Saddle Up February 2023

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Welcome to 2023! I sure enjoyed my time off over Christmas – except for the cold spell we had for a few weeks. At least we didn’t have any major dumps of snow in our neck of the woods. Relaxed a bit and did some jigsaw puzzles, not as many as I thought I would (compared to last Christmas).

After some serious thinking I have decided to offer Saddle Up for sale. It’s time someone else takes on this passion, and has the desire and drive to take Saddle Up to the next level. I started this magazine from scratch in the fall of 2000. I remember going to our fall fair, the Interior Provincial Exhibition, over the Labour Day weekend with posters announcing to “Watch for Saddle Up magazine… coming soon!” And it all started with the November 2000 issue.

I’ve enjoyed everything about it over the past 22 years; but it is now time for ME… I want to retire from monthly deadlines, and get back out there and enjoy weekends (or weekdays). So if anyone is interested in buying this labour of love… and pursuing THEIR passion… feel free to contact me.

Here’s to a great New Year! And Happy Valentines's Day!

OOPS! CORRECTION…

in our November 2022 issue the author’s name was omitted pertaining to the article on page 10 - Hay Burners: Feed is the fuel that fires your horses’ ‘furnace’

By Terri Perrin, freelance writer and BCHBC member at large. Our apologies to author Terri Perrin.

Angel Mackenzie, Dr. Britt Mills, Ritchie-Smith Feeds, Chilcotin Holidays, Ann Wallin, Lindsay Ward, Karen Tanchak, Patricia E. Skinner

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VOICE FOR: The Back Country Horsemen of BC MEDIA PARTNER WITH HORSE COUNCIL BC

IN MEMORIAM

RUTH, DONNA LEE MAY 10, 1963 –NOVEMBER 15, 2022

Donna passed away in Kelowna, BC at the age of 59 years. She was born in Nakusp BC to Barb and Peter Dimion but spent all of her life in Salmon Arm BC.

Donna is predeceased by her husband, Derek Ruth and her dad, Peter Dimion and is survived by her mom, Barb Dimion, sister, Karlene (Dale) Wideman and Deb (Randy) Raincock and her brother, George Dimion.

Donna loved road trips, cruises (she went on five), gardening and working around the farm. Her passion was riding and showing her horse Tilly (I’ll Be Terrific) in both the Alberta and BC Paint Horse Circuit.

She will be missed by many.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for Spring of 2023.

COVER FEATURE Gypsy Dreams

Gypsy Dreams is a family run breeding facility. Owners Shannon Kuzik and Jennifer Abraham, along with their son Hunter Kuzik, take care of all aspects of the daily operation of the ranch. The family takes pride in their ‘quality over quantity’ approach, always seeking to preserve, improve and evolve. Gypsy Dreams is home to a wide range of colours from traditional to roan, sabino and silver coats, but rest assured, health and temperament are never sacrificed. This farm has been breeding Gypsy Cobs/Vanners for 9 years and they have developed an exceptional herd with colours and sizes for everyone.

With foaling season quickly approaching, the planning of 2023 breedings is well underway. Gypsy Dreams is proud to have bred GD Sterling Silver, a stunning young stallion with a promising future. He will be well-represented in GDs 2023 foal crop. If that wasn’t exciting enough, they are also going to let us all get a peek at GD Olympus, another home-bred stallion you’ll want to keep your eye out for. With 7 foals on the way there is no doubt this is going to be a fabulous year.

The great trainers and dedicated owners work, love and play with these beautiful animals daily to make every foal a true Gypsy Dream. The family makes sure to use the best products available and works with local producers and artists often. Gypsy Dreams uses, recommends and distributes Galloping Goop and Equiderma to help keep your furry friends comfortable and looking their best. To find out more about these products, please visit their Facebook pages!

Danielle Clark from Danielle C Photography is the Gypsy Dreams photographer and more importantly a great friend to the GD family. Her talent and passion comes out in the gorgeous images she captures, and her love for the animals makes them the perfect team.

Follow the Gypsy Dreams Facebook page for more of their journey and more of those stunning photos from Danielle!

Stay tuned to Gypsy Dreams to learn why this year will be one of their best yet!

Stallion GD Sterling Silver, with owners Jen and Shannon

Blue Roan stallion SRS Poseidon

Red Roan Gelding SD Fergus pictured with owner Shannon

SRS Blue Cloud

GD Temple of Poseidon with Dam SD Maple in background

GD The Jeweller pictured with owner Jen

Canadian Pony Club Team heads to Inter-Pacific Exchange in New Zealand

A Canadian team representing the Canadian Pony Club embarked for New Zealand on January 6th, to participate in the Inter-Pacific Exchange (IPE). The exchange is an international competition held biennially, involving Pony Club teams from Canada, the USA, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand. The team includes four riders, a coach and a team manager. There are three riders representing Pony Clubs in BC, and one from Alberta.

Riders will not bring their own horses but will ride loaned horses for the competitions, matched to them by the team coach based on their experience and preferences. In order to qualify for the competition, riders had to be between the age of 17 and 25, and have achieved a high Canadian Pony Club standard (B level), have competed at a minimum show jumping height of 3’6”, and demonstrated ability and experience in riding a variety of horses, including “green” horses.

T he IPE team is very grateful to have the generous sponsorship from a number of local businesses, including Saddle Up magazine! The team members will be representing Saddle Up by sporting the Saddle Up logo on their team jackets and polo shirts while touring and riding in NZ.

Meet the team members!

The exchange runs from January 9-26 in and around Christchurch, on the south island of New Zealand. The competition involves a National Cup show jumping competition and will also involve one or more additional “friendly” competitions prior. In addition, team members will have the opportunity to liaise with members of the other international teams and see local sights, including attending a horse race (the “Kangaroo Cup”) and visiting with horse owners; as well as visit scenic locations, such as several glaciers, which the area is renowned for.

Jessica Spoletini, 17, was born in Calgary AB, and currently lives in Salmon Arm BC. She has ridden since she was 6, having started Eventing at age 10. Jessica says that when she was younger she would always hop on any and every horse that was offered to her at the barn, from the Trail Quarter Horses, to the 3-year-old Warmbloods. Jessica has competed through the Preliminary level on two horses. Jessica also enjoys Dressage, having competed to Second level.

K atie Thielman, 18, grew up on her family’s farm, Pine Ridge, in Salmon Arm BC. Horses have always been part of Katie’s life. Around the age of 10, she met her now long-time coach, Julie White (of Long Road Farm). Katie has been in Pony Club for over 10 years, and says it has presented her with the opportunity to meet many amazing people. She primarily shows in Jumper, Hunter, and Jumper Equitation. She looks forward to competing in a team format alongside fellow Pony Club members.

D eshann Valentine, 22, has grown up on a farm and with horses all her life in Sundre AB. After starting off riding Western, she was introduced to Pony Club where she quickly fell in love with Dressage and Eventing. Throughout her 15 years in Pony Club, Deshann says she has learned so much about being an equestrian and says that IPE was one of her major goals with the organization. She has competed up to the Training level of Eventing and hopes to move up to Preliminary this season. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science and Education at the University of Lethbridge with the end goal of being a teacher,

Left to right: Lisa (coach), Katie, Jessica, Carlie, Deshann, Angel (manager)

and has currently taken the semester off to explore New Zealand! It’s with her love for teaching and riding that her plan now for Pony Club is to help bring up the next generation of riders. Deshann says she is super excited to see New Zealand and explore a different part of the world all while being able to compete and represent our country!

Carlie Wells, 22, grew up riding Western in Strathmore AB, and moved to Chase BC a year and a half ago to work at the highly regarded Chase Creek Eventing. Carlie joined Pony Club and started jumping at age 8, and began Eventing a few years later. Carlie loves starting horses and producing them through the Eventing levels. She was part of the 2019 IPE team in Hong Kong, and is so excited to be representing Canada and Pony Club in New Zealand.

T he team coach is Lisa Schultz, from Surrey BC. As a Pony Club member herself, she achieved the top “A” level rating, and is a full-time coach and trainer who also works at the Langley Equestrian Academy, a local high school, coordinating equestrian field trips and mentoring students. She has competed up to FEI levels of Eventing, winning at the Intermediate level as well as competing successfully in Hunters,

Jumpers, Dressage, and even breed shows. Lisa is no stranger to national Pony Club competitions, having been Champion at National Dressage and National Show Jumping. She enjoys traveling around and competing, and is looking forward to visiting New Zealand with a great team.

T he team manager is Angel Mackenzie, from Ottawa ON. She grew up riding and was a member of Pony Clubs on Vancouver Island and in the Ottawa area, and currently serves as Regional Chair of the St. Lawrence-Ottawa Valley Pony Club region. Angel, alongside her mother, maintains a farm and small Warmblood breeding operation, Red Gate Sporthorses. Angel has competed for over 15 years in the sport of Eventing up to the Intermediate level on a number of young horses she produced through the levels. She now enjoys pursuing Dressage and Eventing on her homebreds, competing as an amateur outside of her day job as a senior research analyst for the federal government. Angel is grateful to be a part of the 2023 IPE and is looking forward to meeting the members of other international teams!

Preventative Medicine in Sport Horses

With

In addition to regular dental and hoof care, spend time conditioning your horse. The area that is overlooked most is conditioning and strengthening tendons and ligaments. Long rides at the walk are highly effective for this, and the late winter months lend themselves well to this type of conditioning.

When your horse has been in some type of work for 4 to 6 weeks, it is a good idea to book a veterinary appointment to assess any gait abnormalities or lameness. If your vet is certified in spinal manipulation or acupuncture, now is the time for a pre-season assessment and treatment to ensure that body pain is not preventing your horse from performing his best. At our practice, we love using the Lameness Locator in the spring - it provides an objective assessment of any gait abnormalities via sensors that are placed on the croup, poll, and right front limb. It is a great baseline, and we can use it for reference if lameness issues develop during the season.

