Saddle Up July, 2023

Tails to be Told . . .A treasure chest of memories .

We want you to look back, reflect, recollect, and share your photos and memories with us. This is not a contest - it is your moment to share with our readers anything from days gone by. The older the story (and photo), the more fascinating. Could be from 20 years ago, 50 years, or a story your grandfather shared with you.

READERS Tell us stories!

Riding fast horses!

My aunt Sally rode horses in Derby, England. She past on her love for equines and speed to me. She always encouraged me to try new skills. She was thrilled to see my ribbons from my first horse event.

When my husband and I moved to the west coast, I leased a beautiful ex-race TB, Pegasus, 17HH and all heart. There was always a bit of dust that my brush didn’t reach along his spine. We would walk calmly out the farm gate and into the horse park with connecting trails that go for miles along the pipelines. We could canter for miles, up and down hills. We would come back wet, muddy and smiling.

I found my heart horse, Shamrock here on Vancouver Island. He was a blue papered, World Champion gaited horse. He could fox trot up to 8mph! Sadly, he passed in 2015 and I got to rescue my current horse, Jake. He was abandoned to a field and going to slaughter with the foreclosure of the property. He had little to no training and a big engine. He has been my equine challenge for the last 8 years. He does his best for me when I ask him to do obstacles, reining, dressage but he loves, LOVES trail riding. He is happiest to go for 4 plus hours, up and down hills, cross rivers and bridges. He will still canter, fast, up the last hill home. I ride fast horses… and love it!

Send Saddle Up one or two photos and your memoirs (up to 250 words maximum please). Memoirs will be printed as space allows each month. Please include your phone number and location for our files and verification if needed. We would like to print your name (or initials) and location with your submission. You are welcome to send one or more in the months ahead as well. This will be a regular monthly feature... So start looking through those photo albums and share your stories with us. Photos will only be returned if you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope. See page 4 for contact information.

Aunt Sally in 1943

Jake at Denman Island BC Pegasus

HCBC 2010 Business of The Year

2014 A/S Chamber

President’s Choice Award

Publisher/Editor

Nancy Roman

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From the Editor…

Mother Nature cannot make up her mind, is it summer or not? The high today was 11 degrees celcius. BRRR!! Been chilly, damp and raining the last couple days (good for the fires though). Then they are calling for highs of 29 and 30C again this coming weekend.

Entries have closed for the EQUINE division of the 55+ BC Games taking place at the Maple Ridge Equi-Sport Centre at the end of August. Let’s hope they get a great SENIOR turnout!

The fall fairs will be coming up soon… does your local fall fair have a horse show or horse event included? It should be listed in our What’s Happening calendar. Horse folks want to know!

It’s looking to be a busy summer season with all kinds of horsey stuff going on every weekend! Take your pick.

I am still looking for someone to take over Saddle Up! Nobody wants to work anymore. I am looking to retire sooner than later… and I would hate to shut it down. Doesn’t anyone want a home-based business? A horse family business? The countdown is on.

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See five of Canada’s most eligible farmers embark on an epic journey to find true love. The CTV series began on May 28 and is being filmed in BC.

Farmers on the road to find love in the inaugural season include equestrian Ashleigh, wine producer Charley, livestock and grain farmer Dave, dairy farmer Doug, and berry and agritourism farmer Gurleen. Saddle Up has already contacted “equestrian Ashleigh” (second from the left) and we will have an interview with her once the series has wrapped up!

Does Ashleigh find her horse-mate?

Does she find love?

Saddle Up will have it all here… in a future issue.

More information on Canada’s most eligible farmers and the daters vying for their love is available on TheLede.ca and CTV.ca/ FarmingForLove.

TIP of the MONTH

A Breath of Relief for Horses

The smoke from wildfires can have a significant impact on respiratory health and breathing, not only for humans but also for horses. The smoke contains a mixture of particulate matter, gases, and toxic chemicals that can irritate and damage the respiratory system. Fortunately, there are herbal supplements that work to cleanse and soothe the respiratory system, promoting optimal lung health and function. Let's take a closer look at some key herbs and their benefits:

1. Chrysanthemum morifolium (Chrysanthemum Flower): Chrysanthemum is known for its antioxidant properties and may help protect the respiratory system from oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

2. Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle Flower): Japanese honeysuckle possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which may help reduce inflammation and fight respiratory infections.

3. Polygala tenuifolia (Thinleaf Milkwort Root): Thinleaf milkwort root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to address respiratory issues, as it is believed to have expectorant properties and promote healthy lung function.

4. Momordica grosvenori (Monk Fruit): Monk fruit is rich in antioxidants and may contribute to the overall health and well-being of the respiratory system.

5. Morus alba (Mulberry Leaf): Mulberry leaves contain compounds that have expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in the clearance of mucus and reducing inflammation in the respiratory system.

6. Verbascum thapsus (Mullein): Mullein is known for its expectorant properties and can help clear mucus from the respiratory tract, promoting easier breathing.

7. Asclepias tuberosa (Pleurisy Root): Pleurisy root has been traditionally used to support respiratory health, as it is believed to have

expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties.

8. Mentha canadensis (Peppermint Leaf): Peppermint has antimicrobial properties and can help soothe respiratory irritation, facilitating easier breathing.

9. Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus Leaf): Eucalyptus is well-known for its respiratory benefits and is often used to support healthy airways and clear congestion.

10. Inula helenium (Elecampane Root): Elecampane root is known for its expectorant properties and may help promote healthy lung function.

11. Urtica dioica (Stinging Nettles): Stinging nettles have been used to address respiratory issues and allergies, as they are believed to possess anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.

12. Bulbus fritillariae thunbergii (Thunberg Fritillary Bulb): Thunberg fritillary bulb has expectorant properties, assisting in the clearance of mucus and promoting respiratory comfort.

These herbs, with their various properties and mechanisms of action, can work together to support respiratory health in horses. It may help clear congestion, soothe inflammation, combat respiratory infections, and promote easier breathing. However, it is important to note that individual responses may vary, and it is always recommended to consult with a veterinarian before introducing any new supplement to your horse's regimen. They will be able to assess your horse's specific respiratory needs.

Call Cloverdale Pharmasave with your questions 604-576-2888.

Lyle Sunada is a pharmacist specializing in veterinary medicine and alternative medicine at Cloverdale Pharmasave. Lyle has helped small and large animal owners for over 30 years and believes in looking at the root cause of health conditions. Everything mentioned in the article is available instore.

Pacific Spirit Horse Show and More!

Returning last year, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is once again hosting exciting equine competitions in a variety of disciplines that showcase the diversity of horses to the urban Vancouver public.

Our returning competitions will include Indoor Driving, Indoor Eventing Derby and the Jumper Exhibition. New this year, the PNE will be hosting the Best of the West Archery Championships. And back by popular demand the Knights of Valour show! The PNE is extremely excited to have a solid line-up once again of equine competitions and exciting shows in the Agrodome from Wednesday, August 23rd - Monday, September 4th.

JUMPER EXHIBITION

The Pacific Spirit Horse Show always ends on Labor Day weekend with the crowd favourite Junior Amateur Jumper competition, which will run from Thursday, August 31st – Sunday, September 3rd. Riders will compete in a number of open classes during the day in heights ranging from 2’3” to 3’6”, while the evenings will hold specialty classes such as Dog and Pony, Open Points Choice and Obstacles in a Line. Please refer to the PNE website for the exact schedule.

INDOOR DRIVING

Gone are the days of trotting your buggy to church. Speed, distance, tight turns and even tighter spaces makes today’s Carriage Driving. With flashy harnesses and flashier horses of all sizes, this sport is a thrill for everyone. Come check out this wonderful sport from August 23rd - 24th.

BEST OF THE WEST ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2023 Best of the West Championships are headed to the PNE on August 26th - 27th. The search for the greatest 3D archers in the west takes place this summer with 5 qualifier tours across western BC. The top 5 competitors in each class will then face each other down in dramatic fashion at centre stage in the Agrodome at the PNE! Lights, camera, action – come watch the fun of the Best of the West as it is brought to the Big City audience. If you happen to come to the Fair on August 26th or 27th you will be able to see some of the best archers show off their skills in fun fashion.

INDOOR EVENTING DERBY

Developed to allow riders and horses to practice their Cross-Country skills in an indoor setting. This competition combines the sophistication required for Dressage, the accuracy required for Show Jumping, and the bravery required to ride Cross Country into one fabulous competition. Come check the excitement out August 29th – 30th.

KNIGHTS OF VALOUR

Back by popular demand - prepare yourself for entertainment worthy of a King and Queen. With full contact, un-choreographed, real live jousting, this is a thrilling show of horsemanship, bravery and chivalry like you’ve never seen before. Come and see your Knights in shining armour as they ride into battle – it’s positively medieval!

Daily: 1:00pm, 3:00pm & 7:15pm *Please note, no 1:00pm show on August 19th, 20th and 22nd.

2022 Alberta Thoroughbred Industry Award Winners Celebrated at 49th Annual Night of Champions

By Lindsay Ward

The Paddock Room at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino was sold out on the evening of May 5th as over 130 Alberta Thoroughbred breeders, owners, trainers and backstretch workers celebrated the achievements of the Alberta Thoroughbred industry in 2022.

Master of Ceremonies Ken Gee began the awards program with greetings and a positive outlook from Horse Racing Alberta Chief Executive Officer, Kent Verlik, “In 2022, Alberta horse racing moved forward from the pandemic and began the recovery process with reasons for optimism on many fronts. An exciting accomplishment was the long term funding agreement signed by Horse Racing Alberta and the Alberta Government that provides stability to the industry until March 31, 2031.”

DANCE SHOES dominated the awards presentations winning in all four of the categories she was nominated for – Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Trophy for Champion Sprinter, Moore Equine Veterinary Centre Ltd. Trophy for Champion Older Mare, the Ted Connor Memorial Trophy for Champion Alberta bred and the Horse Racing Alberta Trophy for Horse of the Year.

As a four year old last season, the Alberta bred Mank filly earned $163,618 to finish with an impressive record of six wins from eight starts

at Century Mile Racetrack and Casino. Four of those wins included the RedTail Landing Handicap, the Shirley Vargo Handicap, the Alberta Fall Classic Distaff Handicap and the R.K. Smith Handicap. Owner Mohamad Khan thanked, “the CTHS of Alberta, HBPA of Alberta, Century Mile (Racetrack and Casino) and all the other good people who have made this a most memorable evening for me, my family, friends and horse people.” Mohamad also thanked breeder James McFadyen, jockeys Alex Marti and Dane Nelson and had special words for his trainer Jim Brown, “Jim has transformed this filly and she genuinely enjoys racing. Thanks Jim.”

The C.T.H.S. Trophy for Leading Breeder was awarded to Pierre Esquirol who bred horses that earned a total of $262,108 and 17 wins last season.

Craig Smith presented the Ken Cohoe Lifetime Achievement Award to longtime Alberta horseman Rod Cone, “It is my honour tonight to present this award to someone who I think everyone in the industry would agree is a long due recipient.” The award is presented to members of the industry who have dedicated a substantial amount of time and effort to preserving or improving the thoroughbred racing industry here in Alberta. As Craig stated, “In this case and many others, this is in fact a lifetime.”

