MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA
FREE
Smokin S mo oth
Dually 4th at 2020 NCHA World Finals 5000 Novice Horse & World Champion Stallion
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Sy lve ste r
Ph ot og
ra ph y
Owned by: Scott Wardley, Okotoks, Alta
Publications Mail Reg. No. 40045521 Printed in Canada
MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 1
DRAWING CONTEST Supplying Your Pets with NEW and Unique Products!
https://finnandfletcher.com
OUR NEW CONTEST IS FOR TWO MONTHS – March and April 2021 Entry deadline April 30th. This contest is in SUPPORT of our HEALTH CARE WORKERS and our SENIORS living in care homes/facilities. Your drawing will be a DEDICATION to someone you may know in this position. And we want you to NAME them… and dedicate YOUR DRAWING to them! You could dedicate your drawing to Nurse (or?) Jane Smith… or to your Grandmother Mable Jones. Add in another phrase too if you would like, and/or horse name, dog name. This contest is NOT BEING JUDGED on ‘artistry’ or ‘perfection’. It will be a RANDOM draw for all drawings received.
HOW TO ENTER? Original drawings can either be emailed to nancyroman@saddleup.ca (DRAWING CONTEST in subject line) OR Mail a hard copy to us at: Saddle Up magazine PO Box 371 Armstrong BC V0E 1B0 DRAWINGS NEED TO BE IN OUR HANDS BY APRIL 30TH. AGE GROUPS: (you can enter more than one drawing) 10 and under 11 to 18 19 and over TWO PRIZES PER AGE GROUP RULES: Original drawing must be submitted via MAIL (a hard copy) or EMAIL a copy to us. This is NOT a Facebook contest. Must be a Canadian resident (prizes shipped only in Canada). Full name, age (if 18+ under), city/ province must be listed. Open to anyone who wants to draw. You can enter more than one drawing if you’d like.
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EACH DRAWING MUST INCLUDE:
The name and sketch/drawing of the person you are dedicating this to; along with a horse and a dog. So there will be at least 3 subjects in your one drawing. Winning drawings will be printed in Saddle Up magazine and placed on our Facebook page. So the person’s name (and yours) on the drawing will be published. We need you to sign your own drawing and then PRINT your full name, age, city/province on the drawing as well. 19 and over need not publish age, unless you want to.
WHAT DO YOU WIN? (Courtesy of The Finn & Fletcher Co.) ARTIST wins a very special Prize Pack! Choice of horse or dog related items. PLUS ARTIST wins a second prize – choice of a Goliath Rain Sheet/Blanket or a Snoozer “Cozy Cave” Bed! ARTIST keeps one of the prizes for themselves and GIVES the other to someone in the drawing!
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SADDLEUP.CA • 3
From the Editor… ALSO AVAILABLE DIGITALLY
HCBC 2010 Business of The Year 2014 A/S Chamber President’s Choice Award Publisher/Editor Nancy Roman MAIN OFFICE TOLL FREE 1-866-546-9922 250-546-9922 nancyroman@saddleup.ca www.saddleup.ca MAILING ADDRESS Saddle Up magazine PO Box 371 Armstrong, BC, Canada V0E 1B0
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s I write this we are in the middle of a cold snap with -18 to -21 in the mornings! BRRR! I don’t envy those living on the prairies with their wind chill factor. Not fun if you have to pack water out to your horses 2-3 times per day. At least the sunshine and blue sky helps! We have another contest to offer you, courtesy of The Finn & Fletcher Co. – a Drawing Contest! And best of all, it is dedicated to and in support of health care workers and our senior population. It is a 2-month contest with some Photo by Kathy Mydske GREAT prizes. See details on page 2. We’ve got some great articles in this issue, some thought-provoking, educational, heartwarming, and some catering to all of our four-legged friends. We have also included our 21st Annual Construction Feature with ideas and tips for your next building project. See the feature on page 22. I was very sad to hear about the passing of a long-time subscriber to Saddle Up – Donald Glassford of Quesnel BC – he had subscribed with us since 2005. Our condolences to his family. See more on page 20. Well let’s cross our fingers that one of the groundhogs called it right… and we get spring sooner rather than later! Am crossing my fingers! Stay warm, and stay safe, till next month.
Printed In Canada produced by OKANAGAN PRINTING a division of
EPublishing in Armstrong, BC 250-546-6477
Publications Mail Reg. No. 40045521 GST Reg. No. 865839567 ISSN No. 1701-6002 © All Rights Reserved
ON THE COVER: Smokin Smooth Dually (on Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/ Smokin-Smooth-Dually-106872928010064/
CONTRIBUTORS: Kara MacNair, Christa Miremadi, Rachel Vowles, Glenn Stewart, Sarah Evers Conrad (CHA), Birgit Stutz, Lisa Wieben, Ron Ranney, Meghan Rawlins, Gerry St. Germain, Caley Ramsay, Russ Shandro OFFICIAL VOICE FOR: Back Country Horsemen of BC, Lower Mainland Quarter Horse Association
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FEATURES DEADLINE 5TH OF EVERY MONTH SUBSCRIPTIONS $24.00 CDN plus tax per year or $42 US per year. (12 issues) Reproduction of any materials without written permission from the editor is prohibited. Opinions and statements expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor.
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*NEW* DRAWING CONTEST Happy Trails for Two Rescues BaleBox Hay Solutions Lessons from the Herd Peace Region HCBC Know Where to Draw the Line Secrets of Successful Riding Instructors Serpentine-Zig Zag Pole Exercise Winter Water Woes & Colic Prevention Goliath – Trusted Brand 21st Annual Construction Feature Tips for Buying a Horse Property
Top Dog!
30
KIDS 32
2 6 7 8 11 12 14 16 18 21 22 29
Horse Council BC
33
What’s This?
35
Lower Mainland QH Assoc.
39
Back Country Horsemen of BC 40 Clubs/Associations 41 What’s Happening? Let’s Go!
42
Business Services
43
Rural Roots (Real Estate)
45
Stallions/Breeders 45 On the Market (photo ads)
46
Shop & Swap
47
Dear Editor…
Letters to the Editor are welcome and printed on a space availability basis.
Dear Editor:
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he 55+ BC Games is an annual, multi-sport competition celebrating active and healthy seniors. Communities across BC are transformed by the inspirational lifestyles of 55+ BC Games participants. Victoria was set to host the 2021 55+ BC Games this September but given the uncertainty of the ongoing pandemic, the decision to postpone the Games was made. The Victoria Games will now be hosted in September of 2022 while Abbotsford has graciously agreed to host in 2023. Moving the 55+ BC Games a full year ahead provides for the opportunity to deliver not only a safe event that meets the required health and safety protocols as established by viaSport as well as the Provincial Health Authority, but more importantly means that participants, families and volunteers who come to Greater Victoria can expect to not only have great competition but experience all the host community can offer in terms of music, food, arts and culture without restrictions. Participants and volunteers are always top of mind when
making a decision of this magnitude and no doubt we have disappointed those who have been training and preparing for the 2021 Games. These Games offer the opportunity to celebrate sport and active living with other participants from across the province and experience the hospitality of the Host City. Victoria hopes to host one of the biggest Games yet. They will put together a multi-sport Games that champions the idea of life-long activity and friendly competition. See you in 2022! - Wes Zawertailo, Communications Committee Chair, BC Seniors Games Society
Smokin S mo oth
Dually
2013 AQHA Chestnut Stallion SIRE: Smooth As A Cat DAM: Smokin Nu Dually x Dual Pep
Special Introduction Breeding Fee: $750 plus chute fee Frozen semen available in US and Canada 5 Panel N/N Scott Wardley 403-651-0234 E-mail: wardleys@telus.net MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 5
Happy Trails for Two Rescue Horses
Courtesy of BC SPCA, www.spca.bc.ca Photo by Jenn Bruyer
Jolene and Hermione are proof that some of the best friendships are born from tragedy.
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he two mares were rescued as part of a cruelty investigation near Princeton at the end of September 2020 in which 97 animals were taken in by the BC SPCA. At the time, the emaciated horses had to go into strict quarantine immediately. Tragically, several didn’t make it. Jenn Bruyer had been interested in finding the right horse for a long time but didn’t really have the right support to adopt a horse with special needs or who needed training until she met her friend Rae McMahon, a professional trainer, last August. The two instantly bonded over horses and became fast friends, spending many summer days riding through the mountains of BC together on Rae’s thoroughbreds. “We bonded by riding her two horses and by training my two mini horses who both have their own issues,” says Bruyer. “We found through our time together with these four animals that we share many other interests and similarities. When the Princeton horses were ready to be adopted late last year, the pair went to the BC SPCA Good Shepherd Barn in Surrey to look at the horses. As soon as she met Jolene, Bruyer says, “I knew she was the right kind of challenge.” McMahon had also been causally looking for a younger horse to train when she met Hermione, and decided to adopt her on the spot. “Things just worked out well for us both that day,” says Bruyer. “Rae already had two horses of her own and these two mares made for a complete herd.” That is, if you don’t count Bruyer and McMahon.
The friends, who both have backgrounds with caring for horses, work regularly with Jolene and Hermione together, and are currently focusing on slowly building their confidence with various training exercises, including tack, handling, and positive reinforcement. Bruyer says the two mares, who live together, adjusted very well to their new home, and were able to join the herd “almost immediately.” However, the mares didn’t come without their share of challenges. According to Bruyer, Jolene was initially terrified of the saddle pad at first, and demonstrated head tossing, a behavioural issue in which a horse tosses their head often into the handler that can be dangerous. In addition, her feet could not be picked up easily, and “She was a little underweight,” says Bruyer. As for Hermione, “She came slightly lame with no boundaries and little obvious training. Their training past was so uncertain that we chose to start both horses completely from scratch, skipping no steps.” After a few short months, both mares have shown enormous progress already. “Both can be tacked English and Western, both are very willing to learn, happy to see us and interact,” says Bruyer. “They have taken some weight under saddle but have not been ridden yet.” Both horses have also taken lead and followed while ground driving (driving a horse forward using “long lines” that are secured to the bridle, while the rider walks at a safe distance behind) around unfamiliar trails, which, says Bruyer, is “Very brave of them!” The two horses also love running around their field together where their personalities really get to shine. “Jo is very sweet and stubborn. Hermione expresses strong opinions in the sweetest adolescent way,” she says.
Next up for the horses and their guardians?
“We are certainly looking forward to a summer of continued training, trail riding, roping, jumping, overnight camping trips, and many adventures with both of the new girls.” Adds Bruyer: “We are both learning a lot with these new girls and enjoying every minute of it.” 6 • MARCH 2021
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A truly happy tail for friends, both human and horse alike.
Hay Solutions to Simplify Your Life! Ken in the oat field
Introducing BaleBox…
B
aleBox is a division of Black Isle Farms, a 3rd generation farm located in the north Okanagan owned by Ken and Kara MacNair. The original farm was a dairy farm, but after milking cows for more than 100 years, the family was ready for a change. The dairy cows were sold, and Ken combined his passion of regenerative farming with his hobby of horse-drawn farm equipment to focus on hay farming. Knowing that one of the drawbacks to buying hay was the labour needed to load and unload trucks, Ken searched for a solution. He decided to bale his hay with a Bale Baron, which stacks and ties together 18 square bales into bundles so they can be easily moved with a tractor. Once the bales had cured in the barn, he tested moving the Bale Baron bundles into shipping containers for storage and easy transport. Many animal owners saw this as a valuable service and BaleBox was created. BaleBox delivers the customer’s choice of hay in a storage container, and when the customer is ready, BaleBox replaces the empty container with a new container of hay. Not only does the customer not
The BaleBox truck unloading
If you have ever had difficulty convincing enough friends to help you hand-stack a load of hay or struggled to keep your hay dry and pest free, there is a new service in BC that will interest you. need to unload the bales, the hay bales come with their own storage. BaleBox usually has 8-10 types of hay available for all hay needs. BaleBox has the ability to re-bundle large square bales into small square bales and supplement their own hay with a broad variety of inventory. A lab analysis sheet is provided in each container, so customers know exactly what they are feeding their animals. Lab analyses of each type of hay for sale are on the BaleBox.ca website which helps customers choose the best hay for their animals. Customers are welcome to come look at the hay to decide what is best for their animals before they place an order. The aim of BaleBox is to provide a variety of quality hay while simplifying the process of hay purchase and storage for the customer. After the customer has discussed container location with BaleBox, they don’t need to be there when BaleBox delivers. They can simply arrive home to a new container of hay in their yard. BaleBox accepts e-transfer and credit cards for customer convenience. Give them a call at 778-745-0033 to discuss your hay needs and they will help you find hay solutions to simplify your life! (See their ad on page 11)
MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 7
Lessons from the Herd By Christa Miremadi
Horses are fascinating to me, but one thing that has really captivated my attention over the years, has been watching how their lifestyle and living arrangements affects their behaviour, their health and their performance.
