2025 Absorbine / NEDA Symposium ~ Auditor Info
2025 Absorbine/NEDA Symposium featuring
~ GARETH HUGHES ~
NEDA is honored to announce that Absorbine is returning as the title sponsor for this prestigious event. Absorbine,” The Horse World’s Most Trusted Name in Horse Care Products”, has made it their mission to find a better way to care for horses for over 133 years. In keeping with this mission, Absorbine is excited to announce the launch of their new product, UltraShield® Gold. Developed with the breakthrough Absorbine FlyShield® technology, this unique formula works by disrupting the insects’ homing systems stopping bugs before they bite. Learn more at Absorbine.com
The New England Dressage Association (NEDA) announced that British team member, World Equestrian Games and European Championship medalist, Gareth Hughes, will headline the 2025 Absorbine/ NEDA Symposium. The Symposium will take place on October 18th and 19th at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center in South Hadley, Massachusetts. The format of the Symposium will develop topics in training with a progression shown through multiple horses. Gareth was acclaimed at last year’s symposium for clarity and harmony in teaching and our members asked that he come back. A master clinician, rider and coach, he has appeared in Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and at the British National Convention.
Quotes from last year’s auditors and riders:
~ “Fabulous communicator! We loved and understood, great weekend.”
~” This is EVERYTHING a symposium should be. Gareth Hughes did an amazing job presenting to the audience and using the selected riders to demonstrate his theory. I left understanding his system on how to get a horse up the levels. Mission accomplished”
~ “Gareth focused on how important harmony is for creating a future GP horse. He gave me a lot of great insight on how to slowly build up the work for the next level while maintaining the ultimate goal of creating a happy and proud GP horse in the end” (Hope Cooper, rider)
About Gareth Hughes
Gareth Hughes has represented Great Britain on numerous award-winning teams that have made the UK soar to the top of international dressage along with his teammates Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin. He is a clear precise teacher with the ability to make concepts reachable step by step. Gareth is probably most gifted at creating a harmonious partnership with the horse that makes the work look easy and in self-carriage. He is recognized as a master in training the pirouettes. His teaching can be previewed on the Ridely app and on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aHBu3COysw
Born in Britain Gareth spent his youth in Australia competing in a variety of equine sports including Dressage, In-hand showing and the Western disciplines. After returning to Britain, he developed a freelance business where he was mentored by Stephen Clarke among others. In 2001, he set up his own yard and later, with his wife Rebecca, moved to Warwickshire, where in 2011 Hughes Dressage was born.
Gareth medaled at the 2014 World Equestrian Games (Team Silver) and at the 2022 World Equestrian Games (Team Silver) and competed at the European Championships in 2013 (Team Bronze, 2019, 2021 (Team Silver) and in 2023 (Team Gold). His international experience is highlighted with over 60 National and International titles, and he has been a member of the British world class podium squad with numerous Nations Cup wins.
Gareth was a member of the British team for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, as the Team GBR Reserve.
In addition to his competitive career, Gareth also served as the Australian Eventing Dressage coach from 2012-2019, and from 2016-2019 was the Swiss Dressage Technical Advisor. At the Paris Olympics, Gareth coached the New Zealand Eventing team and was Carl Hester’s coach for the British dressage team When he is not riding his own horses, he is a dedicated coach and can be found giving regular clinics, exhibitions and participating in many various online training platforms, including the popular equestrian app, Ridely.
October 11, 2025
Dear Symposium Auditor,
A few updates to make your experience run smoothly at the Absorbine/ NEDA Symposium with Gareth Hughes.
Important Driving Update: Road Closure
Please note: Park Street is closed near the Willits Hallowell Conference Center, which is North of the Equestrian Center. You can not get through from Church St/North side of Park St.
Driving directions: From Route 116 North and South, turn onto Morgan St, then turn left onto Park Street. Put Morgan St into your GPS
When you leave the Equestrian Center, you must turn left on Park St and then right onto Morgan St
Do NOT Park on Park Street. You will be ticketed by the South Hadley Police Department.
Parking is on-site and will open at 7:00 a.m. both days. Carpooling is greatly appreciated. There will be no bussing.