Rod’s training career began in 1988 and he has earned 987 wins at every major racetrack in Canada and other US tracks. Notable horses trained by Rod include Switch N Win, Racaholic, Latshaw, Northern Prospector, Cozzy Grey, Go Eighty Eight, Quiet Approach, Notoriously, Double Bear, Afleets Dancer, Tempered Sapphire and Bird Of Pay who Rod says, “may have been the best horse I’ve ever trained.”

Special recognition and appreciation goes to the Night of Champions sponsors: Horse Racing Alberta, Bar None Ranches Ltd., Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, Century Downs Racetrack and Casino,

Multiple winner DANCE SHOES

Alberta bred and CTHS Sale graduate BIG HUG - The Dwight McLellan Memorial Trophy for 2022 Champion Two Year Old Filly owned by Empire Equestrian and Kerredge Farm

CTHS (Alberta Division), HBPA of Alberta, Roy McLellan, Moore Equine Veterinary Centre Ltd., Paddockhurst Stables and Rocky Mountain Turf Club.

All of the 2022 Alberta Thoroughbred award winners are shown below.

2022 Alberta Thoroughbred Award Winners

Apprentice Jockey of the Year Award

Sponsored by the H.B.P.A.

N’RICO PRESCOD

Leading Jockey

The Lou Davies Memorial Trophy

ENRIQUE GONZALEZ

Leading Trainer

The H.B.P.A. Trophy

TIM RYCROFT

Leading Owner

The Jockey Club of Canada Trophy

CRYSTAL CATES AND GONZALO ANDERSON

Leading Breeder

The C.T.H.S. Trophy

PIERRE ESQUIROL

Ken Cohoe Lifetime Achievement Award

ROD CONE

Champion Claimer

The H.B.P.A. Trophy

BON PRIX

Champion Sprinter

The Century Downs Racetrack and Casino Trophy

DANCE SHOES*

Champion Two Year Old Filly

The Dwight McLellan Memorial Trophy

BIG HUG*

Champion Two Year Old Colt

The Rocky Mountain Turf Club Trophy

CUBAN COBRA

Champion Three Year Old Filly

The Dave Kapchinsky Memorial Trophy

Sponsored by Paddockhurst Stables Inc.

ONEOFTHEMGIRLS*

Champion Three Year Old Colt

Sponsored by Bar None Ranches Ltd.

ASYOUBELIEVE

Champion Older Mare

The Moore Equine Veterinary Centre Ltd. Trophy

DANCE SHOES*

Champion Older Horse

The Century Mile Racetrack and Casino Trophy

AT ATTENTION

Champion Alberta Bred

The Ted Connor Memorial Trophy

DANCE SHOES*

Horse of the Year

The Horse Racing Alberta Trophy

DANCE SHOES*

*Alberta bred

Your best bet is an Alberta bred!

For further details and information, please view the CTHS Alberta web site at www.cthsalta.com or call the office at 403-229-3609.

The C.T.H.S. Trophy for 2022

Leading Breeder - Pierre Esquirol (shown holding trophy) with presenters Julie Brewster & Jennifer Buck

Dance Shoes group with trophies

Dance Shoes owner Mohamad Khan with a trophy

Dance Shoes Horse of the Year trophy

Smoke Inhalation - Protect Your Horse’s Health

equineguelph.ca, thehorseportal.ca

Ontario Veterinary College has conducted research on the impact of air pollution on horse health:

Equine Asthma & Pollution

During the summer there are often waves of horses presenting with respiratory disease. Ontario Veterinary College researcher, Janet Beeler-Marfisi never really ascribed that to being part of air pollution, until her recent research revealed horses, with their far greater lung capacity and athleticism, can also suffer when air pollution levels rise.

Checking the Air Quality Health Index is how many humans suffering from asthma start their day and subsequently plan their activities. As an asthma sufferer, Beeler has personal experience recognizing how the air quality can affect her own breathing. She has always wondered if horses could also be impacted?

In this Ontario study published in 2020, Beeler and her colleagues discovered: Increased Weekly Mean PM2.5, and NO2 Are Associated With Increased Proportions of Lower Airway Granulocytes in Ontario Horses.

So what does an increase in airway granulocytes mean in correlation to pollution?

Beeler explains, “the lungs have cells inside the air sacs, and they protect the lungs against things that we breathe in. If the lower airway granulocytes are increased, it implies that there is inflammation they are responding to. We noted that there was an increase in certain types of inflammatory cells when air pollution was high.”

Interestingly, proximity to a city was a factor in the study. Beeler described that what we used to call smog we now call poor air quality. Proximity to cars, which give off a lot of particulate makes up a major portion of poor air quality.

The lungs are part of the foundation for a horse’s amazing athletic capacity. Even minimal inflammation can lead to problems with breathing, decreases in athletic performance and could decrease the longevity of a horse’s career if left unchecked. Certainly, any cough or breathing issue should be addressed by the veterinarian right away.

Prevention is the first defence against respiratory issues. Beeler has three tips for reducing particulates in your horses environment:

“Based on my research, I would hope that people look at Air Quality Health Index and when the air quality is poor, choose not to push our equine athletes to their maximal efforts during those times.”

Barn related factors! For example: watering before sweeping, put sweepings into the manure pile rather than sending that dust into the horse’s stall where they can breathe it in while eating off the ground.

“I personally have an issue with round bale feeding or large square bale feeding. They stick their face into the bale and they are breathing in all of the particulates. Even good-looking hay contains mold spores

and dust from the soil, which are just naturally occurring and can contribute to lung inflammation.”

There are more studies on equine lung health in Dr. Beeler’s future. Next, she will be looking at the effects of pollution on exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage, otherwise known as bleeding.

SIGNS OF SMOKE IRRITATION

Asthma-like signs (heaves)

• Coughing

• Difficulty breathing

• Watery eyes

• Fatigue or weakness

• Disorientation or stumbling

• Reduced appetite or thirst

• Nasal discharge

IF YOU NOTICE THESE SIGNS...CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN!

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HORSE

- Limit or cease exercise depending on your local Air Quality Health index

- Control dust

. soak hay for 15 minutes and drain before feeding

. water dry paddocks

. wet down bedding

- Provide fresh water

- If your horse has any signs of smoke irritation – allow time for recovery

- Airway damage from wildfire smoke takes 4 to 6 weeks to heal – after air quality returns to normal

- Fire and smoke forecasts at firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/

USEFUL RESOURCES

Air Quality Health Index weather.gc.ca/airquality/pages/index_e.html

Ontario Veterinary College Research https://youtu.be/5VH9EP6n19w

Sources: AVMA, UC Davis, AQHI, University of Minnesota Extension, www.airqualityontario.com/aqhi/

Equine Guelph is the horse owners' Centre at the University of Guelph. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and wellbeing of horses, supported and overseen by equine industry groups. Equine Guelph is the epicentre for academia, industry and government - for the good of the equine industry as a whole.

WHY SMOKE IS BAD FOR YOUR HORSE

- Smoke contains tiny particles that can go deep into the lungs and cause damage. - Exercise makes horses breathe more frequently and more deeply and should be reduced or avoided.

“RENDEZVOUS 2023” with The Back Country Horsemen of BC

Submitted by Juanita Gibney on behalf of the organizing committee (Thank you to the members for the photos)

SUCCESS!

After months of organizing the annual gathering of The Back Country Horsemen, it was gratifying to watch the endless stream of trucks and trailers as they rolled up to the registration gate.

Over the course of the May 26-28 weekend more than 240 members made the trek to the Nicola Valley Rodeo facilities in Merritt for what would become the greatest show on earth! They came from across the province including a great turnout from Vancouver Island. The facilities were able to accommodate the huge number of camping units and the more than 100 horses and mules that members had brought with them. Old friends re-acquainted and new friends were made over the 3 days of activities.

Under sunny skies, Richard Jackson, elder of the Lower Nicola Indian Band, opened the event Friday morning with First Nation prayer and a blessing ceremony.

Friday afternoon, under the guidance of Ross Walker, the coals were prepared and the Dutch ovens were put to work in preparation for the potluck dinner. Several ovens were dedicated to cooking the 115 lbs of beef brisket. The Dutch ovens numbered 24 and the competition portion included a junior team, with their creativity producing not only a great dessert, but won them a prize as well.

Friday evening entertainment included some interesting and hilarious acts in the “just for fun” Lip-Sync/Airband event with several chapters putting forth their talents. Valhalla Vikings (Shuswap), Dolly Parton (Okanagan) and Johnny Cash (Aldergrove) wannabees, the perfectly choreographed team (Yarrow) paying homage to distilleries, breweries and wineries in song and Pancho Villa (North Thompson) presenting the only “one word” singalong song we know of. Both evenings were finished off with BCHBC members joining together and playing instruments around the well-attended firepit.

Vendor Alley was a busy feature of RV, attracting lots of attention with several product and information stations including BC Horse Council and the Invasive Species Council of BC. Other offerings included presentations and information on Saddle Mapping with Dana Johnson of Equifusion, First Aid on the Trail, The history of the Certified Horsemanship Program with Jim McCrae, Knot Tying, Mounted Search and Rescue with Marion Weisskopff and more.

Throughout the weekend hands-on offerings were endless and free participation was the key. Mounted games attracted many, particularly the many juniors attending. There was the Mountain Trail Obstacle Intro, keeping organizers Kelly Allen and Ron Stolp very busy. Attendees were able to work with their own horses on the obstacles throughout the weekend and it was an extremely popular event.

Led by Richard Christensen, the packing workshop and competition was not only informative but fun too! Once again, our junior members shone, and along with more seasoned packers garnered two of the four awards given. First place was Robson chapter’s Wes Phillips and Yarrow chapter’s Kirsten Hawes. Another fun competition was offered by BCHBC

founding member Jim McCrae where participants could win a highly coveted and rare t-shirt if they could throw a double diamond packing hitch in under one minute. And yes, there were a few winners. Impressive!

The Ernie Buckle Cowboy Poetry competition drew a large crowd that listened attentively to poems, many of which drew an emotional blanket across the audience. It was difficult for the judges, as the poems were all very good. The winner was long-time member Arnie Rath, reciting his poem “Cowboy Friends.”

Following the catered dinner on Saturday evening, awards were presented to Arnie Rath for his poetry and to Scott Walker who was recognized as BCHBC’s John Gardner Volunteer of the Year for 2022. This award was implemented in John’s memory in 2017.

On Saturday evening BCHBC was fortunate in having Andy Bales, of Salmon, Idaho, make the long trek north to bring the old west alive with his music and songs. No stranger to attending and performing at Rendezvous gathering in the western USA, Andy also threw his shoulder into quickly becoming our “Sound man” and helping wherever he was needed.

Arnie Rath accepts the Ernie Buckle and plaque from Mary Huntington for his poem “Cowboy Friends”

Saturday evening concert

The annual silent auction was a great success under the guidance of Brenda Bach and many donated treasures were on display to bid on. The live auction was popular and animated, and the 3 items on offer garnered a lot of interest. Many thanks to Julia Smith and Blue Sky Ranch for the feature offering of a 2-night stay for 7 people and horses at their lovely cabin.

BCHBC appreciates the financial support of so many institutions, companies and individuals that enabled us to create an event of this calibre. Sixteen sponsors recognized value in supporting BCHBC and what we do. We can’t thank them enough.

The 110 volunteers from across the 19 chapters helped in every way to make Rendezvous 2023 a reality. Without them it could never have soared to the success that was enjoyed by all.

