BC’S EQUINE LIFESTYLE
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BC’S Equine Lifestyle
FALL/WINTER 2024
is published quarterly by Horse Council BC
27336 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove BC, V4W 3N5
T: 604-856-4304
F: 604-856-4302
Toll Free: 1-800-345-8055
www.hcbc.ca
On the cover: Donna Cooke at the 55+ BC Games Salmon Arm
Horse Council BC is a membershipdriven not-for-profit association representing the interests of the equine industry in all sectors throughout British Columbia.
Horse Council BC represents the equine industry in agriculture, industry, sport, and recreation through education, grant funding, club support, government advocating, liability insurance, and participant programs.
Horse Council BC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
HCBC Board Chair’s
Message
By Lynda Atkinson| HCBC Board Chair
Horse Council BC is a member service organization that collaborates with business, industry and government on behalf of the equine and equestrian community to enhance the equine lifestyle in this Province.
The 2024 Fall Certification Coaching Cohort has just been completed for this year. This online training and certification program ran over 13 weeks. Candidates participated in online lessons, NCCP training, mentoring, lesson plan development and practice. They then were able to submit their teaching components online for evaluating. The convenience of being able to access this training and certification from home is so beneficial. For those of you thinking about further training, and certification please consider this option in the future. We have good coaches, but for insurance purposes it is important to be certified, and this approach is so beneficial, and you learn so much.
Congratulations to those members who participated in the program this year.
It is Fall here in the Cariboo; we are about to wean our foals and think of our breeding plans for next year. For those of you who do breed our fabulous sport equines every year, now is a time of reflection on which horses to breed, who to match with who and then we wait for the excitement of foaling season. For those with bred mares this year, foaling time will be just around the corner. I am sure you are all thinking of mare nutrition and looking forward to that time when you set up the cameras in the stall or make the long trek out to check on them as the winter begins to turn into spring.
The competition season is starting to wind down, except for those who are packing up to move south with all your kit and your horses. We envy you. We have had a great summer of competitions here in British Columbia, and a wonderful thanks goes out to those who have participated and especially to the great volunteers who make all this fun and sport possible. We so appreciate all your efforts, and my hope is that you think back on all your hard work with fondness from this year and are planning the 2025 season with great expectations.
For those of you who are winding down your competition efforts for this year, remember your wonderful horses continue to need proper nutrition and turn out or exercise so that they too will glow with health and vigor for next year. I know with the price of hay and supplements that sometimes we feel we need to look carefully at our budgets, but my thought is that we scrimp in other ways and make sure that we can feed our horses and give them the exercise they need. HCBC does have a section on Equine Welfare on the website so if there are any diseases, or other issues regarding horse care it will be posted on the site.
There is still plenty of time for recreation and fun with your horses. Explore new trails, work on in hand exercises, or try a new sport with your horses. If you usually ride your horses, think about taking up driving for a change, or volunteer with a sport that you are not yet familiar with. There are so many things that you and your horses can enjoy. Happy trails and stay safe.
Lynda Atkinson Chair, Horse Council BC
It’s Time to Renew!
It’s time to renew memberships for 2025!
2024 memberships expire December 31st 2024 and will be here before you know it, renew before December 31st to insure uninterrupted membership coverage!
2025 Adult Membership 2025 Family Membership
$72.45 /member Starts at $166.95 /family
2025 Youth Associate Membership 2025 Additional Family Youth Associate Membership
$51.45 /member
All prices include tax.
Notice Regarding Changes to Family Membership Policy
/member
Due to updates in Acera’s membership policy, effective immediately, family memberships will now be structured as follows:
• Option 1: One (1) Adult and Two (2) Youth
• Option 2: Two (2) Adults and One (1) Youth
Any additional youth members beyond the designated limit will incur a fee of $19.00 each. Please note that a maximum of two adults is permitted per family membership. Each member will receive their own unique membership number and card.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Acera Insurance Services
The Strength of Community
One of the guiding principals at Acera Insurance Services is to always “do the right thing” in service to our clients.