- Overflow parking is at the Ham/MacGregor lot is located on Park Street and is located within walking distance of the Equestrian Center (less than 1/8 mile); the walk is estimated at 5-minutes. There is NO SHUTTLE from this lot to the venue.
- Handicapped and mobility restricted parking is available on site in the flat area behind the barn. Speak with the parking personnel at the circle for a pass.
Tickets: Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Simply provide your name at the registration desk to receive your auditor packet. No paper tickets are needed.
Seating is in folding chairs, feel free to bring seat cushions. Your packet will have seat cards for you to reserve your seat each morning. This will allow you to come early, shop and listen to a lecture. Please be in your seat by 9:20a.m. You will be asked to remain in your seat during all sessions to eliminate distractions for the horses, riders, and fellow auditors.
The venue is not heated so dress accordingly. October can be quite chilly.
Reminders to Make Your Symposium Experience Enjoyable:
- Please visit our vendors and educational sponsors. Booths in the arena, on the porch and in the courtyard.
- Lectures in the small arena at 8:15am and 12:30pm. Please support our sponsors with your attendance.
- Please use the porta-johns in the vendor area.
- Lunch will be passed out at the entrance. Please have ticket from your packet – Saturday / white ticket, Sunday/ black ticket.
- Coffee is available, on the porch, with a donation to the Mount Holyoke College IDA and IHSA teams.
- No electronic devices allowed: no photographs, recording or videotaping during the presentations. (except by credentialed photographers with official badges). Cell phones, iPad and all electronic devices must remain turned off and stowed out of sight. You will be asked to leave the venue for failure to follow this policy.
- Please stay seated during the riding sessions to eliminate distractions for the horses and riders.
- Pre-ordered commemorative T-shirts may be picked up at registration.
Your symposium ticket also gives you a seat at the best lectures in town.
- Saturday Lectures: NEDA is pleased to welcome Kim Gentry from Bits N’ Such for lectures on Saturday. Kim has been a popular speaker at the “NEDA Know How Series” and we are thrilled to have her expertise in person. The overall theme of the talks will delve into the question: Why is bit fitting essential to the welfare of the horse? We all have saddle fittings, and the bit fittings are just as crucial.
Morning session (8:15): The Secrets Behind Those Lips; What you need to know about mouth anatomy and the pitfalls of bitting. There are so many differences in mouth conformation that need to be addressed before we select a bit: thin bars, fat tongues, large lips, shallow palates….
Lunch lecture: The Physics and Functionality of Bitting: How bits work. The options in today’s market are endless. The shape and weight of the mouthpiece, the number of joints, the type of cheek pieces and the material, all add up to 1000’s of options.
- Sunday lectures will feature Atlantic Equine Services sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
8:15 Lecture: How the Sacroiliac Joint and the Pelvis/Hips affect Performance Horses; A discussion of normal and compromised anatomy and physiology and treatment options for the performance horse with Dr Christine Cormier
Lunch Lecture: Equine Gastric Ulcer Disease (EGUS): a Cause of poor performance in sport horses. with Dr Jacqueline Bartol.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors we could not produce this event without you.
Title: Absorbine/ W. F. Young,
Grand Prix: Misty View Equestrian, North Bridge Equine Associates,
Intermediare: Dressage 4 Kids and L. M. Boots
Speaking Sponsors: Atlantic Equine Services, cosponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
Bits N’ Such – Kim Gentry
Meet and Greet Reception: Iron Horse Dressage
Rider saddle pads: LeMieux
Vendors: Purina Animal Nutrition, Maine Horse and Rider, Bridle Path Tack, Frederique Studios, Deinhardt Designs, Black Horse Expressions, RER Saddlery and Sew You.
Youth Ticket Sponsors: Beth Ferber and an anonymous donor
Informational Booths many with giveaways: North Bridge Equine Associates, : Atlantic Equine Services, Purina Animal Nutrition.
Silent Auctions: Please bid to support NEDA, your favorite dressage organization
L&M Boots will have a silent auction at their booth (at the end of the arena) for a pair of custom boots with all the bells and whistles a $1000. value.