Watch our website for information on Rendezvous 2024 at www. bchorsemen.org.

See you next year!

Opening ceremonies featured Richard Jackson of the Lower Similkameen Indian

Friday night entertainment included several lipsync airbands including Vikings from Shuswap chapter... Rose Schroeder, Ivan Matthews and Linda Buchanan

Dutch ovens in action preparing 115 lbs of beef brisket for dinner

Six riders made the 108 km trek over 4 days from Tulameen to Merritt to participate in RV. L-R: Mandy Blais, Kim Davidson Hensens, Sheila Sowerby, Stephanie Tottenham, Cole Barker and Sherrie Wilcox.

Skills of the Outfits

a working bridled stockhorse showcase & competition

Sept 22 - Miles Kingdon Demo Workshop

Participate in or observe the skills of the outfits in this special, one day only demo workshop designed to provide riders with a taste of what’s to come!

Sept 23 & 24 - Skills of the Outfits

A friendly competition with others who share your passion for the skills of the working cowboys who built this industry. Special rewards given to those demonstrating an understanding and affinity for the traditional vaquero gear and methods.

Contact Jasmine Bedford to register: jazzbedford@gmail.com or visit www.CanadianBridleHorse.com for more info

BCHBC enthusiast Andy Bales from Salmon, Idaho brought the west alive with a

Band

Scott Walker, winner of the BCHBC John Gardner Volunteer of the Year award

Cowboy Poetry

INFITE BOND

 Written by Esther, in grade 8, Langley BC

Compelling, wild.

Life starts with a simple connection. Connection with our parents, our Peers, our Pets, our Passions, our Phantoms. Every relationship, we have succeeded or failed to do, with a full elation or with a lack of encouragement.

All based on our level of true connection.

The connection we want as a human being.

Build trust by exchanging positive energy.

Those connections give a sense of belonging.

A deep, pure soul we have.

Boosting our connections,  opposite to what I think. Mentally fortifying, that is what I think of a strong bonding. Without any fear, without any interference I gain trust, I become trustworthy. Figure out a way to communicate with them.

The emotional part, gaining trust between, form a liaison, all come from my heart. The most special bonds we never forget.

A learning process

I went through,

both inexperienced and reckless. Because I couldn’t fathom, because I couldn’t interconnect, because I couldn’t reinforce.

Tough times changing, the difference I saw the commitment I made,  the engagement I made.

Change as a team, together,  challenge as a team, together,  reshape as a team, together,  in ways I was never expecting.

Promising myself that I would face the fear

I would never let go.

One year of progress, understand without conversation,  freedom without limitation,  hope you acknowledge.  Like my coach once said,  “I would like to see your demonstration,  I would like to see your intimidation, I would like to see your collaboration.  The transformation of a caterpillar becoming a cocoon, into a beautiful butterfly. The essential stage of cocoon, you will be free after. Go through the stage of learning, infinite possibilities,  you will perceive the precious moment. Trust your mare, trust yourself,  I trust in you,  we all trust.

Do whatever you can to go through, believe in yourself, truly.  When riding a horse, we borrow freedom.

With the information,  you make a formation.  Through the conversation,  you got an inspiration.  With your motivation,  try to make a collaboration as you love without communication. Horses have freedom. Freedom, we seek.  One wants without hindrance or prudence. Lock our horses. Freedom, we ruin.  24/7 hay, 24/7 sway, 24/7 play, Expecting to do their best, but it never works,  like a daydream, when riding a horse, we borrow freedom.”

Build my reliance, build my faith, all the terrific and harsh moments fade away.

Understand my mare’s neighing, her own way of communicating. Those glittering eyes, waiting for her best friend without byes. Even in darkness, even in blackness, I am not mindless. Greetings up front, just as I confront. Now I see why people say this. The initial encounter does not matter, as second and third chances are better. Never quit at once, you need patience.

My mare is my mirror. My skepticism, her curiosity, they always collaborate. Her neigh reflects my emotion, confidence and anxiety.

I, as a rider, try to maintain a balance between us.

In my mare’s heart, that’s where I belong, that’s where I have a chance. Where horses are, it’s the only place where I am harmless and unbound. My coach’s saying made me a better being. I am a half,  she is a half,  together we are a whole.  Between my mare and me, I am beholden.

Cowboy Poetry Roundup – Join Us!

Shuswap Association of Writers is the group that organizes and produces the Word on the Lake Writer’s Festival annually in Salmon Arm BC. Two of the founding members, Kay McCracken and Deanna Kawatski, are still active members of the committee.

But there are no strict rules to writing cowboy poetry, and it can reflect all kinds of experiences! It can rhyme, but it doesn't have to. It can be funny and light-hearted or serious and dramatic. Hugh McLennan, Rob Dinwoodie, Blu Hopkins and Pat Thomas are on deck to entertain you.

Hugh McLennan is the voice of the Spirit of the West Radio Show. The weekly episodes include poetry, songs and ranching information. It is available syndicated and online.

Rob Dinwoodie is known for performing in the Cowboy Dinner Theatre at O’Keefe Ranch in Vernon.

Blu Hopkins is a musician and poet who lives in the Shuswap and tours playing music as a duo with his wife Kelly. His roots are folk and country.

Pat Thomas from Enderby is an indigenous poet with a love of horses that shows through in much of his work.

Come along to the Salmon Arm Legion July 22 at 6 p.m. to tap your boots and tilt your hats! Admission is $35 in advance at the Legion or $40 at the door that night.

2023 was the landmark twentieth anniversary Festival celebrated on the May long weekend showcasing authors and poets, and featuring entertainment by Valdy and Blu & Kelly Hopkins. The festival showcases writers, poets, and songwriters as well as publishers and editors and offers public entertainment events.

Always mindful of fundraising opportunities, we decided to ‘make hay while the sun shines’ by holding our Cowboy Poetry Roundup in the summer while the weather is good, and folks are happy to be entertained with a burger and a beer to boot.

Cowboy poetry has gained popularity in recent years, and we are adding storytelling and music to round out the fun. Cowboy poetry dates back to the overland cattle drives of the 1800s and is usually rhymed, metered verse written by those having lived life during the Western Cattle Culture.

TICKETS: Salmon Arm Legion, 141 Hudson Street $35 in advance, $40 at the door

Hugh McLennan Poet/Singer/Storyteller from Pinantan

Pat Thomas

Indigenous Poet/Storyteller from Enderby

Rob Dinwoodie & Band from Vernon

Blu Hopkins Poet/Singer/Storyteller from Silver Creek

Minimalist Equestrian

By Sarah Southwell

Are we over “caring” for our horses in North America?

For many horse owners the answer is probably yes.

Horse enthusiasts are bombarded constantly with advertisements, and advice from others on how to best care for their horses.

Everyone has a favourite brand of feed. Favourite brand of tack. Best trainer, best farrier, best vet. Most amazing etc... etc... It makes it difficult to distinguish what is right, what our horse needs, are we doing too little???

Take a closer look, our horses are typically over/or underweight. Under/or over worked. Everyone seems to have some form of foot dysfunction (cracks, flat footed, can’t live without shoes). The chiropractor/ massage therapist/osteopath is on speed dial.

Ulcers, insulin resistance are common place. Behavioural problems that never seem to go away, or morph into different ones are the norm in any barn.

We don’t have horse problems. We have balance problems. We lack balance in our lives, our bodies, our minds and our soul. So we over care for our horses to make up for it.   Our horses are simply the mirror.

Let’s take a quick look at North American culture. Collectively we are either overweight,

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or underweight. Overworked. Or not working. We have mind and body dysfunction. Health issues. Hmm, same as the horse. Coincidence?

Could it be that we are all looking for a quick fix, are we ignoring the actual problem?

“This feed will help my horse’s nervousness/build muscle/grow foot, etc...”

vs

“This diet will help me lose weight/build muscle/feel confident.”

“A new saddle/bit/trainer will help all my problems.”

vs

“This book/pill/course will help all my problems.”

You get the idea. We are projecting our lack onto our horses. Our insecurities. Our lack of balance. Our problems. Become theirs. They mirror them back to us, in the hope we will see it, to acknowledge and integrate the reflection. Instead, we do what we have been taught to do. We band-aid the problem. We overcompensate by spending more on the problem to make it go away.

Sit with that. Reflect on it. Did I hit a nerve? I hope so. That was my intent.

What’s the answer to this dilemma? Accountability. We need accountability. For our actions, for our projections, for our physical and mental state. Then and only then can we connect with our horses in a meaningful way.

Here’s a story we can all probably relate to on some level.

There’s a horse rider, and a horse. The rider works full time, boards the horse, takes lessons, rides at local shows. The rider doesn’t set clear boundaries all the time, doesn’t like

losing control, has some fear from past experiences, has trouble being present (mind wanders), they want other people’s approval, experience some pain in the right shoulder and back, thinks everyone rides better than them, wishes their horse loved them more.

The horse is on a high-end brand of feed, farrier every 6 weeks, dental yearly, turn out, all the best tack, and care.

The horse has intermittent foot problems, right shoulder, back and neck are usually out of alignment/sore. Right hind leg is weak. They compensate into the front end. The tack never seems to fit right. The horse doesn’t seem to like the bit. It spooks at the end of the arena. Doesn’t like the right lead. Isn’t always easy to catch. Has a lack of boundaries and can get pushy. Sometimes the horse has to be forced to do things; some rides the trainer has to get on to put the horse in its place.

Can you relate? Have you been there? Have you seen others in this situation?

Maybe you’re thinking that’s just normal, it doesn’t have to be though.

It’s not the horse. It’s always us. Not the tack, the bit, the trainer, the food. Those can all play into the big picture, but we are the culprit behind our horse problems. I hate to tell you, but we are the culprit behind pretty much all of our problems. Luckily, the solution is quite simple.

Be present. Self-discipline. Quiet the mind. Let go of control. Be accountable. Forgive. Love.

Easy. Simple. Then, keep working on it every moment of every day.

When we are in the moment with our horse we realize that our fear, is their fear. Our lack of boundaries become their lack of boundaries. Our pain becomes their pain. Our need for control becomes their need for control. Our tension is their tension. When we quiet the mind, we

become present, we no longer think about what’s for supper, or bring our problems to the horse. A true conversation can happen. When we let go of control, we allow the horse to move, we allow ourselves to work through our fear. Our accountability allows us to see where our problems are actually stemming from. We can begin to function in a place of forgiveness instead of a place of blame. When we are able to forgive ourselves we can begin to love ourselves. Which opens us up to be loved. We no longer need to find our happiness in things or events, it comes from within. We no longer seek our self-worth from the horse’s behaviour. The horse is guiding us to this place. If we listen. They are a road map to our potential.

All our horses really need is a safe environment, socialization, health care, nutrition and exercise. When those basic needs are met properly, in conjunction with a person that is trying to live in balance; TRYING being the key word, many of the little things dissipate.

I called this article minimalist equestrian, because that is what it can become. We don’t need to follow an insane protocol. We just need to be. The horse is already there, waiting patiently for you to look in the mirror.

Our Accountability is the gateway to our Self Awareness.

About the author:

Based out of Southern Alberta, Sarah operates a coaching, training and breeding facility focusing on Classical Dressage, equine biomechanics, rider development and the Lusitano horse. She studies the art of classical riding and the deep connection that is possible with horses. Sarah is the author of The Art of Mindful Riding.

