January is a time to think ahead and plan for the upcoming year and it is also a time for reflection. As we think over the last year, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for all the support from the local community – our friends and family. Thank you for trusting us at Athens Area Horse Community to be your space to connect and gather information. A big thank you to our Corporate Partners for believing in AAHC and giving us the space to fulfill our mission – Allison Creek, Bar G Horse and Cattle Supply, and Full Cup Financial. Their sustaining support helps us in our endeavors – if you get the opportunity, please express how much you appreciate their support of Athens Area Horse Community.
Looking forward, we are starting to really understand our role here in Athens. (At least we think we do lolz.) Our mission is to stimulate the growth of the local community. Y’all inspire me every day with new ideas and suggestions of ways AAHC can help the local horse community thrive – helping us solve the problems we collectively face while embracing and engaging the opportunities that we need to ensure that the horse community is here for the future.. and the future after the future.
– 2022 Calendar of Local Horse Events
– Interactive Map
– Merchant Directory
– AAHC Initiatives
The new AAHC website is easier to navigate and find the information you need.
You are already here! When you’re done reading the newsletter, take a few minutes to look around. The calendar has a ton of stuff so you can easily find places and events to go ride – not just shows! Hopefully it can become a place where you can easily reference to plan fun outings with your friends and horses. Local businesses can manage their own listings in the directory, we can manage memberships, and overall better serve the local horse community.
We regularly add information site, so check back often. And you have any suggestions on further improvements – let us know!
You have probably heard about our efforts with Heritage Park. Our work with Heritage Park feeds into our big and wild dreams for helping preserve green space for future generations to ride. And that work is continuing. But another problem came up recently with loose horses who’s owners couldn’t immediately be located. We spent several hours over the Christmas holidays trying to help volunteers who were working with loose horses in Madison and Clarke counties. As we all know, horses in the highway are dangerous for both equines and humans. And law enforcement often are not equipped with the knowledge or equipment to catch them but are tasked with the responsibility of clearing hazards from the road.
Helping Loose Horses
So we are working on some solutions. Our ideas so far include: 1. Publish a list on the website of horse people that (non-horsey) community members and law enforcement can use when they need help with loose horses who owners cannot be located. 2. Encourage local horse owners to call the non-emergency line in their county to register their farm. 3. Host a Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue clinic for horse owners, veterinarians, rescue organizers, police officers and fire fighters.
Local Business News
Allison Creek, AAHC Corporate Partner and your favorite horse trailer service shop, IS GROWING! They are opening a new location on Hwy 441 in Bishop (with plans to officially move in March). The new location is easier to get your trailer in and out of and they have grown to where they need additional space and staff. The custom metal fabrication shop will stay in their current location on Watson Springs Road where they will continue to build custom gates and patience poles. The new location will hold the trailer repair shop. Allison Creek is currently running a giveaway for an Annual Safety Inspection ($232 value) to spread the word about their growth – visit their Facebook page for details on how to enter.
In other businesses moving news – Dressage Trainer Beanie Crowe is now at the calm, quiet atmosphere and stunning facility of Starlight Farm (Covington). Beanie and her family moved from the UK in 2019 where she ran a successful training and boarding facility. Since moving to Georgia, Beanie has built a thriving training business, qualified for regional and national championships, and earned her USDF Bronze Medal. Beanie loves to teach and enjoys all levels of horse and rider. At Starlight, she will continue training her own horses and onsite clients. She welcomes off-site clients to trailer in for lessons and is available for off-site clinics. Give her a call to talk to her about your and your horse’s goals. She can help with improvement and training or event and dressage competition goals.
Two eventers and friends, Nicole Spiropoulos and Cassidy Heitzenrater are pleased to announce they are accepting consignments for their new business – Athens Equestrian Consignment. On their website you can find English and Western gear – saddles, tack, apparel and accessories. Saddles are allowed on trial and they are constantly adding new inventory.
tree used condition $3000
Locals Oppose Rivian Plant
In Dec 2021, Governor Kemp announced electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian is to build an assembly plant on 2,000 acres known as “East Atlanta Megasite” in Morgan and Walton counties. The plant is proposed to bring an additional 7,500 jobs to the area. The site includes a roughly 400 acre hay farm.
A growing grassroots movement is opposing the plant.
The Northeast Georgia Regional Commission released their Final Report on the Developments of Regional Impact on the project. It is 8 pages – you should read it. It had me awake at 4am typing this last minute addition to the AAHC newsletter.
Links to learn more or get involved:
Organization website: no2rivian.org
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652850419050575/media
IG: https://www.instagram.com/weopposerivian/
Donate to the legal fund: https://gofund.me/ff47695f
Walton County Planning and Zoning Meeting – Thursday. Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. – 303 S Hammond Drive, Monroe, GA.
Morgan County Planning Commission Meeting – Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. – Morgan County Administration Building, 150 East Washington Street.
Morgan County Board of Commissioners meeting – Tuesday, Mar. 1, at 10 a.m. – Morgan County Administration Building, 150 East Washington Street.
Do you have local horse news that you want us to share for you? We are happy to help you spread the word! Contact us.
Note from Amanda
Looking ahead to the future, I want to set the intention for AAHC to continue to nurture the collaborative and supportive character of our community. Let’s continue to lift each other up. And say thanks – but not thanks – to those who try to rank us or pit us against each other. We are ALL in this together. Best wishes from the AAHC team for a happy and healthy 2022 full of spending time with your horse.