We are grateful and privileged to work with all Provincial / Territorial Equine Associations in Canada (except Quebec) and their thousands of members who count horses as part of their daily life.
Each year, our organization undertakes a detailed review of key relationships with our insurance company suppliers and compares the coverage available to our client’s needs so that we can continue to innovate, to respond to an ever-changing landscape and find ways to continually improve in service.
In our most recent review, various elements of the equine association insurance program were scrutinized. What we wanted to know specifically was if the coverages provided by Acera in partnership with HCBC continue to make sense and provide the value expected by everyone involved. After all, it has been many years since these programs were first introduced to the Canadian equine community and we have learned a lot from experience.
In the end, our research concluded that the current program continues to do a comprehensive job of protecting the interests of the members – including the two key products automatically included in your HCBC membership; ($5,000,000 personal liability insurance and $40,000 AD&D coverage). There is no doubt that these elements are more important today than ever before.
In addition to the “automatically included in membership” products, we have worked to design bespoke optional insurance offerings over the years that are only available to members.
1) Enhanced Accident insurance for you, the member.
2) Increased coverage for your tack and equipment
3) Life, Emergency surgery insurance and stabling expense coverage for your horse (These are excellent products and very affordable!)
The horse community in BC is changing- demographics of an aging population and economic realities mean that some members are not competing in their discipline of choice as often as they once were or even spending time in the saddle as often as in the past. Regardless of those changes, the realities of risk don’t go away. A horse at home or at the boarding place, on the trail or just hanging out in the field is still a horse that can do damage to property and cause injury when they act badly. The insurance program designed and managed by HCBC and Acera Insurance Services Ltd. hits way above its weight –everyday- to cover YOU the MEMBER – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere in the world.
Horses will always be a part of life in BC and that means that there will always be a reason to be a part of the Horse Council of BC community.
As our company continues to evolve (no more name changes –we promise!) our equine service group continues to grow to be there when you need us most.
In closing – Thank you for supporting HCBC and Acera Insurance today and in the future. If you have any questions at all about insurance associated with your life as a horse enthusiast, our team is here to help… reach out anytime.
“Insurance for horses and their people – its what we do!
Member Funding HCBC Announces a New Grant for Coach Candidates with a Disability.
Horse Council BC (HCBC), in collaboration with viaSport, is excited to announce a new grant program aimed at supporting coach candidates with disabilities. We recognize that while all coach candidates encounter challenges during the certification process, those with disabilities often face additional obstacles.
To help level the playing field, HCBC is pleased to offer $500.00 grants to eligible coach candidates with disabilities. This funding will assist candidates in overcoming barriers they may face in pursuing their EC/NCCP coach or instructor certifications, including costs associated with training, resources, mentoring and access to the evaluation (in person or video), or the fees for Cohort participation.
Eligible candidates are encouraged to apply for the grant. The application process is straightforward and designed to be as accessible as possible.
For more information about the grant, eligibility criteria, and the application form, please contact coaching@hcbc.ca. Grants will be awarded until the funding amount is exhausted.
Applicants for this grant must:
• Be members in good standing with Horse Council BC
• Be actively preparing for EC/NCCP Coach or Instructor certification
• Have a permanent physical disability that creates a challenge to access training, mentoring and evaluations.
The funds can be used for:
• Rider/Driver testing, lessons in preparation for Rider/Driver testing
• Travel to an evaluation
• Working with a mentor, travel to a mentor or mentor travel to candidate
• Participation in a coaching cohort
• Fee for Coach or Instructor Evaluation
• Expenses related to a video evaluation (rent of facility, travel to a facility, demo riders)
• Rider/Driver manual purchase including Stable Management in Canada through the HCBC Store
Successful applicants may be asked for proof of expenses. HCBC will require a photo and short report on the recipients use of funds for promotional purposes (website, enews, Lifestyles).
