BC Summer Games Wrap-up

Zone Two Equestrian Golden at the BC SUMMER GAMES

BY JOCELYN ADAMS, HORSE COUNCIL BC

That’s a wrap on the 2022 BC Summer Games held July 21-24 in Prince George! With four jam-packed days of competition with athletes from all over the province competing in Dressage, Para-Dressage, Jumping, Vaulting, and for the first time Eventing.

Forty-eight athletes representing 8 zones throughout the province made the trip to the games, working as zone teams with accumulative points from all days of competition.

As Sunday wrapped up, Zone 2 was awarded the gold medal for Overall Zone. Four gold medals, one silver and one bronze, lead this tiny but tough team to win the overall points award and take home the Zone award.

Zone 2 Coach Brandy Saunders speaks about her experience:

“Congratulations to all BC Summer Games participants and support people, and especially to our Zone 2 equestrian team with coach Ashley Sudds, myself (Brandy Saunders) and athletes, Katie Thielman, Hannah Robbins, Avery Wilkinson, and Brook Forai. We were able to win gold for overall medals won.

The BC Summer Games was a reflection of the importance of teamwork, and this was demonstrated on so many levels throughout our whole equestrian community, not just our zone teams. Coaches and athletes came together to support all teams and disciplines (over and over). This included celebrating each other’s success, and supporting in times of challenge. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones brought our BC equestrian community together. Within just a few days, teams became very close and connected, resulting in great pride and confidence.

As an eventing coach, it was very exciting to be there for the introduction of Eventing into the Summer Games. We had a strong contingent of support from our BC Eventing Association http:// bceventing.ca/. This included volunteers, officials, coaches, riders, and an eager audience! It was awesome to see and feel that kind of support!!

Thank you for the memories and the experience!!”

Congratulations to all our athletes on their amazing accomplishments! We look forward to the next BC Summer Games in Maple Ridge, July 1821st 2024.

Overall Dressage Winners (awarded Sunday): Gold - Ella Parker / Zone 3 Silver - Amelia Mosuumgaard / Zone 7 Bronze - Mia Lambert / Zone 6

Overall Para Dressage (awarded Sunday) Gold - Avery Wilkinson / Zone 2 Silver - Leila Corntassel / Zone 6 Bronze - Claire Hendrix / Zone 6 Overall Jumping (awarded Sunday) Gold - Katie Thielman / Zone 2 Silver - Hannah Askew / Zone 5 Bronze - Melodie Kopiyka / Zone 6

Overall Eventing (awarded Sunday) Gold - Jacob Sovio / Zone 3 Silver - Ella Ficociello / Zone 4 Bronze - Hannah Robbins / Zone 2

Overall Vaulting (Awarded Sunday) Gold - Emma Mindel / Zone 3 Silver - Maklaine Rogers / Zone 3 Bronze - Sophia Kahil / Zone 6

Full results from the weekend and daily medal break down can be viewed at: hcbc.ca/competitions/bc-summer-games/2022-bc-summergames-results/

A HUGE THANK YOU to our hard-working sport team and amazing judges for all their hard work. OFFICIALS AND DISCIPLINE CHAIRS Provincial Advisor for Equestrian: Lynda Ramsay, Kelowna Sport Chair: Steven Dubas, Prince George Dressage Discipline Chair: Jodie Kennedy, Prince George Para Dressage Discipline Chair: Stella French, Victoria Eventing Discipline Chair: Julie Johannson, Oliver Vaulting Discipline Chair: Marijean Maher, Aldergrove Jumping Discipline Chair: Maegan Friess, Prince George OFFICIALS Dressage and Para Dressage Judge: Burgi Rommel, Langley Jumper Judge: Katy Ostberg, Prince George Course Designer: Cat Armitage, Lone Butte Eventing Ground Jury: Bonnie Kennedy, Prince George Vaulting Judge: Lynn Wallden, Chilliwack

Thank you to all the amazing coaches, athletes, parents, volunteers and sport's chairs that made the games possible.

Thank you to The Prince George Horse Society for being an incredible host venue and the BC Games for including equestrian sport in this amazing event! Zone 1 Coach Maeve Drew and Zone 2 Coach Brandy Saunders

Zone 2 team wins Gold

Zone 2 Coach Brandy and Zone 2 Eventer Hannah Robbins