The best laid plans
In my last editorial, I jokingly shared the hope our pregnant mare Felicity would have an easy delivery outside in the pasture after supper. I was selfishly hoping to avoid sleepless nights, and I got my wish. Felicity foaled out easily one morning, with lots of warning. She’s a wonderful mother, and we couldn’t be happier with her filly. This wasn’t the breeding we had planned. It was a last minute “pivot” (ugh, that word) to find another stallion when COVID complications thwarted the original plan.

How many times have your plans been changed in the past 2 1/2 years? If nothing else, we’re all well practised at adapting. It’s proving a valuable skill in dealing with supply chain issues, travel delays, staff shortages, and even the aftermath of a hurricane. It was heart wrenching to see the devastation while travelling to and through Prince Edward Island last weekend. There’s more on the aftermath and impact of Fiona in this issue’s P.E.I. Report and Ask the Therapist column. If you didn’t have a little “climate anxiety” before Fiona, you likely do now.

Making plans around weather events during a pandemic comes with finger crossing and perhaps more down-to-earth expectations – if things proceed as planned. Our trip to P.E.I. was rescheduled due to Fiona. My nephew and his partner’s lovely wedding celebration at her family’s farm appeared seamless three weeks late, but after 16 days without power and trees down everywhere, it must have been a daunting undertaking. Even the “Oldest Agricultural Fair in North America” was no match for Fiona. The second weekend of the Hants County Exhibition was called off – perhaps the first time due to weather in its 257-year run.

The efforts required to organize shows and clinics happen regardless of whether events go forward or not. None would happen without good people, working hard, often as volunteers. This is no doubt the case everywhere in the world fortunate to have access to sport and recreational activities. A read through the provincial reports in Horse & Pony suggests we might be just a little richer in human resources here. It’s amazing how many events of all shapes and sizes happen in our region annually.

Two generous Maritimers who led the charge for many years recently died. Ceci Snow and Nicole Kitchener bring us memorials recognizing the contributions of New Brunswick’s Mike Gallagher and P.E.I.’s Maylea Manning. Gallagher and Manning are two shining examples of people who believed in the importance of equestrian sport from grassroots to top level, and they got down to business and made things happen. Our deepest condolences to their families and connections.

Planning events through a pandemic and around the weather is challenging enough, but now organizers also have to be adept at social media management. It’s a wonderful way to communicate updates, but there’s a flip side. The days of people making a phone call or writing a letter to address a problem or concern seem to have given way to posting grievances directly to social media. The fallout of such posts online can be absolutely gutting, and sometimes the reason people stop giving of their time. We can’t do anything about pandemics or the weather, but we can pause and remember there are people on the other side of the keyboard, and pick up a pen and paper instead.

Enjoy what’s left of the fall. I’m hoping the winter will be kind, but I’m planning for the opposite.

Take care,