This year’s Bursary recipient Announced

By Tammy Mercer, BCCTRA President

In 2010 the BCCTRA partnered with the University of Saskatchewan - Western College of Veterinary Medicine to provide financial support to it student.  The BCCTRA committed to an annual bursary of $500 for a three year term.  2012 marks the second year of our three year commitment.  

BCCTRA has just been advised by the Western College of Veterinary Medicine that this year’s recipient of the BCCTRA $500 Bursary is Walker Watt.  Walker is a student entering his 4th year of the Department of Veterinarian Medicine program, and is from the province of Alberta.

The department Dean, Douglas A. Freeman, writes to BCCTRA, “On behalf of the College, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your generous support of our Bursary program.  All forms of financial assistance are sought after and greatly valued by our students.”

I think as all BCCTRA members we should feel a sense of pride in contributing to the development of our future Equine Veterinarians.  Congratulations to Walker Watt for his commitment to Equine Studies.

Advertising Rates

Advertising Rates for BC Competitive Trail Riding

Interested in advertising your products or services in the BCCTRA “On the Trail” and our website and Blog “Miles of Smiles”? Newsletters are printed two times a year and blog is located at: http://bcctra.blogspot.com/ . 

Benefits of advertising?

• Reach equestrian trail riders throughout BC

• Promote products that are used by people who ride trails and travel with their horses

• Promote your services to provide fitness, nutrional and equine health, travel and other services

Rates:

Business card (2x3 size)           $15 per issue or $25 per year

¼ page ad                                $25 per issue or $45 per year

½ page ad                               $50 per issue or $90 per year

Full page ad                            $100 per issue or $175 per year

Classified ads (max 50 wds)   $10 per issue, with photo $15 per issue

Website links – on Website and blog (annual fee)     $30 per year

All ads are should be sent, ready for release, to the newsletter editor – Nicole Vaugeois via email to nicoleathome(AT)shaw(DOT)ca Call 250-245-4405 for more information

Training begins!

By Nancy Gourlay

Four riders showed up at the Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery for a nice, easyride out to Horne Lake and back. We started out and finished up together although we took turns at trotting for a while, (at individual comfortable paces). We took a break at the lake side and shared some bran muffins withthe horses (brrr - cool wind) then came back along the beautiful banks off the river. We met another rider near the end who's keen to join our activities - bonus! It's a great horse-friendly place to have a work-out. We covered about 13 miles in under 3 hours.

Call for spring newsletter submissions - March 31 deadline

It is time to think about our spring newsletter. The deadline for submissions is March 31st - to Nicole Vaugeois at nicoleathome(at)shaw(dot)ca

Not sure what to submit? How about some of these ideas?

1. A photo of your horse(s) - in their winter woolies, out on your property, doing something new, sporting some new tack, or introduce your new horse to the members with a brief description of them!

2. A profile of you as a rider - tell us about yourself, when you started to ride, who you ride, where you ride, how you ride and what you love about CTR.

3. A description of your favorite trail - describe it, where is it, why do you like it, how far can someone go on the trails, are there access points, maps or issues with access?

4. An article - help educate the membership about anything related to CTR - horse health, how you train and condition your horse, tips on how to prepare for CTR, travel or camping tips, or the latest gear.

5. Gear and Gadgets - take a photo or give us a link on a new gadget that would benefit a CTR rider - why is it helpful and for what?

6. An advertisement - BCCTRA has a strong and loyal readership - consider submitting an advertisement to help raise money for the club while gaining exposure to the trail riding community on the website, blog and newsletter. Kay will send the updated rates to members soon.

7. Ride managers - submit an update on your ride to raise interest in where it will be, what will be new, updates on ride forms, etc.

8. Directors and officers - submit any news on BCCTRA for your region or area of work.
Make sure all submissions are sent ready to go. Send in a word file or in email with photos as JPEG files.

Thanks everyone,
Nicole Vaugeois
PR Director, BCCTRA

CTR trails of the past

Today I headed out with a couple of members of BCCTRA to explore some of the old trails in Spruston, just south of Nanaimo. Marci Leighton used to manage a CTR on these trails in the 1990's and Carolyn Grace, a newbie to the island - is keen to locate new trails to ride. It was a typical spring day - a bit cool in the shade - but it was great to get out. I thought bringing Marci would be an added bonus (besides the fact she is a hoot) because she'd have great knowledge of the trails. So, I didn't even turn on my GPS (not like me!). Turns out, we explored a bit and hit a few dead ends - and luckily Carolyn's phone directed us back to the trailers!

The Spruston Trails have lots of potential for equestrian use. Lynn de Vries, another BCCTRA member has spent hours in the past, according to Marci, clearing the trails in the area. I know Lynn is a big advocate of using or losing our trail systems - so get out and use these ones!