During the season, pay attention if your horse develops resistance to his training regime. It might be a gastric or hind gut ulcer, back pain, or muscle tightness or soreness. Dealing with those issues early can save everyone a lot of distress, but more importantly, gait restrictions that originate from spinal or muscular issues in the upper body can cause improper loading of the lower limbs and result in severe longterm injury such as a flexor tendon or suspensory strain. Acupuncture, spinal manipulation, shockwave or PEMF can be used to help restore function to painful areas depending on the condition.

L aser therapy deserves a special mention here because of the rapid developments in this field. Lasers have been around a long time now and it has been established that they can speed up the natural healing process. We have used our class IV laser for years for everything from open wounds to back pain to joint issues. In our practice, we now also have a new regenerative laser for equines that we can use for treating chronic injuries. It delivers the laser light in short, extremely powerful pulses that provides deeper penetration and allows regeneration of damaged tissues. This laser can also be used for pre-performance treatments before big events to prevent injury and maximize performance.

Sometimes lameness issues develop that require joint injections. There is getting to be more research supporting the use of regenerative medicine in arthritic joints and damaged soft tissue to reduce pain and restore function. The two most used regenerative therapies on horses are PRP (platelet rich plasma) therapy and stem cell therapy. PRP is probably the most common because it can be done during

By Dr. Britt Mills DVM

the appointment and is much lower in cost than stem cell therapy. When injected into a joint or region, it delivers healing factors that reduces inflammation and speeds up the healing process. This effect can last for up to a year. Stem cell therapy is often used for more severe injuries that have a poor prognosis.

We ask our horses to do a lot for us, and with technological advances integrated with holistic approaches, we have so many more tools to keep them comfortable and happy!

Dr. Evany Forrest DVM

a new riding season upon us, now is the time to make plans to help your equine companion make the best of the upcoming season. Taking some steps towards prevention can go a long way to making sure you don’t have costly injuries and long recovery times mid-season.

- The regenerative laser is being used to treat an injury to the hock

Understanding Your Hay Analysis

By Harmony Premium Equine Feed (By Ritchie-Smith)

When selecting a hay for your horse, the options may seem overwhelming – or perhaps very limited, depending on the year and your location. Your region may offer several types of forages to choose from: alfalfa, orchard grass, timothy, fescue, and the list goes on. We have compiled our top criteria for selecting suitable hay for your horse and how to interpret your hay analysis.

Considerations for Selecting Horse Hay:

1. What are your goals for your horse? Current weight, body condition, age, activity level and health status are determining factors in what type of hay is most suitable for your horse.

2. What does the hay look like? Green in colour indicates high vitamin content, but sun-bleached hay may still be quite nutritious. If the hay was rained on in the field the colour will be faded and some nutrient loss may have occurred; however, if it was baled dry it may still be a nutritious option for some horses. Bright green leafy hay is indicative of a higher energy and protein content. Stalky or coarse fibre hay will be lower in energy and protein often a suitable choice for idle horses. In general, not all weeds are anti-nutritive, some are toxic; and many are unpalatable. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the toxic weeds in the region in which you purchase hay from, and be able to recognize these when dried in hay.

3. What does the hay smell like? Hay should smell fresh and sweet, not moldy. If it smells moldy, there likely is visible mold somewhere in the bale. Moldy hay is a concern for the respiratory tract and may cause digestive upsets – it should not be fed to horses.

4. How is the hay stored? Storing hay out of the weather in a clean and dry environment is crucial to preserving the quality and freshness. Mold or spoilage can occur when hay is exposed to wet conditions.

5. Is there a hay analysis available? Ideally hay will be sold with an analysis so that you can more accurately determine the suitability for your horse. Unfortunately, this is not standard practice, and it is often up to the buyer to obtain an analysis after the hay has been purchased. Below we outline what to look for if you are able to have a hay analysis done and what some of the values mean.

I Have a Hay Analysis… Now What?

At first glance a hay analysis can look like an overwhelming amount of information on one page, but if you know what to look for you’ll find it is not so bad. As an example, have a look at the below analysis and then read on to learn how to properly interpret the results.

To start, you will notice there are two columns of numbers; one titled “As Sampled Basis” and one titled “Dry Matter Basis.” The “As Sampled Basis” is the hay as it is stored and fed to your horse, it includes a “Moisture” value. For hay, this value should be below 12%. The corresponding “dry matter” should be above 88%. Caution should be taken when moisture values are higher than 15%. This hay is “wet” and may pose fire hazard risks, as well as suffer from mold contamination.

As moisture varies across hay sources and cuts, the “As Sampled Basis” values do not allow you to compare different hays directly, therefore direct your focus to the “Dry Matter” column. This column

indicates the nutritive value without moisture, standardizing the values and allowing you to compare to other hay analyses.

When interpreting the remainder of the hay analysis, consideration should be taken for the breed, activity level, age and body condition of the horse the hay is intended for. The following ranges are typical values or recommendations for average adult horses at maintenance or in light work. If your horse is not within this category (i.e.: stallions, horses in moderate/hard work, etc.), please do not hesitate to contact us for further information. We can help you to interpret your analysis for your specific horse and their individual needs.

Nutrient Values

Crude Protein

This fluctuates based on the type of forage (i.e.: grass, alfalfa, timothy, orchard grass, etc.) and will vary based on maturity level and growing conditions. Grass hay generally has a crude protein content between 8-14%; while alfalfa will have a higher crude protein content ranging between 15-25%. The amount of protein required by adult horses will vary depending on their work load, but  horses usually require 10-14% CP in their overall diet.  Lactating mares, horses in intense exercise programs and stallions have a higher protein requirement. However, over feeding protein to horses that are easy keepers (or not in hard work) may lead to unwanted weight gain.

Fibre Values

These are represented by ADF (acid detergent fibre) and aNDFom (neutral detergent fibre) and will fluctuate based on type of forage, maturity and growing conditions. The fibre values increase as the forage matures; as fibre values increase the energy and protein content typically decreases. Typical ADF values range from 30-45%, where over 45% may represent forage that is less palatable and very mature. Typical NDF values will be 45-65%, where over 65% may become less palatable and thus not supply enough energy to support a healthy body condition.

Horse DE – Digestible Energy

Standing for “Digestible Energy,” Horse DE is represented in MCal (mega calories) per lb. The energy density of a forage also fluctuates with forage maturity and species type. Energy requirements for horses are dependent on workload, body condition, body weight goals (gain or lose weight), and other metabolic needs. The average digestible energy value of horse quality hay is  between 0.85-1.05 Mcal/lb, which should be sufficient for many adult horses in light work. Horses in moderate to hard work, lactating mares, and stallions have higher energy needs, and likely need supplementation in the form of grain or a pelleted complete horse feed. Evaluating your horses’ body condition is one indicator if the energy being supplied by the diet (hay) is meeting your horses’ needs or not.

Macro Mineral Values

Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and chloride are

included in the NIR hay analysis package. The calcium level will be lower in grass forage compared to alfalfa forages. Potassium and phosphorus will vary with type of forage and fertilizer application. Most macro mineral needs are met by forage, however sometimes there are mineral imbalances or situations where horses will require more calcium (i.e.: lactating mares) or electrolytes, such as when in hot environments and/or heavier workloads. In these cases, discuss appropriate supplementation strategies with a qualified equine nutritionist.

Sugar Content or NSC Value of the Hay

This is a topic worthy of its own discussion, but we will briefly outline the general recommendations regarding sugar intake. The ESC (ethanol soluble carbohydrates) are the simple sugars within forage. WSC (water soluble carbohydrates) are simple sugars (ESC) plus fructans. Sugars (including fructans) and starch are energy sources for plants and will vary depending on drought/weather conditions, stage of maturity and time of day. NSC (non-structural carbohydrates) is the sum of WSC + starch.  For horses with metabolic challenges, we recommend a forage with less than 12% NSC. For horses in acute phase laminitis, or who are very NSC sensitive, we would recommend forage with less than 10% NSC.  The sugar content can be reduced, by soaking hay for a couple of hours. The water will leach some of the sugars (and other nutrients) from the hay, which may be a strategy for reducing sugar intake. Ensure the water that the hay was soaked in is not fed with the hay (it contains the residual sugars).

Little and Often…

Providing access to forage often throughout the day is ideal for promoting gut health and natural behaviour. Horses have evolved to consume small frequent meals, so utilizing slow feed nets or other strategies to provide forage frequently will go a long way in promoting gut health for your horse.

Selecting the right hay for your horse can feel overwhelming at times, but hopefully this gives you a good starting point. If you have any questions or would like specific diet advice for your horse, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time!

Happy Riding!

• unlock your strengths and potentials

• horsemanship skills

• conservation and stewardship

• evolve into a strong leader

• wildlife habits and viewing potential

• experience remote wilderness

• horse shoeing, saddling and packing

• mentor and guide guests

• start living a purposeful life adventures@chilcotinholidays.com

Becoming a Wilderness Horseback Guide

Becoming a Mountain Horseback Guide is a dream job for many. It's challenging, rewarding and exhilarating, as it connects you to nature, yourself, your horse and especially to your untapped potential to thrive in nature's rich learning environment.

Chilcotin Holidays' guide training is an amazing facilitator for personal growth and development as it nurtures one's ability to grow and evolve. It takes equal parts of skill and character to handle the responsibilities and possible stressful situations that can make or break the trip. Enjoying what you do is fundamental and through this training you can grow and evolve into a strong leader that can handle any situation that the wilderness throws at you.

For those who want to develop themselves, get involved in conservation projects and reconnect with nature, they can join a one and two week horseback guide training this summer. The mountain guide training is available for people with all levels of horse and wilderness experience. The positive and engaging culture at Chilcotin Holidays allows everyone to try new things, learn and grow. Training begins at the main ranch, and ends with practicing your new skills in action, up in the mountains on a pack trip. Skills that you will gain range from shoeing and packing horses, guiding guests safely in the mountains and facilitating a nature connection for them to participating in conservation projects. You will learn how to take responsibility and initiative as a guide as well as how to mentor guests to get the most out of their trip.

You can also join Chilcotin Holidays' online community with their training website the Wilderness Training Academy. The online Wilderness Mentor Guide Training Program teaches you the theory of horseback guiding. You can then join Chilcotin Holidays at the ranch to complete the practical part of your training later.