(See her listing in our Business Services section under TRAINERS) (Editor’s note: See her upcoming clinic on our Shop & Swap page 39)

What Do Top Jumping Athletes Look for on a Course Walk?

By Patricia Salem

(Patricia is a former professional equine massage therapist and recreational rider)

Get it right before you compete...

Before every Jumping event, competitors perform a course walk on foot to check out the track and make an individual plan for how they want to complete it.

While stride counts are an important element of the walk, there are multiple other factors at play. Read on to learn what else the best Jumping athletes look for when they walk a course.

Start with the Course as a Whole

Advanced Jumping competitors have learned to approach a course as one entity before examining each component. Experienced course designers, like the ones who work on the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™, see all the jumps as connected.

Sometimes a course designer will have a signature problem that they like to present. At the uppermost levels of Jumping, the course will be technically doable for everyone on the start list but still challenging for those who are likely to finish on or near the podium. The key to ending up in the latter category is to try to get a bit of perspective on the whole course and see what’s being asked.

This is also the time when athletes remind themselves why they are competing in that particular event. Of course, everyone wants to win, but realistically sometimes a greener horse means putting risk aside and getting the horse safely around the course as cleanly as possible for a good experience.

Break the Course into Sections

Next, athletes break down the course into segments of different lines that require various skills. Where does a particular line start and end? Each line might have its own problem posed for the athlete. Also, one line may serve as a foundation for the next. What is being set up with that part of the course?

Establish Success from the First Jump

The first jump is important because it sets the tone for the rest of the course. Elite Jumping athletes look for several things here. First, they want to make sure where the beam that starts the timer is located because that’s when the clock starts ticking on their ride. Also, they plan an approach to the first jump that puts them on the desired lead, gives them the best angle into the first line, and establishes the rhythm they want with the horse.

Analyze Bending Lines, Turns, and Rollbacks

Stride counts become less clear cut when lines aren’t straight. When the path between jumps is curved, the athlete has to figure out where they want to hit the second obstacle. Do they want to clear it at the midpoint of the jump, or are they looking still one jump further and thinking about taking it closer to the standard and perhaps at an angle to continue a bending line?

Curves and turns are often where Jumping competitions are won and lost, especially in the jump off round. With every curved line, there are typically three choices for the athlete: 1) the longest, most weeping way around; 2) the shortest, most economical path, which may involve cutting strides and taking some risk; and 3) a line in between those two.

Which way is best for the horse, given its preferred turning direction and stride length? If a line is cut extremely tight, like on a rollback, will the horse be able to visually lock onto the next jump in time? Not seeing the obstacle until it’s too late can result in getting too deep (being almost on top of the jump with not enough takeoff room) or having a refusal when the jump comes up too fast for the horse to clear. The horse’s size, power, and scope, plus its experience, all factor into how an athlete approaches these lines

Plan for Combinations

Double and triple combinations can be tricky and are studied both on their own and in relation to the jumps that come immediately before and after. The order of oxers and verticals, as well as their width and height, determines how the effort will be handled in the middle. However, the combo as part of the larger course asks the athlete to think about where they might need to take a check and collect their horse for what comes after or where they might need to put some leg on to press forward. Combination jumps aren’t just about scope; they’re testing agility and the athlete’s partnership with the horse.

Check the Sturdiness of the Fences

Some obstacles can handle a rub while others seem like they come tumbling down if the horse just breathes on it. During the course walk, athletes look at the sturdiness of the top of each jump and the cups it sits in. The cups have been getting shallower lately at top FEI events in preparation for them all to be downsized soon, which will make every

jump more precarious.

Flat planks are notoriously fragile as compared to round rails. “Skinnies” — jumps where the standards are placed closer together — are also more likely to hit the ground because they weigh less overall and offer less resistance to an errant hoof.

Understand what the Horse sees at each Jump

Each horse is unique when it comes to what makes it spook or need extra reassurance from its rider. A major part of the course walk analysis is anticipating what might give an athlete’s mount a fright, like a solid wall that can’t be seen through or an unusual standard decorated with flowers or sponsor imagery.

Other potentially frightening or distracting things on the course that athletes look out for include:

• Water jumps and liverpools with reflections

• Banners and buntings that move in the breeze

• The location of the in and out gates

• Where the course runs close to the audience

• Sunlight, artificial stadium light, and shadows

Some jumps seem to blend into the ground (like the devilish black plank on Day 2 of the recent Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals at Omaha). Striped rails are generally easier for horses to see, whilst

solid pastels are more challenging. However, these differences in colour, shape, and pattern are helpful for the athlete in memorizing the order of the course.

Evaluate Grade and Footing

During the course walk, the athlete will check to see if the overall grade is even or if it undulates up and down somewhat, as is especially common with some of the outdoor North American League venues for the World Cup and the Nations Cup.

The footing is also assessed to see how hard or soft it is. A harder footing can mean a slightly faster, shorter course, and a deep, soft footing, like after a rain, makes for a somewhat longer track.

Be Ready for the Final Line

The last thing athletes evaluate on their course walk is the final line. This is another make-it-or-break-it moment for many duos. The horse is likely to be a little fatigued and may be heavier in the hand or need extra encouragement to finish strong.

Conversely, some horses know the end is coming and speed up, so the athlete needs to make sure they are still hitting their strides and not getting sloppy when they finally cross that Longines beam. Watch our top Jumping athletes master courses throughout the calendar on FEI TV.

Dressage Fundamentals Retreat

By Susanne Currie, RPC MPCC, + travelling yogi

Ann Wallin of Copper Hills Equestrian Centre hosted an entire weekend that truly integrated horse and rider at her beautiful facility located in Kamloops BC. It was more than that though; it was the awareness and connection that grew throughout the weekend that warmed my heart.

Lisa Bukowski, an International Grand Prix Rider riding CDI Level, led the weekend with theory, demonstrations, and individual lessons which concluded with test rides on the last day. The more the riders brought awareness to their physical, mental and emotional states, the more connected they became to their horses.

The riders focused on the fluency and lightness of all the transitions. There was never a hind leg out of place that wasn’t noted. The riders were continually reminded to keep their horse straight and in perfect balance.

“All horses are different. I want each rider to understand their horse and give them the chance to realize its maximum potential – to find that button to bring out its special talent and personality,” stated Lisa. She quoted from many of her peers and mentors - honouring the tried and true principles of dressage. Each day the skills taught were built further on the next with finally putting all the pieces together in riding their respective tests.

In the evenings, after the horses were tucked in, the riders were able to relax, first with a yoga flow, followed by the most amazing healthy meals. The yoga sessions focused on the vagus nerve to teach

the riders to increase their emotional and physical resiliency. Tuning into breath and heartbeat creates a profound shift within that allows one to approach situations with more emotional balance, compassion, clarity, and personal confidence. This profound shift readily transfers to horse and rider. When our horses interact with us, they tend to synchronize to our energy as well; as a result they can sense the slight adjustments in our energy. It’s not our fault if we feel anxious, sad, or guilty, but we are the only ones who can shift that emotional experience to something more helpful. No one else can do it for us.

There are many reasons that an event such as this one is important. They help us to remove ourselves from the familiarity of our usual patterns or surroundings. Pulling away on purpose to retreat from life’s pressure is a healthy way to balance priorities and learn new skills to put things into a proper perspective.

However, it would be remiss not to mention the bonds of these memories with the other riders, who have walked along a similar journey. This is powerful and long lasting.

Life is good!

Karla Walker riding her Dutch Harness horse Austin.

Debbie Davis with her Canadian Warmblood mare Gigi.

Ann Wallin riding her Oldenburg mare Sophie.

Sarah Hayes with Lisa discussing tack on the Friesen mare Zoey.

Lisa Bukowski doing a demo and discussion on the importance of lunging with 9-year-old Oldenburg Athena.

Evening yoga - Suki the cat to show us the poses!

But before I get into this in further detail, I should let you know that we have an entire course that takes you step-by-step through every phase of developing your horse in the canter: from preparing your horse for canter work in the walk and trot, all the way to counter-canter and ready to begin the Flying Changes. If you would like to be first to know when we open the doors for the next round of the Canter Transformation Course, visit our website.

THE BIOMECHANICS OF THE CANTER

It is the outside hind leg that lifts horse and rider into the canter. The more it steps under the body and flexes its joints before the canter depart, the more uphill the canter will be.

The more the outside hind leg lags behind or the more it escapes to the side, the flatter, faster, and more downhill the canter will be. Consequently, to improve the canter depart, the rider’s task consists of transferring the body weight onto the hind leg which will be the outside one in the canter.

This can be achieved by:

-

Crossing over with the inside hind leg

- 2 half halts when the outside hind leg is on the ground

- Turns (especially corners, voltes, turns on the haunches)

You can combine these elements in any number of ways to increase their effectiveness. Their effect can be further enhanced by bringing the hind leg that is going to be the outside one in the canter more under the body first. Shoulder-in, counter shoulder-in, and turns on the forehand in motion are especially suitable for this.

ENLARGING THE CIRCLE

An exercise that is as simple as it is effective is enlarging the circle. Ask your horse to enlarge the circle for 2 strides on the open side, which transfers the weight to the outside hind leg. The horse should move over one horse’s width. What is important is that the front legs and hind legs move out the same amount. Otherwise, the horse gets crooked and falls onto the forehand. Immediately after the enlarging, apply two half halts when the outside hind leg is on the ground (you can support the half halts with a stirrup pressure into the outside stirrup). This increases the weight shift to the outside hind leg. The aids for enlarging the circle, the half halts, and the canter aid are all applied then the outside hind leg is on the ground and the inside hind leg is in the air. This makes it easy for the rider to get the timing of the aids right.

COUNTER SHOULDER-IN ON THE CIRCLE

Another highly effective exercise is the counter shoulder-in on the circle. Ask the hindquarters to move one hoof’s width into the circle for a few strides, while the horse is slightly counter bending. This brings the original outside hind leg more underneath the body. After a few strides let the hind legs return to the outside track and restore the normal bend to the inside. This transfers the weight to the outside hind leg.

Immediately afterwards, flex this hind leg with two half halts and ask for the canter, so that the canter depart is a consequence of the flexion of the outside hind leg and the horse sees it as a relief.

Tips:

The aids for sidestepping are always applied when the crossing hind leg is in the air.

Half halts are always applied when the targeted hind leg is on the ground since you want to flex it with the help of the body mass.

The canter aid is applied when the inside hind leg lifts off.

SHOULDER-IN THEN TURN ON THE HAUNCHES

A third exercise that works very reliably consists of a shoulder-in, followed by a turn on the haunches and an immediate canter depart. How does it work?

The shoulder-in brings the inside hind leg under the body. The turn on the haunches transfers the body mass onto the inside hind leg and makes the old inside hind leg into the new outside hind leg. The new outside hind leg can now lift the horse into the canter right after the turn on the haunches.

Tips:

If you were riding the shoulder-in at the trot, you have to transition down to walk or halt for the turn on the haunches.

This exercise is even more effective if you start a volte immediately upon completion of the turn on the haunches, and ask for the canter depart in the beginning of the volte.

The sooner the horse transitions into the canter after the turn on the haunches, the more the effects of the shoulder-in and turn on the haunches will still be present.