Go with the Flow Equine Massage will have a silent auction sign up at the NEDA table.
The highest bids will be announced Sunday afternoon. Please make a check payable to NEDA.
We look forward to seeing you.
Beth Beukema
Symposium Organizer
beukemab@neda.org
October 11, 2025
Dear Patron and Sponsor,
We are all looking forward to welcoming you to the Absorbine/ NEDA Symposium with Gareth Hughes. To make your symposium experience enjoyable we are sending you these notes. Your support of the symposium is appreciated.
Important Driving Update: Road Closure
Please note: Park Street is closed near the Willits Hallowell Conference Center, which is North of the Equestrian Center. You can not get through from Church St/North side of Park St.
Driving directions: From Route 116 North and South, turn onto Morgan St, then turn left onto Park Street. Put Morgan St into your GPS
When you leave the Equestrian Center, you must turn left on Park St and then right onto Morgan St.
Meet and Greet Reception: (Sponsored by Iron Horse Dressage) We hope to see you at the Meet and Greet reception. The reception will take place at the Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center. The reception is Friday, October 17’th from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Come meet Gareth, riders, owners and fellow NEDA members. Reception will be on the porch at the Equestrian Center so dress accordingly.
Patron Parking is at the Equestrian Center for the symposium Saturday and /Sunday. Patrons qualify for a premium parking pass which may be picked up at the Meet and Greet or at the entrance to the Equestrian Center.
Tickets: Registration opens at 7:15 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Simply provide your name at the registration desk to receive your auditor packet. No paper tickets are needed.
Seating is in folding chairs, feel free to bring seat cushions. Your packet will have seat cards for you to reserve your seat for both days. This will allow you to come early, shop and listen to a lecture. Please be in your seat by 9:20a.m. You will be asked to remain in your seat during all sessions to eliminate distractions for the horses, riders, and fellow auditors.
The venue is not heated so dress accordingly. October can be quite chilly. Dress warmly
Reminders to Make Your Symposium Experience Enjoyable:
- Please visit our vendors and educational sponsors. Booths in the arena, on the porch and in the courtyard.
- Lectures in the small arena at 8:15am and 12:30pm. Please support our sponsors with your attendance.
- Please use the porta-johns in the vendor area.
- Lunch will be passed out at the entrance. Please have ticket from your packet – Saturday / white ticket, Sunday/ black ticket.
- Coffee is available, on the porch, with a donation to the Mount Holyoke College IDA and IHSA teams.
- No electronic devices allowed: no photographs, recording or videotaping during the presentations. (except by credentialed photographers with official badges). Cell phones, iPad and all electronic devices must remain turned off and stowed out of sight. You will be asked to leave the venue for failure to follow this policy.
- Please stay seated during the riding sessions to eliminate distractions for the horses and riders.
- Pre-ordered commemorative T-shirts may be picked up at registration.
Your symposium ticket also gives you a seat at the best lectures in town.
- Saturday Lectures: NEDA is pleased to welcome Kim Gentry from Bits N’ Such for lectures on Saturday. Kim has been a popular speaker at the “NEDA Know How Series” and we are thrilled to have her expertise in person. The overall theme of the talks will delve into the question: Why is bit fitting essential to the welfare of the horse? We all have saddle fittings, and the bit fittings are just as crucial.
Morning session (8:15): The Secrets Behind Those Lips; What you need to know about mouth anatomy and the pitfalls of bitting. There are so many differences in mouth conformation that need to be addressed before we select a bit: thin bars, fat tongues, large lips, shallow palates….
Lunch lecture: The Physics and Functionality of Bitting: How bits work. The options in today’s market are endless. The shape and weight of the mouthpiece, the number of joints, the type of cheek pieces and the material, all add up to 1000’s of options.
- Sunday lectures will feature Atlantic Equine Services sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
8:15 Lecture: How the Sacroiliac Joint and the Pelvis/Hips affect Performance Horses; A discussion of normal and compromised anatomy and physiology and treatment options for the performance horse with Dr Christine Cormier
Lunch Lecture: Equine Gastric Ulcer Disease (EGUS): a Cause of poor performance in sport horses. with Dr Jacqueline Bartol.
