By Jocelyn Adams Plasman

COMPETITION SEASON IS HERE!

It looks like we are in for a packed season of equestrian competitions around the province. 

Horse show organizers, click here to sanction your competition either Provincially or EC Bronze. 

For a full tutorial on how to use the Horse Sport Pro online sanctioning system watch the YouTube video at the above link.

Officials Clinics

HCBC has some amazing Officials Development Clinics coming your way. Here are just a couple so save these dates:

EC/HCBC Officials Driving Clinic with Francois Bergeron

• April 28–30, 2023
• Location: Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre

Francois Bergeron is a Senior Combined Driving Judge with American Driving Society, Senior Combined Driving Judge with EC, Large “R” Combined Driving Judge with USEF, and FEI 2* Combined Driving Judge. 

While this is a Judges Development Clinic, it is open to all driving enthusiasts. Whether you are a judge, or thinking about becoming a judge, a coach, or a driver, this is a great opportunity to learn from one of the best.

More information and registration coming soon.

In the Judges Booth with John MacPherson 

• August 20, 2023
• Location: Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre

John MacPherson is an FEI competitor, EC Level 3 Dressage Coach, and EC Senior Status Dressage Judge.

This seminar will be held at the Rising Stars Dressage Festival. Participants will learn from Senior Dressage Judge John MacPherson as he discusses and scores live tests being ridden at the competition. Open to riders, coaches, judges, parents, or anyone who would like to learn about dressage.

Registration opening soon.

HORSEPLAY PROGRAM

We want to encourage you to learn, practice good horsemanship, and play! We have launched our Horseplay Program that allows members to record their horse activity, whether watching a clinic, cleaning a stall, or taking their horse on a trail.

This is a FREE all-inclusive program for Horse Council BC members ages 13 and up, and enters members into draws to win monthly, quarterly, and yearly prizes. Prizes include gift cards from BC-based equestrian businesses!

Download the app by searching “Horseplay” on the App Store or Google Play to get started. Also available online if you don’t have access to a mobile device.

BC SUMMER GAMES

It’s never too early to start setting your sights on competing at the BC Summer Games.

Maple Ridge Equi Sport Centre will once again be the site of a BC Games competition. The 2024 BC Summer Games Equestrian Competition will take place July 18–21 2024.

If you are an equestrian athlete competing in Dressage, Stadium Jumping, Eventing, or Equestrian Vaulting, and will be 13 to 18 years old as of December 31, 2023, or if you are a para-equestrian athlete participating in Dressage and are 13 to 30 years old as of December 31, 2023, make competing at the 2024 BC Summer Games your goal!

Stay tuned for new qualifying criteria and more information.

55+ BC GAMES

Planning is in full swing for the 2023 55+ Games. The Games are being hosted in Abbotsford, but the Equestrian Competition will be held at Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre August 22–26.

If you are 55 years or over, the 55+ Games equestrian competition is a fun, inviting, low key social event, so we hope you will plan to attend.

Disciplines to be included in the 2023 Games are Dressage, Western Dressage, Arena Driving Trials, Working Equitation, and Working Hunter 2’3”.

Registration opened March 1.

For more information, click here.

HCBC AWARDS

Congratulations to the worthy recipients of the Horse Council BC’s 2022 Awards! Each award winner will receive their award at an event of their own choosing throughout 2023. We received many outstanding nominations this year, so thank you to all who nominated someone, and congratulations to our winners.

2022 Coach of the Year – Jennifer Bell

2022 Bob James Volunteer of the Year – Jill Ackerman

2022 Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award – Claudia Cojocar