The Central Vancouver Island chapter of BCHBC has enjoyed a full, fun year of activities. With a healthy membership of 112, many of our gatherings are held at the Spruston Ride site, which is available to all BCHBC members. At least four clean-up work bees in 2024 have gone in to keeping this site and the trails safe and enjoyable.
We hosted our annual “geo-cache” event over several Spring months, with great prizes, designed to get our members out and exploring. Eight “new” trails were added to our map this year and will be online for 2025. Send us an email at cvi.bchorsemen@gmail.com for info if you’re wanting to check it out.
Inspired by the success of the annual provincial Rendezvous, we hosted, along with the Silver Spur Riding Club, a Coastal Jamboree over three days in August at the Coombs Fairgrounds. Eighty attendees, with sixty horses, from five chapters, camped and enjoyed a wide variety of presentations from eight clinicians and veterinarians. We learned about digital mapping tools, horse and human bodywork, hoof boots, horse vital signs, equine chiropractic, arena obstacle challenge, and line dancing! 
We played gymkhana-style team games and rode three trail systems from the grounds, including a scavenger hunt and “ice-cream ride” in the dark. Meals were made and shared and we all made new friends and re-connected with old friends.
Finally, we hosted a Fundraising Ride where donations totalling over $3,700 were sent to the BC Cancer Foundation. Many of our members having been directly or indirectly impacted by cancer. We all felt encouraged to do what we can.
Maestro cookie maker Tara Rice with vice-chair Cheryl Oickle
The well-marked trails, barbeque, souvenir T-shirts, and shared stories, made this a truly memorable event for members of three Island Chapters that were represented. We will try to host this again in 2025. Ride on!!
Submitted by Nancy Gourlay
BCHBC is privileged to have Saddle Up Magazine as ‘the official voice’ of our province-wide organization. We value this partnership and encourage you to check out Saddle Up magazine online and consider supporting this BC-based publication by purchasing a subscription. You may also pick up printed copies of Saddle Up in 156 cities/towns with 340 outlets, mainly in BC and Alberta, as well as other parts of Canada and the US. It’s free!
Read the December issue of Saddle Up including the BCHBC story. Or enjoy our feature story right here.