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s it turns out, these things might be having more of an impact on your horse than you could ever have imagined. From their hoof health to their brain development, how a horse lives can impact everything. As a kid, I worked at a variety of equine facilities. I had jobs at dressage, jumping, riding lesson barns and at private barns in and around Vancouver BC, in Southlands, Richmond, Delta and Langley. I also worked a few weeks per year over the past 30 years, as a wrangler at a working horse ranch/summer camp with locations in both Sundre and Rocky
Mountain House AB. The horses there lived and were cared for in a drastically different manner. Having the opportunity to observe and learn the horse care practices of these different operations provided me with a unique experience and perspective of a variety of horse husbandry styles. I’ve witnessed firsthand how living in a stable situation versus living off the land affects a horse. I’ve gained a working knowledge of how their lifestyle directly reflects their health, happiness and behaviour. Each of these experiences has had an impact on me and my beliefs around
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8 • MARCH 2021
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what’s best for a horse. I know… this is a dangerous way of thinking. Often what’s best for the horse isn’t what’s best (or easiest) for the humans and after all, if we were to do what’s best for the horses, we likely wouldn’t have much interaction with them at all. If, on the other hand, we focus only on what’s best for the humans, our horses would suffer a great deal. It’s been a delicate and challenging experience, trying to balance what’s best for the horses with what’s best for the humans who love them, and achieving this balance requires sacrifices from both. It’s also a dynamic, ever-changing entity that requires constant attention, re-evaluation and adjustments. I believe that this balance is attainable though, and that once it’s been achieved the horse and the human can benefit each other: emotionally, physically and even spiritually. Achieving it however, takes a true understanding and acknowledgement of what’s important to a horse as well as good horsemanship. So how can you achieve this balance? I believe it can be achieved through a great deal of humility, observation, realistic, honest reflection and an openness to accepting the many lessons from the herd that are available to us every time we’re with our horses. It seems to me that our horses are constantly trying to connect to us, share with us and help us to understand them better. They are, for the most part, hopeful and eager to teach us, if we’re only willing to learn. Having had the opportunity to observe horses in as many different living situations as I have has provided me with many of these lessons. Throughout the years I worked at many different equine operations as I mentioned above, as well as the subsequent two decades of managing my own equine facilities and the herds they supported, I’ve been blessed with
thousands of opportunities to learn. The horses never stop sharing and although I’m sure I’ve missed more than I’ve absorbed, I’m lucky to have retained at least a few of these lessons from the herd. I believe it’s my duty, to share them with those who have an interest. These lessons are meant to both provide entertainment as well as educate the reader, hopefully sharing a perspective that they may not have previously explored, or perhaps validating one they may be feeling unsure of. I hope to help those who read these lessons begin to recognize their own lessons more easily and hopefully, inspire them to share them with others. But most of all, I hope to help the horses (who’ve helped me so tirelessly throughout the years) to have a voice, to share what they’ve worked so hard to teach me and hopefully help them to become better understood in the process. These lessons that I’ve been lucky enough to receive, have shown me that so many of the behaviours we’ve come to recognize as “bad” or “unwanted” have actually been created by our own horse husbandry practices, our handling techniques or our own behaviour around our horses. Many of the physical ailments and issues that we spend thousands of dollars trying to correct or relieve have actually been caused by the lifestyle or living conditions that we’ve imposed on our horses. I’ve learned that developing a healthy, happy horse who’s easy to get along with is far simpler than is commonly believed, though it might not always be easy to accomplish. I hope you enjoy reading my Lessons from the herd as much as I have enjoyed learning them and I welcome and invite you to observe, reflect on and share your own lessons. For more lessons from the herd and other similar stories, please head over to https://www.therocknstarranch.com/blog. On occasion,
the lessons I will share here will be continued on my blog as they may require additional writing space. Christa and Pinto Miremadi own and manage The Rock'n Star Ranch in Pritchard BC. They offer Natural Care Boarding, horsemanship lessons, training and clinics focused on building relationships, strengthening partnerships and developing confidence between horses and humans. Through compassionate communication and sharing the horse's point of view, Christa shares her passion for horsemanship, hackamore/bridle horse development and the art of developing a working equine partner. www.therocknstarranch.com (See their listing in our Business Services section under TRAINERS) Photo by Connie Ellis
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www.growerssupplybc.com MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 9
Tails to be Told
. . .A treasure chest of memories .
My Grandpa’s Horses
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his story occurred when my grandpa, Ken Shannon, was in his twenties. He had rented a small acreage and decided to buy a horse. Lady, which was her name, was a ten-year-old quarter horse. Her hooves were in rough shape and she was undernourished. With some help from the vet and farrier, Lady became a heathy horse. Because there were many large farms near my grandpa’s land, he had access to trails around the fields. Lady loved to gallop at top speed along these. Later, she had a foal, Vala. In Lady’s eyes, Vala was
worth her weight in diamonds. Lady loved mothering little Vala. Eventually, my grandpa had to move. He made sure they were sold to loving homes, because he did not want Lady and her sweet foal to become neglected again. When he thinks backs on this time, he remembers his horses tenderly. Now, on my farm, Grandpa advises me to lovingly care for my animals. - Submitted by Maelle Levasseur, age 10, Hythe, Alberta
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. 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.
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From the Peace Region of Horse Council BC “Thank you so much to everyone in the Peace Region who nominated me as your Horse Council of BC (HCBC) regional director.” – Rachel Vowles
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look forward to helping HCBC complete its mission of collaborating with business, industry, and government on behalf of the equine and equestrian community to enhance this province's equine lifestyle. Most importantly, as the Peace River Regional Director, I look forward to helping connect horse enthusiasts of the Peace Region with HCBC. If you have or your club has any matters that you think HCBC might be able to assist you with, please do reach out to me to make that connection happen. Here is a simple outline of the HCBC funding that is available to members. If you think you would be a suitable applicant for one of the below-mentioned grants, choose the type of funding that suits you and visit the HCBC website for more details and the necessary forms (the Application forms and After Report Forms). Please note the specific deadlines for applications. HCBC grants are not available to make money for clubs or individuals. These grants are intended only to cover or reduce expenses, and receipts are required. Funding available Core Funding – funding for member clubs; targeted for larger events or projects that support sport growth and development, often used to improve public riding arenas. An approved event or project will be open to all qualified participants in your area, not just your club members. Application deadline: April 15, 2021. Education Funding - funding for HCBC member Clubs; intended to encourage and support learning by equestrians in the classroom. Such as a demonstration or clinic. An approved grant will cover 50% of expenses up to a max of $500. Application deadline: two weeks before the event. B.C. Equestrian Trails Fund – funding for member clubs and affiliates who have researched and planned a specific project related to the construction and maintenance of an equestrian trail, trailhead, or horse camping site in
British Columbia for public use. Application deadline: April 15, 2021. Regional Grant – funding for individuals, HCBC members, and clubs. Grants are small, usually $250, but are available for a variety of reasons that benefit local equestrians. Contact your Regional Director to discuss the grant before making an application. If you are outside of the Peace Region, please refer to www.hcbc.ca to determine your regional director. B.C. Athletes Assistance Program – funding for high-performance athletes. Application deadline usually December. Contact: Competition Manager 1-800-345-8055 Ext 1005. Email: competition@hcbc.ca. Travel Assistance Funding – for high-performance athletes. Please visit the following site to get specific criteria and forms for each of the above-stated grants. https://hcbc.ca/membership/fundingfor-hcbc-members/ In the meantime, do not forget to renew your HCBC memberships for the 2021 season. Fingers crossed for a productive year of horse sports! Stay Safe, Sane and Sanitized folks; I look forward to hearing from you. Rachel Vowles Mile 0 Farrier Company HCBC Peace River Region Volunteer Director 250-886-7595 / mile0farrierco@hotmail.com (See Mile 0’s listing in our Business Services section under FARRIERS & SUPPLIES)
WE CARRY A BROAD VARIETY OF HAY YEAR-ROUND FOR ALL DIETARY NEEDS A 20’ container full of 144 square hay bales, delivered to you and replaced when needed
This labour-saving system eliminates hand stacking bales (no friends required) and the requirement to be at home when your hay is delivered.
Contact us for a free quote: 778-745-0033 / office@balebox.ca Enderby BC Follow us on Instagram and Facebook or visit balebox.ca
Each Box comes with a ‘lab analysis’ of your feed so that you know exactly what you are feeding your animals. See our story on page 7 MARCH 2021
You’ve got my vote!
SADDLEUP.CA • 11
Know Where to Draw the Line By Glenn Stewart
A few years ago I had the pleasure of attending and competing in the Trainers Challenge at The Mane Event in Chilliwack. I was also asked to do a couple of demonstrations with my own horses. The Trainers Challenge is a colt starting competition where you are given an unbroke colt to start in 3 hours. There is a crowd and a panel of judges watching you while you explain your thoughts and techniques. 12 • MARCH 2021
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believe competition has the potential to bring out either the best or the worst in you. If you go into a competition, it is unlikely that anyone could truly say that they don’t care if they win. I know I want to win, there is no question about that. There is nothing wrong with wanting to win unless it is at the expense of something or someone. For years I would not go into colt starting competitions because I wasn’t thinking right. Then I got my head back on and said if I’m not willing to cross the line, any of my lines, that is staying true to my horsemanship beliefs, then I can bring out the best in myself and the horse I draw. If I only do what I believe the horse is ready to do then all is well. If that gets me a win, great and I can’t help but learn something. I also would not go in competitions for a few years because I wanted to be sure I wasn’t going to put the horse in a bad spot because maybe I really hadn’t learnt enough for that kind of environment. Now when I go in a competition, I love the challenge of getting as much done as possible in the time you have without stepping over the lines. The young horse has to absorb a great deal of information in a very short time. They can and they do and they have no problem with it if we can colour inside the lines. If we watch our horse closely, young or old, they all have certain amounts they can absorb. The more clear and understanding what we do is, the more they can comprehend. In a competition you have your competitive side spurring you along and your other side reminding you to watch your horse and see what he needs. So don’t go faster than he can learn and make sure the last lesson is understood enough before moving forward. If they don’t yet understand, you must stay with it until they are far enough along before you add more to their list of skills. It absolutely amazes me still after 2000 colts and countless other horses, how much they can learn. How fast and with ease and calmness they learn that you don’t see even in us humans. There are, however, lines that horses have, thresh holds or limits that you need to be aware of. For example, many times in colt starting competitions the common problem that seems to come up is the colt starters have trouble keeping or getting their horse moving. The round pen can take some of the blame because it does hinder forward movement in a horse. However another common mistake is when they are asked to go or move and they take a step, you must allow them to stop if they want. You can ask for another step in a few seconds. Allow them to think about what just happened and that they don’t have to keep moving when you just got on. They need time to understand that you will be asking them to walk, trot and canter in time but to start with they get to stop if needed as a thank you to them for doing the right thing. You also must not pull on their heads while trying to get them to learn about going forward, with one rein or two. Allow them to learn to move forward first then teach them to turn. Help them understand to walk for you then get the walk free; then trot a step or two then get the trot to free up; then finally canter a stride or two. In these early rides we have to feel what they can give us and be happy with it.
You must push them some but you don’t push them across the line to where they quit on you. You can see it and you can feel it. You might start the walk and feel that they really just barely made it. It may take a couple of times asking for only the walk and a little time sitting and allowing them to think and then you will be able to roll them into the trot. Another little rest and they roll into the canter. If they don’t give you a trot when you ask, as long as they went faster at the walk, you will eventually get the trot. You must stop asking when they are going in the direction you want, i.e. faster. If you keep asking until they start to slow, you are on a one-way street to troublesville. You will take the go out of them. If you grab a rein every time you ask for forward on the ground or in the saddle, you just might end up in troublesville again. You can apply this to anything you do with a horse. If you push them over the line, they start to push back and everything falls apart. Grabbing a rein or lead puts pressure on the front end of a horse
and makes it hard for them to understand you want forward when they also feel pressure in front. Get the forward, establish that then carefully start to teach the turns. Look for the line and stay close to it to get the most done you can. Keep your horse’s interest up and your skills improving. Have fun walking the line. Glenn Stewart Glenn is now offering year round educational horsemanship programs at his facility near Fort St. John BC and is available to travel and conduct clinics. Currently accepting bookings for the 2021 summer camps. For more information on Glenn and The Horse Ranch visit www.thehorseranch.com. (See his listing in our Business Services section under TRAINERS)
MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 13
Secrets of Successful Riding Instructors Reprinted with permission from Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) www.CHA.horse
When riders are asked why they ride, it often comes down to one prevailing answer—passion for the horse. And it also explains why so many riders become riding instructors. It’s important for riding instructors to have that passion for horses and teaching.