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment in coaching and ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to pursue their passion.
Manure Management in Winter Months
opportunities for linking those who have manure, to those who want manure. The website is a great resource for all horse owners in British Columbia.
“Manure management is a part of livestock ownership that many landowners are reluctant to discuss.“
Manure management is a major concern for horse farms of all sizes, particularly in the winter. Our weather systems have changed, bringing cooler precipitation to our properties by way of rain, snow and freezing soils.
This has made it more challenging for manure storage in the months between October to March, especially if one is managing raw manure on site.
The accumulation of raw manure can be a nuisance for horse owners as well as the surrounding community. When manure run-off reaches water ways, it can harm fish and aquatic insects, and manure leachate can contaminate drinking water supplies. The British Columbia Agricultural Environmental Code of Practice, under the Environmental Management Act states that agricultural waste must be stored and handled in a manner that does not cause pollution, and the Canadian Fisheries Act prohibits the addition of harmful substances to any water that would degrade water quality and render it harmful to fish or fish habitat. It may not be apparent if sensitive ecosystems are nearby, but water is everywhere and can carry substances across into groundwater sources.
To avoid environmental harm and to comply with provincial and federal regulations, manure must be actively managed. Composting is becoming increasingly accepted as the best management practice for manure. It can decrease the volume of manure by up to 50%, eliminate the smell, reduce pathogens and insect populations and turn manure into a valuable resource. You may be surprised at how quickly composting can become part or your horse-keeping routine, and with a one-time investment you can eliminate the need to purchase chemical fertilizers and pay haul away fees.
Manure Link is a website which offers many free resources, such as the Land Management Guide for Horse Owners and Small Lot-Farmers, solutions to bin management, and
Winter is a great time to think about your manure storage, make changes, and mindfully monitor. For a short list to check for your winter manure storage, check out these brief points:
-have all manure piles covered from rain and snow from October to March
-ensure your piles have oxygen added to it, by way of turning on dry days or venting
-visit current government setbacks for manure placement from watercourses and well.
-ensure your well head is covered and protected from leaks and cracks
Manure management is a part of livestock ownership that many landowners are reluctant to discuss. However, it remains a necessary component of sustainable land management and one that is causing concern as fewer companies are agreeing to haul away manure. We can all do our part this winter to keep our watercourses and our drinking water clean. We all can make a difference.
For further information, please visit https://www.manurelink. com/ or contact the Langley Environmental Partners Society at agriculture@leps.bc.ca
Article by Amanda Smith
Staff Feature
A Spanish Riding Adventure
Written by Sarah Allison, Recreation Advisor
My vacation this year landed me in Spain at a small mountain village called Nocito where we would ride for six days through Sierra de Guara Natural Park. I was partnered with a chestnut Arabian gelding named Wicasaw who stood about 15 hands high and was a relaxed and steady partner on our mountain adventure. The goal of the trip was to complete a loop through the park and to spend each night in different village along the way. Our group consisted of seven riders who came from all across the globe including Australia, England, Germany and Luxemburg. Mari and Bertrand hosted us on the tour with Bertrand guiding us on the ride and Mari making us fabulous lunches and transporting our luggage from point to point.
Our riding days started with tacking up the horses at 8:30am. The riding took us on steep rocky trails, down through forested river valleys, high up on mountain vistas and on dirt tracks through farmers fields. The first four days were magical and everything was going as planned. When we stopped for lunch we would untack the horses, lay out a picnic blanket and feast on a beautifully homemade salad, fresh bread, cheese, salami, pâté, fresh fruit and red wine. After lunch on the first day we took a dip in a clear, crisp pool and the following days lunches were followed by a siesta. It felt very peaceful to be laying in the shade of a tree listening to the horses munch nearby. Riding days were long and each day a new ache or pain would pop up. Our longest day of riding was approximately 38kms and about six hours in the saddle. All together we totalled around 150kms over the six days. We were trucking along and our riding was going as planned until we hit day five.