I would love to hear from you how these exercises work for you and your horse if you decide to try them out.

And, if you are ready to transform your horse's canter, please join us for the next round of the Canter Transformation Course.

We frequently receive a lot of questions about how you can improve the canter or the canter depart. This is obviously a major issue for many riders. This topic is very suitable for explaining the biomechanical principles behind it.

Did You Know… ?

thesmartcanine.com

Dogs are our friends, companions, pets and more. We love them and cherish them. But, do you really know all that much about them? We’ve searched the internet and found some of the most interesting dog facts that nobody ever talks about.

When dogs howl at each other, they adjust the pitch of the howl to sound more unique.

All dogs understand the power of barking, as it usually elicits a response from the owner – positive or negative. They bark to grab your attention and to try to make something happen.

Strongheart, Rin Tin Tin and Lassie are the only dogs with a star on the Hollywood Walk

Tip of the Month - To Shave or Not to Shave?

(Courtesy of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb)

As the heat of summer arrives the question of shaving your double coated dog is a typical and sometimes controversial subject. I'll attempt to give some perspective.

Some double coated breeds are: Bernese, Chow, Labs, Retrievers, St. Bernard, Newfoundland, Maremma, Leonberger, Landseer, Aussie Shepherd, Akita, Samoyed, Husky, Great Pyrenees, Elkhound, Pomeranian, Malamute, Eskimo, German Shepherd, Komondor, English Sheepdog.

First, what is a double coat? Most double coated dogs have a dense soft undercoat with a slicker, smooth topcoat. This type of coat is genetically intended to act as insulation, against both cold AND heat. (Think house insulation keeping you both warm in winter and cool in summer).

A dog’s cooling systems works very differently from ours. There are muscles in the dog’s skin that help raise the 'guard' hairs (the outer smooth coat) and allow for the heat to dissipate off the dog’s skin. Shaving removes the protective outer topcoat layer, changing the way air flows, leaving skin unprotected, exposed to the effects of direct sun and hot temperatures... actually making them hotter!

While it may seem to you that your double coated dog suffers in the heat of summer, it is a misconception that shaving your dog will be a healthier (unless there is a medical condition of course) or cooler choice.

Removing a dog’s “undercoat” can cause both short and long term damage. By shaving: the undercoat will grow back faster crowding out the thinner 'guard hairs,' which often changes the texture and colour of a dog's coat; interrupts the sync of natural shedding/regrowth cycle causing more extreme shedding; cause skin problems and worse, puts them at far greater risk for sunburn and heat stroke.

Short version is, tampering with your dog’s double coat by shaving it all off will leave your dog feeling hotter than when he had his insulating protective coat. So... if you would still like to give your dog some added relief, what are some additional things you can do to help your double coated dog cope with the heat of summer?

1) Note that often dogs that overheat are overweight. This is an easy adjustment – feed less! (and include treats when you calculate amount you are feeding).

2) A big contributor to a dog becoming too hot is not brushing out

dead and/or shedding coat, allowing it to become packed, dense and matted, blocking airflow to the dog’s skin. Groom often throughout the year to keep undercoats from packing. Brushing a few times a week, or even daily during shedding, will be necessary to remove loose fur and prevent mats from forming. Hint: When you notice your dog starting to shed it’s time to get grooming, de-shed and brush out... often.

One effective grooming tip for double coats is to go over your pooch's entire body with a grooming undercoat rake or shedding blade (or both). First, use short (6") strokes against the direction of growth, working head to tail. Then again, brush short strokes in the direction of growth. Clean out the brush often and keep grooming until the brush comes out clean. You may indeed be amazed at how much you can thin out!

And lastly, be sure your dog has plenty of fresh cold water and shade to help them self-regulate to stay both well-hydrated and comfortable lounging with their self-protecting double coat!!

Patricia Skinner-Porter is the owner/operator of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb at Monte Lake BC. Offering custom care boarding (non-dog park style) Patricia provides personal care, attention and daily exercise for ALL dog types, breeds and doganalities! She also offers one-on-one dog-owner training, helping individuals to create healthy happy relationships with their dogs. Here she shares her vast array of experience with a beneficial monthly tip for you and your pooch to enjoy!

(See her listing under Pet Central)

of Fame. So, what happened to Toto?

All dog breeds have pink tongues except for two Chinese dog breeds: the Shar-Pei and Chow Chow. Both of which, have black tongues.

In 2014, a Tibetan Mastiff sold for nearly $2 million USD, making him the most expensive dog ever sold.

The most successful search and rescue dog was Barry, the St. Bernard. He single handedly saved 40 people’s lives in the early 1800’s.

TOP DOG! OF THE MONTH

This is Tintin, he is an 11 pound Poodle/Maltese who is 5 years old. Tintin loves sleeping and going on long road trips.

Send us a photo of your favourite pooch!

Tell us the dog’s name, breed, and up to 50 words about him/her. We will print your first name (or initials) and your city/province.

E-mail to nancyroman@saddleup.ca and put in subject line: TOP DOG OF THE MONTH. Photos will be printed on a first come first serve basis.

Do you have a WORKING DOG event coming up?

Let us know! Call 1-866-546-9922 or email nancyroman@saddleup.ca

Pet Central

EVERYTHING PETS (Princeton BC) 250-295-7381

Quality Foods & Supplies for all your Pets! See us on Facebook. 10/23

HARMONY FARM KENNEL AND LAMB.com, Monte Lake BC, 250-375-2528. “Custom Care” boarding welcomes ALL dogs! 12/23

Do you offer a dog service or training business? Sell pet feeds and supplies? You can advertise here! Prices start at only $250 per year (11 issues). Call 1-866-546-9922 or e-mail nancyroman@saddleup.ca

Canine Capers

SPONSORED BY

Your one-stoP Pet shoP

Farm, Fencing & Horse Supplies

Pet and Livestock Feeds

604-894-6740

Pemberton BC

For more information on any of these events go to canuckdogs.com unless another website is provided

JULY TOP DOG!

WEST,

Horse Council BC - Notes from the Office

AN EVENING WITH IAN AND AMY MILLAR!

What a night! Well over 200 people came out to enjoy An Evening with Ian and Amy Millar on May 30th. A huge thank you to Purina for sponsoring this event and Krause Berry Farm and Estate Winery for being an amazing host venue. And a HUGE thank you to Ian and Amy for their engaging, fun and educational talk!

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

New for 2023, HCBC will be tracking points from multiple disciplines at designated Provincially Sanctioned Competitions and Bronze Equestrian Canada Competitions, as well as results from the 55+ Games and BC Summer Games counting for double points in three age categories:

• Junior 14 years to 18 years

• Adults 19 years to 54 years

• and Masters 55 years and over.

Awards will be given in each separate discipline with the year-end Champion and Reserve Champions announced at the end of show season.

Horseplay™

We are 3/4 of the way through the first year of Horseplay! The final draw will be our biggest with monthly, quarterly and the yearly prizes being awarded. Have you heard what we are giving away?!

• Adult Category Yearly prize $500 gift card!

• Youth Category Yearly prize Pivo Prize Pack!

• Youth Category Yearly prize runner up $150 gift card!

*Gift cards are the winner’s choice selected from our list of BC based equine business partners.

TRAIL MARKERS

Trail riding season is upon us! To help out with your trail maintenance work, order your trail markers today. For HCBC clubs, affiliates and businesses the first 50 trail markers are free! Additional trail markers are available to purchase at $1.00 each plus tax and shipping. To order email recreation@hcbc.ca or call by phone at 604856-4304 (toll free 1-800-345-8055) ext. 1009.

Equestrian Canada Equestre, equestrian.ca

Congratulations to the 2022 Equestrian Canada National Award Recipients!

Equestrian Canada (EC) would like to officially congratulate the 2022 National Award recipients! Please join us in recognizing each of them for their impressive achievements and contributions to the growth and success of the Canadian equestrian community.

EC would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2022 EC National Awards process, including the many individuals who submitted nominations to support deserving individuals. Across the board, the quality of the nominations was extremely high, which is a testament to the world-class athletes, owners, officials, organizations, volunteers, and supporters within the Canadian equestrian industry.

EC would also like to thank the Recognition and Awards Committee for their time and effort in selecting the recipients, with support and input from EC stakeholders and experts. The 2022 EC Awards Committee is comprised of Peggy Hambly (Chair), Jennifer Anstey, Julie Brewster, Alison Martin, and Taylor McRae.

For more information of each recipient, visit www.equestrian.ca/ about/national-awards.

Ireland

Owner:

Douglas

Lifetime Achievement Award Cynthia Neale-Ishoy

Equestrian of the Year – The Dr. George Jacobsen Trophy.

Kelly Houtappels-Bruder

Junior Equestrians of the Year – The Gillian Wilson Trophy

Anna Swackhammer (Photo By Ben Radvanyi) Averill Saunders

Owner of the Year Roberta Sheffield

Canadian Breeder of the Year, Presented by John Deere

Canadream Farm - Marie-Josée Proulx

Coach of the Year Sara Compton Volunteer of the Year

Kathleen Wilson

Media Award –The Susan Jane Anstey Trophy

Mark Spowart and Mette Holm

Official of the Year Colleen Hoffman

Canadian Bred Horse of the Year

Daniel Bluman & Kim

Breeder: Andrew Blais

Horse of the Year Buckingham Owner: Cawthra Burns

Alberta Equestrian Federation, www.albertaequestrian.com

Important Notice from Acera Insurance

With wildfires burning in several regions in the province, we want to remind you that the automatic insurance provided with membership in the Alberta Equestrian Federation protects you for liability arising from the temporary care, custody, and control of up to three nonowned horses that have been displaced due to fire, flood, and other natural disasters.

To those members that are lending a hand to others who are in need of relocating their horses and housing them in safer areas – we THANK YOU.

We are also obliged to advise that no new insurance coverage can be placed when an active wildfire is less than 50 kms away. This includes the optional coverage for tack and members Named Perils horse insurance.

If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact your Acera Insurance equine specialists at 1-800-670-1877 in the west.

Emergency Help Directory Created for Equines in Need

In response to the threat of multiple wildfires burning throughout the province, Alberta has declared a provincial state of emergency to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of Albertans. Emergency responders are working around the clock to keep people safe and reduce the threat to homes and infrastructure.

The Government of Alberta Emergency Management Agency has asked AEF to create an ‘Emergency Help’ directory connecting equine owners in need with those who have the means to help.

If you have the means and are interested in helping equines in need, please contact us.

*Please note we will not be coordinating the transport of feed or horses, so it will be directly between those who need help and those who offered help to coordinate any interaction.

If you are in need of equine assistance, please contact us.

The Emergency Help Directory was created for equines in need as a neutral venue for horse owners and providers of horse-related services to find, communicate with, and interact with each other. The Alberta Equestrian Federation “AEF” does not screen horse owners nor service providers in the emergency directory. Service providers are not under the direction or control of AEF and have the sole discretion on how to provide services requested by the horse owners. All transactions conducted using the emergency directory are between the horse owners and service providers. Horse owners and service providers are solely responsible for making decisions that are in the best interests of themselves and their horses and should exercise caution and their independent judgment before engaging a service provider or providing services. AEF makes no representations or warranties about the quality of services provided by the service providers or about the horse owners’ interactions and dealings and AEF expressly disclaims liability for any actions or omissions, claims, injuries, loss, harm and/or damages arising from and/or in any way related to the interactions or dealings between horse owners and service providers.