Horseback guiding is a foundational experience, giving a sense of accomplishment, purpose and independence to embrace the opportunities you come across. Chilcotin Holidays' Guide Training connects you to who you are, who you could be, who you want to be and empowers you with the right tools and knowledge for when you leave the mountains to succeed in your personal life.

The motivated team at Chilcotin Holidays is happy to talk to you about your aspirations for guiding and embarking on a new adventure. You can call them at 250-238-2274 or take a look at their website (chilcotinholidays. com) and fill in their Wilderness Readiness Survey.

What is the Value of Riding Dressage?

By Ann Wallin

What does Dressage even mean?

Dressage means so many things to so many different people. What is the image you think of when someone says I ride Dressage? Did you know that the word Dressage as defined by the Oxford Dictionary is “the art of riding and training a horse in a manner that develops obedience, flexibility and balance.”

Think about your own riding, do you require obedience, flexibility and balance to ride fast around barrels, to jump high jumps, to navigate steep and narrow trails, to cross bridges? All of us need to learn to develop obedience, flexibility and balance, or in other words, we all “ride Dressage” in order to successfully ride our chosen path.

And yet, somehow the image of riding Dressage has narrowed down to, for many, an image of English tack, riders dressed in white, rules which are incomprehensible and plenty, and horses who are tight and unhappy. Many of us who love our relationship with our horses, who value the bond we build training them, would like to change that image with all levels and all disciplines of riders.

There is a reason that some of the popular “new” disciplines such as Working Equitation and Ranch Horse Riding have so many elements of Dressage included in their patterns and requirements. It is because systematically developing cadence, rhythm, equal and differentiated use of all four legs, control of direction and speed are so important to having a fun, safe and successful ride.

Also, the word “art” in the definition of Dressage is an important and defining word. Although there are some specific actions that usually work with horses to get them to move their shoulders, to yield to pressure, to soften; the development of a true relationship, like all relationships in life, is about understanding the nature, character and personality of the animal you are working with.

Some horses are more sensitive than others, so if you correct them too abruptly or sharply they get offended and shut down; others are thicker skinned and need a clearer signal from you about what they are doing right and what they need to correct in order for you both to be safe.

The excitement of working with horses, for me, is this so called “art” of getting to know and understand each of their unique characters and working together with them to help them be the best version of themselves possible.

I would like to encourage anyone who wants to learn to work better with their horse to come out and participate in our Dressage Test Practice Days. These are not competitions where there is a winner and a loser. These are days where you as a horse trainer, rider and horse lover come to challenge yourself to ride a pattern in harmony with your horse. Ride a Western Dressage pattern or an Equine Canada English pattern or a Working Equitation pattern and get feedback from a knowledgeable judge about how to improve your connection to your horse. No special tack or clothing required. Come and have fun.

For more information, look for the Dressage Test Practice Days on thecopperhillsequestrian. ca website. Even if you aren’t ready to ride, come and watch.

It Pays to Breed Alberta Breds!

By Lindsay Ward, cthsalta.com

Breeders of Alberta bred Thoroughbreds had exciting opportunities to share in the winnings of their racehorses through the Breeders’ Bonus which totaled close to half a million dollars in 2022! Alberta breeders earn big rewards from the success of Thoroughbreds they have bred.

The Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program has now distributed $472,830 through to qualifying breeders of Alberta bred Thoroughbreds. This year's bonus is 15.64% of the earnings of all races held in Alberta racetracks in 2022.

Congratulations to all the recipients of the Breeders’ Bonus for the 2022 race season. The following are the top five leading Alberta breeders by Breeders’ Bonus earnings.

C & H Duggan Farms Ltd. is the top breeder with a total Breeders’ Bonus earned of $36,146. Their leading runner ABOVE AND BEYOND was the winner of the Alberta Sire Stakes Derby and was stakes placed.

Bar None Ranches Ltd. earned a total Breeders’ Bonus of $31,998. MONOPOLIZE was their top bonus earner with a win in the Freedom of the City Stakes from only two starts in the season. Bar None Ranches Ltd. bred runners Chatty Gal, Out Front, Go Mama, Silverfoot, Count On It, Perpetual Bliss, Doc Cope, Perdition, Stolen Jewel and Boss Man Can also contributed to the Bar None Ranches Ltd. Breeders’ Bonus.

Highfield Investment Group Inc. is third on the Breeders’ Bonus list with $28,011 brought in by their stable of Alberta bred runners. ONEOFTHEMGIRLS was the top bonus earner for Highfield Investment Group Inc. this season with three wins including the Alberta Sire Debutante Stakes, the Chariot Chaser Handicap and the Sonoma Handicap.

Pierre Esquirol is the fourth leading Alberta breeder by Breeders’ Bonus with an amount earned of $25,920. The 3-year-old WILDCAT WILLY was his leading runner with a win in the Beaufort Stakes. Big Z, Jeff Fa Fa, Lanny Mac, Little Rosalyn, Keepmeinpower, Kiss Me Hello, No More Jo King, Outlawed in Texas, Pull the Pin, Pump the Brakes, Smoked Ya and Wide Eyed Wiley also helped to earn bonuses for the Pierre Esquirol bred runners.

James McFadyen rounds out the top five Alberta breeders with a Breeders’ Bonus of $22,433 earned by the star of his stable, DANCE SHOES. The 4-year-old filly earned the bonus for James McFadyen with wins in the RedTail Landing Handicap, the Shirley Vargo Handicap, the Alberta Fall Classic Distaff and the R.K. Smith Handicap.

For further details of the Horse Racing Alberta Breed Improvement Program, visit the CTHS (Alberta Division) website at cthsalta.com.

Remember, your Best Bet is an Alberta Bred!

DANCE SHOES

CTHS Alberta Announces

Breeders' Programs for 2023

By Lindsay Ward, cthsalta.com

**Maiden and Open Mare Breeding Incentive Program:

B reeders who breed a maiden mare or a mare who was not bred in 2022, to a Stallion standing in Alberta for the 2023 breeding season with the intention of producing an Alberta Bred in 2024 will receive $2,500; $1,000 will be payable with confirmation of a 42 day or greater pregnancy by a registered vet and a declaration from the stallion owner. Breeders will receive the remaining $1,500 within 30 days of a live foal report filed with The Jockey Club resulting in an Alberta bred foal in 2024.   NOTE: Claimed mares that are eligible for the H.B.P.A. 2023 Mare Incentive Purchase Program will not be eligible.

**New Mare Recruitment Program:

B reeders with in-foal mares that have not foaled in Alberta in

2021 and 2022 will be eligible for $5,000.  A payment of $3,000 will be paid upon delivering a live 2023 foal in Alberta with the submission of a Jockey Club Live Foal Report and a Breeder Declaration. Should that same mare produce an Alberta bred and sired live foal in 2024, the breeder will be eligible for a further $2,000 in 2024 with the submission of a Jockey Club Live Foal Report and a Breeder Declaration.

NOTE: Mares that are eligible for the H.B.P.A. 2023 Mare Incentive Purchase Program will not be eligible.

**Breeders must be Full Members in good standing of the CTHS to qualify. Non-residents of Alberta are welcome to apply. All applications are subject to the approval of the CTHS (Alberta Division) Board of Directors.

Sales Credit Program:

O wners of Alberta Breds winning the 2023 Alberta Breeders’ Fall Classic Stakes Races, the $35,000 Alberta MSW or the Alberta Sired Races will be eligible for a $1,000 sales credit to be used at the 2023 CTHS (Alberta) Thoroughbred Sale. (Credit will expire if not used at the sale) Any $35,000 Alberta MSW occurring after the 2023 CTHS (Alberta) Sale will receive a credit for the 2024 CTHS (Alberta) Thoroughbred Sale. One of the listed owners on the credit must be listed on the sales slip though there may be other partners. Credit will be applied after the race is declared official.

2 YO Alberta Bred Open Stakes Supplement:

For 2023, Alberta Breds placing win, place or show in a 2 YO Open Stakes Race in Alberta will be eligible for a supplement paid to the owner and the breeder. A win will pay $6,500 to the owner and $6,500 to the breeder. Place will pay $2,500 to the owner and $2,500 to the breeder and a show will pay $1,000 to the owner and $1,000 to the breeder. Payment will be made after the race is declared official.

Your Best Bet is an Alberta Bred!

Alberta bred Stevie Wonder Girl winning the 2022 Alberta Oaks on Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic Day

RCMP Musical Ride Breeding Program

Our horse DeNouveau is now officially licensed for life with the Hanoverian Verband as a Registered Hanoverian stallion. This is a prestigious achievement for any horse, as it speaks to the horse’s superior quality and confirms its suitability for the Musical Ride’s specific requirements of temperament and rideability.

It’s also a proud moment for our breeding program because DeNouveau is the first RCMPbred, born and raised horse to accomplish this feat. DeNouveau will continue to produce superior quality offspring for our program for years to come, including some horses who may make it to the Musical Ride some day!

The farm, located in Pakenham ON, is home to about 15 brood mares, 2 stallions and 30 young, developing horses. The welfare of the horses is always the number one priority. The experienced staff at the farm oversees the care and well-being of the horses at all times. They address any issues immediately and a veterinarian attends as required.

Historically, the RCMP bred horses that were mainly thoroughbreds. In March 1989, we added black Hanoverian broodmares and stallions to help improve the stock's bloodlines in terms of:

• colour

• substance

• conformation

From naming to joining the Musical Ride

Each year, the foals get their names from the Name The Foal contest. Kids across the country submit their best name starting with a specific letter that changes each year.

The horses eventually go on to join the RCMP Musical Ride as long as they meet certain requirements, including:

• size

• colour

• rideability

• temperament

RCMP horses also appear in various public

functions, such as parades, Royal escorts, and other special events.

The Life Cycle of our Horses

The life cycle of a Musical Ride horse is roughly 20 to 25 years, with changing roles as they age.

Birth to age 3: The young horses are at the farm growing and developing.

Ages 3 to 6: The young horses, called remounts (replacement mounts), move to the Musical Ride stables where they undergo a minimum of 3 years of training and development.