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iding lessons are often the stepping stone into the horse industry for many participants, which makes horseback riding instructors the lifeblood behind a thriving equine industry. Therefore, it’s crucial for instructors to be able to have successful careers so that there is growth and sustainability within the horse industry as a whole. Three of CHA’s experts, all who have had successful careers as riding instructors and who have given back to the industry as CHA board members and volunteers, share some of the secrets behind their success. Various Avenues to Success CHA Master Instructor and Clinician Tara Gamble of British Columbia, Canada, went out on her own with Tara Gamble Horsemanship in 2009 after working at a variety of facilities. Gamble got her start teaching at age 18 at Birch Bay Ranch in Alberta after 10 years of being a camper. She says she wanted to give back to the ranch that had been such a big part of her life. Gamble was introduced to CHA early in her career because the ranch required CHA certification. Gamble’s excitement for running the games station at Birch Bay Ranch led her to one of the most important decisions of her life. “It was at this moment I realized this was my passion, and I was going to become a horsemanship instructor,” she says. Not only has she been an instructor at a variety of facilities, the past 27 years have seen Gamble serve as CHA President, as Vice President of the Miss Rodeo Canada Board of Directors and a pageant coordinator, as President of the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF), and as an American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) board member. She also became an AQHA Professional Horseman. CHA has recognized Gamble’s dedication by naming her the 2013 CHA Volunteer of the Year and the 2006 CHA Clinic Instructor of the Year. Peggy Adams of Greensboro, GA, retired a few years ago from teaching on her farm, PLA HorsePlay. Adams is the current CHA Past President, a CHA Master Instructor, Clinic Staff, and a Certified Overnight Trail Guide. She spent almost 30 years with the Girl Scouts outside of the Atlanta area in a variety of managerial positions, including as the supervisor of the year-round outdoor programs for youth and adults. Because one of the most popular activities for the Girl Scouts was horseback riding, Adams was charged with designing and developing the riding lesson program at three equine facilities. “Having been a horse enthusiast my entire life, it became my mission
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to help make sure that campers had an opportunity to be introduced to horses,” says Adams. “Many of our young riders wouldn’t have ever had the chance to ride if not for our programs. It was a wonderful way to take my passion for horses and share it with others.” Due to her lifetime achievements and her dedication to CHA since 1996, Adams was named the 2016 CHA Distinguished Service Award winner. Anne Brzezicki, CHA’s Vice President of Regional Relations, is most known for her work as the Director of the Equestrian Program at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) and coach of the MTSU Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) teams. She also taught at the University of Connecticut and Virginia Tech, worked for AQHA Professional Andy Moorman, and ran her own business in Tennessee, which was focused on amateurs and youth inside and outside the show arena. Brzezicki’s first horseback riding teaching position was at the Connecticut 4-H Camps, where she worked with 500 riders every summer for seven years. She says her career chose her. “It was there that I discovered my passion for teaching riders to get the best from their horses rather than to simply look good,” she says. Due to a hiring freeze, she and another student were allowed to coach her university’s equestrian team when she was a student at the University of Connecticut (UConn). Due to that experience, she was hired to teach at UConn before she got out the door. That position led to her other teaching positions and a lifetime of dedication to college students in equestrian programs. She is a now a CHA Master Instructor and an Assistant Clinic Instructor, and the 2015 CHA Instructor of the Year. For all of her contributions to IHSA, the organization awarded her with the 2003 IHSA Lifetime Achievement Award. She retired from MTSU last year. Reflecting on Success Gamble points out that the diversity within her career has helped her enjoy a variety of experiences and continuously offers up brand new opportunities. While she gained a lot of experience subcontracting at different barns for lessons for 17 years, transitioning to her own facility was a new challenge that required business, management, and public relations skills in addition to her horsemanship knowledge and experience. “Going the private route allowed me more control over my client’s and their horse’s needs to increase their satisfaction,” says Gamble, adding that great communication skills, people skills, and organizational skills have been important. She encourages instructors to always keep learning and adding to their experience. Adams recommends that instructors learn to communicate with students as easily as possible. “This requires the ability to break skills down into easily understandable small steps,” she adds. “Being able to teach with a rider’s learning style in mind goes a long way to achieving success.” Brzezicki advises instructors to teach respect for the horse and to share their enthusiasm with their students. “Pay attention to what works for your students and what doesn’t, and change what doesn’t,” she adds. “Take advantage of every opportunity to teach and to watch and listen to other teachers. And understand that your students will also teach you every day.” Common Problems Some of the common problems that instructors experience include: miscommunications with students, burnout, lack of self-care, how to keep up with progress within a discipline, and dealing with fads, and
barn drama. “Keeping a positive attitude through adversity is paramount,” says Gamble. “It’s important to keep a direct, clear line open and check in often with your students/clients. Try to be as proactive as possible and think of potential challenges.” Marketing Tips Marketing is an important aspect of running any business. Gamble recommends that instructors become involved in the local horse community and network as much as possible. “I recommend remembering that you are always an ambassador, and your actions are a reflection of your reputation,” she says. Adams reminds instructors to tell others about their CHA certification and to use this credential in their marketing. Word-of-mouth recommendations are key for riding instructors to market themselves. People will often market a business that they can stand behind. “Students and customers having a good time with their horses, supporting each other and winning, draws others to your program and makes the best advertising,” says Brzezicki. Additional methods of marketing that have also been beneficial to Gamble, Adams, and Brzezicki are: * Hosting their own websites; * Participating on social media platforms; * Hosting free or low-cost clinics for local 4-H or saddle club kids; and * Helping state organizations with their novice programs. The CHA Impact Adams shares that she used the CHA standards to design the programs and facilities for the Girl Scouts. “These industry standards were very useful in helping others understand why we did things a certain way,” says Adams, who adds that both parents and students appreciated that she had the CHA Certification to back up her experience. “CHA offered me the tools to develop a riding program focusing on safety and progressive skill development for my students,” says Gamble, who has been certified with CHA for 27 years. Even though she found CHA late in her career, Brzezicki says CHA’s teachings validated what she had been doing in her career and gave her more confidence to help her students who wanted to become riding instructors. It also broadened her network. “I have found CHA to be the most inclusive, accepting, creative, and helpful set of horse people all dedicated to the progress of their students and other instructors,” adds Brzezicki. Gamble encourages instructors to familiarize themselves with all of the information, resources, and opportunities on the CHA websites, www.CHA.horse and www.CHA.horse. In addition, many CHA regions have their own websites or social media platforms with additional information. One important resource offered by CHA is the ability for instructors to advertise their businesses on the CHA instructor database. Additional member benefits that Gamble, Adams, and Brzezicki have found valuable include the insurance discounts, the CHA magazine – The Instructor, the ability to participate at regional and international conferences, corporate partner benefits, products on the CHA online store, and educational materials, such as manuals and DVDs. “Use the CHA student books and materials with your riders,” suggests Adams. “Have students and parents watch some of the video shorts on the CHA YouTube channel to reinforce topics taught during lessons.”
In Summary Adams emphasizes the importance of continuing education and certification for today’s instructors. “My advice is to keep learning and challenging yourself to become certified as an instructor,” she says. “This will allow you to see how you stack up with other instructors by having a third-party evaluation of your current teaching skills.” Brzezicki says that CHA certification is a great resume builder, especially since many employers are looking for certification as a sign that someone has been tested and found to be competent. She says it’s important for instructors to challenge themselves to always work toward higher levels of certification. Adams recommends instructors serve as mentors to less experienced instructors in order to help the horse industry as a whole. Gamble and Brzezicki remind instructors that it takes time for success to happen. “This is hard work,” says Brzezicki. “Approach each lesson with positive energy, a plan, and a goal. Look at each student with hope. And if you don’t love it, find another job.” Gamble sums it up with the why behind why she teaches. “The rewards of teaching are much greater than monetary and have enriched my life immensely,” she says. Sarah Evers Conrad is the editor of CHA’s The Instructor, and is also published in a variety of equine publications. In addition, she helps equine businesses with their marketing through her company, All In Stride Marketing. Visit AllInStrideMarketing.com. “Being able to teach with a rider’s learning style in mind goes a long way to achieving success.” – Peggy Adams
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Serpentine-Zig Zag Pole Exercise
By Lisa Wieben and Birgit Stutz Lisa Wieben riding 8-year-old AQHA gelding, Krymsuns Blue Image, owned by Kaylee Leinweber. Photos and video by Gary Wieben.
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s the rider maneuvers the horse through the different exercises the horse will begin to develop a greater sense of balance and will begin to adjust tempo for the strides required over the poles. All you need is six poles laid out in three sets of two pairs down the centre of the arena. Each pair is set approximately 8 to 10 metres from the next pair. The pairs of poles are set into the point of a triangle with approximately three strides between the pair of poles, measuring from the centre of one pole to the centre of the next pole. The poles used in our exercise are 12’ long and the arena is closer to a 20x40m ring.
The setup
Here’s another simple exercise that doesn’t require much to set up and greatly improves the horse’s suppleness, balance and strength. It is also a great exercise for the rider as it teaches to turn from the centre of her body and to keep rein aids at a minimum.
Phone: 877-762-5631
There are many different ways to ride this exercise: - Ride a three-loop serpentine riding over the points of each set of poles. - Ride straight up the centreline of the poles. - Ride big loops from one side of the set around to the other side, then move to the next set in the same way. - Randomly ride around the arena and over random poles can also be fun and keeps the horse from trying to anticipate. Start riding over the poles in a working walk to familiarize yourself with the patterns before progressing to a working jog. Work on precision rather than speed. All of the above patterns can be ridden in working jog until the horse is comfortable, relaxed, and confident. When randomly riding through the poles you can change gait often. Perhaps jog over a pole, pick up the lope and lope over a pole, come down to a walk and walk over a set. You could also stop and sidepass part of a pole or the whole set. If you position the horse’s body to the inside of the set, with the front legs on the outside, you will do a step or two of turn on the haunches to get around the tip of the set before continuing the sidepass down the next pole. If the horse is positioned with the front legs to the inside of the set you will then do a step or two of turn on the forehand to go past the tip. There are so many fun ways to use this set up! Ride wide, big loops to create a nice bend through the horse’s body. Riding big loops increases suppleness. Riding straight lines improves balance and straightness. We’ve talked about what happens during a bending motion in previous articles, but it is worth repeating. When riding a horse on a bending line, the horse’s muscles on the inside of the bend
diamondhtack.ca
APRIL GARAGE SALE! Postponed to 2022 16 • MARCH 2021
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Starting the serpentine riding over the points of the sets
From here Lisa will now ride an arc to the left and ride over the first pole. If you think of the arcs as circles that won’t completely close it will be easier to find the line of travel.
contract and shorten through the topline and sides of the body, bringing the front and hind end closer to each other. On the outside of the bend the muscles lengthen to allow the bend on the inside. During this exercise the muscles contract and then lengthen, working both sides of the body equally. Rider aids Remember to always look where you are going and turn your body in the direction of the bend. Use your inside (of the bend) leg to aid the horse into each bend. Your hands will follow the turn of your body. If your horse needs more help turning, use your outside aids – the outside rein against the neck will help turn the shoulder and your outside leg against the horse’s side will help turn the body. Pulling on the inside rein could cause the horse’s neck to overbend, which will then allow the body to continue to drift away from the turn. Thinking of your reins and legs as blocking where you don’t want the horse to go and funneling the horse where you do want to go will also help. Your horse should change from bend to bend without inverting (lifting his head and hollowing his back). If the horse inverts while going over the pole or starts to lean into the turn and not bend through his rib cage the exercise will not be as effective. If your horse wants to fall in into the turn leg yield him out for a step or two. Be sure to keep the horse connected from back to front using your seat and legs to send him forward into your receiving (never pulling) hands. Your horse will be using many different muscles as he bends his body in both directions and lifts when going over the poles. To view a video on these exercises, check out Serpentine Zig Zag Exercise with Poles on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=rXGQNKGNkcM) The horse ridden in the video has not had a lot of experience with
pole work so it proved to be a very beneficial exercise for him. He became more comfortable the more he was worked over the poles. You will be able to see his unbalanced moments and when he needed to adjust his stride length. Have fun with this exercise and feel the difference it makes in your horse! If you are unsure of where you are heading it is always a good idea to connect with a coach that knows the sport you want to prepare for. We (Lisa and Birgit) are both available for online and in-person lessons. Be sure to send your questions to nancyroman@saddleup.ca as we will answer another reader’s question next month. Lisa Wieben’s passion is empowering women in their own self-care. As an Energy Medicine Practitioner and Clinical Somatics Practitioner she addresses pain, tension, hormones, stress, and the issues that appear as a result. As a Centered Riding Instructor and Irwin Insights Master Level 7 Trainer she works with riders incorporating awareness exercises both on and off the horse. Balance the Rider, Balance the Horse! Book a clinic that incorporates all the modalities! www.somaticrider.com As an Irwin Insights Level 6 Master Certified trainer and coach, Birgit Stutz helps riders of all levels and backgrounds advance their horsemanship skills by developing personal and situational awareness, focusing on indepth understanding of equine behaviour, body language, psychology and biomechanics. Driven by her passion for both equine welfare and performance, Birgit believes that facilitating effective communication between horse and rider is an approach that fulfills our responsibilities to the horse and elicits great results. www.fallingstarranch.ca. (See their listing in our Business Services section under TRAINERS)
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equineguelph.ca
Winter Water Woes and Colic Prevention
Nothing can drain the colour from a horse
owner’s face quicker than hearing the word COLIC! Winter is an important season to focus on colic prevention and ward off
water woes that can lead to impaction in the equine gut.
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quine Guelph has many resources to reduce your horse’s risk of colic, including a FREE interactive online healthcare tool, the Colic Risk Rater (www.equineguelph.ca/colictool). The importance of access to clean, fresh water 24 hours a day, to keep everything flowing smoothly, cannot be overstated and is one of the top 12 tips discussed among management practices.
What you need to know about horses and H2O Never assume they are drinking! Just because water is available does not mean your horse is drinking enough. Horses should drink about 37 to 45 litres of water per day in order to stay healthy, and they will often drink less water when it is icy cold, particularly if there are any dental issues. It is also a misnomer to believe all horses will break through a thin layer of ice to access their water source. A heater is the best option, not only for the fussy drinker but also to ensure troughs do not freeze over during overnight hours or on frigid days. A study out of Penn State University has shown that increasing water temperature from just above freezing to 4-18° Celsius will increase the amount of water consumed by up to 40%. Make sure the heater is properly installed and check it is in good repair and operating safely. If you
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Ensuring adequate water consumption is essential for digestive health and reducing chances of colic. Image courtesy of Barbara Sheridan Photography see horses standing by a trough but not drinking, be sure to check there is no electric current due to a malfunctioning heating element. Dehydration This is a serious issue which increases the risk of impaction colic. Monitor the horse for any signs of dehydration. Discuss how you can do
this with your veterinarian. A “skin pinch” on the shoulder of the horse is a useful tool to assess hydration by seeing if there is any delay in the skin flattening back down (this is called skin tenting). Slowed skin response may indicate a degree of dehydration. Salt If your horse is not drinking an adequate amount, in addition to monitoring them for dehydration, consider providing free choice loose salt for the horse to take in what they need. More water at feed time You can add water to concentrate ration and/or soak the hay for 10 minutes prior to feeding as this will bring more water into the gut. You may also wish to discuss with your vet or equine nutritionist the use of soaked and shredded beet pulp as an addition to the diet for getting more water into the digestive system. Adding a bran mash once a week was once a popular practice, but the sudden introduction of a different feed is actually another colic risk factor. Adding water to their regular feed is recommended. Being consistent and making feed changes slowly is another one of the top 12 tips in the Colic Risk Rater tool (www.equineguelph.ca/colictool).
water properly and testing water quality at least annually, unless it is from a previously tested water supply safe for human consumption. Mike King, of CapriCMW, is a dedicated horseman who believes in the importance of education for horse owners. He addresses why it was so important for his organization to partner with Equine Guelph on colic prevention programs, “Given our decades of experience in insuring horses from coast to coast, we know that colic is one of the highest risk factors for death in the Canadian herd. We can think of no better risk management tool to prevent colic than education.” This winter, take action to further your knowledge on colic prevention Learn more about best practices to reduce your horse’s risk of colic by taking 15 minutes to assess your risk with the free Colic Risk Rater healthcare tool (www.equineguelph.ca/ colictool). Upcoming Webinars & Courses: Large Animal Rescue-Awareness Level Virtual Workshop March 04 and March 11 This virtual workshop is intended for first responders, pre-service, law enforcement, animal control officers, veterinarians, vet technicians, emergency animal response teams, horse owners, livestock producers and associations (note: participants must be minimum of 18 yrs of age).
Registration will be limited to 30 participants – register today! (If space is full, please contact us at horseportal@uoguelph.ca to be placed on a wait list) Fire & Emergency Preparedness March 08 – 15 This course is intended for horse owners, trainers, racetrack personnel, and facility owners – anyone who is interested in best practices to prevent fires in their barns/facilities and to be prepared for all manner of emergency situations. Racehorse Respiratory Health (exclusive for racing) March 22 - April 09 This online short course can be of benefit for all racehorse trainers and grooms in order to reduce the risk of respiratory issues in your barn, and improve your horse’s performance on the track! For more upcoming events and information please visit the HorsePortal.ca Equine Guelph is the horse owners' and caregivers' Centre at the University of Guelph in Canada. It is a unique partnership dedicated to the health and well-being 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. For further information, visit www.equineguelph.ca.
