcome Mr. Alex Gerding to our venue to speak about the benefits of cross training. I wrote about Alex in my first president’s message to you back in 2010, and I shared how he helped me to retain my “sparkle.” Alex’s students have successfully competed across a wide variety of disciplines around the world and he will speak about what he has found to work and NOT work in cross training horses.

Our silent auction donations are already streaming in, and so far include items from jewelry artist Laura Voll, Lia Sophia jewelry donated by Hopeful Farm/Stephanie Severn, a saddle fitting from Equine Inspired Touch, a bodywork session from Findaway Farm/Competitive Edge Bodywork, lessons from Wisconsin instructors and more. If you would like to donate a service or item, please contact our silent auction chair, Nicki Butler, at findawayfarm@yahoo.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Remember, WDCTA is a 501)(c)3 non-profit corporation, and your donation is tax deductible. Kim Amini from Midwest English Tack is also planning a fun fashion show for our lunch- time viewing. Registration information is included below. This is sure to be a fun day, so please join us!

A block of rooms is being held in under “WDCTA” until February 1, please makes sure to reserve your room before then for our special rate (mention WDCTA)

– Pamela Doolittle