It's not often in life that a person has the opportunity to relate some of the history of an old friend who is still doing what he loves to do, which in this case is trail riding. Ken Fleming of the BCHBC Kootenay/Boundary Chapter turned 90 on Nov. 22/09. He is one of our more active riding members and there are not too many periods during the summer that Ken and Joker do not get out on at least 2 or 3 rides a week.

Ken is not the tallest person you will ever meet and has had to apply ingenuity to allow him to ride. He has built a hinged platform attached to the side of his barn that enables him to saddle and get mounted and the reverse on arriving back home. Ken was a participant in RV 09 and the 4-day pack trip and on any given day during our rides when a rest stop or lunchtime came Ken and Joker would be seen heading off in one direction or another looking for a log or stump to assist with the dis and remount.

Joker is a good horse; he and Ken have a great relationship but Joker likes to test the old man's patience. Frequently Ken can be heard having a conversation with Joker (one sided obviously), about what is expected, most of these discussions are spiced with typical cowboy expletives, but the required result is always achieved.

During Rendezvous and the pack trip Ken took on the entire responsibility of meals for our group of four that included the menu, shopping, prior preparation and the cooking of which the result was great meals for the week we were away. We benefited from Ken's many years of camp culinary experience.

Ken was born in the US and came to Canada with his family in the early twenties. His life has seen many career changes, some of which were logging, sawmill owner/worker,trucking owner/operator and farmer. He now lives near Castlegar where he can be close to his two daughters Leona and Lorie; his son Bill lives in Edmonton.

Those of us who are fortunate to be in Ken's circle of friends are looking forward to enjoying many more rides and wet saddle blankets with Ken. Happy Birthday old buddy!

Submitted by Graham Jones

Courtesy of Saddle Up Magazine

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