Morningstar ride summary by Nancy Gourlay

The first CTR at Morningstar Farm on July 29, 30, 31 was a success with 23 riders participating in 17-mile level 1, and 24-mile level 2 rides. The weather had been unseasonably wet in July so we had a few “bogs” that challenged horse’s shoes and boots, but kept our farrier busy!  Many new trails had been created for this event which took riders through heritage farm land, creek sides, around the airport and through various forests – some quite scary. We were also treated to a wine & cheese tasting by the artisans themselves and farmer Clarke gave everyone a tour of a working dairy farm. The pleasure ride saw local riders joining to check out the new trail system and a good time was had by all. We hope to do it again next year.

HELP OUR PREZ WIN!!!!!

OK everybody, help Tammy Mercer (our Prez) win a nice horse package for her essay. If you are on Facebook go to: http://www.facebook.com/HorseCoupons#!/photo.php?fbid=223442841000949&set=a.217381391607094.63170.152903214721579&type=1&theater and click on Tammy's picture (bottom left - she has a black horse) and click LIKE button.

If you don't see a LIKE button follow these directions:
ATTN: Horse Coupon Book fans!!! The "Gift of the Horse" contest is in full swing and our contestants would love your help! Do you think this is Jonathan Field's biggest fan? If you want to see this essay make it to the Semi-Finals, click "Like" when you're finished reading. If you’re new to HCB and do not see the word “Like” below, simply go to our wall first (www.Facebook.com/HorseCoupons) and click the big “Like” button at the top of the page to become a fan!

Giddy-Up Gogo - Volunteers

Hi all,

If you can't ride at this upcoming CTR perhaps you would like to come out and volunteer? We really appreciate people with horse skills helping out!

We need 2 or 3 drag riders (last horse out to follow the trail to make sure no one is injured or lost etc.). The drag riders would have to be competent trail riders with horses capable of riding up to 40 miles but slower than race pace.

We also need P&R crews etc.

We would need a firm commitment to time available and positions. Many people have offered pending their work schedules/camping schedules etc but we can't have people backing out last minute because they are called in to work.

Volunteers would need to be available on Friday June 10 at around 2pm for a volunteer orientation to get prepared for duties. Vet checks begin at 4pm.

Please email me if you can volunteer.
kerter@shaw.ca

Giddy-Up Gogo CTR Now 30% FULL

To avoid disappointment, send in your application forms for Giddy-Up Gogo CTR and Pleasure Ride. The CTR is now 30% full and we still have 7 weeks until the competition. The CTR is capped at 40 riders.

The only way to confirm your spot is to send in your application with signed waiver and cheque.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Any questions contact me at kerter@shaw.ca

Kerri-Lynne

BCCTRA Training Ride - March 27

By Joanne Schneider

Four members of BCCTRA participated in the 2 – 2.25 hour ride on Sunday March 27. There were challenges for both rider and horse. The first hour of the ride was through more wider trails giving both riders and horses a chance to settle in. Still in that first hour we went under a train tressle, through a creek , up a long gradual road where we took the opportunity to do some trotting, we crossed two foot bridges, past a large culvert and went through a muddy goey scarry large puddle. All the horses were great. After following more trails through the bush we crossed out onto the logging road and began the second half of the ride – which in my opinion was the funnest part. Mostly uphill , cross a nice clear shallow stream, up a bank and then up and up. Weaving through trees, watching our knees, ducking around low limbs, up a long 1.5’ wide trail along side a steep bank (many thanks to the dirt bikers who built a lot of the trail we were now covering!). Emerging at the top of a forested hill was a clearing surrounding by Arbutus trees and containing a large compound made with saplings tied together for wind buffers, a fire pit in the middle (I’m sure for seasonal use), and of course a blue tarped lean to -- which just happened to flap when the last rider – Kerri Lynne on her young 5 year old was just going past ! We all heard it and held our breaths. He was a trooper and didn’t react. After taking a breather and taking in the surroundings, we carried on down a trail to an old forestry road, then back around and up another winding trail I have jokingly nicknamed “The Crime Scene Trail” - as there is lots of the yellow tape strung across wrong turns or loose banks. There are tight turns and a mossy rock face to cross bringing us back to the compound. From there we retraced our steps back – so down hill now and down the long steep narrow trail - back to the main logging road (at this point a light rain started to fall) . We used the last kilometer of road as a cool down before arriving at the horsetrailers. We were all too busy riding to take photos, but on the cooldown managed to snap a couple photos.

Learning about Hoof Health

On March 16, Shane Sampson and Mark Hobby delivered an informative talk on hoof health for members of the equestrian community as part of the BCCTRA Equine Education Series. Approximately 15 people showed up to learn about how the hoof and foot are put together, what happens to them when riding, and how to maintain hoof health.

They tailored the talk to educate long distance riders - which was very helpful. Building upon ideas introduced from Andrea's talk in the first session, they talked about basic hoof comformation and how it can potentially limit performance. For example, Shane stressed how a flat footed horse has more difficulty over long distances due to its inability to flex in the same way as a horse with a normal foot. Together, they also emphasized how important keeping a horses toes short is for ease of movement. Any extra length results in the horse having to work harder to come over and maintain fluid movement. For those in the audience that shoe, they handed out information and talked about what to look for in a good shoeing job - ensuring that there is support for the heel.

Everyone stayed long after the talk to ask them more questions and examine the models they brought. A great learning experience for everyone.

The next Equine Education session is April 13th slatted for 7 to 8:30 pm when Dr. Raegan Brendle will talk about April 13 "Recognition and Management of Metabolic Conditions in Equine Endurance Athletes" slated to take place at Vancouver Island University – Building 250 – Room 215 Nanaimo campus from 7 - 8:30 pm. Please note that if the University is still on strike, the talk will take place at the Broody Rooster Guesthouse and Gallery - 2980 Giovando Road, in Cedar. Check the VIU website to find out or call Nicole at 250-245-4405 or email at nicoleathome@shaw.ca

Learning about biomechanics with Andrea Sargent

By Nicole Vaugeois

The Equine Educations series has begun! On Wednesday night at Vancouver Island University, we had the opportunity to learn about biomechanics from Dr. Andrea Sargent. Andrea is enthusiastic about what she does and shared a whirlwind of ideas with us in the 1.5 hour session. For those that couldn't attend - here are a couple of tidbits that I took away...

• Competitive Trail is a great sport because it focuses on the fitness and conditioning of the horse. The way we judge our horses - 60% is based on biomechanics - which Andrea supported.
• The way our horses is built can indicate a lot about their function - so structure can indicate functionality. At the same time, how our horses function over time, can also influence their structure.
• She encourages horses to keep active - use it or lose it - as muscle maintenance is vital to support our horses movement.
• She encouraged us to train our horses over varied terrain - this allows them to learn to use their body effectively, prior to competition.
• She demonstrated how forward movement is a result of a bow and sling action - initiated in the hind end. The spine, if healthy, carries the movement generated in the hind end up and then out. If there are any structural issues with the spine, which can be caused by a number of things (conformation, poor saddle, poor riding...), then the energy gets blocked, diffused into the muscles and the horse will have to compensate in other ways to move forward.
• She showed us a few images of horses conformation and indicated how the alignment of key joints in the hind and foreleg, can influence a horses movement.
• And - the fun part, she demonstrated a few of these on our audience members!

On behalf of BCCTRA, thanks Andrea for your time and expertise. For those who missed the event, mark your calendar for March 16th when Shane Sampson will go into Hoof care with us. Same place, same time - Vancouver Island University at 7-8:30 pm in Building 250- room 215. Members are free and non members are $3 - and there are door prizes too!