24/7 access to water Horses are trickle feeders and their digestive systems operate optimally when forage is always available. This means water must be available at all times to aid in digestion and avoid blockages. In winter water needs may increase as a result of the increased hay being consumed, which is also much dryer than moisture rich pasture. Always make sure there is lots of fresh, clean water provided 24 hours a day. Snow is not a substitute for water! Ten inches of snow equals one inch of water. If 2 inches of snow fell, a horse would need to consume over four football fields worth to get enough water. More recommended and required practices for watering horses are listed in the National Code of Practice for the care and Handling of Equines including: checking automatic watering systems daily to ensure they are dispensing MARCH 2021
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NEW BOOK Horseback Across Three Americas By Verne R. Albright
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ravel with Verne Albright on his famous Peru-to-California ride in the mid-1960s at age 25. Inspired by Aime Tschiffely’s famous ride, “I wanted to have an adventure and also make the world’s horsemen aware of the then practically unknown Peruvian Paso breed.” Read about the difficulties and dangers he encountered on this 9 month trip. From Peru to Costa Rica, on to Mexico and ending in California. He met up with bats, bandits, a revolution, diseases, became a fugitive, met some fascinating people, more bad people, and then of course met a beautiful American girl named Emily! Do they ride off into the sunset? What folks are saying: Written in the first person the reader is teleported to the Latin America of the late 60’s and a first-hand insight into the horse - man relationship. The philosophical aspects of purpose, destiny, luck good and bad, cultural differences, prejudice, altruism, affluence and poverty are woven throughout the story. ------ What a journey Verne went on! The challenges were very impressive, and I honestly don't know how he did it! I tried to read slowly to stretch it out, but in the end I just had to barrel through it. This book will be enjoyable for anyone although I think horse lovers will really love it! And horse lovers should try to find a Peruvian Paso to try. -------
Being a Peruvian Horse enthusiast, owner, and breeder, I was super excited to get my hands on this book, and I was NOT disappointed! What an exhilarating journey! Mr. Albright has a gift for writing that makes you feel like you were right there with him. What an amazing adventure to take. Nothing but true love and devotion could carry one on such a journey. Thank you Mr. Albright for all you have given to promote this amazing breed that can carry us over contents and to our dreams.
Published by Hellgate Press Paperback $19.95 6” x 9” - 434 pages ISBN-10: 1555719988 Available at www.amazon.com
IN MEMORIAM
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onald passed away at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital on January 5, 2021 at 93 years of age. Don was born at home on May 5, 1927 in Vancouver BC. He was the first child born to John “Bullblock” Glassford and Lois Abbott. As a young fellow he traveled and worked alongside his dad throughout BC. Don quickly became a master jack-of-all-trades. Working as a whistle punk, dragline crane operator, trucker, professional cowboy, wagon master, logger and horse logger, he gained many wide ranging skills. As they moved around for work they returned to visit his mom and younger siblings in Quesnel often. In 1945 Don decided Quesnel was where he wanted to hang his hat. Soon he met and fell in love with Yvonne Clarke, and they married on July 1, 1948. Soon they began looking for a place to call their own and to start a family. They found a beautiful piece of property to homestead on Glassford Road with their 8 children. Together with the children they built a small cattle ranch teaching their family about love, hard work, determination, animal husbandry and fun. Don and his wife volunteered for the local Trail Riders Gymkhana Club and the Farmers Institute helping to build their community. They also enjoyed a good party, having friends over often for cards and music. Don sang and played guitar, accordion or mouth organ to the delight of everyone. Don loved camping on their anniversary, reading, spring babies, and hitching up the wagon or sleigh for rides. Sadly Yvonne passed away after 52 years of wedded bliss. In the last 14 years of his life Don was again a very lucky man and found love again with Maureen Webber. They spent much of their time camping, watching rodeos, fall fairs, curling, and horse training seminars. Don loved to watch the family compete in the local rodeos. Don will be remembered as a hardworking, generous, kind, fun loving man. He will be sorely missed by Maureen, his children Richard, Billy (Barb), Marilyn, Doug, Jim (Judy), Bonnie, and Janice (Scott). He will also be missed by Maureen’s family and their numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchild. Don’s siblings Betty, Gerry (Alice), David (Mavis), and Linda will be missing their long chats of days gone by. Don is predeceased by his wife Yvonne, sister Joan, brother John, sister in law Mary, daughter Donna and daughter in law Marcy. In Don’s words “Lang May Your Lum Reek!” Due to Covid a Celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Quesnel Rodeo Club.
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DONALD GLASSFORD M AY 0 5 , 19 2 7 – JA N UA RY 0 5, 2 0 21
Goliath Horse Clothing - a Trusted Brand to the Canadian Horse Owner for Decades
As a Canadian Company, Centurion Supply Inc. knows what the demands of the Canadian climate mean to the comfort and protection of horses.
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his has always been our driving force in every piece of horse clothing we produce, be it a Turn Out or Stable Blanket, a Rain Sheet, a Cooler or Fly Sheet. The Goliath Brand uses only the best in waterproof and breathable fabrics available on the world markets. Cutting corners can reduce production costs, but this will not do for our brand. The Goliath brand will always mean superior production and materials. In addition to the best fabrics, the insulation used is of top quality and new in all cases. No reused insulation means no possible harmful contamination. Quality hardware with “Quick Snap” double closures on most products provide ease of use and comfort for the horse. Careful fit in Regular, Mid and High Neck Styles is important and carefully checked. In addition to the traditional look and colour combinations, Goliath prides itself in fun and funky combinations for Horse, Ponies and Minis alike! Why not dress your horse is something cool and comfortable at the same time! Above all, the Goliath name stands for Affordable Value for the horse owner. Many brands inflate their pricing for similar products due to perceived status and importance to certain sectors of the marketplace. We are not commenting on this but only say that the same quality fabrics, production facilities, and care are taken in every single Goliath product we put our name on.
Thank You to all of those who have purchased a Goliath product in the past. You have our promise to continue to bring you Quality Products for many years to come. - Ron Ranney, President, Canadian Centurion Supply Inc., Stratford, Ontario.
MARCH 2021
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21st Annual Construction Feature This is our 21st Annual Construction Feature If you are looking to build some horse shelters, a new barn or invest in that riding arena – we have some ideas for you within this feature… along with some valuable tips that could help make your decision(s) easier.
A three-sided shed or lean-to can provide adequate shelter for a horse. A 12'x12' lean-to can accommodate one to two horses. As your horse numbers increase, the shelter dimensions should increase by 12’ per horse. Height should be at least 8’ at the lower (back) end and 10-12’ at the front, accounting for any jostling or rearing inside. Consider where to put the shelter and the direction its open side will face. Figuring out the best orientation can be tricky because weather can be so variable. Ideally the opening should face south or up to 15 degrees off south toward the east. Give the shed a long overhang on the south side to reduce the effects of the hot sun and rain or snow.
10’x20’x8’6” horse shelter package with a tack room
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Sand Mix for Footing Ready Mixed Concrete Gravel Products Excavating Wall/Landscape Rock
250-838-7265 • baird@airspeedwireless.ca Junction of Hwy. 97A & 97B
22 • MARCH 2021
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21st Annual Construction Feature
Ready Mix Concrete Sand & Gravel Products Concrete Pumping Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Interlocking Concrete Blocks
(250) 546.3873 • (250) 542.3873 www.armconcrete.ca Serving the North Okanagan & Shuswap since 1995
22538 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC V2Z 2T8 Phone: 604.533.4447 Fax: 604.533.0451
www.countrylumber.ca
Lumber • Plywood • Pressure Treated • Fencing • Hardware Country Lumber has been servicing the B.C. Equestrian community for over 40 years. We are a proud supporter and promoter of the local horse clubs and events. Whether it’s fixing a fence or building a riding arena, Country Lumber has all your building needs. Visit our office and experience firsthand our competitive pricing plus the service and knowledge that has made Country Lumber well-known in the horse industry.
Facebook – Country Lumber Ltd.
Instagram – countrylumber.ltd
Twitter @countrylumber1 MARCH 2021
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21st Annual Construction Feature What’s the difference between a pole barn and a regular barn? A pole barn uses posts buried in the ground to support the weight of the walls and the roof. In many cases, a traditional concrete foundation is not needed. The truss spacing in a pole barn is typically wider than that in a stick-built structure. A pole barn can be constructed to look like a conventional building. A pole barn uses wood beams or “poles” as the main supports for the exterior walls and the roof trusses. Typically a pole barn has all-wood support beams and trusses and a metal shell for the walls. Want something fancier, custom made, and exact to your specifications? There are some pretty amazing ‘equestrian property’ designers out there specializing in planning, design and project management.
Modular Barns In this type of building process, all the important structural components are designed and crafted ahead of time to exact specifications. Rather than building the entire building in place, barn building crews set a foundation and assemble your custom barn from the pre-built components.
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8 Design Tips for your Dream Horse Barn 1) The more horse stalls the merrier 2) The bigger the horse stall(s) and aisles the better 3) Add a wash bay for your horses 4) Install an air ventilation system 5) Include a tack room 6) Utilize natural lighting sources as much as possible 7) Store your hay elsewhere 8) Never say never to extra amenities
21st Annual Construction Feature So you’ve built your shelters, maybe added that new barn, and your horses are happy. Now you might be looking at adding a riding arena. It might not be as easy as you think! You would have to consider levelling the perfect area, drainage, type of footing to use (best to suit your climate) and more. A company in Maple Ridge BC, Building Riding Rings, does all the planning and construction for you from excavating to footing to fencing.
What size arena is best? A dressage arena normally is 20x40 metres of 20x60 metres in size. Riding for pleasure, the arena should be 60’x120’. For barrel racing, a good size is 130’ x 200’. For jumping or cow work, you’ll need at least a 100’x200’ area. For roping, it is recommended to have a 150’x300’ space. Keep in mind – the bigger the arena, the more versatile it is. The fencing surrounding the arena is usually about 4 to 4 ½’ in height. Sometimes higher depending on your riding discipline. 10m 10m
6m 14m 14m 6m
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Building Riding Rings builds every kind of riding ring, from personal home riding rings to equestrian center quality rings. Your ring will be dry and good to ride all year round! We also build, add on, or repair existing fencing and paddocks. Our experienced team will get your job done with complete confidence!
Email us today for an estimate: mrec@shaw.ca
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21st Annual Construction Feature Cedar Vista Stables, Metchosin BC
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e have a large riding stable and it gets wet on Vancouver Island, so being able to run lessons and do training without getting wet all winter is important to us and to our clients. In the summer, since our facility is south facing, we can enjoy the shade as well. We chose WeCover Structures because of the brightness and open concept, as well as the low maintenance once built. The WeCover arena measures 90’ x 208’, and the attached barn is 22’ x 160’. The barn is a continuation of the fabric roof panel arena roof line like a lean-to, and has the same fabric roof panel system as the main arena. There is a row of 13 (12’6” x 12’6”) box stalls along the outer wall of that 22’ wide addition, and then a 10’ aisle way between the box stalls and the arena wall. The stall fronts are from Germany... very well-designed. We also added tack lockers opposite each stall and built into the 5’ wall/ kickboard of the indoor. There is also an upper mezzanine for viewing (60’ x 12’) with storage as well where the ceiling slopes down. The footing in the arena is a fine, washed sand with GGT. We like this footing as it provides enough cushion for the horses but does not get loose. We thank Rob Ribic of Broadcast Construction who was the general contractor, including the concrete foundation, electrical and plumbing services. And Michell Excavating was responsible for all site prep work up to and during construction.
to Cedar Vista Stables!
Residential & Commercial • Concrete works • Framing • Renovations
250-883-5810
broadcast.info@shaw.ca Serving Victoria and area 26 • MARCH 2021
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Congratulations to Meghan & Cedar Vista Stables
• Residential • Construction • Trucking & Hauling • Landscape Products
250-652-1640 Saanichton BC • www.michellexcavating.ca
21st Annual Construction Feature
MARCH 2021
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21st Annual Construction Feature “Harlow’s Horse Haven” at Rock Hill Farms By Gerry St. Germain
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hen I was asked if I would like to say a few words about our new indoor riding arena I thought sure, it even gives Margaret and I an opportunity for a message of our own we would like to pass along. Even though we built this as a private facility for our own use, we are interested in discussing how we can make some space for children or youth with health concerns. I’ve always been involved in ranching, farming and horses so when we downsized it was to a small acreage still just big enough to enjoy some room to stretch and ‘go for a ride’. We found that perfect spot in the Township of Langley where our tight-knit family could all come together regularly. You see, we now have a great granddaughter who shows a love and passion for horses equal to mine, 4 generations of riders! Then came the news no one ever wants; our youngest lady was diagnosed with high-risk Leukemia. Things changed. One of our decisions was to build “Harlow’s Horse Haven” so we could ride every day if that’s what we wanted. We had a great experience; Harlow and I even went way up in a manlift (with trained operators) to install steel in her own building – she loved it! We started by speaking with friends and other contacts in the horse industry we felt were reliable sources, we heard the name SpanMaster Structures several times. I was also reminded that a long-time acquaintance, Stephen Tidball, was in construction with his daughter Stephanie and were good people to talk to. Turns out Stephen had known the guys over at SpanMaster for many years, I added in a neighbour to do the dirt work and we had our team. We explored wood, steel and fabric building options and ultimately chose the fabric style that’s made in Canada by Britespan with the special galvanized steel trusses. “Harlow’s Horse Haven” is 80’ wide x 160’ long with a white translucent cover that lets all the daylight in. We chose a large shop door and personnel door in each end then added an 8 ’x 8’ barn door in the middle of both sides giving us easy access to the stables and making sure we catch all the summer breezes. Our footing is a 6” layer of blended sand over several inches of crusher fines over 6-8” of 3” minus aggregate for drainage. We put a small ‘coaches corner/viewing area’ complete with TV, surround sound and… a wireless microphone. The guys from SpanMaster had a saying while they were working here – “we love building riding arenas, it’s always somebody’s dream coming true.” Great job – great team – Thank You from the St. Germain clan.
See SpanMaster’s ad on page 3
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(l to r) Harlow, Stephen Tidball, great grandpa Gerry St. Germain
7 Considerations when Buying a Horse Property ihearthorses.com
Owning a horse property means that you can have your horses at home – a fact which may sound ideal to you.
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ut when you’re evaluating a horse property, make sure that you think about these seven important considerations.