Age 6 onward: Once their training is complete, the horses perform on the Musical Ride for about 10 years.

Post-Musical Ride: When horses stop performing on the Musical Ride, they serve as schoolmasters. They help to train future riders and perform local ceremonial duties.

Our Horse Auction

Every 1 to 2 years (as needed), we auction surplus horses that don't meet the Musical Ride's strict requirements. These highly sought after horses are excellent for Dressage, Show Jumping and other Equitation disciplines.

We take a number of measures to ensure horses go to serious buyers. We set minimum bids and require bidders to register on gcsurplus.ca in advance.

Proceeds from the sale of these horses go back into the Musical Ride breeding program.

Our Senior Horses

Sometimes our senior horses can no longer meet the needs of the Musical Ride (whether due to age, health conditions, or other reasons). When their Musical Ride service ends, we look for good homes where they can live comfortably and continue serving the public in a different capacity.

Just before Christmas, TUFF Therapeutic Riding Foundation welcomed former Musical

Ride horses Brodie and Oracle, who will be a welcomed addition to their therapeutic programming. We’re so happy Brodie and Oracle can help these at-risk youth, and it seems the kids already love having them around!

Our Musical Ride horse breeding program is already world-renowned for producing some of the finest quality Hanoverian horses in Canada for over 25 years, and back in November our program added another major accomplishment to its résumé.

Brodie (on left) and Oracle

Horsey Ladies Back At It!

By Nancy Roman

The Horsey Ladies returned to a much anticipated in-person event (after two years of online fundraising) on November 18th at Spallumcheen Golf Club north of Vernon BC.

Restricted to only 100 gals this year from our usual 132 (due to a new indoor golf simulator taking away some table space); tickets sold out in just two days (all done online; and all payments e-transferred)! These Horsey Ladies were eager to get back to business, to network and to socialize of course! Over 100 items (and groupings) were set out on the Silent and Toonie Auction tables.

During the buffet dinner we offer an ‘open mic’ and anyone is welcome to come up and introduce themselves or their business, or make a pitch for their favourite charity which is the reason we are there. This year there was an abundance of pitches made, with some also emailed and read on their behalf. Each Horsey Lady is given one vote

that evening and this year the majority vote went to Freedom’s Gate Horse Rescue in the Shuswap (receiving $5000) and second place vote-getter was EQuisdom Therapeutic Horsemanship Association in Enderby (receiving $2500). To date we have now raised just over $126,000!

Horsey Ladies is not a club or a society and there is no bank account. We are just a bunch of horse lovin’ gals that get together each November and raise funds for charity. Any horsey gal is welcome to join us! Thank you to all who have supported us over the years! See more photos and info on our Horsey Ladies Okanagan Facebook page.

2022 SPONSORS – THANK YOU!

Advertising One (Sask)

Armstrong Enderby Riding Club

Armstrong Regional Co-op

Armstrong Veterinary Clinic

Askew's Foods

Ashton Creek Store

Blue Dog Forge

Briteland Holdings Ltd

Buckerfields

Cavallo Horse & Rider

Champion Horse Blankets

Chilcotin Holidays

Circle H Mountain Lodge

Claire Christensen

Country Manor Catering

Country Manor Kitchen

Country West Supply

Cowboy's Choice

Creekside Animal Clinic

Deep Creek Veterinary

Diamond H Tack

Double Diamond Equine

Enderby Jewellers

Equimage Decals

Erica Sutfin & Kathy Jackson

Expressions of Time

Fernrigg Farm (Deb Miyashita)

Handmade by Georgia (& Restaurant)

Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb

Harmony Farm Horsemanship

Henry's Hay

Herons Landing Farm (Cathy Mitchell)

HM Krause Jewellers

Horse Eye Designs

Horsey Ladies Committee

Hungry Jack's Restaurant

Interior Vet Health Services

Janice Jarvis, Jandana Ranch

Karen Wilkie

Kathy Velocci (Crony Club)

Katie Benz 'Cowgirl Katie'

Lammle's Western Wear

Loesje Jacob 'Linking Awareness'

Maritime Travel

Martin Estate & Injury Law

Kelly McIntosh

Mills Veterinary Services

Noble Outfitters

Rancho Vignola

Rider's Tack

Rockin' Anchor Leather

Rock N River Ranch (Nancy Pellikaan)

Royal Garden Chinese Restaurant

Ruby Edwards

Santa Claus

Shepherd's Home Hardware

Showtime Events (DJ service)

Shuswap Veterinary Clinic

Spallumcheen Golf Club

Timber Ridge Trails

Touch A Texas

Town Centre Dry Cleaners & Laundromat

Vernon Vipers

Village Cheese Company

Wales Equine Veterinary Services

WE SO APPRECIATE YOU ALL!

This handsome halter-broke horse had some fierce bidding happening and sold for $215.00

The popular Wine & Chocolate Crate (which the committee donates to) is always a popular item on the auction block

We had artwork, gift certificates and gift baskets galore in both auctions!

Auction room loaded with donations!

EQuisdom Therapeutic Horsemanship Association

By Karen Tanchak

EQuisdom’s mission is to empower individuals with a broad range of diverse abilities by providing the highest quality “horse & partner” activities and therapies in an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Experiencing a true connection with a horse is a feeling like no other. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to feel the calm energy a horse provides to guide you to a place of peace. Simple tasks such as grooming your horse; walking down a nature trail feeling the rhythm of your horse under you with just the sound of your horse’s feet; breathing the fresh air to help relax you; or even just hanging on the fence while you hear your best friend chewing on the grass or hay with the sweet smells mixing around you.

EQuisdom strives to provide these opportunities to the people who will benefit from the horse’s intuitive teachings. Our program promotes health and wellbeing for all involved. Our participants are invited to share with the horses on a variety of levels based on their objectives and comfort levels:

• Introducing body awareness, learning breathing techniques, identifying personal boundaries.

• Working with the horses to recognize the silent communication between herd members and relating that to the equine-human interaction.

• Providing quiet time to just be with the horses to allow the connection between horse and human.

• To experience the non-verbal communication.

• Grooming the horses and being aware of the quiet body language.

• Partnering with the horse in non-mounted activities and building a mutual respect for the messages. Asking for a response and rewarding the ‘try’ or the ‘little things.’ Becoming aware that the journey is more important than completing the task. Experiencing the things we communicate and master on the ground transfers into the saddle.

• Learning the purpose of the tack and teaching how to tack up safely and respectfully. Always listening to the horse as we go about the process.

Riding sessions incorporate balance, lightness, and progression. Riders may begin being led by a volunteer and possibly assisted with a side walker. The objective is to progress towards independent riding in a safe and empowered manner. Our participants are encouraged to develop at their own pace within their own comfort level. The opportunity to participate in video competitions, work towards

attending a horse show or qualifying for the BC Summer Games is available.

Classroom activities are offered to improve balance, hand/eye coordination, and ‘brain games’ to help build cognitive function. “Zones of Regulation” is introduced to help develop self-regulation and confidence in social settings. The horses are brilliant in demonstrating this concept.

The instructors and volunteers are passionate in the services they provide. Education and training for the ‘team’ is ongoing. Volunteers go through an extensive training to ensure they are comfortable and confident in the support they provide to both horses and participants. Opportunities to develop their knowledge and grow their own skills are offered as well as being able to experience their own relationships with the horses so that they experience the same benefits that we offer the participants.

Experiences from two of our team members:

“ Volunteering with EQuisdom is a wonderful, life-changing experience! I believe that we would all agree that working with a super group of supportive people, our beautiful healing horses, fun, loving students, their families and support teams is not only rewarding but therapeutic in some way for each member of our volunteer team!”

“ What do I get being a volunteer? The satisfaction of helping individuals get to know horses which in turn the individuals find out more about themselves. My original hesitancy around horses has turned into a huge love and respect for these beautiful creatures that convey so many messages for one to pick up on. Seeing challenged clients smiling while riding their horse is rewarding, knowing they are enjoying themselves and setting aside what troubles they have.”

EQuisdom Therapeutic Horsemanship Association, located in Enderby BC, is very grateful for the support of the community. We would like to thank the Horsey Ladies Okanagan for funds received this past November.

If you would like to become involved with our program, future volunteers, participants, sponsors and financial supporters are welcome to contact EQuisdom through our Facebook Page or by contacting Karen Tanchak at karalcentre@gmail.com.

Tails to be Told . . .A treasure chest of memories . READERS Tell us stories!

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.

Rawhide 1964

I expect I was born with a love of horses, but they were very sparse in our small west coast mill town growing up. There were no riding opportunities, until my friend Carol moved to the neighbourhood. Then there were occasional heavenly and terrifying trail rides at a not so nearby riding stable, thanks to the fact that Carol’s mom could drive and was willing to do so. And then in the summer of 1964 Carol arrived in our driveway with a horse! He was an old chestnut gelding, blind in one eye, named Rawhide and he was hers for the summer.

The photo is of that evening in 1964, my 12-yearold self sitting up on Rawhide, bareback, for the first time. We loved him to bits and I now fully appreciate what a sweet old good-tempered horse he really was! We learned to ride him bareback with a halter, there was no other gear, doubled all over the neighbourhood, hand-grazed him on roadsides, struggled with a picket line, snuck him into the neighbour’s orchard. It was a summer of real horse heaven for two 12 year olds! And then, Carol’s family moved away, and somehow I found other horses to ride periodically into my grown-up life. Finally when I was nearly 50, I could have a horse of my own. A few well-loved horses have come and gone in the many years since then, but having horses is still just like being that kid again!

- Kerry Marcus, Gabriola Island BC

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.

TOP DOG!

Different Types of Working Support Animals

By Birgit Stutz

There seems to be a lot of confusion and lack of knowledge about the different types of working support animals. Let me help with understanding.

Service dogs

A service dog is a highly trained dog that helps a handler with a disabling condition that affects one or more major life activity. A service dog is task trained to help mitigate the handler’s disability, has many hours of public access training, and is trained in advanced obedience. A service dog cannot be aggressive (or protective) towards humans or other dogs.

