By Jocelyn Adams 

EQUESTRIAN PARKING SPACES 

We ALL love getting outdoors, and the influx of people exploring beautiful British Columbia has posed some challenges for equestrians. We have been hearing over the past year that many trailheads are packed with cars, making it challenging to maneuver a horse trailer and sometimes even get a parking space. We are happy to hear about a success story in the Nanaimo Regional District, where the Central Vancouver Island Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of BC (BCHBC) worked together with the district to create an equestrian parking and staging area at a trailhead for The Great Trail. If you are interested in getting involved with your local BCHBC chapter, find more information about them here. This is a great group to be a part of to advocate for trail improvements in your area.

Graphic: Equestrian Parking Space Handout.

We are happy to see the work that has been done at some equestrian staging areas, but we are hearing about difficulties at others. That’s why we have created equestrian parking handouts that you can use if you find yourself in a sticky situation. Our goal is to educate other user groups in a respectful and lighthearted manner. No matter which outdoor activity we choose, we all have the same goal of enjoying our time outside. Feel free to place the handout on a vehicle windshield or at a trailhead kiosk.

You can print off your own at home by going to this link. Or you can email recreation@hcbc.ca to request a bundle to be mailed to you.

BC SUMMER GAMES 2022 

The Road to Prince George Starts Now!

If you are an equestrian athlete competing in Dressage, Jumping, Vaulting, or Eventing and will be 12 to 18 years of age as of January 1, 2022; or if you are a Para Equestrian athlete, 13 to 30 years of age, you are invited to qualify for the 2022 BC Summer Games being held in Prince George, BC, July 21–24.

Make it your goal and part of your yearly training plan to set your sights on competing at the BC Summer Games!

What Are the BC Summer Games?

The BC Winter and BC Summer Games are British Columbia’s biennial celebration of sport and community. Since 1978, the BC Games have taken place in 38 communities and involved over 350,000 participants and volunteers, and thousands more as spectators and supporters. The purpose of the BC Games is: “To provide an opportunity for the development of athletes, coaches, and officials in preparation for higher levels of competition in a multi-sport event which promotes interest and participation in sport and sporting activities, individual achievement, and community development.” 

The BC Games bring together British Columbia’s best emerging high performance athletes, trained coaches, and certified officials for three days of competition. This experience is an important development opportunity and a stepping-stone towards higher level sport competitions. Host Communities of the BC Summer Games will realize a direct economic benefit of over $2 million, while also building volunteer and community capacity, and promoting sport and healthy living.

Rise above. Reach beyond.

Contacts:

Provincial Sport Organization Equestrian - Horse Council BC (HCBC)

• (604) 856-4304
• competition@hcbc.ca

Provincial Advisor Equestrian - Lynda Ramsay

• (250) 470-0424
• lynda@dlequine.com 

More information, Athlete Declaration Forms, and Technical Packages are available at www.hcbc.ca.

About Horse Council BC:

Horse Council BC is a membership-driven not-for-profit association representing the interests of the equine industry in all sectors throughout British Columbia. Horse Council BC continues to grow each year with membership reaching over 24,000 in 2016. Horse Council BC actively represents the equine industry in agriculture, industry, sport, and recreation through education, grant funding, club support, government advocating, liability insurance, and participant programs.

Photo: Tania Millen