For ongoing support of equines in need, please consider a donation to our Equine Disaster Fund. Tax receipts are available for

donations over $50. All funds will go toward purchasing gift cards from Alberta Farm supply stores to assist those in need.

Grant Funding for Trail Projects

The Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) has been successful in obtaining support for three grant applications from Alberta Public Lands. These grants will fund three exciting trail use projects for 2023.

Responsible Trail Use

Recreational trail usage has significantly increased in Alberta since early 2020. The increase includes equestrian trail users who may lack knowledge of safe and responsible trail use. This has led to serious injuries and more incidents requiring self-rescue and first responder rescue. The Responsible Trail Use initiative aims to help educate equestrian trail users through short educational videos on topics such as safe preparation and responsible trail use. The project involves selecting topics, obtaining video gear, identifying credible experts, collecting props, writing scripts, shooting and editing videos, and sharing on social media and websites. The project will promote responsible and sustainable trail use, develop a competent and responsible equestrian trail user community, and contribute towards responsible trail stewardship. The goal is to produce 20 educational videos and increase education and awareness among all equestrian trail users.

Share the Trails

This project will help educate equestrian and non-equestrian trail users on how to safely share public and multi-use trails. This will be accomplished by hosting events at Public Lands trailheads, providing educational materials, purchasing and placing “share the trails” signs, and partnering with non-governmental organizations to ensure signage and pamphlets are available in appropriate locations across Alberta. The objectives include connecting with about 450 nonequestrian trail users at in-person events to educate on safe practices when encountering horses and increasing awareness of horse use on Alberta’s trails. Long-term outcomes include collaboration between recreational users and organizations, reduced conflicts between equestrian and non-equestrian trail users, greater understanding of different trail users’ requirements, and increased safety for all trail users.

Unite the Trails

There are many equestrian trail groups in Alberta and in this project, AEF is taking the initiative to pull these groups together to create a united effort when proposing plans, infrastructure, and future projects to the Alberta Government. This project, Unite the Trails, will host a one-day workshop to discuss common needs and priorities of equestrian trail use, develop an agenda, compile a report, and communicate the outcomes to the members, public, and government. The goal is to improve collaboration, increase equestrian trail-use presence, and report on displaying priorities and project ideas. In addition, this project is expected to help AEF secure similar funding opportunities in the future.

Armstrong Enderby Riding Club

Our first annual Donna Ruth Memorial Show saw over 40 entrants participating in almost a hundred classes. We had exhibitors from near and far, all ages and disciplines!

The Armstrong Enderby Riding Club and BC Paint Horse Club executives came together to offer a combined show on May 28th. We wanted the show to be memorable, so the brainstorming started for a show name. We all agreed that the Donna Ruth Memorial Show was a perfect fit. Donna Ruth and her mother Barb Dimion have been beloved members of the horse community, enthusiastically supporting and attending horse shows in BC and Alberta. Donna would lend a hand for anyone, anywhere and always with a smile. Donna passed away suddenly in November of 2022.

A huge thank you to the BCPHC, especially Cathy Glover, Barb Hazell, Avery Murray and Anne Marie Gellein for being pivotal in bringing this show to fruition. Thank you to the AERC, especially Lauri

Pettyjohn-Meyers who was representing the AERC and assisting at the gate; Nancy Roman for announcing all day; Dianne McCulloch and Joni Miskovich for being the ring stewards; Barb Dimion and Sherri Golden for whipping us in to the arena and keeping us on time. Thank you to all the sponsors and a big thank you to ALL the exhibitors for supporting the first annual Donna Ruth Memorial Show.

Thank you to the wonderful APHA judge Andrea HokansonGutmann from Alberta!

Working on some exciting ideas for our September date, so stay tuned.

BC Ranch Cutting Horse Association

 By Peter Sintott | Photos by Janice Reiter

Iit’s already June and the BCRCHA has 4 show dates done and dusted. The club started off the year by holding the “Double Trouble” clinic at Cedar Springs Ranch in South Langley. Clinicians Brent Stewart and Kaylan Eek played to a full house as riders shrugged off the winter cobwebs.

First show of the year was also held at Cedar Springs Ranch on the very cold and wet weekend of March 25 & 26. The winter conditions didn’t deter the large turnout which included lots of new faces and a few returning faces that had been missing for several years. The event was judged by Binky Moffat and generously sponsored by Amy Brattebo (BC Farm & Ranch Realty) on the Saturday and West Coast Equine Spa along with Dominic Transport on the Sunday.

April 15 & 16 saw the club hosting its second show at Bell Creek Arena in Chilliwack, where the unsettled weather never creates an issue. Judge for the weekend was Bob Magrath. These shows were sponsored by Hanks Trucking & Bulldozing on the Saturday and RCM Excavating on the Sunday.

The club is fortunate to have had DCH Excavating step up to sponsor the Youth class for the entire 2023 season. Also this year Special FX Equine Performance Products is sponsoring the “Ride of the

 Photos by Lauri & Nancy

Warming up

Corrie Stachiw setting up with Steward Dianne

Youth rider Ayden Gagno-singh showing at his first cutting show on Metallic Stylish Boy

Sam Muddiman and Koltrina

Judge Andrea and scribe Joni

Nadia Drozdz and Show Me Classic Delux

Day” where one deserving rider gets to go home with some nice swag. The upcoming calendar of events includes a one-day show on July 16 at Cedar Springs Ranch, to be judged by Kaylan Eek. Then there will be the season finale on September 9 & 10 at Howes Arena on Sumas Mountain. This show will feature the always highly anticipated bridleless class where the riders are auctioned off as a fundraiser for Canuck Place.

Having places with good footing, that can handle the cattle and horses, not to mention the vehicles needed to get them there is fundamental to the club’s existence and we are so lucky to have Cedar Springs, Bell Creek and Howes Arena hosting events this year. With these facilities and great show sponsors, the club has a lot to be thankful for.

Wild Rose Draft Horse Association

The Alberta Clydesdale and Shire Association put on a youth draft horse clinic May 20 hosted by Calico Farms out by Huxley, Alberta. It was a new event that was suggested at the annual meetings in February. Not being sure how it would be received, it ended up being very well-attended by 19 youth ranging from ages 5-20. They were able to attain a couple of top draft horse aficionados to teach the kids on a variety of topics.

Gord Ruzicka from Viking, Alberta spoke on safety and tips on horse handling; then moved onto conformation, touching on common ailments that occur in draft horses; and things to look for when possibly judging a horse such as correct movement, profiles and comparing one horse to another.

The kids were put into teams and one was blindfolded while the other one “drove” to give them a perspective as to what the horse may feel and how he understands cues given by the driver.

Roger Leclaire from Didsbury also talked about conformation and showed the kids expert decorating techniques from the delicate touch to create the perfect tail sprigs on a Clydesdale to perfecting mane rolls and tying tails. Kids were able to practice on horses and got one-onone tips on perfecting their techniques.

 By Barbra Stephenson

The youngest attendees learned how to braid and were able to do forelocks and propped up on the ever so patient Orchid (a 6-year-old mare) and learned the beginning steps on how to do a 4-strand braid for a mane roll.

There was a hot dog BBQ lunch in the afternoon. The event would not have been possible if not for the generous sponsorships from the Wild Rose Draft Horse Association, River Run Clydesdales, the Cowboy Trail church and Walker Farms.

Debbie Hall riding Sanjo Royal at the Double Trouble clinic

Lois Clough riding Smart Little Anne

Settling cattle first thing in the morning

Canadian Cowboy Challenge News

Iwas hoping to share the results from the CCC’s first Challenge of the season, but due to unfortunate circumstances with booking, the date needed to be changed. The Halcyoina Double Header, in Saskatchewan, on June 3 and 4 was rescheduled to June 17 and 18. Posting of Challenge results will start in August.

The play day on May 20-21 in Carstairs went well. Smoke from the wild fires deterred a few riders but overall the play day was well-attended. There were 8-10 riders each day with 4-6 people coming out to observe some of the obstacles used in a CCC Challenge and how courses were set up. Riders could get help with obstacles if requested or a lesson could be scheduled. Some worked on obstacles at their own pace and/or had shorter rides but spread their rides throughout the day. The cost for a play day is based on per horse per day bases and a lesson cost is arranged through the instructor.

A course was set up in the outdoor arena while some obstacles were set up in a small field adjoining the outdoor arena. The small field area had manmade obstacles as well as some natural obstacles to

The Alberta Donkey and Mule Club

Twyla Daly and partner Blayne Johnson joined the Alberta Donkey and Mule Club in 1992. This was shortly after they had purchased their first mule.

The couple had spent many years going on pack trips into the Ya Ha Tinda, Nordegg, Ram, Clearwater, and Panther areas of the Eastern Slopes. There was an 8 year stint where the couple would go annually on four 10 day pack trips per summer. They also sprinkled in several 2-4 day short excursions, amongst these longer trips. Each summer through that time frame they had attended Keith Kendrew’s “camp outs,” in the Cut Off Creek and Ram River areas.

The couple has owned both mules and horses.

Twyla was recognized by the Alberta Equestrian Foundation for achieving the 3000 hour Milestone, in their Ride and Drive campaign.

Over the years, the pack trips became less frequent and shorter in duration.

Blayne and Twyla were together for 30 years. Twyla taught school and was involved with community endeavours. Blayne was a plumber-type. He had two careers. On the Paying Side, he installed and maintained industrial milking parlors for Surge Dairy Equipment. On the Interests Side, Blayne was an inventor, engineer, designer, welder, carpenter, fabricator and electrician

 By Hans Kollewyn

navigate. A couple of riders had indicated they had not attempted natural obstacles before but were able to navigate them successfully with some help. It was a great confidence booster for those riders and their horses. Play days are meant for and setup so rider and horse (the team) have fun, a positive experience and advance the team’s skill level.

The first picture is Greg and Sonny navigating a natural water obstacle in a small field, outside of an outdoor arena. The second picture is Denton and Bender navigating a water box and bridge combination in an outdoor arena. Hosts and course designers have the opportunity to be creative in designing courses in an arena and/or a field and they are only limited to the facility provided.

This play day provided a great opportunity for the attending teams to start the Challenge season in a positive manner. Riders worked on their riding skills and ability to navigate obstacles. The host and those who rode indicated it was a successful and enjoyable weekend. Have fun and enjoy the ride!

– The All Round Handy Man. He was a man with experience, practicality and wisdom. In the fall of 2020 Blayne passed away, following a lingering illness.

At club meetings, over the decades, both of these members were recognized for their “voices of reason.” The club benefited from their involvement, participation and recommendations.

Twyla has always been an active member with the club events, assisting annually at the Mane Event and Spruce Meadows, handling booth responsibilities. She has assisted at Long Ears Days, filling various roles as the Ring Steward, participant and coordinator. Her days as a recognized volunteer within the club go back to when the ADMC worked Bingos as fundraisers (2000)! Following the Bingos, she then had the easy job of recruiting volunteers for the newly acquired Casino License Opportunity, which began in 2005. That was a test and she found out just how helpful neighbours can be! Twyla looked after all aspects of coordinating the casino requirements for two of the fundraisers.

From 2002-2006 she held the Treasurer position for two terms.