In Canada, a service dog handler also needs to have a Doctor’s letter stating the need for a service dog in order to legally have a service dog.

Right to public access

Service dogs are allowed to accompany their handlers anywhere the public can go, including non-pet friendly places such as grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, movie theatres, taxis, public transportation, government offices, and non-pet friendly housing. Allergies and fear of dogs are not excuses to deny entry or service to a service dog team. The only places service dogs aren’t allowed are places where food is being manufactured or made such as commercial kitchens and sterile rooms such as operating rooms or burn units.

Service dogs that are still in training are less protected in Canada and have limited public access rights unless given permission by an establishment. Some provinces give certification for trainers to train service dogs in training.

Therapy dogs

Therapy dogs have to have good obedience, and just like service dogs, cannot be aggressive towards humans or other dogs. Therapy dogs provide comfort and support to a variety of people (seniors at a seniors’ home, patients at a long-term care unit, victims of crime, etc.). Therapy dogs have NO public access rights and can only go into facilities when they are invited in. Therapy dogs are usually certified by an organization, which also provides liability insurance.

Emotional support animals

Emotional support animals provide comfort and support to a person at home. They have no legal protection in Canada and have NO public access rights. They require no special training and are not task trained (emotional support isn’t a task). They are basically pets. ESAs may be allowed in non-pet friendly housing.

Rights and responsibilities of businesses

A person with a disability who uses a service dog should not be stopped or questioned unless there is a concern. The best way to recognize a service dog is by observing the behaviour of the dog and handler. The dog should be wellbehaved, well-groomed, not smell, and under the handler’s control (leash or harness). The dog is not required to wear a vest or other visible identifier. However, if there is a concern about the legitimacy of a service dog and/or the disability isn’t visible, businesses can ask for proof that the dog is a service dog (training certification or a Doctor’s note in the absence of a service dog ID). Only three provinces (BC, AB and NS) offer voluntary certification.

Please be aware that the IDs and certificates that you can buy online are not legitimate and hold no legal standing. The only legitimate service dog IDs are issued by the provinces after the service dog passes a public access test as well as IDs from Assistance Dogs International and the International Guide Dog Federation.

If a service dog displays behaviours that are aggressive, damages property or is disruptive to other patrons, the service dog team can be asked to leave, whether certified or not.

That being said, no service dog is perfect and they all make mistakes and have off days, but the handler should immediately correct the dog for any mistakes. If the dog continues to cause a disturbance, a good handler will remove the dog from the business immediately without having to be asked to do so.

Allowing animals other than legitimate service dogs into a business that sells or prepares food is a violation of the Health Code and can result in a fine for the business.

I am not only a coach, trainer and clinician, but also an apprentice dog trainer with Caring K9 Institute in Prince George. I am also a service dog handler, so the following topic is near and dear to my heart.

TOP DOG!

Why is misrepresenting a dog as a service dog harmful?

If a poorly trained “service dog” misbehaves in public (lunges and jumps at people and other dogs, urinates in stores, sniffs wares, growls and barks, shows aggression towards people and animals, etc.) it reflects badly on the service dog community. It may also cause access issues for legitimate service dog teams as stores are reluctant to allow service dogs into their nonpet friendly establishment after another “service dog” has shown bad behaviour.

Skidboot posing during a tour of Zurich, Switzerland

Pet Central

EVERYTHING PETS (Princeton BC) 250-295-7381

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

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

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

Canine Capers

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And last but not least, if a dog distracts a legitimate service dog, that service dog could miss an alert, putting its handler in danger (which is an offence under the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act).

Under the BC Guide Dog and Service Dog Act it is an offence to represent a dog as a guide or service dog when it is not. A conviction carries a fine of up to $3,000.

So please, don’t bring your pets - therapy dogs - ESAs into non-pet friendly establishments and don’t represent your pet as a service dog when it isn’t.

It is not only illegal, it’s also unethical.

TOP DOG! OF THE MONTH

Hi I’m Scout. I’m a rescue. When I was six weeks old I was adopted into a loving family!

I love playing in the snow and cozying up with my blanket after! I’m a 6-year-old Shepherd

Emily

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.

Farm, Fencing & Horse Supplies

Pet and Livestock Feeds 604-894-6740

Pemberton BC

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

FEBRUARY **HAPPY NEW YEAR!!**

MARCH

Do you have a WORKING DOG event coming up?

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

X.

-

P., Whistler BC

Tip of the Month - Snowballs in the Paws

(Courtesy of Harmony Farm Kennel & Lamb)

Snow snow snow, everywhere there is snow and where there is snow, there are snowballs – in your dog's paws!

Snow will gather in the hair of your dog's paws. Within the moist sweat glands in your dog's feet that snow will quickly turn into iceballs. All too often those unwanted additions will actually become quite uncomfortable, even painful for your snow frolicking pooch! Once the novelty of going for a snowy walk has worn off, you may notice your dog hopping, limping, holding a leg up and even flatly refusing to continue. If forced to walk on those iceballs some sensitive pads (especially the pink ones) can be bruised and even sliced. Once your dog is inside, they can be seen trying to bite and lick their paws constantly for relief.

There are several tips that you can use to help prevent snowballs in the paws and also ways to deal with them, once formed.

• The first and foremost preventative is to trim the hair in between the toes of your dog's paws and all around the outside so that snow has less opportunity to stick and become embedded between their toes. Be sure to use rounded scissors and lots of patience (and treats!) when taking care of this detail.

• There are safe options to help repel snow from attaching to your dog's pads such as: a coating of petroleum jelly, udder balm, or what sled dog trainer's use “Musher's Wax Secret.” You can even spray your dog's pads with a vegetable oil. When your dog returns inside they will likely lick their pads

NEW BOOK

clean - any of these options are safe. It's a good idea to confine your dog to their matt or bed while they clean up, to avoid having any coating on your floors.

• If you'd rather not coat your dog’s pads, other options to deal with snowballs would be to use grip type booties you can velcro on to your dog's feet. Use the kind that fasten at the top so they don't provide snow pockets and introduce boots gradually as many dogs will be dumbfounded with what the heck is on their feets!

• You could just enjoy short winter walks and/or deal with the snowballs once inside if your dog doesn't seem bothered by them. Keeping a whisk or a hairdryer handy inside the door works great (use the warm not hot setting). Another ideal method I like to suggest, especially for city dogs, will also deal with any salts or chemical melting compounds used on pavement. Simply, have a small footbath pan with luke warm (not hot) water just inside your entrance, useful to dip your dog’s feet into briefly then towel dry. Double win solution!

Any which way you choose to deal with your dog's discomfort from snowballs in the paws is just fine! Your dog will surely look forward to those snowy walks, all the more grateful that the effects are easily managed by their ever dedicated owner!

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

(See her listing under Pet Central)

Dogs in Translation – A Unique Journey of Observation and Interpretation

Authors: Katja Krass and Gabi Maue

There have been a number of fine books that have attempted to penetrate and unravel the complex manner in which dogs communicate with dogs, humans and other species. But Dogs in Translation, the work of two of Europe’s leading behaviourists, Gabi Maue and Katja Krauss, takes this journey of exploration to a new level.

The authors have taken every opportunity to witness situations and interactions to build their knowledge, and spent over a decade collating a library of photographs which demonstrate the myriad ways in which dogs indicate their mood and intentions. The result is this extraordinary pictorial journey through the emotional world of the dog, with more than 1300 photographs, all expertly analyzed.

Making use of split-second photography, we can see the most subtle of signs that tells us what a dog is experiencing, moment by moment, and how he is processing that experience. Not only does this provide a fascinating study of canine behaviour, it also gives us the tools to predict outcomes. Armed with this knowledge, we can step in, where necessary, and prevent our dogs suffering discomfort, stress or trauma.

Dogs in Translation is a landmark publication that fully acknowledges dogs as sentient beings. The remarkable range of photographs, coupled with sensitive and perceptive commentary, gives us the means to understand, and help, our dogs as never before.

SKU: DTB1654

$79.95, 468 pages, dogwise.com

Publication Year: 2022

ISBN: 9781910488645

Publisher: First Stone Publishing

(Editor’s note: Fellow horse & dog person Christine Schwartz of Vernon BC did the translating for this book two years ago… it’s finally out in North America!)

Kids... What Are You Doing With Your Horse?

Sisters Arya (10) and Emily (8) visiting from Regina Saskatchewan on Huggy Bear at Grandma and Grampa’s ranch in Kelowna BC

- From Grandpa Glenn... My grandkids would be thrilled to see themselves in your publication if possible.

Abby and her mini Ranger (age 24) attended the Summerland Halloween Horse Show dressed as a dragon rider and her dragon. Ranger is always a willing sport to get out on adventures with our family. The duo took best costume!

- Abby, age 11, Summerland BC

Mack riding our dear friend Lynn’s horse Drifter on the beautiful Sunshine Coast trails; and learning young how to trim and care for him.

- Mack, age 4, Powell River BC

Hannah and her new 7-year- old Haflinger/QH cross mare BEETLE.

- Hannah, age 9, Clearwater County AB

Horse Council BC - Notes from the Office

Are you a 2023 Horse Council BC Member?

• If not, renew/join today.

• Your 2022 membership and insurance has expired.

• There are several ways to renew.

- You can contact the office at 1-800-345-8055 or 604-856-4304 and renew over the phone with a credit card.

- Online: hcbc.online/

- Come into the office. We would love to see you!

2023 55+ Games

It seems like we just celebrated the Games in 2022 and now the Games Society has decided on the sports for 2023! The Abbotsford 55+ BC Games Host Society officially has announced the sport package for the 55+ BC Games. The Abbotsford 2023 55+ BC Games will be held August 22-26, 2023 and will see 29 sports and activities offered for the 3500+ participants.

The 55+ BC Games are an important part of the BC sport system and the largest annual multi-sport gathering event in the province. The Games offer the opportunity to celebrate sport and active living with other participants from across the province and experience the hospitality of the Host City.

Each year the Games attract approximately 3500 participants and require approximately 1200 volunteers to stage and deliver the Games in the Host Community.