1. Space Determine how much land you need before you start looking at properties. Three acres may be sufficient if you want to have a small backyard barn with two horses, but you’ll need a larger property for more horses or for a business. Buying into a property with too little acreage may be a frustrating limitation on your future use of the property. 2. Barn Condition Carefully evaluate the barn’s condition. Check factors such as the size of the stalls, the strength of the stall partitions, and the design of the hayloft to make sure that the barn will be functional for your needs. 3. Caretaker’s Quarters Consider whether your barn will be large enough that you will want to have caretaker’s quarters on the property. Having a live-in caretaker is not only convenient, but is necessary to certain operations such as breeding farms. If an apartment or separate house is available for a caretaker, it can make the process of hiring and keeping quality staff easier. 4. Neighbourhood Think about the neighbourhood that the property is located in. Is it busy and do you think your private farm might have unwanted visitors? If you’re planning on running a training business, then having a more centralized location can be an advantage. 5. Available Pastures Take a look at the pastures that are already available on the property. Are they large enough to support the number of horses that you plan on having? If possible, look at the quality of the grass in the pastures. Having pastures with lots of grass can help to reduce your hay bill during the summer. Look for troublesome areas of mud or poor footing which may need to be managed. 6. Storage Don’t forget to consider the storage offered on the property. Look for storage options in the barn, and consider whether there are additional sheds or buildings available for equipment and hay storage. 7. Overall Layout Finally, take a step back and look at the overall layout of the property. Ideally, the barn should be located behind the house so that any visitors
need to drive past the house to access the horses. This can be a major security advantage, and is particularly important if the property is in a rural area. A property’s layout can be a major feature which isn’t easily changed. What are some must-have features that you want in your horse property? Think about it… and add to your ‘purchase’ list! --------Other interesting tidbits… The smaller farms or ‘hobby’ farms – 10 acres or less – are in big demand these days. Fortunately, horses are adaptable and fare well on small acreages, despite the challenges. These challenges – if your land is limited - may include: Manure piles – and how to disburse of Mud and more mud Overgrazed pastures Healthy turnout Hay storage How many acres do you need to keep a horse? As a general rule, a single horse will need somewhere between 1.5 and 2 acres, but this is only a rough guide. You’ll also need to consider how much of the land is going to be used for grazing, exercise, as well as for shelter. If the only forage your horse is getting is through grazing he’ll need a lot of land, but if you’re topping his grazing up with hay and exercising your horse elsewhere you won’t need as much. A smaller acreage might cost less on the front end, but the maintenance costs can pile up quickly with the amount of wear horses will put on the property. Generally speaking, 2 acres is the smallest amount of land on which you can keep horses for both practical reasons and for reasons surrounding zoning. Factor in the size and orientation of the house, barn, and other outbuildings, and some properties might be more user friendly than others. MARCH 2021
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TOP DOG!
A DIVISION OF CENTURION SUPPLY
Supplying Your Pets with NEW and Unique Products! https://finnandfletcher.com
Blind Dog and ‘seeing eye’ Cat surrendered to Alberta animal shelter By Caley Ramsay, Global News, www.globalnews.ca (January 26, 2021)
A blind dog and his “seeing eye cat” will soon be looking for a forever home after the pair was taken in by an Alberta animal rescue group.
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pike, an 8-year-old blind dog, and Max, an 8-year-old cat, were surrendered to the Saving Grace Animal Society in Alix, Alberta on Monday January 25. The dynamic duo has been together their entire lives but their original owners came to the realization they could no longer give them the care they need. The animals were living outdoors. “We got a call in regards to an older dog and a cat on their property that they said, given these colder temperatures, they just weren’t sure if they were having the right quality of life and they were able to provide for them as best as they could,” said Erin Deems, executive director of the Saving Grace Animal Society.
Because Spike is blind, he relies on Max to get around.
“The cat has just kind of helped him in his little survival trek. They follow each other everywhere, they do every activity together and they sleep together,” she said. “When we were letting them out yesterday, the cat would walk around and the dog would just go looking for it. He kind of looked at it as more of a comfort animal and a seeing eye cat, as we called it.” Because the pair has spent their entire lives together, they will be adopted out together. Deems said the shelter will keep the animals as long as it takes to find a family who is willing to take them both. “They came in as friends and they deserve to find a home together. We find it’ll just make the transition for an old senior dog that’s blind, it’ll just make it so much easier if his cat friend is with him because they don’t know life apart,” she said. “There’s got to be somebody out there that wants to take them on, but it is a little more challenging. Most people think it’s a lot to take in one animal, let alone two.” Deems admits it’s also tougher to adopt out older animals. “People
see the timeline they have with that animal. They know in some cases it’s less than a year, in some cases it’s maybe a couple years, and people are looking for more of that long-life pet,” she said. “But they do need that just as much as the Spike and Max were surrendered to the Saving puppy. So it takes a little Grace Animal Society on Monday, January 25, bit more work for sure but 2021. Credit Saving Grace Animal Society. there’s always people out there with open hearts that really want to take in senior animals and show them the retirement home and love that they deserve.” Spike and Max aren’t quite ready to be adopted just yet. They will both get a full medical check by a veterinarian to ensure they’re healthy enough. Once they’re ready to find their forever home, a notice will be posted on the society’s Facebook page. Deems said Spike will be available at the senior adoption rate of $375 and “the cat would just be a bonus.” The Saving Grace Animal Society is currently fundraising in hopes of opening its own vet clinic at the shelter. “Any donations towards that, any support that people want to give us to help us in that direction is so greatly appreciated,” Deems said. For more information on the shelter and how to donate, visit its website www.savinggracecanada.com
UPDATE (February 9) from Saving Grace Animal Society on Facebook Let us tell you all about the adorable duo that is Spike and Max! Spike is an 8-year-old medium mixed breed with no eyesight - he is completely blind, but don’t feel bad for him, he LOVES LIFE and is a happy boy. He is most happy when he can rest his head on someone’s lap and he may be blind but you better believe that if you stop petting him he will find you! From what we’ve learned about Spike so far, he is just a happy-go-lucky boy who seems to be great with everything. Due to no sight, loud noises can be overwhelming for him so a quieter home would be best for him, but other than that he could fit into most any environment with owners willing to show him the ropes and be patient with him. He’s 8 years young and ready to spend the rest of his life being spoiled 30 • MARCH 2021
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TOP DOG!
Supplying Your Pets with NEW and Unique Products! https://finnandfletcher.com
A DIVISION OF CENTURION SUPPLY
with his buddy Max! Max is the yin to his yang - his balance in life. He is the constant that Spike has known throughout his life and because of that it’s imperative they be adopted together. Max is such a character and he’s sure to keep you laughing! He’s a very friendly and social cat, he loves to explore and tell stories and he loves to play with toys. These two have gone through some big changes in life recently and they are really just looking for a patient home to take them in and love them. Please message our Facebook page if you think you might be the perfect forever home for this duo!
Pet Central EVERYTHING PETS (Princeton BC) 250-295-7381 Quality Foods & Supplies for all your Pets! See us on Facebook. 9/21
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 (12 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
Kiss me I’m Irish!
For more information on any of these events go to www.canuckdogs.com unless another website is provided
TOP DOG! OF THE MONTH “Boo” is our 3-year-old Goldendoodle. She is seldom found without her ball in the back yard. Her favourite thing is snuggling up to our kids on the couch, homeschool bench, or their pillows at night. - The Wilke family, Cobble Hill BC
5/19 4/21
DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS, EVENTS MAY BE CANCELLED – CALL AHEAD
MARCH 6 6 6-7 13 14 14 20-21 21 26-28 28
CKC SCENT DETECTION TRIALS, Abbotsford BC OBEDIENCE FUN MATCH, Kelowna BC, www.codac.ca CKC SCENT DETECTION TRIALS, Abbotsford BC CKC FIELD TRACKING TEST (TD), Courtenay BC CKC FIELD TRACKING TEST (TDX), Courtenay BC CODAC TRIAL, Kelowna BC, www.codac.ca KIM COLLINS OUTREACH, Kelowna BC, www.codac.ca CKC URBAN TRACKING TEST (UTD/UTDX), Victoria BC AAC AGILITY TRIAL, Abbotsford BC MINI CARO RALLY, Kelowna BC, www.codac.ca
APRIL
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.
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CKC AGILITY TRIALS, Kelowna BC AB SHOWS/OBEDIENCE & RALLY TRIALS, Camrose AB NADAC AGILITY TRIAL, Cochrane AB CKC OBEDIENCE & RALLY OBEDIENCE TRIALS, Abbotsford BC CKC LURE FIELD TRIALS for Sighthounds, Langley BC FIELD DOG TEST & TRIALS for Pointing breeds, Nanoose Bay BC CODAC TRIAL, Kelowna BC, www.codac.ca CKC SPRINTER EVENTS, Courtenay BC AAC AGILITY TRIAL, Abbotsford BC 3-DAY COMPETITION OBEDIENCE SEMINAR, Abbotsford BC URBAN TRACKING SEMINAR, St. Albert AB CKC OBEDIENCE & RALLY OBEDIENCE TRIALS, Picture Butte AB CKC HUNT TESTS for Retrievers, Rosedale BC
Do you have a WORKING DOG event coming up? Let us know! Call 1-866-546-9922 or email nancyroman@saddleup.ca MARCH 2021
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This could be YOU!
It’s your turn to tell us about YOU! BECAUSE IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! Send in ONE photo with a caption (No more than 40 words). Include your first name, age, city/province. Photos will be printed on space availability basis. Email to nancyroman@saddleup.ca. Put in the subject line “KIDS”. 32 • MARCH 2021
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Horse Council BC - Notes from the Office BC SUMMER GAMES 2022 The Road to Prince George Starts Now!
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f you are an Equestrian athlete competing in Dressage, Jumping, Vaulting or Eventing and will be 12 to 18 years of age as of January 1, 2022 OR if you are a Para Equestrian athlete, 13 years of age to 30 years of age YOU ARE INVITED to qualify for the 2022 BC Summer Games being held in Prince George BC July 21 – 24. Make it your goal and part of your yearly training plan to set your sights at competing at the BC Summer Games! WHAT ARE THE BC SUMMER GAMES? The BC Winter and BC Summer Games are British Columbia’s biennial celebration of sport and community. Since 1978, the BC Games have taken place in 38 communities and involved over 350,000 participants and volunteers and thousands more as spectators and supporters. The purpose of the BC Games is “To provide an opportunity for the development of athletes, coaches, and officials in preparation for higher levels of competition in a multi-sport event which promotes interest and participation in sport and sporting activities, individual achievement and community development.” The BC Games bring together British Columbia’s best emerging high performance athletes, trained coaches, and certified officials for three days of competition. This experience is an important development opportunity and stepping stone towards higher level sport competitions. Host Communities of the BC Summer Games will realize a direct economic benefit of over $2 million while also building volunteer and community capacity and promoting sport and healthy living. Rise above. Reach beyond.
Congratulations to the worthy recipients of the Horse Council BC’s 2020 Awards! Each award winner will receive their award at an event of their own choosing throughout 2021. We received many outstanding nominations this year, so thank you to all who nominated someone and congratulations to our winners.
2020 Coach of the Year – Jodie Bater Photo Credit Janice Carpenter
CONTACTS Provincial Sport Organization Equestrian Horse Council BC / (604) 856-4304 / E-mail: competition@hcbc.ca Provincial Advisor Equestrian Susan Harrison / (250) 701-1350 / E-mail: harrisonlefebure@gmail.com More information, Athlete Declaration Forms and Technical Packages available at www.hcbc.ca HCBC 2020 AWARD WINNERS HCBC’s Annual Awards honour outstanding achievement within BC’s equine community. These awards acknowledge those who stand out from the crowd and have made a positive impact on the equestrian community.
2020 Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award – Frances Teer
Horse Council BC • How to Reach Us Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. • Address: 27336 Fraser Highway, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3N5 604-856-4304 or Toll Free 1-800-345-8055 • Fax: 604-856-4302 • www.hcbc.ca
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Equestrian Canada Equestre, www.equestrian.ca Photos by Susan J. Stickle
Canadians Hit it Big at Adequan Global Dressage Festival 3
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anadian dressage and para-dressage athletes earned a bevy of above-70% scores during the third week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF), held Jan. 27-31, 2021, in Wellington, FL. Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu of Saint-Bruno QC, proved that she continues to be one to watch aboard her veteran partner, All In (Tango x Damiro), whom she co-owns with her father, Craig Fraser, and husband, Marc-Andre Beaulieu. In Jan. 29’s CDI 4* Grand Prix (Qualifier for the Grand Prix Special), Fraser-Beaulieu and the 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding captured second with 71.891%. The next day, they placed third in the CDI 4* Grand Prix Special on a score of 71.553%. “I feel very fortunate to be able to compete during these difficult times. Adequan Global Dressage Festival has made a very safe and welcoming environment for us all,” said Fraser-Beaulieu. “I was very pleased with All In this past weekend in the 4*. To start the 2021 season with over 71% in both days is very exciting. All In was very excited to be back in the ring, which caused a couple of costly mistakes in the Special. We will continue to train and will be back in the competition ring in two weeks.” Fraser-Beaulieu was joined by Lindsay Kellock on the AGDF 3 CDI 4* leaderboard. The Toronto ON, native and Sebastien (Sandro Hit x Fidermark), a 15-year-old Rheinländer gelding Kellock co-owns with Enterprise Farm Equestrian, LLC, earned a pair of second-place finishes: they scored 68.739% in a separate Grand Prix class on Jan. 29 held as a qualifier for the Grand Prix Freestyle, followed by a Freestyle score of 74.575% on Jan. 31. “I was very happy with Sebastien at AGDF 3,” said Kellock. “It was our first time back in the international ring in 10 months, so we had a few rusty moments in the Grand Prix but overall many improvements from last season, especially in our passage, piaffe and pirouettes. I am very grateful to be able to keep competing through these difficult times and excited for what’s to come with this talented horse.”
Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu and her veteran partner, All In, began their 2021 season with a bang at the CDI 4* competition held during the third week of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
Canadian Lindsay Kellock, who resides in Wellington FL, and Sebastien also earned top-three placings in the AGDF CDI 4*.