Twyla Daly has participated at every Bingo and Casino fundraiser held in support of the Alberta Donkey and Mule Club beginning in 2002. Along with her participation and contribution with club events over the 31 years, she has set a fine example as a contributing member to the Alberta Donkey and Mule Club.

On April 29, 2023 Twyla Daly was the recipient of a Life Membership from the members of the club.

 Russ Shandro

Denton and Bender

Greg and Sonny. Photo Unbridled Photography.

Vintage Riders… for the love of horses! 

Summer is upon us and there is so much to tell you about! But first, a tip from Susan - go outside and check your trailer for wasp nests before you load up for that next ride! ‘Tis the season!

There were bargains to be had at our Annual Greenhawk Shopping Day. Thanks to manager Amanda, Dale’s Icelandic horse Monsi now rocks a new fluorescent pink saddle pad! The Icelandic word for Monsi’s colour is bleikur, which means pink. So... Monsi is getting a pink wardrobe! Many other members were also delighted with their deals.

We’ve talked before about the wonder that is Working at Liberty. We invited Juliette Cimetiere, from Washington, to do a three day clinic for us. On the Friday evening, Juliette presented a demo with two of her horses. We had a great turnout to audit this demo! We learned a lot about Juliette’s experiences working with Cavalia, her approach to training, and her own ever-evolving equine education. She was so lovely to talk to that a bunch of us went out to dinner together to continue the conversation. The following three days saw the 8 participants taking private lessons each day with Juliette and making incredible progress with their horses. There have already been requests to bring Juliette back. Thanks again to our member, Vicki, for allowing us the use of her lovely indoor arena. What a positive experience the whole weekend was!

Dr. Steve Chiasson from AgWest Veterinary Group attended our General Meeting to talk to us about modern de-worming and vaccination protocols. One of the best things about our group is how interested everyone is in updating their understanding of how best to care for our equine partners. “Because we’ve always done it that way” is not a good enough reason for anything! Dr. Steve is always entertaining and informative and keeps us up to date.

Our members get out and about – Marj had her “Oscar” out for his first rodeo at Cloverdale, hanging out in the Farm Friendz exhibit. She grabbed the opportunity to introduce him to all the sights and sounds and strange animals the fair had to offer. Linda got her handsome “Stormur” all dressed up for the Yarrow Parade.

The first Saturday in June has been designated “BC Trails Day” and is part of the international celebration of Trails Day worldwide. It is a day to celebrate and care for our province’s stunning trail system, a day to educate about responsible recreation and environmental stewardship, and a day to help all British Columbians enjoy trails and outdoor spaces safely.

Vintage Riders

Equestrian Club, with the help of Horse Council of BC, Outdoor Recreation Council of BC, and Metro Vancouver

By Karen Gallagher

Parks Committee, took this opportunity to help educate the patrons of Campbell Valley Park in safely sharing our trails. On a beautiful sunny day, we talked to people about how to approach horses on the trail, the importance of keeping dogs on leash, and the value of simply talking to our horses. We talked about the coming expansion of the Perimeter Trail where bicyclists are allowed, and how they can help when on shared use trails. The more knowledge we can spread, the safer we will all be. We will continue working with these committees to expand this education initiative. Let’s all have a safe and happy summer!

Now for The Really Big News - plans are in the works for our 20th ANNIVERSARY celebration! Vintage Riders Equestrian Club has been doing what we do for 20 fun-filled, educational years! If you have ever been a member and have not heard from us recently, please contact us via email at vintageriders@mail.com. We would love to have you come join in the celebration.

Vintage Riders Equestrian Club… for the love of horses! We are a gathering of horse enthusiasts within the Fraser Valley. Anyone over the age of 21 is welcome. We meet every 3rd Tuesday in Fort Langley to enjoy fellowship and a speaker, and to host a variety of clinics.  Find us on Facebook at Vintage Riders Equestrian Club – public, email: vintageriders@mail.com

2023 Upcoming Events: Mountain Trail with Debbie Hughes

Canada Day Ride

Chelan Kozak Eventing Clinic

20th Anniversary Celebration

Dale and Monsi showing off their new “bleikur” pad!

Oscar meets the llamas. Photo by Marj McKay.

Our club display at BC Trails Day

The Back Country Horsemen of BC

Trials of the Trail Safety Tips for Riding in the Back Country

By Jim McCrae, BCHBC co-founder and honorary lifetime member

Tip #1 Buddy Ropes

Fifty years of riding in the backcountry inevitably involved some challenging and sometimes dangerous situations. I would like to share some of those experiences. Perhaps someone, sometime, somewhere will avoid some hard lessons I learned the hard way.

Buddy ropes. To handle horses and mules we use lengths of material. Lead ropes, halters of various types, reins, lines, and many other restraints. A buddy rope really shines in instances where a little distance between you and a wreck is good, and you can still get close enough to help out. It’s like taking first aid training. Most likely it’ll help others more than yourself. Thirty feet of nylon with a loop at each end is my preference. It’s soft and pliable and hard to throw - not like the stiff lariat that cowboys use but it doesn’t get caught up in brush or flip around. I use a quick release double bow knot to tie it on my front right saddle strings. When I’ve needed it, I needed it fast. I’ll give you a couple of examples.

Three of us were riding up along the Muskwa River looking for a place to ford. I was last in line when suddenly the bank collapsed under the rider in front of me, dropping him and his horse into cold, deep water. Perhaps due to her ancestral memory the mare was not good in water and a lot of floundering was happening. The bank was a straight drop, so I quickly turned downstream to try to help. I grabbed my buddy rope and waded out into the river. Luckily the rider had managed to get to the bank, but the mare came floating around a bend toward me. Nice. I didn’t have to decide which to help. The mare wasn’t struggling and appeared to have just given up. I made a long loop and managed to get it around her head on the first try. Good thing as the current wasn’t going to give me a second chance. A quick dash to a tree on the bank and the mare was

secured and swept against the bank. Still no struggling. Definitely a poor horse for that country and a wet place to unsaddle and drag her up onto the dry bank with my horse - using the buddy rope. Maybe she’d have survived on her own or maybe got caught up in some sweepers. The buddy rope certainly came in handy.

On another trek, again in the north, we were dropping down along the Warneford River after having crossed Bedeaux Pass. We got suckered into following the main channel and ended up dead ended at the confluence with a side channel. My horse, pack mule and I crossed to the main bank, but it got uncomfortable. Trying to scramble up the slippery bank just wasn’t working. My mule, riding high with nearly empty boxes turned and swam back and recognizing his good judgement, we were following when my horse suddenly went under. His leg or legs were ensnared. I slipped off into the cold deep water. We were in deep trouble. My horse floated unless he struggled, which would pull his head under. Now I really needed a buddy rope. It was on my saddle on the opposite side and under water. I wasn’t eager to get that close to my good friend and besides I’m a poor swimmer. I was yelling for my partners to get me a rope in one direction while talking softly in the other to reassure my horse. No buddy had a buddy rope! A lash rope and a couple of lead ropes tied together were the best they could do. I swam to the bank and then struggled back out to tie it on. I found it was very challenging to tread water while trying to tie a knot but managed and soon my horse was freed and heading for the bank.

Now I always encourage future partners to carry a rope for emergencies and leave a halter on under the bridle with a lead rope attached.

May your trail not be a trial!

Next month safety tip #2… Chaps and Bras!

A Buddy Rope. Thirty feet of nylon rope tied where you can access it quickly.

Jim McCrae will write next month about wearing chaps safely in the backcountry. Photo credit Sheila Sowerby.

Alberta Donkey and Mule Club

ARMSTRONG ENDERBY RIDING CLUB Schooling Shows (Eng/West/Games), Armstrong Fairgrounds, April to Sept. www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca 10/23

BC CARRIAGE DRIVING SOCIETY, Pleasure, Combined, Recreation from Minis to Drafts, www.bccarriagedriving.com 6/24

BC INTERIOR ARABIAN HORSE ASSOC. Pres: Wally Goertz 250-546-6004 11/23 asmarawg@telus.net, clinics, Recreational riding programs, Awards/Social Activ.

BC INTERIOR MORGAN HORSE CLUB see our FB page. Pres: Bev Routledge email: bcimhcinfo@gmail.com Activities: trail rides, obstacle fun day, barn tour/pot luck. 5/24

BC PAINT HORSE CLUB www.bcphc.com, Open Show & Competition Program, award sponsorships for local clubs, youth scholarship. cathyglover@telus.net 3/24

BC QUARTER HORSE ASSOCATION, bcqha.com Contact Carolyn Farris, email cfarris@telus.net 12/23

BC Team Cattle Penning Association

BC WELSH PONY & COB ASSOC. (see FB) Pres: Rosanne 604-302-7650, bcwelshponyandcob@gmail.com. Breed promotion program throughout the province 4/24

BOUNDARY HORSE ASSOCIATION (Grand Forks BC), Offering shows, gymkhanas, clinics & more. See us on Facebook, 250-443-3191, kmespenhain@telus.net

Canadian Cowboy Challenge

A SPORT for the whole Family! Seven Divisions to accommodate all! For more info please call 403-828-2044 or visit www.canadiancowboychallenge.com

Since

Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association has been the leader in Canada for therapeutic riding and is recognized as such by HETI (the International Therapeutic Riding Federation). •

Clubs & Associations

International Equine Body Workers Association 3/24

IEBWA Members are Certified & Insured… Is your Body Worker? Equine & Canine Memberships available! www.iebwa.com

EDUCATION. RECREATION. INSPIRATION.

Welcoming a diverse equestrian community by fostering an environment of enjoyment, development, and competition. Introducing the 2023 Interior Desert Hunter/Jumper Circuit Show Series More details and dates available at kelownaridingclub.ca 3745 Gordon Drive, Kelowna BC 12/23

LANGLEY RIDERS SOCIETY, www.langleyriders.com. English/Western, Games, Jumping, Drill Team, Rodeo. 604-530-5981 11/23

LOWER MAINLAND QUARTER HORSE ASSOC. Pres: Tamara Jameson, tamarajameson@hotmail.com, http://bcqha.com/index.php/LMQHA 12/23

NORTHERN SADDLE CLUB, Smithers BC. Check out our website at northernsaddleclub.com and follow us on Facebook 2/24

Clubs - you could be listed here!

Non-profit rates start at only $100 per year and includes a FREE web link for one year!

BOOK CORNER

About Wild Acres Books

Wild Acres Books, a division of Wild Acres.It is a publishing company used to publish children’s picture books by Carolyn Wild.

100 Mile & District Outriders

Promoting equine activities and knowledge in the south Cariboo with Shows, Clinics, Gymkhanas and more.