On the fifth day a storm started to roll in and the plan to ride down into the canyon that day was changed. Bertrand had taken an alternate route three years ago so we set off to find it. We once again climbed high into the mountains and we had to bush wack through brush and trees trying to stay astride our horses. On our final day the weather was not on our side. We got poured on for the majority of the day and took refuge at an old church to eat lunch. The trails turned into creeks and the creeks turned into small rivers. We pressed on and came to our final river crossing but the river was too high and too fast to cross safely on horseback. We were stuck but luckily there was a big grassy field for the horses to enjoy and they were not bothered. Trying to sort out the next best course of action it was decided to call Search and Rescue. After much deliberation
it was decided that we would be ziplined across the river. All seven of us riders made it safely across and Bertrand braved the elements spending the night on the other side with his hoses. After a long day we made it back to our accommodation at 11pm where there was a warm meal waiting for us.
As a volunteer of Powell River Search and Rescue I found it interesting being the subject versus the rescue team. I’m very grateful of how Mari and Bertrand handled the unprecedented situation and felt safe and well cared for. A friend of mine recommended the company Unicorn Trails and that is how I found the riding tour. It was an adventure I will never forget and one of the best experiences of my life!
Club Feature Pony Club Horsemasters
THE HORSEMASTERS PROGRAM IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ADULTS WHO SUPPORT THE AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF PONY CLUB TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES AS WELL AS GIVE BACK TO THE PONY CLUB COMMUNITY.
What is Pony Club?
Canadian Pony Club is a member-based association, managed by volunteers, mandated to serve the needs of Canadian youth, ages 6 to 25 years of age and adults (21 and up), who are interested in riding, learning about and/or caring for horses or ponies. Canadian Pony Club is incorporated as a national notfor-profit organization, and carries Canadian registered charity status.
Canadian Pony Club is committed to the vision:
To provide the opportunity for every person in Canada to
have a positive experience with horses through providing opportunities:
For education
To learn responsibility, sportsmanship and good citizenship
For enjoyment and/or competitive success with horses.
Horsemasters is an initiative by Canadian Pony Club to help educate people on the best practices for caring for our equine partners.
People often believe that the Canadian Pony Club only has programs that are suitable for children and young adult participation, however, the Pony Club Horsemasters program proves this myth wrong. This program is available to adults of all ages so, no matter what stage of life you’re at, the Pony Club Horsemasters program welcomes you. So, what is it that Horsemasters (the name given to people part of the program) can do? They can take part in all Pony Club activities from the branch to the regional level. Equestrian education isn’t limited to Canadian youth alone, with this program adults can continue to learn and grow in the equestrian community.
In speaking to a few of the Horsemasters program participants, we gained insight into just how beneficial the program has been. The Canadian Pony Club provides the opportunity for adults to continue with certification and testing beyond a young age. One of the participants, Rachel Spencer, spoke on why she loves the program, “A lot of HM that have re-joined have continued their testing journeys and are aiming for their A, either the full thing or just the stable management, which is really fantastic.” The benefits of this program are plentiful, and it is marvelous to see something like it exist and thrive in the equestrian community. Rachel notes that one of her favourite parts of being a Horsemaster is competing in the shows offered through the program, “My favourite part of being an HM so far has been attending Regional Rally again, one of my favourite parts of summer! It is essentially a full 3 day event in teams and being marked on all of your stable management, like tack and horse cleanliness.” Another participant, Julie Bion, gushed about the program, “I rejoined Langley Pony Club two years ago and have been having an absolute blast. The opportunities that BCLM Pony Club have offered my green horses and I have
been quite abundant. The beauty of the program is that you can do as much or as little as you like.”