Thank you to our 2025 Sponsors we could not produce this event without you.
Title: Absorbine/ W. F. Young,
Grand Prix: Misty View Equestrian, North Bridge Equine Associates,
Intermediare: Dressage 4 Kids and L. M. Boots
Speaking Sponsors: Atlantic Equine Services, cosponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim
Bits N’ Such – Kim Gentry
Meet and Greet Reception: Iron Horse Dressage
Rider saddle pads: LeMieux
Vendors: Purina Animal Nutrition, Maine Horse and Rider, Bridle Path Tack, Frederique Studios, Deinhardt Designs, Black Horse Expressions, RER Saddlery and Sew You.
Youth Ticket Sponsors: Beth Ferber and an anonymous donor
Informational Booths many with giveaways: North Bridge Equine Associates, : Atlantic Equine Services, Purina Animal Nutrition.
Silent Auctions: Please bid to support NEDA, your favorite dressage organization
L&M Boots will have a silent auction at their booth (at the end of the arena) for a pair of custom boots with all the bells and whistles a $1000. value.
Go with the Flow Equine Massage will have a silent auction sign up at the NEDA table.
The highest bids will be announced Sunday afternoon. Please make a check payable to NEDA.
We look forward to seeing you.
Beth Beukema
Symposium Organizer
beukemab@neda.org
Your symposium ticket also gives you a seat at the best lectures in town!
Saturday Lectures: NEDA is pleased to welcome Kim Gentry from Bits N’ Such for lectures on Saturday.
Kim has been a popular speaker at the “NEDA Know How Series” and we are thrilled to have her expertise in person. The overall theme of the talks will delve into the question: Why is bit fitting essential to the welfare of the horse? We all have saddle fittings, and the bit fittings are just as crucial.
Morning session (8:15): The Secrets Behind Those Lips; What you need to know about mouth anatomy
and the pitfalls of bitting. There are so many differences in mouth conformation that need to be addressed before we select a bit: thin bars, fat tongues, large lips, shallow palates….
Lunch lecture: The Physics and Functionality of Bitting: How bits work. The options in today’s market are endless. The shape and weight of the mouthpiece, the number of joints, the type of cheek pieces and the material, all add up to 1000’s of options.
Join us at the Absorbine /NEDA Symposium on Saturday, October 18 to become more bit savvy.
About Kim Gentry:
In 2017, she started an independent bit and bridle consultation business: Bits N’ Such. Her fitting clinics
are in high demand throughout the US and now Germany and South Africa. She recently returned from
Germany where she worked with Isabell Werth to fit her horses. Kim is an international Grand Prix dressage rider. In 2015 Kim and her horse, Leonardo, were named to the Australian Equestrian Team High Performance Squad for the Olympics and WEG for 2015-2020. The pair represented Australia in the CDIO3* Nations Cup in 2015, 2016 and 2018 where the team earned a Bronze medal.
Kim is a United States Dressage Federation Certified Instructor through Fourth Level, a graduate with Distinction from the USDF “L” Program for Judge Training and was a CLS 5* rated trainer. She has a diverse riding background in eventing, show jumping and dressage. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Business Administration. She has successfully combined the technical aspects of bit fitting with her teaching and training skills which make her clinics extremely popular and unique. Kim has an in depth knowledge of equine oral anatomy, bit and bridle design, bit function/physics and bitting issues relating to anatomy, oral issues/injuries and training. She works with all of the major brands that have bits and bridles that align with her philosophy about creating greater comfort and clearer communication with horses. Kim works with many top riders in Wellington daily during the winter season and other professional and amateur
riders of all levels in her clinics throughout the year. kdg62@comcast.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sunday lectures will feature Atlantic Equine Services sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.