President: Mike Kidston

Adam Harvey

E-mail: info@outriders.com ~ www.100mileoutriders.com

PEACHLAND RIDING CLUB, Pres: Kevin Froese (Kevin.leroy.froese@gmail. com). Info, Gymkhana dates & events atpeachlandridingclub.com 6/23

RUSTY SPURS 4-H HORSE CLUB (Abbotsford BC) Open to Youth 6-19, Rustyspurshorse4h@gmail.com & Find us on Facebook!  12/23

SOUTH CENTRAL QUARTER HORSE ASSOC., Host of April Fuzzy Horse Show and September AQHA Circuit Show, http://bcqha.com/index.php/scqha 12/23

VERNON DISTRICT RIDING CLUB (Vernon BC), check out our website at vernonridingclub.com or visit our Facebook & Instagram pages 2/24

VI MINIATURE HORSE CLUB, vanislemhc@gmail.com, bcminiaturehorseclubs/ vimhc Driving and/or halter shows, clinics & performance competitions 2/24

VINTAGE RIDERS EQUESTRIAN CLUB (Fraser Valley BC), English/Western, lectures, clinics, socials, safe and fun, vintageriders@mail.ca, on Facebook 4/24

WILD ROSE DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION, www.wrdha.com. Barb Stephenson (Secretary) phone 403-933-5765 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) 6/24

Carolyn Wild is an author, an artist, a farmer and an elementary teacher with over 25 years of classroom experience with preschool to grade 3 students. She believes that reading is the key to success in the primary years. She is the creator of the Wild Acres Farm Series: I LIKE DUCKS ALL YEAR LONG, BIG DOGS LITTLE DOGS ON THE FARM, ADAM’S BIG HORSES PULL A SLEIGH and COUNTING GOATS ON THE FARM. Her goal is to build a library of emergent readers that capture the imagination and promote literacy. Carolyn lives on a farm called Wild Acres in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia. She has a grown son and grandchildren through her husband Geoff. Their Wild Acres farm overlooks a valley with quaint farms, rows of fruit trees and pristine lakes. Carolyn and Geoff raise and show heritage livestock and promote natural farming methods. Learn more about this author at https://carolynwild.ca/

Available on Amazon in Kindle and Paperback Kindle $2.99

Paperback $9.99

JUNE

25-July1 OTTAWA ON, Learn Equine Massage! Certification Course Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

29-July2 HOOF TRIMMING CLINIC, Heffley Creek BC, 204-771-5335, https://www.hoofgeeks.ca

30-Jul2 WELCOME BACK CLASSIC III, Armstrong BC, cathy.macdonald@mac.com

JULY

6-9 HOOF TRIMMING CLINIC, Clearwater BC, 204-771-5335, www.hoofgeeks.ca

8 SCQHA CLINIC (Clinician TBA), Kelowna Riding Club, Kelowna BC, scqhashow@gmail.com, www.bcqha.com

8-9 CCC CARSTAIRS CLASSIC, Carstairs AB, Al Bignell 403-828-2044, cibignell15@gmail.com, www.canadiancowboychallenge.com

8-9 INTRO TO MOUNTED ARCHERY CLINIC, Kamloops BC, Pine Tree Riding Club, www.okkma.ca

8-9 CAPITAL CITY CLASSIC DRESSAGE SHOW, Gold, Saanich Fairgrounds, Saanichton BC, www.dressagebc.ca

9 SCQHA - THE OGOPOGO OPEN SHOW (Judge TBA), Kelowna Riding Club, Kelowna BC, scqhashow@gmail.com, www.bcqha.com

9 VIMHC Fun Ice Cream Drive, Glenora, vanislemhc@gmail.com, www.bcminiaturehorseclubs/vimhc

13-16 HOOF TRIMMING CLINIC, Grande Prairie AB, 204-771-5335, www.hoofgeeks.ca

14-16 INTERIOR DESERT CIRCUIT Show Series, https://vernonridingclub.com

15 BREAKAWAY ROPING JACKPOT (SERIES), JR Arena, Cache Creek BC, www.highcallroping.ca

15-16 BCMT BUCKLE SERIES SHOW, Shumway Equestrian Centre, Kamloops BC, e-mail Donna shumway@direct.ca, www.bcmountaintrail.com

15-16 INTRO TO MOUNTED ARCHERY, Skills Clinic & Grading Competition, Grand Forks BC, Boundary Horse Association, www.okkma.ca

15-16 APHC SUNNY SOUTH SHOW, Willow Creek Ag Centre, Claresholm AB, follow us on Facebook and https://www.albertapainthorseclub.ca

19-23 WORLD CLYDESDALE SHOW, Brandon MB, www.worldclydeshow.com

20-23 HOOF TRIMMING CLINIC, Sherwood Park AB, 204-771-5335, www.hoofgeeks.ca

21-23 CANOA FARMS MOUNTAIN TRAIL Trophy Buckle Show, HCBC Sanctioned, Merritt BC, https://canoafarms.com

21-23 CANADA CUP, Gold/Bronze, & Dressage Camp, Maple Ridge BC,  www.dressagebc.ca

22 COWBOY POETRY ROUNDUP (fundraiser), Legion, Salmon Arm BC, info Deb turnfivemobile@gmail.com

24-Sept 01 LANGLEY BC, 6 week advanced Equine Massage Therapy Certification Course Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

27-30 HOOF TRIMMING CLINIC, Hague SK, 204-771-5335, https://www.hoofgeeks.ca

28-30 THUNDERBIRD SHOW PARK DRESSAGE SHOW, Gold/CDI, Langley BC,  www.dressagebc.ca

30 AERC HORSE SHOW, 9 am, Agriplex, Armstrong BC, AERCcanada@gmail.com, www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca

4-6 INTERIOR DESERT CIRCUIT Show Series, https://www.kelownaridingclub.ca

4-6 APHA ZONE 10 - ZONE-O-RAMA, Calnash Ag Centre, Ponoka AB, follow us on Facebook at APHA Zone 10 and https://www.albertapainthorseclub.ca

5-6 CCC DOUBLE HEADER, Thorsby Haymakers, Thorsby AB, Melissa Deveau mugsydeveau@gmail.com, www.canadiancowboychallenge.com

11-13 PHAC CANADIAN NAT’L SHOW, Agriplex, Armstrong BC, Deb Cones 403-860-9763, deb.cones@gmail.com, www.phac.ca

12 ALL GAITED BREEDS VERSATILITY CHALLENGE, Agriplex, Armstrong BC, Deb Cones 403-860-9763, deb.cones@gmail.com, www.phac.ca

12-13 BCMT BUCKLE SERIES SHOW, Hanging H Arena, Chilliwack BC, e-mail Debbie, hughesqh@telus.net, www.bcmountaintrail.com

12-13 LADYSMITH, (V. ISLAND) BC, Learn Equine Massage! 1st of 3 weekends! Certification Course, Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, www.equinerehab.ca

13 DRESSAGE TEST PRACTICE DAY (3 of 4), Copper Hills Equestrian Centre, Kamloops BC, Ann Wallin 778-220-7898, http://copperhillsequestrian.ca

17-20 HARCAN Training Camp, Olds AB, www.okkma.ca

18-20 RISING STARS JUNIOR YOUNG RIDER SHOW, Maple Ridge BC, www.dressagebc.ca

19 SCQHA CLINIC (Clinician TBA), Kelowna Riding Club, Kelowna BC, scqhashow@gmail.com, www.bcqha.com

19 BREAKAWAY ROPING SERIES FINAL, JR Arena, Cache Creek BC, www.highcallroping.ca

19-20 LADYSMITH, (V. ISLAND) BC, Learn Equine Massage! 2nd of 3 weekends! Certifica tion Course, Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

20 SCQHA - THE WINE COUNTRY OPEN SHOW (Judge TBA), Kelowna Riding Club, Kelowna BC, scqhashow@gmail.com, www.bcqha.com

22-26 55+ BC GAMES, Abbotsford BC; Equestrian at Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre, www.55plusbcgames.org

23 – Sept3 PACIFIC SPIRIT HORSE SHOW at the PNE, Vancouver BC, 604-252-3581, www. pne.ca

25-27 BC DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS, Gold, Southlands Riding Club, Vancouver BC, www.dressagebc.ca

26-27 LADYSMITH, (V. ISLAND) BC, Learn Equine Massage! 3rd of 3 weekends! Certifica tion Course, Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

28-30 SARAH SOUTHWELL CLINIC (The Art of Classical French Riding), Horsefly BC, 250620-3325, blackcreekranch3@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER

1-2 NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP w/Glenn Stewart, Stage 1, Smithers BC, contact Anika 250-846-5494 or anika.gattiker@outlook.com

1-3 ISLAND 22 HORSE TRIALS, Chilliwack BC, email Janice: go_event@smartt.email, www.island22horsepark.com

2-3 APHC FALL CLASSIC, Red Deer Westerner, Red Deer AB, follow us on Facebook and https://www.albertapainthorseclub.ca

3-4 NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP w/Glenn Stewart, Advanced Workshop, Smithers BC, contact Anika 250-846-5494 or anika.gattiker@outlook.com

9-10 BCMT CHAMPIONSHIPS, Circle Creek, Kamloops BC, e-mail Colleen circlecreek@telus.net, www.bcmountaintrail.com

11-17 CALGARY (Priddis) AB, Learn Equine Massage! Certification Course Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

14-17 HOOF TRIMMING CLINIC, Algrove SK, 204-771-5335, https://www.hoof geeks.ca

16-17 RANCH HORSE REVOLUTION SHOW, Armstrong BC, more info on Facebook page or email ranchhorserevolution@gmail.com

PUBLISHING

Business Services

VETERINARIANS

REALTORS

BC’s Leader in Agricultural Real Estate bcfarmandranch.com

604-852-1180 • info@bcfarmandranch.com

TACK/CLOTHING SHOPS

DIAMOND H TACK INC. (Kelowna BC) 877-762-5631 English & Western Saddlery, Clothes, Farrier, Feed, Blanket & Leather Repairs 10/23

TRAILER REPAIRS

PETERSEN TRAILERS LTD. (Langley) 604-533-4209 Service and Repairs. All makes www.petersentrailers.ca 7/23

KITT EQUIPMENT TRAILER SALES, (Chilliwack & Aldergrove), 1-877-8237199, Horse ~ Stock ~ Utility ~ Dump ~ Flatdecks, Kittequipment.com 4/24

TRAILER SALES TRAINERS/COACHES

CANADIANEQUESTRIANARTSACADEMY.COM, French Classical dressage, coaching,  clinics, sales. Standing Xihao AR, Lusitano stallion. Sarah Southwell 403-915-0616 3/24

LEE PONCELET TRAINING STABLES (Vernon, BC) 250-938-2034 Starting Colts. Training all levels. Specializing in Cutting/Cowhorse. lpperformancehorses.com 8 /23

SANDY LANG HORSEMANSHIP (Abbotsford BC) 778-344-3804, Foundation Focus Working Equitation, Natural Horsemanship, sandylanghorsemanship.com 9/23

VETERINARIANS

ANIMAL CARE HOSPITAL Williams Lake 250-392-5510 / Quesnel 250-747-3053 Drs. Magnowski, Scheidt, Thompson, Jordan, Deitrick, Johnston, Kelley, Wurzer   4/24

Rural Roots

Country living has never looked so

good! Situated on 7.05 unzoned acres, this mostly flat and selectively cleared corner lot offers great privacy. This adorable and cozy 3-story home boasts 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, an economical kitchen, an extensive wrap-around porch and an unfinished basement that’s waiting for your ideas. The house and property have beautiful mountain views and excellent light year-round. Also included is a 30’ x 40’ 3-stall horse barn, 60’ x 180’ riding arena, electric and wood fencing making this an equestrian’s dream, a hobby farmer’s oasis, or an outdoor enthusiast’s mecca. In 2020 the home underwent a spectacular addition to the main floor which included vaulted ceilings, a stunning bathroom and an art studio with cathedral windows. The property has extensive landscaping throughout and offers more than can be described.

AW Blue Fire N Te AQHA Blue Roan