If you are considering joining, research branches that are close to you and see what they have to offer. Reach out to those already apart of the program and find out what they gain from it, why they love it, and figure out if it’s something that you can see yourself doing. Learning opportunities are invaluable, whether you want to work towards your coaching certification, better your first-aid training, or to attend a local clinic with some like-minded horsey friends, there is something for every equestrian in the Canadian Pony Club Horsemasters program.
Remember folks, learning is for everyone. Don’t stop just because you’ve grown up, there is always something new to know.
Find out more information by visiting the Canadian Pony Club Website:
https://www.canadianponyclub.org/
Photo left: Rachel Spencer
Photo Below: Julie Bion
HCBC Annual Awads Nominations Now Open for 2024
HCBC’S ANNUAL AWARDS HONOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT WITHIN
BC’S EQUINE COMMUNITY. THESE AWARDS ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE WHO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD AND HAVE MADE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE EQUESTRIAN COMMUNITY.
THE NOMINATION PROCESS, “HOW IT WORKS”
• All nominations MUST be submitted on or before the nomination deadline to be accepted for the current year.
• The Awards Committee reserves the right to re-direct a nomination into a more appropriate award category.
• It is at the discretion of the Awards Committee whether or not to give out an award.
• Current HCBC Staff and Directors are not eligible to be nominated for the Annual Awards Categories include: Coach of the Year, Bob James Volunteer of the Year, & The Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award
Nomination forms available at https://hcbc.ca/about/hcbc-awards/
Nominations must be submitted to jocelyn.plasman@hcbc.ca by December 30th 2024
BC SUMMER GAMES Maple Ridge 2024
The 2024 BC Summer Games took place July 17-21 in Maple Ridge. Congratulations to all our amazing athletes and a huge thank you to all our coaches, officials and volunteers that helped make this event happen.
The 2024 BC Summer Games Equestrian competition was held July 17-21 in Maple Ridge at the Maple Ridge Equi Sport Centre. Disciplines included were Jumper, Dressage, Para Dressage, Eventing, and Vaulting. Equestrian sport was proudly showcased by 37 exemplary young athletes coming from all 8 BC Summer Games zones
The week kicked off with a fun Wednesday Welcome Barbeque sponsored by HCBC
Athletes were introduced to their teammates, Chef D Equipes and the Sport Leadership team.
Then it was Game faces on and time to compete. The weather was scorching, and the competition was even hotter. Congratulations to all the athletes for bringing their A Game through 5 long hot days of great competition.
Full results from the Equestrian competition at the Games can be found on the HCBC website www.hcbc.ca
Dressage Overall Gold: Azlyn Ryan Zone 8
Para-Dressage Overall Gold: Maura Weston-Lee Zone 4
Jump Overall Gold: Austyn Thorsteinson Zone 3
Vaulting Overall Gold: Amaya Burgener Zone 3
Eventing Overall: Kailey Parker 4
Sportsmanship Award: Ruby Dinn Zone 2
Zone Award
Zone 4:
Natasha Fairholm, Ficociello, Ella Ficociello, Kailey Parker, Yael Wagner Strasser, Madison Wilson,
Horse Council BC would like to say a massive thank you to our Sports Leadership Team for 2024:
Provincial Advisor for Equestrian: Diane Spencer
Equestrian Sport Chair: Wanda Gust
Discipline Chair, Dressage: Sarah Barber
Discipline Chair, Eventing: Carlee Thompson
Discipline Chair, Jumping: Jeannie Callaway
Discipline Chair, Para Dressage: Stella French
Discipline Chair, Vaulting: Danielle Maher
Coaches
Dressage
Head Coach: Burgi Rommel
Assistant Coach: Chelsea Froese
Para Dressage
Head Coach: Ashley Sudds
Assistant Coach: Alyssa Bigiolli
Eventing
Head Coach: Lisa Schultz
Assistant Coach: Melissa Reimche
Jumper
Head Coach: Danalynn Rooks
Assistant Coach: Gethin Mayo
Vaulting
Head Coach: Korynn Webber
Assistant Coach: Katie Foss
Chef D Equipes
Zone 1: Sarah Kimber
Zone 2: Stephanie MacKay
Zone 3: Cassandra Thorsteinson
Zone 4/5: Maya Mulherin
Zone 6: Summer Lambert
Zone 7/8: Kirsty Evans-Hernes
Officials
Provincial Rules Officials
Kelly Coughlin, Christine Jewell
Eventing Provincial Rules Official
Lynda Ramsay
Dressage/Para Dressage/Eventing Dressage
Judges: Judy Turner, Gloria Schriever
Eventing
Derby Course Designer: Lee Walraven
Jumper
Judge: Jeannie Callaway
Equitation Judge: Kendra Best
Course Designer: Joey Rycroft/Shayla Minosky
Vaulting
Rebecca McKay
BC Summer Games is primarily run by volunteers and cannot happen without them.
