55+ GAMES 2023

The 2022 BC 55+ Games hosted by Greater Victoria were a huge success with approximately 70 participants for Equestrian divisions. It was four jam packed days of fun and friendly competition, with amazing volunteers to help make it all happen. Following up on the huge success of the 2022 games, Horse Council BC was thrilled when the announcement was made that equestrian would be included in the 2023 55+ Games.

HCBC is well under way with the planning and organizing for the 2023 55+ Games. The host community for the 2023 55+ Games will be Abbotsford BC but due to lack of a suitable venue in Abbotsford, the Equestrian Competition will take place at Maple Ridge Equi Sport Centre.

The Abbotsford 2023 55+ BC Games will be held August 22 -26, 2023 and will see 29 sports and activities offered for the 3500+ participants. The 55+ BC Games are an important part of the BC sport system and the largest annual multisport gathering event in the province. The Games offer the opportunity to celebrate sport and active living with other participants from across the province and experience the hospitality of the Host City.

Participant registration for the 2023 Abbotsford 55+ BC Games is open now. For more information about the 55+ BC Games, visit www.55plusbcgames.org.

If you are 55 years or over, the 55+ Games equestrian competition is a fun, inviting, low key, social event, so we hope you will plan to attend.

Disciplines to be included in the 2023 Games are:

Dressage

Western Dressage

Arena Driving Trials

Working Equitation and 2’3 Working Hunter.

Our Sport Chair for 2023 will be Debbie Rogal.

The Equestrian Competition will take place at Maple Ridge Equi Sport Centre.

Event Specs Working Equitation:

• HCBC/WECan Rules

• Intro Level: for riders or horses in their first year of showing

• No cross entry between levels

• Competitors may enter with more than one horse but must be entered in different levels

• Order of go will be determined by draw

Western Dressage Rules and Specs

• HCBC Rules

• Novice Division HCB Tests

• Open Division WDAA Tests

• Same horse/rider combination may not cross entry between divisions

• Competitors may enter more than one horse, but they must be entered in different divisions

• Ride times to be determined by draw

• Ride Times will only be changed in the case of error, overlapping times or to facilitate the schedule

• Callers are allowed

• One whip, no longer than 47.2 inches (120 cm) including lash, is permitted

Dressage Rules and Specs

• HCBC Rules

• 20 x 60-meter arena

• Equestrian Canada Tests

• Same horse/rider combination may not cross entry between divisions

• Competitors may enter more than one horse, but they must be entered in different divisions

• Ride times to be determined by draw

• Ride Times will only be changed in the case of error, overlapping times or to facilitate the schedule

• Callers are allowed

• Whips may be carried, but must not exceed 1.2 meters (including the lash). The maximum whip length for ponies is one (1) meter

Working Hunter

• HCBC Rules

• Not to have jumped over 2’9” in competition

• Hunter Hack, horses to be shown at the walk, trot and canter, and to jump a line of two fences no higher than 2’3”. Distance between the two fences will not be changed for ponies

• Competitors may not enter more than one horse in this division, but may enter in a separate or different discipline

Arena Driving Trials

• HCBC Rules

• No cross entry between levels

• Navigators may be under the age of 55 and should register as volunteers, unless wanting to participate in any of the Games events outside of the Equestrian Competition, then they should register as supporters

• Navigators are required for all entries except VSE and Small Ponies in the Marathon phase and for any multiple turnout competitors

• Same qualified Navigator may be used for multiple entries

• Competitors may enter with more than one / different entries as long as they are entered in separate divisions or levels

• Order of go to be determined by draw

Stay tuned for more news in the upcoming months at www. hcbc.ca