Event calendar for 2011 is here!

Here it is, the 2011 calendar full of lots of education, riding and socializing opportunities. Mark your calendars as things start this week!

• CTR- Competitive Trail Ride (competition over long distance for placing, mileage, use of BCCTRA rule book)


• SR – Schooling ride (introductory clinic to competitive trail riding)


• PR – Pleasure ride (recreational ride with education components, mileage)


• RMW – Ride manager workshop (how to host a CTR workshop)


• INFO - Booth providing information about CTR


• AGM – Annual General Meeting


• TR - *New for 2011 - Training Rides - MAXIMUM 15 RIDERS RSVP REQUIRED FOR ALL RIDES EHES - *New for 2011 - Equine Health Educational Series - no charge for members - all others $3.00

March 2nd -

Education series event: Biomechanics: A foundation for Injury Prevention and Optimal Performance with Dr. Andrea Sargent. Vancouver Island University – Building 250 – Room 215 Nanaimo campus from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

March 5th -

Training ride Back In The Saddle Jo Hull-Sykes - organizer 250-245-2852 josemail@telus.net

March 16 -

Education series event No Foot – No Ride The importance of hoof health with Shane Sampson. VENUE CHANGE DUE TO STRIKE AT VIU - Now at the Broody Rooster Guesthouse and Gallery in Cedar/Yellowpoint - map at: http://www.broodyrooster.com/ Nanaimo campus from 7 - 8:30 pm Contact: 250-245-4405 or nicoleathome@shaw.ca

March 27

Training ride NOTE DATE CHANGE Bush Creek Crossing, Ladysmith Joanne Schneider - organizer 250-245-5627 jl.schneider@shaw.ca

March 26

3rd annual Horse Bazaar-Lakeside Equestrian Centre Joanne Macalusco & Peter Reid 250-456-7320 250-395-3335 Joanne_macaluso@bcit.ca or cariboolog@telus.net

April 13

Recognition and Management of Metabolic Conditions in Equine Endurance Athletes by Dr. Raegan Brendle Vancouver Island University – Building 250 – Room 210 Nanaimo campus from 7 - 8:30 pm Contact: 250-245-4405 or nicoleathome@shaw.ca Note if the Strike is still on (check www.viu.ca) then the event will be held at the Broody Rooster Guesthouse and Gallery at 2980 Giovando Road, Cedar (www.broodyrooster.com for map)

April 16 -

Training Ride CANCELLED AS THE FIELDS ARE TOO WET Nanaimo – Takala Ranch 5735 Takla Rd, Ladysmith Doug and Mary Carr - organizers 250-245-4864

April 27

Understanding the TPR and tips for obtaining the most accurate values by Dr. Miranda Noseck. This talk will cover how to perform a basic physical exam on your horse. It will include how to take your horse's temperature, pulse and respiratory rate. It will also cover assessing hydration status, listening to gut sounds, and palpating for a pulse. As we learn how to obtain this information, we will cover what is normal versus what is abnormal. Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo campus - 250-room 210 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

June 10, 11, 12

CTR and PR 123 Giddy-Up Gogo-Nanaimo CTR manager - Kerri-Lynne Wilson - 250-245-4842 mailto:nicole.vaugeois@viu.ca Co manager - Lisa Beeston 250-722-3443 PR manager (June 12th) Nicole Vaugeois 250-245-4405 or nicoleathome@shaw.ca

July 2-3

CTR 123 Twincreeks, Duncan Michelle Balme 250-743-6192 balme@telus.net Rhonda Hittinger rhondahittinger@shaw.ca

July 15-16

CTR 123 Sunset - Kelowna Myrna Thompson 250-317-8347 myrnathompsonis@hotmail.com

July 30-31

CTR 1,2 Morningstar - Parksville Nancy Gourlay 250-954-3941 nancy@cheeseworks.ca

August 12-13

CTR 123 Cariboo Plateau Joanne Macaluso 250-456-7320 joanne_macaluso@bcit.ca

Sept 25-26

CTR 123 Chemainus Michelle Balme 250-743-6192 balme@telus.net

Oct 2

CTR 123 Sasquatch Scurry Karen Eigler 250-338-6874 jkeigler@telus.net

Oct 21-23

Booth at Mane Event, Chilliwack Jo-Hull-Sykes 250-245-2852 josemail@telus.net

Oct 23

AGM 10:00 AM Oak Room - Best Western Rainbow Country Inn Chilliwack Tammy Mercer 250-335-3390 ridingforfreedomranch@shaw.ca Note that there are a series of conference calls throughout the season but due to confidentiality the number is not posted here - members can check their email for more information on dates and call in.