Topics will include: How the Sacroiliac Joint and the Pelvis/Hips affect Performance Horses; A discussion of normal and compromised anatomy and physiology and treatment options for the performance horse with Dr
Christine Cormier and Current Veterinary Topics with Dr Jacqueline Bartol
Dr. Christine Cormier was born in Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Michigan where she began riding at the age of three years old, enjoying both dressage and three-day eventing. She completed her undergraduate
degree in Animal Science at Michigan State University and attended Ross University for her veterinary degree. Following graduation, she completed an internship in Kentucky where she gained extensive training
in all aspects of equine practice. She is certified by the Chi University in equine acupuncture. Dr. Christine joined Atlantic Equine Services in 2016 as a sports medicine fellow and continues with the practice as an associate veterinarian.
Dr Jacqueline Bartol
Jackie’s dream of becoming a veterinarian was realized when she graduated with a DVM from Cornell University in 1996. An internship in equine medicine and surgery at Rochester Equine Clinic brought her to New Hampshire, which fostered her desire to ultimately live and practice in New England. After completing a residency at Cornell and receiving board certification in Large Animal Internal Medicine in 2000, Dr. Bartol returned to NH and Rochester Equine Clinic, where she spent 5 years as REC’s internal medicine specialist.
In 2005, she left REC to help found and develop New England Equine Medical & Surgical Center in Dover, NH. There, she spent 10 years diagnosing and treating equine patients for conditions including colic,
gastric ulcers, respiratory disease, dermatology problems and neurologic disorders. When not practicing veterinary medicine, she practices yoga and enjoys hiking, biking, and walking her dogs in the great outdoors of New England. Dr. Bartol gratefully joins her colleagues at Atlantic Equine Services to take her expertise in internal medicine on the road in NH, ME, MA, CT and NY.
Atlantic Equine Services offers comprehensive expertise for the management of the sport horse. Services include lameness diagnosis, performance assessment, internal medicine, diagnostic imaging, advanced treatment options, and innovative rehabilitation. Our founder, Dr. Omar Maher, is a world-respected expert in lameness and sports medicine and has practiced equine veterinary medicine in four continents. He is board certified in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) as well as Equine Surgery (ACVS). Our 5-veterinarian practice provides exceptional care throughout the Northeast, New England, and Florida.
~ NEDA members may purchase ONE ticket per member for this year’s symposium
~ Tickets may be purchased online only
~ Family memberships must sign in under each family member to purchase separate tickets.
~ Ticket includes a box lunch with regular, vegetarian or gluten-free options
~ Additional tickets, after the one per member, may be purchased at the non-member rate on or after July 9, 2025.
NON-Member ticket purchasing (if seats are still available) opens July 9, 2024.
REFUND POLICY for ALL tickets: Ticket refunds will be given through August 31, 2025 minus a $30 office fee. No refunds after Sept 1, 2025. **Tickets purchased after July 31, 2025 are non-refundable.**
For those that want USDF University Credit, print and fill out both forms below and send them directly to USDF with your $5.00 fee.
USDF Assumption of Risk, Waiver and Release of Liability
USDF University Program Credit Request Form
For questions on membership, registration, or ticket purchase, please contact Tammy at memberentry@neda.org
Limited to 50 tickets.
Includes:
~ 1 ticket for both Saturday and Sunday
~ Front row seating at the event
~ On-site parking
~ Box lunch as above
~ Patron Gift
~ Meet and greet reception with Gareth Hughes and riders Friday afternoon.
| NEDA MEMBER - Registration Opens June 9, 2025 | |||
| 1-Day | 2-Day | Patron | |
| NEDA Member | $160 | $260 | $400 |
| NEDA Gold Member | FREE | FREE | $140 |
| NEDA Silver Member | FREE | $160 | $240 |
| NEDA Bronze Member | $110 | $210 | $350 |
| YOUTH (UNDER 25) - Member Registration Opens June 9, 2025 / NON-Member July 9, 2025 | |||
| Special ticket prices! Thanks to Donor Support! | 1-Day | 2-Day | |
| NEDA Member or Non-member (Under 25 yrs old) | $80 | $130 | |
| NON-MEMBER - Registration Opens July 9, 2025 | |||
| (if any available) | 1-Day | 2-Day | Patron |
| Non-Member | $210 | $310 | $500 |