In the CPEDI 3* Grade III competition at AGDF 3, Canadian Paralympian Lauren Barwick of Reddick FL, dazzled with Lee Garrods’ Sandrino (Spirit of Westfalia x Pavarotti). Barwick and the 9-year-old Westphalian have never scored below 69% at an FEI competition since their partnership began in late 2019. To keep their streak alive, they scored 71.520% for second in the Team Test on Jan. 28, followed by a third-place score of 69.265% in Jan. 29’s Individual Championship. The next day, Barwick and Sandrino hit a personal best of 76.367% to take top honours in the Freestyle. The pair’s consistency in the ring has boosted Barwick to sixth place in the FEI Para-Dressage World Individual Ranking for Grade III. Equestrian Canada wishes to thank Sport Canada for its support of athletes through the Athlete Assistance Program. More results and information about dressage and para-dressage programs and services are available on our website.
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Canadian Paralympian Lauren Barwick and Sandrino continued to rake in the high scores in the CPEDI 3* competition at AGDF 3.
Armstrong Enderby Riding Club By Lauri Meyers
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oom, Zoom: The new way to hold meetings. New this year, the AERC Executive has opened up its doors for all members and nonmembers to be able to sit in at our monthly meetings, held on the first Tuesday of each month, 7pm-8pm. As this year is different, due to Covid-19 Guidelines, we have moved our meetings virtual. If you are interested in attending our monthly meeting via Zoom, please contact our Zoom call coordinator Alana at (Alanadowntown@Gmail.com) where she can give you more details and get you all set to attend our meetings. Minutes from each meeting will be sent out to current members. If you don’t receive it, please send us an email at AERCcanada@gmail.com. We have dates for our shows, now we just hope for the best and can resume with physical shows. If not, we will offer Virtual Shows, maybe both: April 18, May 30, June 27, August 15 and September 26 are the dates we have booked. Keep your fingers crossed. Watch our Facebook page, as well as our website, www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca, for updated information. Membership and show forms can be found on our website.
From the February issue
This unit is 11” wide x 4” deep x 4” high, weighs approximately 5 lbs, and over 125 years old. The unit is loaded with product, lid closed, the wheel on the side is hand rotated to engage the gears. After a few minutes of rotation the finished product is retrieved. Sorry, no correct guesses in by press time.
From the December issue
Peachland Riding Club By Tera Caverly
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It’s a French Bean Cutter! Congratulations to the ‘best answer’: Wendy Hayes (Kamloops BC) her mother called it “Snijboon Molen,” roughly translated means bean cutter!
ig news!!! The Peachland Riding Club has a new website up and running with a wonderful online entry system. 2021 memberships are open now for submission. Check us out at www.peachlandridingclub.com!
Our events include monthly Gymkhana Days, BCBRA sanctioned barrel races, rodeos and educational equestrian clinics. We are very excited for 2021 events to start: * Saddle Series Barrel Races and Gymkhana Days April 25, May 30, June 20, July 25, August 29, September 6 * Annual Canada Day Race & Roping June 26-27 * Annual Beachtown Showdown August 7-8 You can find us at 5380 Princeton Avenue in sunny Peachland BC on just over 8 acres of beautiful treed park land. An easy 90 minute drive from Osoyoos, 45 min from Penticton and just 30 min from Kelowna. President Kevin Froese (Kevin.leroy.froese@gmail.com) and Vice-President Jen Sanderson (jensanderson21@hotmail.com) are available anytime for questions.
This item is 5” long, fits in the palm of your hand. Weighs 5 oz. Good luck! READERS – What’s your guess? Discuss this item with your friends and send your guess to usedandunique2018@gmail.com
Do include your city and province please. Saddle Up will print names (and location) of those with the correct answer in a future issue. GOOD LUCK! If you or your company would like to sponsor this monthly brain teaser, do call 1-866-546-9922 or email nancyroman@ saddleup.ca for details. MARCH 2021
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Vintage Riders Equestrian Club …FOR THE LOVE OF HORSES! By Simonne Rempel
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e have not been meeting in person but conducting our meetings online. We’ve also been enjoying monthly “Happy Hours” where we meet online as well. This has been a fantastic way to socialize and stay connected. A long-standing VREC member, Karen MacLean and her dear friend Carmen who is a school teacher, got together during this time of COVID to do something meaningful for our human and animal friends. Carmen knew in August that she and her students were going to need a lot of masks. So, the pair of them decided to do a fundraiser, making masks, in honour of Carmen’s late mother, who was an animal lover. They thought they’d raise a few hundred dollars maybe. They started off with patterns that the kids would like; Harry Potter, rainbows, and fun kid stuff. Then friends and Vintage Rider members started donating bits of fabric they had, including some nice dog and horse patterns. The fundraiser took off and spread throughout Carmen’s school, our friends and club members. In November, they were able to give $1000 to Critter Care Wildlife Society. Then in December, another $1000 went to help the horses that were seized by the SPCA in Princeton. In total, they made about 350 masks in all and still continue to fill the occasional order. In addition to the mask making, Karen and several of our members have also volunteered their time to help the SPCA. As Fred Rogers quoted, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” For our January meeting, we met online where we played a game of “Liar, Liar Pants on Fire.” We received a “true” horse related statement via email. Our job was to come up with two lies to go along with the true statement. We then met online to determine which of the horse related statements were correct. It was a fun and educational evening led by Marta MacIntosh, a pony club mom. We are hoping to move forward with a Pole Clinic. If protocols allow for it, then we will proceed with the clinic in small groups, following the COVID-19 protocols, and using the appropriate waivers. Find us on Facebook at Vintage Riders Equestrian Club – public, email: vintageriders@shaw.ca
Critter Care Wildlife donation
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 host a variety of clinics. 2021 Upcoming Events: Virtual Happy Hours Poles Clinic – COVID Orders Permitting
SPCA Mask donation
January meeting – Liar, liar pants on fire! 36 • MARCH 2021
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Chilliwack Riding Club By Riesa Kyne
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elcome back everyone! Here’s hoping 2021 picks up for us all. Although we had some hiccups when it came to scheduling and holding our annual awards banquet and the AGM, we managed to do both with some creative thinking, planning, and of course, spacing. A big shout-out goes to Barb Bodholdt, our vicepresident and chair of the awards. She managed to organize and space out all of our award recipients so that we could, at the very least, have a moment to honour each member who went the distance this past year and competed in our Gymkhanas. It’s no small feat to recognize the efforts and the individuality of each of our award winners, but once again, Barb pulled it off and her efforts were outstanding. Thank you also to the prize-winners who made the trek out to pick up your prizes. We appreciate the efforts you made that day and the understanding and flexibility you had all year during the pandemic restrictions and constant changes. We held our AGM via Zoom on January 18th. All our yearly business has been resolved and we’re very happy
AND THE AWARD GOES TO: Leadline 1st – Alec Kyne 2nd – Scott Kyne Participation – Amelia Manley Peewee 1st – Hayden Thompson 2nd – Peyton Haan 3rd – Kinsley Lewis 4th – Nola Kidwell 5th – Jordyn Folk 6th – Grant Kyne Junior 1st – Emerson VanLeeuwen 2nd – Dallas McAuley 3rd – Savanah Forstbauer 4th – Ellie Garcia 5th – Hannah Lewis Intermediate 1st – Kassie Brennan 2nd – Makayla Young
to introduce three new and one returning director to the ranks: Megan McKay, Simone Tellier, Tanya Jones, and Tanya Thompson. Additionally, Penny Boldt and Barb Bodholdt stood again for nomination and will continue their good work with us. Riesa Kyne, Kaitlin Tottenham, Lindsay Gray, Aidan Kyne, and Corinne Kriegl will continue their terms as directors. For a complete listing of the committees, each director, chairs, please visit our website at www.crchorse.ca. We’ll continue hosting through the winter and into the spring our Open Ride dates at Heritage Park. Please check the website and/or Facebook for dates, times, and any potential changes due to new and changing COVID-19 restrictions. We’ve also got the winter/spring Gymkhana dates secured, so please ensure that you register as soon as possible to guarantee your space. Remember, only members can win year-end awards, so get your memberships in and your HCBC memberships renewed!
Dallas Feragen- Forbes
Emerson VanLeeuwen
See you on the trails and in the ring!
Fast Times Awards: Barrels – Shane Thomson, 16.965 Pole Bend – Debbie Garcia, 23.775 Stakes – Heidi Hogan, 19.528 Pole Turn – Shane Thomson, 11.342 Keyhole – Megan McKay, 9.638 Most Improved Horse: “Utah” owned by Dallas Feragen-Forbes Most Improved Rider: Nola Kidwell Sportsmanship SR: Tanya Jones Sportsmanship JR: Ellie Garcia Service Award: Barb Bodholdt
Hayden Thompson
Nola Kidwell Barb Bodholdt Kassie Brennan
Ellie Garcia
Senior 1st – Heidi Hogan 2nd – Dallas Feragen-Forbes 3rd – Megan McKay
Shane Thomson
Debbie Garcia
Heidi Hogan
Megan McKay
Novice 1st – Shane Thomson 2nd – Sabrena Howell 3rd – Tanya Jones
Alec Kyne
MARCH 2021
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Canadian Cowboy Challenge Update By Hans Kollewyn
A
s 2020 unfolded, CCC was unable to host a full season of Challenges. We had to cancel our Spring Challenges but did manage to host two weekend Play Days, as well as one Play Day and Challenge on another weekend in Alberta. In Saskatchewan, we were able to host a one day Challenge with a judges’ clinic the following day. These activities were well-received with most looking forward to 2021 and a full season of Challenges. Now with 2020 behind us, 2021 Challenge dates will have a June start and run through to September, set for both Alberta and Saskatchewan. We’re hoping to have a year-end Challenge in early October. When dates are confirmed, they will be posted on our website tentatively in early April. The AGM for CCC was held virtually on January 23, 2021 via
Zoom. The meeting went well overall with suggestions for some rule updates during the general business discussion. Rule updates will be addressed at our monthly board meetings. Directors serving their second year of a two year term are: Eric Frogley (secretary), Janet Goltz (treasurer), Alana Eaton (director), and Leane Buxton (director). Running for election for a two year term are: Al Bignell (president), Shane Goltz (vice president), Hans Kollewyn (director), Sabra Estabrooks (director), Cheryl Sawatzky (director) and Will Gough (director). With only incumbents running, all will remain on the board by acclamation. We are optimistic that the 2021 season will unfold as scheduled. It will be great to see current and new members at this season’s Challenges. See more at www.canadiancowboychallenge.com.
New Training Levels for our Tennessee Walking Horses By Kristy Coulter
T
he Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse offers the Training Levels Challenge as part of the Canadian Triple Challenge program. This year a new training module has been added to it. Extended Trail has now been included, with three exciting levels for you and your horse to work on. These levels were created for those who do a lot of camping with their registered Canadian Tennessee Walking Horses. To complete Level One, your horse must be a minimum of five years old. There are many requirements for Level One, so I will touch on just a few. There must be a base camp. Your horse should be able to tie to a highline, side of trailer or tie stall. They must eat from a hay net, bucket, or feed bag. The horse should be confident enough to be ridden out alone. For Level Two, your horse must be at least six years old. Day rides from camp of a minimum of 15 kms are included in this level. The horse should be able to graze while tethered or hobbled. Ponying is included in this level. You need to be able to demonstrate your ability to pack a pack horse and to tie a diamond hitch. Your horse must be at least seven years old in order to complete Level Three. This includes more in- depth rides. Terrain and elevation gain or loss are taken into consideration. (Modifications have been made for those of us who do not have access to mountains.) These three levels seem like a new and interesting challenge, especially for those who do a fair bit of camping with their horses. If you are interested in this new module of the Training Levels, please check them out on the Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse website (crtwh.ca). There is a lot of support and a whole bunch of fun for anyone wanting to join our registry or participate in the Canadian Triple Challenge Programs. 38 • MARCH 2021
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If you are not sure where to start, we invite you to follow us on Facebook.com/crtwh, go to our website www.crtwh.ca, and reach out to our members. We are always ready to give you a helping hand.
Brick packed up for a trip out of Job Lake
Northfork Red Dutchess having a snack in camp
Champions Gold General and Toddy’s Appollo hanging out on the highline
Lower Mainland Quarter Horse Association By Tamara Jameson
T
he Lower Mainland Quarter Horse Association has had a great start to 2021 so far. We had a very successful Breeders Incentive Program Stallion Auction held at the end of January raising $2030 for the Yearling Tri Challenge for 2023. We would like to give a huge thank you to the stallion owners who have donated, as we cannot run our Incentive Program without you! We have some BIG plans ahead for this year, first being another Covid friendly Spring Auction happening March 12–14, 2021 in collaboration with BC Paint Horse Club. Funds from this auction will be put towards our Icebreaker Show in August at Maple Ridge Equi– Centre. If you or someone you know would like to donate, please send Marilyn Griffin a message and she would be more than willing to help you. Our virtual show will look a little different this year, as we have collaborated with BC Paint Horse on running a few series this spring/ summer. Our first set of classes are to start March 15th, 2021 with further details to be posted through our LMQHA Facebook page. We are super excited to have more board members planning and getting our Virtual Show to grow.
On May 2nd, 2021 at Delta Riding Club in preparation for show season, LMQHA is putting on an All Breed Schooling Show! We will be holding a few Equestrians with Disabilities classes, 2-year-old and under Longeline, Leadline, Pleasure Pairs and of course some of our usual classes. We hope to invite new and old members to come join us and have some fun! Mark your calendars for our Summer Icebreaker AQHA/APHA/ All Breed show on August 14–15, 2021 at Maple Ridge Equi–Centre. With collaboration with BC Paint Horse Club, both boards have been meeting together for the past few months figuring out the details and we are more than excited to be working with BCPHC to put on this show. More details to follow! Additionally, with all this planning, all of us have to keep in mind that group gathering events can at any time be cancelled due to the ever changing Covid–19 Rules given to us by the government. If an event is cancelled, members will be notified through our Facebook page. We hope this will not be the case and we look forward to having a great year!