HCBC would like to extend a huge thank all the volunteers, parents and supporters for your hard work, commitment and dedication to BC’s young Equestrian athletes.
The future looks bright!!
Crafty Ponies Canada Wholesale and Retail Sales craftyponies.ca
55+ BC GAMES
Salmon Arm 2024
THE BC 55+ GAMES ARE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY AND ARE PROOF THAT EQUESTRIANS ARE ACTIVE FOR LIFE!
The 55+ Games are an almost completely volunteer run event usually held annually in a different city within BC. The BC 55+ Games are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate community and are proof that Equestrians are Active for Life!
The BC 2024 55+ Games were held at the Salmon Arm Fairgrounds and saw great registration with over 80 entered, ranging in age from 55 to 85 years young. Riders coming from all over the province competed in: Dressage, Western Dressage, Driving (Arena Driving Trial), Working Equitation, Mountain Trail, and Ranch Horse.
The culture of the 55+ Games is one of friendship, fun competition and coming together for the love of our sport, we hope everyone had a great time. Thank you to competitors, volunteers and everyone who encompassed the culture of the Games and supported Equestrian sport in Salmon Arm!
A huge shout out and thank you to this years’ organizing committee and to our team of expert officials!
Sport Chairs: Carolyn Farris, La Whitehead
Dressage Discipline Chair: Jan Jollymour
Judge: Lillian Eveniew-Phelan
Driving Discipline Chair: Tina Knott
Provincial Rules Official: Josh Hoyles
Judge: Michael Wakefield
Mountain Trail: Discipline Chairs: Laureen Guenther, Daina Hillson
Judges: Jody Moore, Cat Armitage
Ranch Horse: Discipline Chair: Tracy Schell
Judge: Wendy Johnson
Working Equitation: Discipline Chair: Raema Racher
Judge: Astrid Hrychuik
Provincial Rules Officials: Kelly Coughlin, Christine Jewell
More from our judges:
Michael Wakefield - Driving
Michael Wakefield led a privileged life, if you put it in Horse Terms. He grew up on a 420 acre farm run entirely by horse power and drove farm horses before he could read and write. By nine he was driving green singles and pairs to a stone boat. The farm produced row crops of corn and soy beans along with rotations of rye, wheat and oats and usually two or three foals each spring. Grain was threshed by a portable machine and steam engine and all planting, cultivating and harvesting was done with horses. Early on he bought a single light horse and buggy to deliver the Sunday paper to the nearby town. In 1985 he started Three Hats Training Center in Scappoose, Oregon where he taught riding and driving and bred sport horses. Around this time the Combined Driving Event was catching on and so he started training with that in mind. Dressage was a foreign language, so off to dressage school with Michelle Binder Zolezzi followed by study with Franz Hannesschlager, Heike Bean and John Parker in England. He competed in CDE, fine harness, pleasure and draft horse contests and in 1997 began a 25 year career with Wells Fargo Bank, driving the stagecoach and 4-in-hand for parades, rodeos and advertising events.
