Cowichan Ride a success

It was a beautiful sunny day in the Cowichan Valley (it poured rain the night before) for the annual competitive Trail Ride July 1st. It was held this year for the first time based out of the Glenora Trail Head Park in Glenora B.C. west of Duncan. This wonderful park is adjacent to the Trans Canada Trail that runs from Sooke to Lake Cowichan is setup for horse riding enthusiasts for day use with access to miles of trails.. With its big parking lot for easy turn around , accessible water and it even has corrals for your horse. It was a great ride site and a fun day. We had 17 riders start doing 20 miles in level 1 and 27 miles for level 2. Many thanks to the CVRD, to our vet. Dr. Karena Skelton, Alexandra Hamilton our farrier on call, and all our sponsors who donated prizes. Buckerfields , Top Shelf Feeds, Pets Plus, Tires UnLimited, Island Tractor, Share Kare, Mill Bay Vets, and Commercial Solutions. And also a big thank you to all our Volunteers. We cannot do this without you.

Michele Balme south Island Director BCCTRA

Training Ride April 21st, Fanny Bay

 

Depart 10:30 from 8094 Macartney Drive, Fanny Bay, BC.

Ride is logging road long gradual hill climb to an elevation of 1200 Feet above sea level. Fantastic Views, (bring your cameras) recommend shoes or boots - bring a lunch - ride time is 3 1/2 hours without lunch break approx 12 miles. Some minor road riding, including going under the inland highway, passing a poultry farm (lots of noise) the occasional ATV or motor bike, dog walkers and hikers early part of trail. Minimal water on trail.

RSVP Tammy Mercer 250 335-3390 ridingforfreedomranch@shaw.

2012 Schooling Ride and Equine Educational Fair.

I, along with my co-chair Keir Gervais am pleased to announce that this year’s Schooling Ride will add an education program; and become the BCCTRA Schooling Ride & Equine Educational Fair.  The event will be hosted out of the gorgeous, and centrally located, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, May 26 & 27 2012.

Earlier this year the Executive of our club worked diligently on the Strategic Planning document; through that process your Executive set out some goals to be achieved in 2012.

This year’s BCCTRA Schooling Ride & Equine Educational Fair will provide education on Competitive Trail riding to members and non members, and education on other aspects of horse ownership.  Additionally, I believe it will provide one of our key goals and that is to create a social opportunity for members to meet with one another in a “non competitive” environment and have a chance to share stories, swap ideas and take in some learning all at the same time.  

Camping will be available at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds and horse stalls will be available using a reservation system.  There are a number of hotels and B&B’s within a close proximity of the grounds to enable participants to come and enjoy the activities without the concerns of camping on site.

While the entire weekend has not been firmed up yet and, the organizing committee has planned a dinner for the Saturday night with a key note speaker and some of the other ideas being worked on are;

a)      Gear swap /used tack sale

b)      Various clinics and workshops on both the Saturday and Sunday.

c)       Silent Auction and 50/50 draws

The organizing committee will also be offering to all our members in good standing the unique opportunity to advertise their business at this year’s event.  We will include business cards, brochures in participant’s packages and in the event program.  Please contact me via email at ridingforfreedomranch@shaw.ca  to discuss your needs.

We welcome your ideas and suggestions and of course volunteers are required throughout the weekend.  If you can volunteer as a mentor rider for our Schooling Ride and/or any of our other opportunities we’d like to hear from you. 

Look for a registration and information form on both the BCCTRA blog, bcctra.blogspot.com and the website www.bcctra,ca  in the coming weeks.

Tammy Mercer - President BCCTRA

Co-Chair BCCTRA Schooling Ride & Equine Educational Fair

Contact Tammy Mercer 250 335-3390  

 

St Paddy's day training ride

Entry by Nicole Vaugeois

As Barbara Smith put it - Great day to be alive and on a horse!

March 17, eleven riders headed out for a St Patricks Day ride at Englishman River.  Organized and lead by Nancy Gourlay and Barbara Smith, the ride was great. Trails routed through trees, single track, wide trails and a bit of bushwacking!  Nancy even made muffins to share on route.

Thanks for joining in everyone and to our hosts for the day.  These rides are a great way to train while socializing with other riders - make sure to put the next ones on the calendar!

2012 Event calendar shaping up nicely!

·         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)

·         AGM – Annual General Meeting

·         TR - Training Ride - open to members and non-members (fee may apply to non members)

Date	Type	Level[1]	Ride name or location	Ride manager(s)	Phone	Email
Feb 18	RMW		Balme Residence	Shelley Balme	250 743 6192	obalme@seaside.net
Feb 18	TR	Level 2 speed	Fish Hatchery Big Qualicum River	Nancy Gourlay	250 954 3941	nancy@cheesworks.ca
March 17	TR		Central Island area Location Englishman River	Nancy Gourlay	250 954 3941	nancy@cheesworks.ca
April 21	TR		Central Island area Location TBA	Tammy Mercer	250 335-3390	ridingforfreedomranch@shaw.ca
May 19	TR		Central Island Area Location (Cedar area)	Nancy Gourlay	250 954 3941	nancy@cheesworks.ca
May 26 & 27	SR		Cowichan Exhibition Grounds	Tammy Mercer Keir Gervais	250 335-3390	ridingforfreedomranch@shaw.ca
June16	TR	2	Chemainus Ride Site	Shelley Balme	250 743 6192	obalme@seaside.net
June 30- July 1	CTR	123	Cowichan Competitive Trail Ride	Shelley Balme	250-743-6192	obalme@seaside.net
July 14	CTR		Sunset CTR	Myrna Thompson	250-317-8347	myrnathompsonis@hotmail.com
July 27,28,29	CTR	1,2,3	Morning Star	Nancy Gourlay	250 954 3941	nancy@cheesworks.ca
August 10-11	CTR	123	Cariboo Plateau	Joanne Macaluso	250-456-7320	joanne_macaluso@bcit.ca
Sept 29-30	CTR		Chemainus River CTR	Shelley Balme	250 743 6192	obalme@seaside.net
Oct 20	AGM	N/A	Best Western Chilliwack BC	Tammy Mercer	250-335-3390	ridingforfreedomranch@shaw.ca

[1] Level one rides are up to 20 miles at 5 mph, level 2 rides are between 20-30 miles at 6 mph and level 3 rides are between 30-40 miles at 6.5-7 mph. 

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