If folks want to get out to Spruston sometime - take Spruston Road off the main island highway south of Nanaimo. Stay left when it branches out and stop when you come to an old log sort, where you can turn around and park your trailer. There is lots of debris around from party crowds - so watch for glass. You can then head back a bit and start exploring from there. Here is a pdf map of the area if this helps - and our GPS was working fine too.

Ride managers workshop a success

On February 18 from 5 to 9, nine dedicated BCCTRA members met at Shelley Balme's place in Cobble Hill to discuss ride management. The group included some of the club's most experienced and new ride managers and a number of individuals that have helped out at past rides in various forms. We enjoyed the club's first great potluck of the year while we chatted about all sorts of topics.

The core of BCCTRA's activities is in the organization and hosting of competitive trail rides. Each year, a series of events is announced taking place all over the province. The willingness of ride managers to devote countless hours to host a ride is something we all need to continuously recognize. As Nancy Gourlay said at the meeting "it can be consuming"! But, as Barbara Smith pointed out very clearly at the event "there are numerous benefits to organizing a ride - it helps create and promote trails, it puts our club in the spotlight to land managers, and you get to meet and interact with so many BCCTRA members". Or as I found out when I first hosted a ride - I learned so much more about the sport as I had to study it from the inside out. It definately made me a stronger competitor. But the best part for me - was the fun of working together with people to mark trails, set up camp, put together ride packages over wine, and mingle at the site with a campfire and Dan Gogo singing to the riders.

The group at the meeting talked about lots of things like how we can promote the rides, build benefits for members, mark and map trails, take care of risk management issues, gain access to trails from property owners, secure sponsorship and come in on budget. There were plenty of great ideas shared and I am sure we will see many of these ideas put into practice this year.

This year the ride series is shaping up to look very strong - with four rides already announced for the island and two on the mainland. There are also a series of training rides to get folks out and about and to allow new members to learn more about the sport while riding. Check out the BCCTRA events calendar for more. If you ever want to learn more about what it takes to put on a ride - check out the ride manager manual on the BCCTRA site as well. And, think about getting together some of your buddies to host a new event!

And, when you are at the next ride - make sure to thank the ride managers and their volunteers for the time they put in to creating a great experience just for you. If we don't have these folks on board working hard behind the scenes - we won't have a sport and we'd lose access to the great trails they provide for equestrian users.

Thanks those who came last night and to Shelley Balme for hosting us at your place.

Presidents New Year Message

The year 2011 is drawing to a close and very soon families will be gathering, eggnog will be flowing, the tree will be up and all the lights and festivities of the season will begin.  It is also a time to reflect on the year we are leaving behind and the year that lies ahead.

When I look back on the year 2011, we as a club have had successes, not too many challenges and many reasons to be looking forward to the year 2012.  We hosted six CTR’s and one Pleasure Ride, we had two new Ride Managers (Kerri-Lynne Wilson & Nancy Gourlay) and two new Ride Sites (Morningstar - Parksville & Sunset - Kelowna).  We raised over $800 with 50/50 draws and raffles and we hosted a very successful Equine Educational Series in the Spring.  We had a moderately attended AGM and once again we had a booth at the Mane Event in Chilliwack.  Areas we can improve on are, educational and social events and your new Executive is already working on those issues and others to make the year 2012 a success.

We also lost some of our loved ones this past year, both human and furry.  My heart goes out to anyone who has suffered such a loss.  I like many lost one of my precious “fur friends” this past year and although it cannot be on the same scale as losing a human friend or partner, it is a loss.   My personal hope is that year 2012 will be a shinier year for all of us, one that treats us very well.

On a happier note, I am very excited that Joanne Schneider and Jo Hull-Sykes have stepped up to the position of Event Co-ordinators.  I know these fine ladies will source out many opportunities for us to promote and showcase our club and our sport throughout the province.  We have returning Directors and some new faces to the board and I look forward to their fresh ideas and enthusiasm as we move forward in 2012.  At this time I would like to thank those that are leaving our board Mary Carr, Kerri-Lynne Wilson and Karen Eigler, all of who have contributed many years service.  We will miss them on our monthly conference calls but look forward to seeing them on the trail, managing rides or at social events.

As we start a new year, I have asked all our board members to give a short bio about their lives as a way of introducing themselves.  Also, so you as members can come to know us and understand we are here to represent you, our members, and reiterate that your involvement in our club is critical to its success!

As I look forward to the year 2012, I have decided the song by Johnny Reid  “Today I’m gonna change the world” will become my new mantra, if you have never heard the song I encourage you to listen, the words are inspirational and I especially like the bagpipes must be my curling background!  From my home to yours, I wish all the best to you and your family during the holiday season and into the New Year.