Coming from all over the Lower Mainland, Members and Non-members alike travelled to the Education Centre in Aldergrove for the first of four sessions that will touch on topics from all four levels of our Trail Rider Education Program.  Instructors Rose Schroeder, Jack Breaks, John Gardner and myself along with the help of surprise visitor "Vanna Bling the Games Girl" alias Carleigh Paterson put on a day long event that had participants covering topics from First Aid kits and Group Riding etiquette to Parts of the Horse and Securing Horses safely while on the trail.  In the warm confines of the Ed centre, participants eagerly joined in the activities while sharing lots of jokes and experiences that enriched the whole day.  It was very pleasing to see even a couple of very young ladies joining in where ever they were able, right Georgia and Madison?  Will they come back for more.  You bet!  Enthusiasm ran high, and the potential for spin-off in-depth sessions is very high.  There is still room if you wish to join in  the remaining three sessions.  Just contact me, Mary Huntington at my email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone me at 604.988.8442.  Saturday was proof that learning is fun.  Come join us!  And until then - Happy Trails

Mary Huntington

Education Chair

Aldergrove Chapter

“They Had the Courage of Bears and the Manners of Goats”

By Sheila Sowerby Aldergrove BCHBC     

A bunch of us out riding, Stawamus Chief in the background

Well another year just about wrapped up, and its been a busy one! Our chapter has gotten a good start with 1 junior member and 14 adults, but just because we're all grown up (hopefully) doesn't mean there's a certain level of maturity to be expected, we wouldn't want to take the fun out of it!

Our group did a few small rides over the summer, mostly exploring the trails in our own back yard. Something Squamish has plenty of! Most meetings have been more of a social, we meet the first Wednesday of the month at Gelato's downtown where you can get the best Gelato icesomethingoranother in Western Canada, just ask Jack Breaks!

We are slowly becoming more organized. Our group has been rallying to increase membership, we purchased 2 flags with the BCHBC logo on them & 4 riders took part in the Squamish Days Parade; Jo on Kinlord, Ashli on Sugar, Briar on Mystery, and Jeannie on Dave's horse, Brandy. 2 dark bays and 2 whites, all looking very coordinated, very professional... next year we might even get more organized and do some drill!

Members of the group also took a trip over to Bowen Island the week before the Aldergrove chapter went to see if they could recruit some of the members at large there over to our side (we're still working on it!) Vivian & her daughter Andrea were great guides, and the group got some lovely views of the ocean on the ride. We hope Bowen Isl. riders will come to see our view of the sea, its pretty nice too.

So, for the coming year our executive has some great plans in mind: we will be doing some clinics, the first of which will be in January for a free-to-members teeth floating & exam demo done by Melinda's sister, who's coming all the way from Pennsylvania USA to show us what's like to be an equine dental technician. We are also planning to invite Lauren Fraser, certified CHA instructor who specializes in natural horsemanship to do some hands-on clinics. There will be a discounted rate for members of BCHBC to partake on most of the for $$'s clinics. Another good reason to join!

As many of you already know, Squamish is going through some growing pains: it's on the radar scope as being the town on the way to the Olympics and in the mêlée, our Mayor and district staff seems to have forgotten our existence while trying to grab that brass ring before it passes by. We would like to thank those of you for signing the petition to keep horses & horse properties in the OCP (official community plan) in Squamish and we would also like to report that members of the other equine club are now understanding the benefits of joining BCHBC to become part of a whole. This is really what its all about! One person alone may have a small voice, but together we can accomplish things, and have fun doing it too!

Here's to having a wonderful Christmas or holiday, an even happier New Year, with all the best to you and your's (including of course, our "fuzzy" hoofed friends) in 2010.

Shelia Lacombe
Chairman for the
Squamish Chapter