New education series starting soon!

BC Competitive Trail Riders’ Association is spearheading a new education series this spring on equine health. The schedule provides learning opportunities for equestrians to learn more about horse fitness and conditioning, the basis of competing in long distance riding. While the topics are intended to help competitive trail riders prepare for the 2011 season, equestrians in other disciplines are also welcome to attend.

Location: Vancouver Island University – Building 250 – Room 215 Nanaimo campus
Time: 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Cost: BCCTRA members – Free, Non members $3 each session

For more information on this series – please contact Nicole Vaugeois, PR Director for BCCTRA at nicoleathome@shaw.ca or at 250-245-4405


Wed. March 2Biomechanics: A foundation for Injury Prevention and Optimal PerformanceCorrect mechanics is fundamental to sport performance.
Optimal biomechanics increase performance by decreasing abnormal stresses on the body allowing energy to be used more effectively. Aberrant mechanics not only lead to a decrease in performance, it also increases the risk of developing repetitive strain injuries. These types of injuries often go unnoticed until they surface as missed training days, scratches from competition due to your horse “being off”, or the development of a lameness of unknown cause. Join Dr. Andrea Sargent as she speaks passionately about the mechanics behind horse’s movement, common repetitive strain injuries affecting our horses during competition season and how they can be prevented.

Dr. Andrea Sargent BSc (biomechanics), DC, is a certified human chiropractor with post-graduate qualifications in animal chiropractic care. Her practice focuses on sport performance, achieved through education, treatment and rehabilitation of both the horse and rider. She provides her clients with biomechanical explanations behind faulty movement patterns and behavioral/training issues, which can frequently be treated with non-invasive solutions

Wed. March 16No Foot – No RideThe importance of hoof health cannot be understated, yet many riders have a limited understanding about basic hoof care. Join this session as Shane Sampson educates equestrians on what happens within the horses’ foot during exercise, particularly in sports where multiple compressions occur – such as long distance riding events. Shane will then link this information to hoof care including tips for riders to maintain proper hoof health. Whether you shoe, go barefoot or use boots for riding, this session will leave you with a better understanding about what your horses’ feet need to be ready to carry you forward this year.

Shane Sampson is a certified Farrier with the American Farrier Association and a member of the Western Canadian Farrier Association. Shane has been shoeing for over 10 years and advocates for healthy feet – shod, barefoot or boots. He has provided hoof care on the mainland and the island and understands the complexities of terrain, use and horse conformation on hoof health. He is currently the farrier of both the 2010 BCCTRA High Point Lightweight, Heavyweight and overall champions.

April 13th (note this session is in room 210 instead of 215 - right beside one another!)
Recognition and management of metabolic conditions in equine endurance athletes by Dr. Raegan Brendle (Petroglyph Animal Hospital).

April 27th (Building 250- room 210)
Understanding the TPR and tips for obtaining the most accurate values by Dr. Miranda Noseck
This talk will cover how to perform a basic physical exam on your horse. It will include how to take your horse's temperature, pulse and respiratory rate.  It will also cover assessing hydration status, listening to gut sounds, and palpating for a pulse.  As we learn how to obtain this information, we will cover what is normal versus what is abnormal.

Miranda was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where she trained and competed in the hunter/jumper discipline.  She completed her undergraduate schooling at Oregon State University, followed by her veterinary medical degree in Los Angeles from Western University of Health Sciences in 2008.
Following graduation, she pursued an intensive internship at New England Equine Medical and Surgical Center in Dover, New Hampshire, where her focus was emergency/critical care, internal medicine, lameness, and surgery.  A combination of personal and professional reasons attracted Miranda to Vancouver Island almost two years ago, where she works for both Dr. Danielle Fritz and Petroglyph Animal Hospital.