He has trained over 200 horses to drive and taught as many drivers from all walks of life and disciplines. He chairs the committee on Driver Proficiency for Carriage Association of America and holds the Level III, Master/teacher/trainer/ evaluator certifications. Three Hats Training Center is still going strong, teaching drivers, training horses, judging horse shows and giving clinics.
Michael had this to say about his 55+ Games experience:
“This was my 3rd opportunity to judge and I have had many opportunities to teach in British Columbia. I have witnessed the growth of competency in the drivers up your way. Each time I return, I see improvements in horsemanship, horse condition and training and sharpness in competition. The driving community is full of energetic, kind and eager people and it is a joy to work with all of them. The 55+ games are the best of the best; a supportive community of friends having a blast with their equine.”
Wendy Johnson – Ranch Horse
Wendy Johnston hails from Red Deer County, Alberta and has a diverse background as a judge, competitor, coach, teacher and horse owner. Her recent focus has been in teaching and judging in the area of Ranch Versatility.
Wendy has over 35 years of experience providing judging and teaching services. Wendy’s achievements include, but are not limited to, NRHA Western Canada affiliate champion, twice and National “Coach of the Year”, twice. Wendy is also an accredited as a “Master Coach Developer for Canada”, a Certified High-Performance Western Coach and English Coach.
Wendy believes in providing a safe and competitive environment for horses and riders where ethical conduct and community connection to horses is demonstrated.
Wendy wishes to thank HCBC for the opportunity to judge the Ranch Versatility classes at the 55+games.
Wendy’s recap of the games:
Ranch Versatility Show Snap Shot – 55+Games
It was my pleasure to have had the opportunity to judge the Games in Salmon Arm this past September. I must admit that the weather was mixed and cool for BC during the two judging days, however the winning riders that exhibited demonstrated skill and working knowledge of the events. In the course of the two days, three of the Ranch Versatility show groups were run. Day One included Ranch Trail and Ranch Reining, Day Two included Ranch Riding. The Ranch Trail course was beautifully designed with great flow allowing the riders to really show their horses skills. Ranch Reining had a challenging pattern for the runs, but all showed or schooled horses through the rides. Ranch Riding also had a great working pattern with some good showing going throughout, AND, because we had lot’s of time between runs scheduled during the day, competitors that went off pattern had the opportunity to school and score the patterns with my direction, which was a wonderful opportunity for me to assist in some competitors understanding of the class judging, and attain some show ring strategies for the future.
Wendy at the 55+ Games Salmon Arm
I recently had the opportunity to judge the Mountain Trail events at the BC 55+ Games in Salmon Arm; this was my first time doing it and certainly hoping it won’t be my lastwhat a great show, and a great concept. Co- chaired by Daina Hodgins and Laureen Guenther, the course made great use of the space and provided the appropriate level of difficulty for each division. Navigating the Water boxes, logs, planks, a ‘bog’ and natural underbrush in different configurations over three days all challenged riders and handlers of every level, with each ‘run’ being scored. Daily tallies resulted in daily medals, as well as overall awards at the culmination of the event. The camaraderie amongst the exhibitors absolutely made this a memorable event. Thank you to Salmon Arm BC 55+ Games Committee and HCBC for hosting, and cheers to next year in Nanaimo.
Astrid Hrychuik – Working Equitation
I am an Equestrian Canada dressage judge, WSDAC (Western Style Dressage Association of Canada) judge and a WECan (Working Equitation Canada) judge.
I competed in dressage and western disciplines. I won multiple western Canadian championships and top 10’s. I have also won some versatility pentathlons. I have owned and trained several different breeds of horses.
Astrid had this to say about the 55+ Games:
I recently judged the Working Equitation at the 55+ Games in Salmon Arm, B.C. Working Equitation is a test of the versatility and obedience in the training of the horse. It follows the natural progression of training of a working ranch horse. There are four phases to a Working Equitation show. a) Dressage b) Ease of Handling c) Speed c) Cattle.