Participant registration for the 2023 Abbotsford 55+ BC Games will open March 1, 2023. For more information about the 55+ BC Games, visit www.55plusbcgames.org.

Horseplay is here! We are excited to announce our NEW recreational program that allows members to record their horse activity hours and to be entered into draws to win prizes! We are excited to partner with amazing BC based online equine businesses for monthly, quarterly and yearly gift card draws!

Go to our website to learn more about this exciting new program: hcbc.ca/programseducation/programs/horse-play-program/ Get started today by downloading the app by searching horseplay wisebox on the App Store or Google Play to get started. Also available online at horseplay.app if you don’t have access to a mobile device.

Tons of great prizes… see what you could win in the table below:

HCBC has started planning and organizing for the 2023 55+ Games. The host community for the 2023 55+ Games will be Abbotsford BC but due to lack of a suitable venue in Abbotsford, the Equestrian Competition will take place at Maple Ridge Equi Sport Centre August 22–26.

Watch for important announcements coming out early in the New Year regarding which disciplines will be included as well as the naming and introduction of the Sport Chair and Discipline Chairs for the Equestrian Competition.

Let the GAMES begin!

* HCBC Bookstore coupon code with expire 3 months from the date emailed to you

Horseplay™

Armstrong Enderby Riding Club

Our annual AGM was held on November 16 in Armstrong, with some members attending Virtual via Facetime.

We are proud to announce the 2023 Board of Directors:

President – Carmen Letawski-Dyck

Vice

President/Secretary

Treasurer – Lauri Meyers

– Chelsey Richards

Executive Director – Em Stobbe

Director – Alana Vos-Lindsay

Director – Patti Thomas

Director – Vienna Meyers

Our meetings for 2023 will be starting February 1, first Wednesday

 By Lauri Meyers

of the month. Keep an eye on our webpage and Facebook for locations and times. These meetings are open to everyone.

We have our dates booked for the 2023 shows: April 30, May 27 & 28 (co-hosting with APHA), July 30, and September 24. Shows start at 9:00 am in the Agriplex at the Armstrong Fairgrounds. We are still working on some details regarding a June date as well.

2023 Memberships are now available on our website, armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca, and we accept e-transfer for payment. It’s never too early or too late to become a Sponsor for the Armstrong Enderby Riding Club. Sponsorship gets you: a linked logo on our website, logo on our show bills, Facebook and acknowledgment at our shows. You can contact us on Facebook or at AERCcanada@gmail.com, for more information about Sponsorship opportunities.

Canadian Registry of the Tennessee Walking Horse

 By Windi Scott

Iwould like to introduce the ten Directors of the CRTWH Board who will be guiding the registry for 2023 in our 41st. year:

. President is Bobbie Buck, Whitecourt AB

. Eastern Vice-President is Sue Gamble, Swastika ON

. Western Vice-President is Marjorie Lacy, Edson AB

. Secretary is Leslie Hunchuk, Millarville AB

. Treasurer is Kristy Coulter of Whitecourt AB

. British Columbia Director is Jo-Anne McDonald, Pouce Coupe BC

. Other directors (all in AB) are Dianne Little, Calgary; Fran Kerik, Two Hills; Karla Hansen, Ponoka; and Windi Scott, Mayerthorpe.

I am also pleased to announce that we have a newly appointed Director for Saskatchewan. She is Deana Thompson, Willow Bunch SK. Welcome to the Board, Deana!

Deana has owned Walking Horses since she was 5 years old. Her grandmother, Marlene Sams of Rocky Acres SK, gifted her Midnight

Babe 463, her first Walking Horse, and she has owned Walkers ever since.

Deana says, “For me they have always been a level-minded, versatile horse, always up for any adventures I had in mind, from 4-H and horse shows to riding miles to my friends’ houses in my younger years. We’ve been to roping clinics, extreme trail courses, and some western dressage. Nowadays my horses and I reside just west of Willow Bunch SK on Willow Springs Ranch with my husband, Chris Beck and our daughter, Brynlee Beck, where we raise cattle, have our horses and an assortment of other critters.”

CRTWH already has a number of plans underway for the year, and we’ll outline them in upcoming columns.

To learn more about us go to crtwh.ca or facebook.com/crtwh.

Kristy Coulter

Bobbie Buck

Deana Thompson

BC High School Rodeo 

By Amanda Lamberton

Photos all by Shantel d’Auteuil - Shoot to Thrill Photography

BC High School Rodeo is a not for profit society formed in 1972, with High School and Junior High School students (Grade 5-12) from all over BC, competing in regional (North & South) rodeos between September and June, along with the school year.

High School Rodeo members practice and compete in their events while maintaining a high GPA, learning from each other, and creating friendships that last a lifetime.

Junior High (grade 5-8) events include: Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Ribbon Roping, Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Chute Dogging, Tie-down Roping, Saddle Bronc, Bareback & Shooting. High School (grade 9-12) events include: Barrel Racing, Pole Bending, Goat Tying, Team Roping, Breakaway Roping, Steer Wrestling, Tiedown Roping, Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding, Cutting, Reined Cowhorse, Queen & Shooting.

In June, the BCHSRA Finals are held. Students compete to earn prizes, and scholarships for their hard work throughout the season. The top 4 competitors in each event qualify to participate in the National

High School Rodeo Finals held in the USA.

In August, the top 5 competitors will also qualify for the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals. Education is very important to the association and they strive to present many bursaries and scholarships for the grad class.

Starting each High School Rodeo, the students run in a Grand Entry to showcase the flags of our sponsors – whose generous support makes High School Rodeo possible.

All BCHSRA members are also National High School Rodeo members. The NHSRA is one of the fastest growing youth organizations. NHSRA is 75 years of roping, riding, and mentorship. NHSRA exists in 43 states plus Australia, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand.

The NHSRA mission statement is to promote the sport of rodeo, the highest type of conduct, and sportsmanship. To preserve our western heritage!

For more info check out our website at bchsra.ca.

Team Roping - Halle Easthope & Taylor Fitchett

Breakaway Roping- Simone Lamberton

Tie down Roping - Corben Marchiel

Barrel RacingSterling Schneider

Pole BendingAyla Goss

Goat Tying - Leyton Easthope

Bull Riding- Brandon Loring

The Kelowna Riding Club 

Photos courtesy of Vanessa Kopp and Kathrin Maxwell

By Ashton Wikland

In the fall the KRC members met and created a new vision to promote refreshed values and ideas for our equine community. Inspired by the core values of enjoyment, development and competition, volunteers hosted two successful events.

The first was the KRC Fall Fundraiser Hunter/Jumper Show. The show sold out and raised $16,000 from entry fees, concession, and sponsorship dollars!

It was exciting to see the community come together to support the club in such a big way. Riders enjoyed classes including lead-line, hunter derbies, and fun jumper courses.

The Dressage Test Fest followed a couple weeks later and also quickly sold out. The judge gave great comments and took the time to speak with riders. Having feedback from the judge between tests allowed riders to apply these pointers and raise their scores.

The environment was relaxed and supportive and riders and their horses showed off what they’d been working on during training all year.

Thanks to these successful fundraisers, the club has been prioritizing and investing in arena footing. Irrigation is next on the list and the KRC is lucky to have an experienced grounds committee.

For those wanting to enjoy the facility in 2023, the early bird membership deadline is February 28th.

With the support of local sponsors, volunteers, parents, trainers and riders, we’re excited to be able to offer more clinics, competitions and ways to enjoy spending time with horses this year.

If you’d like to stay connected, follow the Kelowna Riding Club on Facebook and Instagram.

Riders awaiting placings during a flat class

Roen Labreque & Lumi

Diane DeBenedetto helping in the show office

A successful day for Cindy Eeckhout

Sandra Marbry & Quinn

Megan Moskalyk & Maya

Jaimie Kidston & Summer

Family & friends supporting the competitors

Puttin’ On a Clinic! With Okanagan Khanate Mounted Archery Intro to Horseback Archery for Equestrian Groups 

Here we are at the dawn of a new year. While the arrival of winter certainly doesn’t mean the farm chores are any less burdensome (quite the opposite in fact), this season’s extended spell ushers in a perennial change in cadence that slows us down and invokes deeper contemplation.

We reflect on the year that has so rapidly passed by—seemingly without our knowing—and we are finally afforded reprieve to dream about the things we’ll do when the days are long once again. It is during this time especially that I find myself reflecting on all that OKMA has accomplished in only 2 short years, and all of the wonderful people we’ve had the pleasure of meeting along the way. This period has most certainly not been without its challenges, but much like the bleak winter grants contrasting beauty to the budding spring, so have the tribulations made our triumphs all the more enjoyable.

This past year OKMA organized at least one Intro to Mounted Archery Clinic every month from March through October in locations all over British Columbia in addition to regular practices, stables nights, competitions, training camps, and limitless administration in between. Introducing this extraordinary sport to people and coaching them through the first part of their journey has been indescribably rewarding. But arguably the greatest and most unexpected reward is getting to know entirely new groups of people, their personalities, their quirks, and their hospitality.

There is not a single event or group of people that has not left us with great memories, laughs, and introspection about how to develop our mentorship skills: we grow as they do. For a weekend we have the pleasure of exchanging perspectives and stories over a meal or around a fire at the end of the day. We get to help these great people overcome their challenges, whether it be the complexities of traditional thumbdraw archery, the working relationship with their horses, or a previous injury or mental barrier. When everyone parts ways there is a prevailing sense of mirth, accomplishment, and a yearning to take horseback archery to the next level. When all is said and done, that is really the metric for success after an Intro Clinic.

By Rick McCurrach

Naturally, we want to build on the foundations laid. We don’t want to show up in town with a one-time entertaining gimmick like some snake oil salesman from an old Western before leaving, never to be seen again. What we want people to be left with is the knowledge and techniques necessary to progress so that OKMA can run a Skills Clinic and a Grading Competition for them the following year, with the aim to have the hosting organization self-sufficient and able to run regular practices and competitions. Having this sort of apparatus is how people will be able to pursue their passion and progress in the sport to accomplish their goals. What we have found is that people who purchase their own equipment at the end of a clinic have a much higher chance of continuing, as they then have the ability to practice on their own or with their peers. Though, an even more important ingredient for continuity and success is community.