Joan Erickson & Johnie at Double 4 Equestrian Centre
Kidds Gone Wild aka Owen, owned by Vicky Howson
Charlotte & Audrey dePass with “KC Ya in St Louis” ... Pauline Massey grand-daughters
Emily Firth & Viper Cat Casey Hopper & Invited N Time Lil Tuf Rooster & Aleasha Meloshinsky Lower Mainland Quarter Horse Association President: Tamara Jameson, tamarajameson@hotmail.com Website: http://bcqha.com/index.php/lmqha Visit our Facebook page
MARCH 2021
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The Back Country Horsemen of BC The Nesakwatch Bridge Story
By Arlene Ladd and Rose Schroeder
L
et us tell you a story. This simple tale started in 2019 when a bridge on the Great Trail (formerly known as the Trans Canada Trail), in the Chilliwack River Valley was closed to horse use. The bridge allowed equestrians, hikers and mountain bikes to cross over Nesakwatch Creek. But, the bridge was failing and unsafe for horses to cross. No problem, easy said Yarrow Chapter, let’s replace it. When it was last built, we had been able to use materials on hand. It was a beautiful 40’ (12.2 metre) long log/ gravel bridge and we called it the “Wezit” bridge. There were 3 bridges Yarrow built: Whozit, Wezit and Whatszit. The story centres around that 40’ measurement. A most valuable Yarrow Chapter volunteer named Arlene Ladd, decided to take on developing the project. She contacted a non-member hero named Ted Holtby. Ted had spent his career in the logging industry building roads and bridge projects. Arlene would raise the funds, look for donations and organize the volunteers, Ted: the bridge design and placement. Herculean tasks, for both of them. The plot thickens.... When first approached, Rec Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) and Trails BC (maintain this section of the Great Trail), loved that we were going to replace it. First question: how long is it? If you have ever bogged a horse or got your boots stuck in mud, you will appreciate what we mean when we say this is where we got bogged down. According to the Forest and Range Practices Act anything 40’+ has to be engineered and that engineering approved by someone in the bureaucracy of Forestry. Then the site of the bridge needs to have an AIA (Archeological Impact Assessment) and EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment: this stream is a spawning channel and home to the Pacific Water
Old bridge where a horse had punched a hoof through the decking. Photo credit Arlene Ladd.
Volunteers decking the new steel bridge frame. Photo credit Janet Schmidt.
Beautiful, sturdy new bridge over Nesakwatch Creek. Photo credit Janet Schmidt.
Due to BCHBC Yarrow Chapter’s efforts, the trail is once again open to equestrians. Photo credit Arlene Ladd.
Shrew and the Pacific Giant Salamander) as well as hiring an Engineering Company to do a bridge site survey/design the bridge/give assurance documentation during and after construction. Strings of emails, countless phone calls, stacks of paperwork and constant frustration plagued Ted and Arlene as they struggled to make the bridge become a reality. They were supported by RSTBC partnering on costs and materials, funds from their own Chapter, the BCHBC Trails Grant, the Horse Council of BC’s Equestrian Trails Fund, Around the Lake Race Club’s donation, CJ Brooks fundraising efforts and Proform Feeds. Other donations of time, skills and materials by other community business partners and valuable volunteers teamed in along the way. The idea for this project started in Fall 2019. Completion was set for September 2020. That’s almost a full year to do a project that last time took one weekend, was completed with no fundraising and only volunteers. This time it took 11 months, $32,000 and included contractors as well as volunteers. Contractors prepared the site, built the bridge and set the metal frame in place. Over 3 rainy west coast days, volunteers drilled and hammered the decking and rails onto the frame and tidied the site. Aside from the challenges, a gorgeous bridge was built that will protect the environment around it and last longer than any one of us. To balance the serious work, there were some comical moments. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, Yarrow Chapter has the bridge once again open to equestrians. Our new motto “Teamwork makes the Dream Work!” You know who you are..... Thank you!
Back Country Horsemen Provincial Executive ~ http://bchorsemen.org
President: Scott Walker, president@bchorsemen.org, 250-764-8555 or 250-300-8415 Vice President(s): Karl Arnold, BCHofBCEKC@hotmail.com; Verna Houghtaling, willowcale@gmail.com; Sandra Erickson, wccc@telus.net; Marie Reimer, jeanmariereimer@gmail.com Treasurer: Debra Oakman, treasurer@bchorsemen.org, 250-897-5779 Secretary: Christine Heffernan, christine.heffernan@hotmail.com, 250-714-6001 Past President: Brian Wallace, 250-569-2324
40 • MARCH 2021
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Clubs & Associations 31 Years of Celebrating Long Ears
NOW YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE.
members from across Canada and the US
Our low cost membership includes $5 Million and $30,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment. Check out our web site for more information www.crhra.ca 3/21
www.AlbertaDonkeyandMule.ca
CRHRA is a voice for the Recreational Rider.
4/21
ARMSTRONG ENDERBY RIDING CLUB Schooling Shows (Eng/West/Games), Armstrong Fairgrounds, April to Sept. www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.com 9/21 2/22
CANADIAN THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOCIATION 10/21
BC CARRIAGE DRIVING SOCIETY, Pres: Ellen Hockley 250-572-7516, Pleasure, Combined, Recreation from Minis to Drafts, www.bccarriagedriving.com 5/21 BC INTERIOR ARABIAN HORSE ASSOC. Pres: Wally Goertz 250-546-6004 10/21 asmarawg@telus.net, clinics, Recreational riding programs, Awards/Social Activ.
Contact: ctra@golden.net • Website: www.cantra.ca
BC PAINT HORSE CLUB www.bcphc.com, Open Show & Competition Program, award sponsorships for local clubs, youth scholarship. cathyglover@telus.net 3/22 BC QUARTER HORSE ASSOCIATION, www.bcqha.com Contact Carolyn Farris, email cfarris@telus.net 7/21
CERTIFIED HORSEMANSHIP ASSOCIATION (CHA) www.CHA.horse. Certifies equine professionals, accredits equestrian facilities, & publishes educational manuals, webinars & videos. 8/21
Equestrian Canada (EC) is the national governing body for equestrian sport and industry in Canada, with a mandate to represent, promote and advance all equine and equestrian interests. 1-866-282-8395 | inquiries@equestrian.ca | www.equestrian.ca
FRASER VALLEY’S OWN ‘GRASSROOTS’ CLUB dedicated to promoting the sport of cutting to enthusiasts of all levels See us on acebook & Instagram
6/21
CHILLIWACK RIDING CLUB, Drill Team, Horse Shows (Heritage Qualifiers), Gymkhana, Trail Rides, Clinics, Open Ride, Socials, www.crchorse.ca 12 /21
BC INTERIOR MORGAN HORSE CLUB Pres: Tom Nobles 250-838-2228, leetom. nobles@gmail.com, Clinics, Pot O Gold Show, Trail Rides, see our FB page 4/21
www.bcrcha.com
CanTRA promotes the benefits of therapeutic riding across Canada through awareness, education, and setting standards for therapeutic riding instructor certification, centre accreditation, hippotherapy, and equine-facilitated wellness.
10/18 2/22
Want to enjoy miles of beautiful new trails with your equine partner in BC? Try Endurance Riding! We welcome all levels of riders and all breeds of equines.
5/21
or e-mail: bcrcha@gmail.com
Info on clinics and events at www.erabc.com
11/21 6/16
A charitable equine organization funding veterinary colleges and students, and other worthwhile equine causes.
Team Cattle Penning is a race against the clock to have 3 riders pen 3 of 30 numbered head of cattle. Each rider is rated to their current abilities and the three riders on a team make up the maximum allowed number for the division they are riding. Example: a 10 Class is made of a 4-rated rider and two 3-rated riders. The herd is on one end of the arena and the foul line is usually 1/3. DON’T BLOW OUT!! YEE HAW!! www.bctcpa.net
2/21 11/18
PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE HELPING HORSES
Bob Watson, President 403-378-4323 cbwatson@telusplanet.net www.equinefoundationofcanada.com
3/21 10/21
BOUCHIE LAKE GYMKHANA CLUB (Quesnel BC). May to September. All info on our Facebook Page: B LAKE Gymkhana CLUB. Tel: 250-249-9667 6/21 BOUNDARY HORSE ASSOCIATION (Grand Forks BC), Offering shows, gymkhanas, clinics & more. See us on Facebook, 250-443-3191, kmespenhain@telus.net 3/21
Canadian Cowboy Challenge
12/21
A SPORT for the whole Family! Hoping to host a full season of Challenges in 2021 For more info please call 403-828-2044 or visit www.canadiancowboychallenge.com
9/21
Join the Canadian Quarter Horse Association Membership is FREE! 12/21
The CQHA is the Canadian affiliate of the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), and representative of the largest breed population within the Canadian herd. Visit us at www.cqha.ca.
D E A D LI N E 5th of each month
INTERIOR CUTTING HORSE ASSOCIATION www.ichacutting.com New cutters always welcome. Lee Poncelet 250-938-2034 8/21 KELOWNA RIDING CLUB, www.kelownaridingclub.com contact and event info. Daily drop-in rates & facility rentals open to all. 3745 Gordon Dr, Kelowna, BC. 3/21 LANGLEY RIDERS SOCIETY, www.langleyriders.com. English/Western, Games, Jumping, Drill Team, Rodeo. 604-530-5981 10/21 LOWER MAINLAND QUARTER HORSE ASSOC. Pres: Tamara Jameson, tamarajameson@hotmail.com, http://bcqha.com/index.php/LMQHA 12/21
MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 41
Clubs & Associations NORTH OK THERAPEUTIC RIDING ASSOC. 250-549-0105 www.notra.info Providing therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with disabilities 8/21
SOUTH CENTRAL QUARTER HORSE ASSOC., Host of April Fuzzy Horse Show and September AQHA Circuit Show, http://bcqha.com/index.php/scqha 11/21
OLIVER & DISTRICT RIDING CLUB, Pres: Dawn MacRae 250-689-0156, anewdawn101@outlook.com, Clinics, Summer Show & more, see our FB page 4/21
SPIRIT OF THE HORSE GARDEN, a place to honour our equine friends; memorial plaques available, spiritofthehorsegarden@gmail.com, FB 11/21
100 Mile & District Outriders
7/18 10/21
Promoting equine activities and knowledge in the south Cariboo with Shows, Clinics, Gymkhanas and more. Harvey President: Adam Mike Kidston E-mail: info@outriders.com ~ www.100mileoutriders.com
PEACHLAND RIDING CLUB, Pres: Kevin Froese (Kevin.leroy.froese@gmail.com). Info, Gymkhana dates & events at www.peachlandridingclub.com 5/21
Peruvian Horse Club of BC Smooth • Versatile • Intelligent www.phac.ca/BC/index.html
8/21
PRINCETON RIDING CLUB, Pres: Stephanie Antonick, santonick@hotmail.com See us on Facebook. Offering shows, clinics and more! 2/22 RUSTY SPURS 4-H HORSE CLUB (Abbotsford BC) Open to Youth 6-19, Rustyspurshorse4h@gmail.com & Find us on Facebook! 12/21
VINTAGE RIDERS EQUESTRIAN CLUB (Fraser Valley BC), English/Western, lectures, clinics, socials, safe and fun, vintageriders@shaw.ca, on Facebook 3/21 WILD ROSE DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION, www.wrdha.com. Barb Stephenson (Secretary) phone 403-933-5765 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) 5/21
Clubs - you should be listed here. Non-profit rates start at only $100 per year.
What’s Happening? Let’s Go!
2021 Events? LET US KNOW – THIS IS A FREE SERVICE FOR NON-PROFIT EVENTS. REQUIRED FORMAT FOR EACH DATE:
Jan 1-3 OPEN HORSE SHOW, Smith Arena, Smithsville, BC, John 604-123-4567 johnsmith@smith.net, www.smithshow.com
DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS – CALL AHEAD TO SEE IF THE EVENT IS STILL HAPPENING. BE SAFE EVERYONE!
MARCH
12-14 LMQHA SPRING AUCTION ONLINE (with BCPHC), info/donations http://bcqha.com/index.php/lmqha 22-28 EDMONTON AB, Learn equine massage! – Certification Course, Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca 29-May 7 LANGLEY BC, 6 week advanced Equine Massage Therapy Certification Course, Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca
APRIL 18 25 30
AERC OPEN SHOW (Virtual?), Armstrong BC, www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca and FB PRC SADDLE SERIES BARREL RACES & GYMKHANA, www.peachlandridingclub.com REAL DEAL RANCH HORSE SALE, Perlich Bros. Auction Market, Lethbridge AB, 403-329-3101, www.Perlich.auction
MAY
1
SPRING HORSE SALE – Foothills Auctioneers at Perlich Bros. Auction Market, Lethbridge AB, 403-329-3101, www.Perlich.auction
42 • MARCH 2021
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2 LMQHA ALL BREED SCHOOLING SHOW at Delta Riding Club, http://bcqha.com/index.php/lmqha 6-9 MOTHER’S DAY ARENA TO TRAIL WORKSHOP w/DawnFerster at Timber Ridge, Lumby BC, dawnferster@gmail.com 7-8 NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP w/Glenn Stewart (Stage 1 Clinic), Smithers BC, contact Anika 250-846-5494 or anika.gattiker@outlook.com 8-14 LADYSMITH (V. Island) BC, Learn equine massage! – Certification Course, Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca 9-10 NATURAL HORSEMANSHIP w/Glenn Stewart (Advanced Workshop Clinic), Smithers BC, contact Anika 250-846-5494 or anika.gattiker@outlook.com 21 ARENA TO TRAIL WORKSHOP w/Dawn Ferster at Timber Ridge, Lumby BC, dawnferster@gmail.com 22-23 ARENA TO TRAIL COMPETITION (1 of 2), w/Dawn Ferster, at Timber Ridge, Lumby BC, dawnferster@gmail.com 28-30 ARENA TO TRAIL WORKSHOP w/Dawn Ferster, 100 Mile House BC, dawnferster@gmail.com 30 PRC SADDLE SERIES BARREL RACES & GYMKHANA, www.peachlandridingclub.com 30 AERC OPEN SHOW (Virtual?), Armstrong BC, www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca and FB
MORE DATES AT SADDLEUP.CA
Business Services EQUINE SERVICES
ACCOMMODATIONS
NATURAL TOUCH THERAPY INSTITUTE (BC/AB/SK) Certified Farrier & Equine Therapy Programs www.natural-touch.ca 4/21
Ask for Chilliwack Heritage Park rate LSPECI East of Heritage Park at mall & restaurants
FREE Comfort Sunshine Breakfast 604-858-0636 or 1-800-228-5150 www.choicehotels.ca/cn235 • Chilliwack, BC 4/15
FARM BUILDINGS 7/21
ARENA MAINTENANCE 6/21
FARM SUPPLIES CATTLE FEEDERS, free-standing Panels, fence line Feeders, bunk silage Feeders made from oil field pipe. Call Dan 250-308-9218 (BC wide) 6/21
3/22
BEDDING, HOG FUEL, SHAVINGS
HORSE HAY SALES (Calgary AB) Meadow Brome Grass/Alfalfa mix, tested, mghorse7@gmail.com, 403-325-5556 2/22
NATA FARMS
Horse Shavings Hog Fuel Bark Mulch Serving the BC Interior 250-503-7432 4/21
formerly David Beerstra Trucking
FARRIERS & SUPPLIES
MATT ROBERSON - Certified Journeyman Farrier & RACHEL VOWLES
3/20
WWW.REIMERSFARMSERVICE.COM (BC Interior) 1-855-737-0110 or 250-838-0111. Bulk & Bagged Shavings, 4x4x4 Totes, Sawdust, Bark Mulch
FARRIER COMPANY
12/21
KPU Advanced Farrier Science Graduates
t: 250-280-0155 | 250-886-7595 • e: mile0farrierco@hotmail.com
9/21
DEAD STOCK REMOVAL THE BLUE GOOSE CATTLE CO. (Ok/Shuswap) 250-309-0629 or 250-838-2157, Providing prompt dead stock removal service when the decision has to be made. 3/21 10/21
EDUCATION
FEED DEALERS
Wanted Wranglers / Trail Guides Guide on Guest Ranch / Horse pack trips www.chilcotinholidays.com
8/19 10/21
EQUINE HEALTH CANPRESSCO CAMELINA OIL. Omega 3-6-9 & Vitamin E. www.canpressco.com, Brand Rep: Amy Langevin 604-828-2551, amylangevin@live.ca 5/21
DR. REED’S
Supplements For Horses
www.DrReeds.com 4/21
100% Canadian
ABBOTSFORD DUNCAN KELOWNA LANGFORD NANAIMO PARKSVILLE SANNICH SALMON ARM WEST KELOWNA
31852 Marshall Place 5410 Trans Canada Hwy. 103-1889 Springfield Rd. 975 Langford Parkway 1-1227 Island Hwy. S. 587 Alberni Hwy. 1970 Keating Cross Rd. 1771 10th Ave SW 2565 Main St.