Dressage tests the basic training and maneuverability of the horse. The horse and rider complete a set of patterns. Ease of handling tests the basic training in an obstacle course. Speed – now we add speed to the previous training. The horse has to be obedient in obstacles and we measure the length of time the horse takes to complete the obstacles. In the cattle phase we give the horse an actual job and see how the horse handles this added pressure. The cattle phase was not offered at the 55+ Games. Most of the WECan shows have only the first 3 phases –
dressage, EOH and Speed.
If all our previous training has paid off, we should now have an obedient and maneuverable workmate in our horse. Have you, the rider, instilled confidence and obedience in your horse. This sport can be the test. At this B.C. 55+ Games, there were many different breeds of horses. Some I recognized as Thoroughbred, Quarter Horses, Warmbloods, a Mustang and Iberian breeds with many crossbreds.
I had a talk with the competitors after the Games and had made some notes during the three days of judging. Here is what I passed on to the competitors: Take full advantage of your ride around the arena before the bell is rung. Test your horse at all the gaits that will be expected during the test. Check that you have a “stop and go”. Make sure that you enter the dressage and EOH rings within the time allowed after the bell is rung.
Don’t cut your corners. Ride your corners during the dressage test. The corners are a chance to rebalance your horse before the next movement. Horses need to learn how to handle stress. Work on your horse’s show tension. Try to expose your horse to stressful situations when you are not at a show. This will help your horse handle stress at a show. Work on your test accuracy. Be aware of what each movement in a dressage test calls for. Make sure that you do your EOH course walk and are aware of the expectations of each obstacle (gait, direction, etc.). Keep working on your horse strength and suppleness. WE requires a lot of strength and suppleness of the horse.
I found the 55+ Games competitors and show committee to be a very enthusiastic and competent bunch. I felt very welcome. Thank you so much to my scribes, learner judge and especially to the Technical Delegate Cathy MacDonald. And I love the obstacles that were made for the show Thompson/Okanogan chapter of WECan and funded through HCBC. Well Done!
The Salmon Arm venue was lovely. So picturesque with the mountains as a backdrop to the show.
Thank you to Horse Council of British Columbia for asking me to judge. I really appreciate and enjoyed the opportunity.
Jody Moore – Mountain Trail
Lillian Eveniew-Phelan – Dressage
Lillian Evaniew-Phelan born and raised in White Rock BC, began her Equestrian career in the early 80s. Competing in Dressage and the AHA. Then became an assistant trainer for Ruth Sweet at Sweetline Quarter Horses for seven years. Lillian has ridden with many accomplished Trainers and Judges in Canada, US and in Germany. Her multi disciplines from Dressage to Western prepared her for the 13 Judges Cards she holds today with multiple Associations. Lillian is a USDF Bronze Medalist on self made horses she developed. Lillian is also an AQHA Professional Horsemen and an EC Licensed Competition Coach. Her Education includes associate degree, USDF University Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Diplomas. Lillian holds many WDAA World titles and AQHA All Around and Dressage titles, Miss Rodeo Cloverdale 1996 and Miss Canada Horsemanship 1997. Most of all she believes that the welfare of our horses is the utmost important, keeping our Equine partners healthy and happy.
Through this long Equine journey Lillian is extremely proud of her lovely Equestrian Facility her and her husband developed and built from the ground up, White Rock Performance Horses LLC in Riverside WA.
“My thoughts on the Senior Games are, its never to late to Compete!
Whether the competitors were newcomers or veterans it was nice to see the teamwork and the competitors helping each other or jumping in to read a test for someone.
The scribes were great and super volunteers running tests and bringing treats to the judging vehicle. “
Results can be found on the BC 55+ Games website under Salmon Arm 2024. The 2025 BC 55+ Games will be held in Nanaimo from September 9th – 13th.
Keep checking the HCBC website, more info to come!
2025 BC 55+ GAMES NANAIMO
SEPTEMBER 9-13