When we do clinics for pre-established clubs or organizations who meet regularly, especially equestrian groups, they have the facilities, equipment, and many others with whom they can practice and work together with to put on regular events. In contrast, when we put on open Intro Clinics for anyone to sign up, it is understandably more difficult for these people to find the same network of people and they often don’t have the facilities where they can practice regularly. Having recognized this from past clinics, and with the intent of maximizing our impact and people’s chances of success, OKMA has engaged equestrian groups from all over BC to put on Intro Clinics and get them started in this incredible sport.

Our schedule is flexible but there are only so many months which makes the calendar fill up fast! If your group would like to have us put on an Intro Clinic, we would love to hear from you and see what we can make happen.

Feel free to send us an email anytime at okanagan.khanate@ gmail.com.

‘The Obstacle Is The Way’

Canadian Cowboy Challenge

 By Hans Kollewyn

Hello and welcome to the 2023 Challenge season from the executive and board of directors of the CCC. The CCC started off the New Year with our AGM on January 21, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. via Zoom. There will be two new additions to the executive and a few new directors added. Welcome. Names and positions were not available at the time of this writing. We would like to thank those leaving and who have served on the board with hours of hard work and dedication. Their commitment has been an asset by helping the CCC move forward as an association.

Before getting into the upcoming Challenge season, I would like to finish up with the 2022 Year-End Awards. The two pictures are of the Reserve Champion vests which were given out in each division. One is the back and the other is of the front of the vest. The CCC name is on the back and name, CCC logo and division is on the front, all are embroidered. The vests had to be ordered after the awards were given out as each vest is sized to each Reserve Champion. Vests were delivered to each recipient by the end of November 2022.

To continue on with 2023, the Board will be working hard for the upcoming Challenge season. First on the agenda, will be to review our rules and regulations and to revise existing rules and regulations as needed or to add new rules to clarify existing ones. Most of the revisions and additions made are based on the feedback the CCC received from the previous Challenge season. The aim is to have Challenges fair and equal, safe and promote horsemanship for all competitors, as well as keeping the Challenges fun and enjoyable for all.

Along with revised and/or new rules, a judges’ conference is tentatively scheduled for the first weekend in March 2023. This conference is mandatory for all CCC judges. During the conference, rules and regulations are discussed and serve as a review process. This process encourages the judges to give their perspectives and helps to develop a common standard for judging a CCC Challenge. The process is a learning experience and can be viewed as professional development as a CCC judge. The conference also acts as a refresher for the judges for the upcoming season.

On the topic of judges, there is a tentative date set for a Judges’ Certification Clinic in April/ May. The clinic will be two days long. It will be an in-person clinic and will be in a central location depending on where the participants are coming from. At this time we have a few participants interested who live in the Edmonton, Alberta region and a few who are in Saskatchewan. The CCC judging committee will have a better idea when and how the clinic will proceed by late winter. The April/May time frame for the clinic gives the participants the opportunity to complete the scribing and Jr. judging requirements, on becoming a CCC judge, in the spring and summer of the Challenge season.

More information and Challenge dates for the CCC will be forthcoming in future issues of Saddle Up or you can follow the CCC on our website or contact us at “canadiancowboychallenge. com.”

I hope that the winter has been kind to everyone. February can hint at spring and provide some okay conditions to start legging up your horse and prepping both horse and rider for the upcoming riding season.

Bye for now.

Since we don’t print a January issue, you have had loads of time to guess on our December item. And it was the LAST ITEM for this column. The item was the game of “JACKS” - A series of challenges to the player was designed to have the player bounce the ball and pick the jacks (little stars) up, in a variety of sequences and in a series. Congratulations to our final guessers!

Jackie Grant, Courtenay BC

Sandra Krivak, Salmon Arm BC

Harrold & Lynda Norris, Spallumcheen BC

Mandy Doerksen, Calgary AB

Kelsey Doerkson, Langdon AB

Bernice Yeadon, South Langley BC

Heather Tottenham

Janice Spenst, Sardis BC

Lorraine Stubbins, Princeton BC

From the November issue. This was a Nut Cracker with nut picks; used for cracking nuts and peeling shells from the nuts. Way too easy!!! Congratulations to:

Cherly Brodie, Delta BC

Shirley Dudla, Onoway AB

Yvonne Olson, Cumberland BC

Bill Rempel

Kelsey Doerkson, Langdon AB

Sandra Krivak, Salmon Arm BC

Bernice Yeadon, South Langley BC

Ken Keenan, Buckley Bay BC

Paul Landry, Blackfalds AB

Jim Schenk, Rocky Mtn House AB

Cherie Kramer, Abbotsford BC

Lynda Morris, Spallumcheen BC

Janice Spenst, Sardis BC

Jackie Scheepbouwer, Cloverdale BC

Wendle Swanson

Barb Hart, West Kelowna BC

Janet Hartigh, Sylvan Lake AB

Jerry Zbytnuik, Coldstream BC

Amber Rocque, Ladysmith BC

Colleen Ross, Merritt BC

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR PARTICIPATING OVER THE YEARS!

What’s this? has run its course. Thank you to Russ for looking after this the last few years. Happy retirement to you! Thank you to everyone who guessed over the years!

Vintage Riders Equestrian Club… for the love of horses!

 By Karen Gallagher

When you’re a part of Vintage Riders Equestrian Club, so many opportunities for fun and comradery are open to you. While our main focus is on having fun with our horses, we are also very socially active. Our members keep each other informed of park closures due to inclement weather, any trail hazards we need to know about, and interesting articles we’ve read. We lend a hand with blackberry control around the track at Campbell Valley and around the Mountain Trail obstacles.

Vintage Riders saw 2022 out with a bang. There were Jingle Bell Rides, a Wreath-Making workshop, and a Christmas Cheer Brunch that involved a wonderful random act of kindness. We participated in a Winter Market at Faithful Farm and were very excited to resurrect our fabulous VREC Christmas Party with games and gifts and way too much food!

Our very hard-working clinic committee set up the most ambitious fall and winter we’ve had yet. In spite of frigid Arctic blasts and recordsetting snowfalls, all four dates chosen for our Winter Series Working Equitation with Darrell Roberds went ahead without a hitch – even being able to be ridden outdoors each time!

Clinic organizers, Kim Pearson and Judy Rochette, have taken no time off! We jump right into 2023 with a mini-series of Working Equitation with Sandy Lang. Then it’s Dressage with Brianna Frewin, followed by Liberty with Brianna. Coming up in the spring, we’ll revisit Square Dancing with Carolyn Hunter and Mountain Trail with Debbie

Hughes. There’s more Liberty in our future as well, as many of our members are enjoying this journey with their equine partners.

Now that we’re able to gather in person again, our General Meetings will again have guest speakers. In January we enjoyed a talk about rider position and balance by Samantha Balogh. February will see Brad Hannah from the Otter Co-Op Feed Department discuss “less is more” as it relates to equine nutrition and the importance of hay analysis. In March, Dr. Steve Chaisson from AgWest will visit us again with one of his entertaining talks about horse health issues. Weather permitting; you’ll see us out on our theme rides, organized by Marj MacKay. Watch for us in Campbell Valley Park, all decked out for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and in our best Easter bonnets!

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 according to PHO.

Find us on Facebook at Vintage Riders Equestrian Club – public, email: vintageriders@shaw.ca

2023 Upcoming Events:

Dressage with Brianna Frewin

Liberty with Brianna Frewin 7 ½ Diamond Ranch Trip

Jingle Bell Ride 2022. Photo by Marj MacKay.

Love that apron!

Photo by Elena Kau.

Kendra Kowalski and Sharon Dinter at Faithful Farm’s Winter Market

Susan Chaworth-Musters and Ali negotiate the gate at a Darrell Roberds Clinic

Our workshop host, Vivian Harder.

Photo by Karen Gallagher.

Trolling for a gift to steal! Photo by Susan Chaworth-Musters.

The Back Country Horsemen of BC

Vancouver Island Chapters Hold Earth Day Clean-up Projects

Compiled by Terri Perrin, with contributions from our Alberni, Central Vancouver Island & North Vancouver Island Chapters

BCHBC is an organization that provides equestrians who are interested in trail riding with a safe and social learning atmosphere, where people of all ages can enjoy trail riding and the wilderness experience.

Considering that environmental stewardship, trail building and trail maintenance are key parts of our overall mission, it makes sense that some of our 19 chapters get involved with community projects, such as Earth Day. Here’s a recap of how three of our chapters hosted Earth Day 2022 clean-ups… with hope that this will inspire other equestrian groups to plan Earth Day projects this year. Mark your calendars for April 22, 2023!

Alberni Chapter

“ This was the first time the Alberni Chapter hosted a park cleanup,” says spokesperson Chloe Wangler. “Our chapter has noticed more and more people out in the backcountry hiking and recreationally using the trails. While this is great, unfortunately, the heavier traffic has brought with it more litter. With our Earth Day challenge, we were hoping to bring a bit of awareness to this— and BCHBC’s commitment to ‘Leave No Trace’—and support a local business at the same time.

We invited all equestrians and anyone else using the backcountry to do their own cleanup, take a photo, and submit it to us for a chance to win a $50 gift card from Mobius Books in Port Alberni. It was set up so community members could participate on their own time, in any area of their choosing.

We had a total of 8 entries with 12 participants in total, but we didn’t keep track of the amount of waste recovered. The winner of the random draw was our own Back Country member Debra Ralston. It was well-deserved as Deb and her husband Brian hauled a full pickup truck of garbage from the side of the road to the dump all on their own.”

Central Vancouver Island (CVI)

Five CVI members participated in their 2022 Earth Day project

and cleaned up the garbage dumped near the Timberlands trailhead and horse trailer parking. They also worked in collaboration with the Ladysmith Sportsman Club, Fortis BC and Mosaic employees and other community members, who cleaned many different areas. Two pickup loads of trash— weighing an estimated 8 tonnes—were removed from the Timberlands area by CVI members alone!