556-7477 748-8171 860-2346 940-4499 753-4221 248-3243 652-9188 832-8424 768-8870
6/21
ASHCROFT HOME BUILDING CENTRE (Ashcroft) 250-453-2281 Otter Co-op Dealer & Pet Foods. You can find us on Facebook 10/21
FENCING Gates, Panels, Feeders, Continuous FenCe deer & Farm FenCe installations
Custom built and installed to your needs
GRK Fasteners Dealer * Customized Bale Spikes * Custom Welding * Horse Trailer Repairs *Serving BC/AB/WA for over 10 years
Alan Cossentine, Oliver, BC • 250-490-5662 3/22
alc@cffence.com • www.cffence.com
3/22
D E A D LI N E 2/22
5th of each month MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 43
Business Services TRAILER REPAIRS
FENCING 11/21
TRANS NATIONAL TRAILER INC. (1645 Eagle Rock Rd., Armstrong BC) 250-308-8980, RVs to Horse Trailers. Your Trailer Parts Superstore! 7/21
WHOLESALE PANELS & GATES countrywestsupply.com ARMSTRONG 250-546-9174
CHILLIWACK 1-877-847-3735
PETERSEN TRAILERS LTD. (Langley) 604-533-4209 Service and Repairs. All makes. www.petersentrailers.ca 6/21
TRAILER SALES
NEW NANAIMO 3501 AQUA TERRA ROAD
KITT EQUIPMENT TRAILER SALES, (Chilliwack & Aldergrove), 1-877-823-7199, Horse ~ Stock ~ Utility ~ Dump ~ Flatdecks, Kittequipment.com 3/21
TRAINERS/COACHES
FERRIS FENCING “PastureLine” 4mm : “No Wire” Polymer : Complete ElectricSystems HorseRail products : No-Climb & Diamond Mesh
30 years Serving the Horse Industry www.ferrisfencing.com / info@ferrisfencing.com / 1-800-665-3307 5/21 3/19
GUEST RANCHES
ALICIA HARPER of Hylee Training, EC Comp. Coach/Trainer. Specializing in Western, available for training, lessons/clinics, www.hyleetraining.com 2/22 BIRGIT STUTZ, Irwin Insights Master Level 6 Cert. Trainer, www.fallingstarranch. ca, Training/lessons/clinics/student programs, Dunster BC, 250-968-6801 9/21 DAWN FERSTER (Kelowna BC) Coaching/Training/Workshops 250-808-0738 Mountain Trail/Western/Dressage, see Damarhe Training on FB 3/22 9/21
International Clinician and Horseman 1-877-728-8987 www.thehorseranch.com
10/21
SPRING LAKE GUEST RANCH, (100 Mile House BC) 250-791-5776 Beautiful Ranch on 600 acres & private lake, www.springlakeranch.com
JONATHAN FIELD HORSEMANSHIP - Inspired by Horses® www.JonathanField.net, 1-888-533-4353 10/21
6/21
LESSON PROGRAMS WWW.FOOTNOTEFARM.COM (Langley BC) 778-822-3276 Certified instructors, safe & sound horses, curriculum followed, privates for beginners. 4/21
REALTORS Listing and Selling – Rural and Residential Properties in the North Okanagan and Shuswap Cell: 250-549-0996 / Office 250-546-3119 dgwangler@telus.net Armstrong 10/21
SADDLEMAKERS & REPAIRS DON LOEWEN SADDLERY, 1802 Houston St., Merritt BC, 250-525-0220 Custom saddlery, chaps, repairs, leather bags & more, www.donloewen.com
4/21
DIAMOND H TACK INC. (Kelowna BC) 877-762-5631 English & Western Saddlery, Clothes, Farrier, Feed, Blanket & Leather Repairs 9/21
7/21
SANDY LANG HORSEMANSHIP (Abbotsford BC) 778-344-3804, Foundation Horsemanship & Working Equitation, Clinics & Lessons, www.sandylanghorsemanship.com 8/21 THE ROCK’N STAR RANCH (Pritchard BC) Natural Care Boarding. Training. Education. Offering quality care, horsemanship support & education. therocknstarranch.com 3/22
VETERINARIANS
TACK/CLOTHING SHOPS
WWW.HORSEGEARCANADA.COM - online shopping - always open! Tack, hoof boots, nutritional products, grooming products & more. 4/21
LISA WIEBEN (Bowden AB) www.mountainviewtrainingstables.com, Clinics, Training, Lessons, Centered Riding/Western & English Dressage 6/21 LUTTMER TRAINING AND CLINICS, starting horses, building trust and confidence, Quesnel BC 250-249-9613, see updates on Facebook 10/21
DENNIS WANGLER
9/20
LEE PONCELET TRAINING STABLES (Vernon, BC) 250-938-2034 Starting Colts. Training all levels. Specializing in Cutting/Cowhorse. www.lpperformancehorses.com 7/21
ANIMAL CARE HOSPITAL Williams Lake 250-392-5510 / Quesnel 250-747-3053 Drs. Magnowski, Scheidt, Thompson, Jordan, Meier, Ree , Bennett 3/21 INTERIOR VETERINARY HEALTH SERVICES (Okanagan) 250-769-4217, Mobile Equine, Brytann Youngberg DVM, VSMT, College of Animal Chiropractors 8/21 OKANAGAN EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES (Kelowna) 250-764-9888 Sheila McDonald DVM, www.okanaganequinevet.com
12/21
WALES EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES (Okanagan) 250-258-2299 Drs. Alex Wales and Dr. Susan Wales, www.walesequine.com 8/21
YOUR LISTING SHOULD BE HERE YEAR ROUND
WWW.THETRADINGPOSTFEEDANDTACK.COM (Nanaimo) 250-245-2115 English/Western Tack & Apparel, Feeds & Hay, Bedding, Footwear 4/21 44 • MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA
Starting at just $250 per year (for 12 issues). Plus we can add a link on our web site for only $50 per year!
1-866-546-9922 for more info
Rural Roots
SOUTH CARIBOO 160 ACRES EQUESTRIAN/HAY RANCH Enjoy your own Heartland in the Cariboo, on the Fishing Highway near 100 Mile House! 4 bedroom, 2 bath, Log House with vaulted ceiling Set up for horses, 130’x280’ sand arena, 7’ high x38’round pen 10 paddocks, 4 stall barn 25’x52’ with tack room and 20 ton hay loft 50 acres cultivated hay field, produced 70+ tons in 2020 25 acres sub-irrigated hay field, another 40 acres cleared to plant 30’x60’ shop (Man Cave), cement floor, wired 220, 14’6” overhead doors
Virtual Tour/Photo Gallery: https://youriguide.com/6678_bc_24_lone_butte_bc/ Priced at $1,025,000 Contact: Linda Poel 250-706-9286 cralinmeadows1@gmail.com
REALTORS YOUR AD COULD BE HERE ADS ONLY $85 OR LESS SEE PAGE 4 FOR CONTACT INFO
5/21
Stallions & Breeders APPALOOSACENTRE.COM 250-963-9779 Real Appaloosas for Today and the Future! 9/21 FOOTNOTE FARM FJORDS (Langley BC) 778-822-3276. Registered & imported breeding stock. Bred for performance and built to last. www.footnotefarm.com 4/21 OLD BALDY RANCH (Dawson Creek) 250-843-7337 SS: Breeding AQHA/NFQH Grullo & Blue Roan, www.northernhorse.com/oldbaldy 12/21 SUNSET VIEW RANCH (West Kelowna BC) 250-707-7271. Top Performance AQHA/APHA bloodlines, Breeding & Sales. SS: Dunit Canadian Style 3/22
BREEDERS -YOUR LISTING SHOULD BE HERE. ONLY $250 PER YEAR PLUS A WEB LINK AT JUST $50 PER YEAR
MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 45
On The Market (Private Sale) The Peruvian Horse
THE VERSATILE PERUVIAN HORSE
We Have the Blues!
The smoothest riding horse in the world! For Pleasure, Trail, Show, Work... Discover the versatile Peruvian Horse at PHAC.ca!
for Trail ~ Work ~ Show
2021 Foals will be available sired by:
LBJ Sierras Blue Te | AQHA Blue Roan and his son AW Blue Fire N Te | AQHA Blue Roan
To learn more about this beautiful & unique breed of horse, and for a complete Sales List, please visit our website. 12/21
Aaron & Colleen Wangler 250-843-7337 (Dawson Creek BC) oldbaldy@hotmail.ca www.northernhorse.com/oldbaldy
Visit PHAC.ca for more Information on this Incredible Breed!
www.ringsteadranch.com • deb.cones@gmail.com 403-860-9763 Locations in Chase BC and Cayley Alberta 10/21
7/21 3/17
Glynn Irish Sport Horse If you’re looking for your “Heart Horse” look no further!
We breed and train GYPSY COBS AND VANNERS
Mick
Champion bloodlines and amazing temperaments to suit everyone’s adventure!
DRESSAGE SADDLES FOR SALE
All saddles in new condition
(pictured) PRESTIGE, medium wide tree, 18” seat. $1800 STUBBEN JUVENTUS Junior, medium tree, 17” seat. $1800 STUBBEN JUVENTUS Junior, wide tree, 17” seat, fits Quarter Horses well. $2000 ALBION LEGEND 5000, medium tree, 17.5” seat, brown leather. $1500
Girths, Snaffle Bridles and Bits also for sale. ALL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. Call 250-546-9011 or 604-807-6104 (North Okanagan)
46 • MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA
4/21
403-325-5556 mghorse7@gmail.com
PHOTO ADS ONLY $60 (OR LESS)
NEXT DEADLINE MARCH 5
2/22
4/21
Aimee & Luc Beauchamp 250-438-1066 (Princeton BC) ponderosaridgeranch@outlook.com www.PonderosaRidgeRanch.ca 10/21
Shop & Swap! MISCELLANEOUS
HORSE BLANKET LAUNDRY & REPAIRS HORSE BLANKET & SADDLE PAD WASHING & Repairs. Clean used Blankets for sale. Town Centre Dry Cleaners, Town Centre Mall. 250-546-0104 (Armstrong BC) 3/21
MISCELLANEOUS
Custom Made Chaps Any Style Saddle, Tack & Blanket Repairs Top Quality Australian Saddles
DEEP CREEK GENERAL STORE
Sherri DeBoer • 250-838-0778 email: theleatherlady95@gmail.com Hwy 97, Grindrod, BC Open Mon - Sat 9-6 pm
ARMSTRONG’S GENERAL STORE
12/21
that has a little bit of everything Dealer for
Complete Balanced Bioavailable Source Of Essential MACRO and MICRO nutrients for HEALTHY HORSES WWW.ULTRA-KELP.COM
Pet Food & Supplies Wood Shavings and MORE
1-888-357-0011
250-546-3955
3455 Pleasant Valley Rd. Armstrong, BC
FULL, PARTIAL OR SELF-BOARD in either a group pasture or paddocks with run-in sheds with access to pasture • Overnight camping with paddocks available • Heated auto waterers • Round pen and • 120 x 160 sand Arena 10/21
Contact: Indigo Ridge Farm 4784 Stepney Road, Armstrong BC 250-898-4075 / christa.hestnes@gmail.com
3/21
NEXT DEADLINE MARCH 5, 2021 FOR THE APRIL ISSUE MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA • 47
ABBOTSFORD
AVENUE MACHINERY CORP.
1521 Sumas Way ........................................ 604-864-2665
COURTENAY
NORTH ISLAND TRACTOR
3663 South Island Hwy ............................... 250-334-0801
CRESTON
KEMLEE EQUIPMENT LTD.
1309 Northwest Boulevard.......................... 250-428-2254
DUNCAN
ISLAND TRACTOR & SUPPLY LTD.
4650 Trans Canada Hwy ............................. 250-746-1755
KELOWNA
AVENUE MACHINERY CORP.
1090 Stevens Road Hwy ............................. 250-769-8700
OLIVER
GERARD’S EQUIPMENT LTD.
5592 Hwy 97 South ..................................... 250-498-2524
PRINCE GEORGE
HUBER EQUIPMENT
Upper Mud River Road ............................... 250-560-5431
VERNON
AVENUE MACHINERY CORP.
7155 Meadowlark Road .............................. 250-545-3355
48 • MARCH 2021
SADDLEUP.CA