“ While we were proud of our efforts, we also felt sad and dismayed as we clean up almost the same amount every year,” recalled CVI member Jo Hull-Sykes. “We are grateful to our members who took the time on a busy Saturday to help clean up where we ride.”

North Vancouver Island Chapter (NVI)

According to NVI member, Sharon Pickthorne, in addition to traditional ‘trash,’ this chapter’s Earth Day project involved a clean-up of a mess caused by an elk! “We had 5 volunteers who focused on local forester Harold Macy’s Crown Land wood lots. The white cones we picked up are designed to protect newly planted trees. Harold asked if we could help clean up the mess made by an elk. Once recovered, he put them in storage for re-use.

In addition to the white cones, our group cleaned up over 300 kilograms (almost 700 pounds) of garbage. One important lesson we learned was that it’s important to separate your metal before you go to the dump. Bring two trucks if possible. I also brought along a bunch of old feed bags to use as trash bags. They were stronger, easier to carry, and the metal didn’t punch through. My advice? Start saving your old feed bags for a couple of months, if you plan an Earth Day clean up.”

Benefits of Belonging:

Don’t let our name fool you! At least half our members are women. Many members don’t ride the back country, and some don’t even own horses… but all support our Mission and the work we do. Be sure to check out our website to learn more about membership! Note: All members must also hold membership with Horse Council BC or other affiliated organizations.

Country Horsemen of BC – serving BC trail riding enthusiasts since 1989!

CVI Before & After: CVI chapter members show their satisfaction with a BIG cleanup job well done!

NVI forestry cones: NVI Chapter discovered that an elk had made this mess! Note that the pink flags also mark tree plantings, and they are biodegradable.

Clubs & Associations

Alberta Donkey and Mule Club

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

Since 1980, Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association has been the leader in Canada for therapeutic riding and is recognized as such by HETI (the International Therapeutic Riding Federation).

• Certification of therapeutic riding instructors - basic to senior level

• Prerequisites through Equestrian Canada

BC ANIMAL OWNERS ASSOC. Mission is to get ‘legal’ access to non-vet practices to support our companion/farm animals. bcanimalownersassociation.ca

BC CARRIAGE DRIVING SOCIETY, Pres: Ellen Hockley 250-572-7516, Pleasure, C ombined, Recreation from Minis to Drafts, www.bccarriagedriving.com 6/23

BC EQUINE ARENA 2 TRAIL ASSOCIATION (on FB), Clinics & Coaching Building your & your equine’s confidence, bcearena2trail.com 4/23

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

BC INTERIOR MORGAN HORSE CLUB see our FB page. Pres: Michelle Kozyn e-mail: akylles3_kozyn@hotmail.com, Trail Rides, Pot O Gold Show, Poker Ride 5/23

BC PAINT HORSE CLUB www.bcphc.com, Open Show & Competition Program, award sponsorships for local clubs, youth scholarship. cathyglover@telus.net 3/23

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

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

BC WELSH PONY & COB ASSOC. (see FB) Pres: Rosanne 604-302-7650, bcwelshponyandcob@gmail.com. Breed promotion program throughout the province. 4/23

BOUNDARY HORSE ASSOCIATION (Grand Forks BC), Offering shows, gymkhanas, clinics & more. See us on Facebook, 250-443-3191, kmespenhain@telus.net 4/23

Website:

cantra.ca Phone:

• Equine assisted wellness, learning, team building & personal development

• National accreditation of therapeutic riding programs

A charitable equine organization funding veterinary colleges and students, and other worthy equine causes.

Bob Watson, President • 403-378-4323 cbwatson@cciwireless.ca equinefoundationofcanada.com

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

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

OKANAGAN KHANATE MOUNTED ARCHERY

Join us in this incredible sport of Horseback Archery in the Okanagan Valley, BC Intro Clinics • Skills Clinics • Family Clinics • Practices • Competitions • Community

‘The Obstacle Is The Way’

Contact: FB & IG • okanagan.khanate@gmail.com • okkma.ca • 250-899-4344

100 Mile & District Outriders

Promoting equine activities and knowledge in the south Cariboo with Shows,

Clubs & Associations

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

3-9 LANGLEY BC, Learn Equine Massage! Certification Course Sidonia McIntyre, R MT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

10-16 EDMONTON AB, Learn Equine Massage! Certification Course Sidonia McIntyre, R MT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

16 DRESSAGE TEST PRACTICE DAY (1 of 4), Copper Hills Equestrian Centre, Kamloops BC, Ann Wallin 778-220-7898, http://copperhillsequestrian.ca

17-May 26 CALGARY BC, 6 week advanced Equine Massage Therapy Certification Course Sidonia McIntyre, RMT, CEMT, CCF, https://www.equinerehab.ca

21-23 INTERIOR DESERT CIRCUIT Show Series, https://vernonridingclub.com

28-30 BCMT CLINIC & SHOW, Rock N River Ranch, Salmon Arm BC, e-mail Nanc y nmpellikaan@gmail.com, www.bcmountaintrail.com

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

MAY

3-7 INTERIOR DESERT CIRCUIT Show Series, https://www.kelownaridingclub.ca

5 REAL DEAL RANCH HORSE SALE, Perlich Bros. Auction Market, Lethbridge AB, 4 03-329-3101, www.perlich.auction

6 SPRING HORSE SALE, Perlich Bros. Auction Market, Lethbridge AB, 4 03-329-3101, www.perlich.auction

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

VINTAGE RIDERS EQUESTRIAN CLUB (Fraser Valley BC), English/Western, lectures, clinics, socials, safe and fun, vintageriders@shaw.ca, on Facebook 4/23

WILD ROSE DRAFT HORSE ASSOCIATION, www.wrdha.com. Barb Stephenson (Secretary) phone 403-933-5765 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) 6/23

6-7 BC MOUNTAIN TRAIL CLINIC, Hanging H Arena, Chilliwack BC, e-mail Debbie, hughesqh@telus.net, www.bcmountaintrail.com

13 SCQHA CLINIC w/Wayne Soderberg (& Fuzzy Horse Show judge), Kelowna Riding Club, Kelowna BC, scqhashow@gmail.com, www.bcqha.com

13-14 BC MOUNTAIN TRAIL CLINIC, Circle Creek, Kamloops BC, e-mail Colleen circlecreek@telus.net, www.bcmountaintrail.com

14 DRESSAGE TEST PRACTICE DAY (2 of 4), Copper Hills Equestrian Centre, Kamloops BC, Ann Wallin 778-220-7898, http://copperhillsequestrian.ca

26-28 BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN “Roots and Boots” Rendezvous in Merritt BC, www.bchorsemen.org

27-28 BCMT BUCKLE SERIES SHOW, Circle Creek, Kamloops BC, e-mail Colleen circlecreek@telus.net, www.bcmountaintrail.com

27+28 AERC HORSE SHOW (co-hosting with APHA), Agriplex, Armstrong BC, AE RCcanada@gmail.com, www.armstrongenderbyridingclub.ca

MORE DATES AT SADDLEUP.CA

Do you have your 2023 dates booked yet? Send them in (required format only, as above) – our readers want to know! Remember, we can only fit so many in the magazine, but we print them ALL on our website!

WWW.REIMERSFARMSERVICE.COM (BC Interior) 1-855-737-0110 or 250-838-0111. Bulk & Bagged Shavings, 4x4x4 Totes, Sawdust, Bark Mulch 12/23

Wanted Wranglers / Trail Guides

DAWSON CO-OP HOME & AGRO CENTRE, 250-782-3371 10020 Parkhill Drive, Dawson Creek BC, www.agro.crs 12/23

HEIDI GRANT, Equine Health & Emergency First Aid Instructor Trainer for Equi-Health Canada. Serving Northern BC & Vancouver Island, 306-717-4932, www.Equi-K9BC.com

ASHCROFT HOME BUILDING CENTRE (Ashcroft) 250-453-2281

SANDRA MAITLAND, Reiki Practitioner & Animal Reiki Master Teacher, Animal Reiki, Serving the Okanagan Valley, 250-462-4283, reiki9stars.com

HATS

100% Beaver Custom

REALTORS

BC’s Leader in Agricultural Real Estate bcfarmandranch.com

604-852-1180 • info@bcfarmandranch.com

TACK/CLOTHING SHOPS

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

TRAILER REPAIRS

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

Business Services

TRAINERS/COACHES

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

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

VETERINARIANS

ANIMAL CARE HOSPITAL Williams Lake 250-392-5510 / Quesnel 250-747-3053 Drs. Magnowski, Scheidt, Thompson, Jordan, Deitrick 4/23

CONNECT VETERINARY

KITT EQUIPMENT TRAILER SALES, (Chilliwack & Aldergrove), 1-877-823-7199, Horse ~ Stock ~ Utility ~ Dump ~ Flatdecks, Kittequipment.com 4/23

TRAILER SALES TRAINERS/COACHES

DAWN FERSTER (Kelowna BC) Coaching all levels using obstacles, in-hand, equitation. Clinician, IMTCA and GP judge. See Damarhe Training on FB. 250-808-0738 3/23

ELISA MAROCCHI (100 Mile House BC), EC Licensed Driving Coach 250-706-2824 Clinics, Lessons, Training on/off farm, www.wildwoodfarm.ca 5/23

INTERIOR VETERINARY HEALTH SERVICES (Okanagan) 250-769-4217, Mobile Equine, Brytann Youngberg DVM, VSMT, College of Animal Chiropractors 9/23

WALES EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES (Okanagan) 250-258-2299

Drs. Alex Wales and Dr. Susan Wales, www.walesequine.com 9/23

Once you are a ‘print’ advertiser in Saddle Up, you can advertise on our website with a sidebar or banner ad starting at just $20 per month. See page 4 for contact info.

Stallions & Breeders

VIEW HORSE BLANKET LAUNDRY & REPAIR has partnered with Buck’n Clean Horse Laundry Service, offering pick up & delivery service in the Chilliwack & Lower Mainland area, 604-8457179, championhorsewear@gmail.com