As long as there are young folks yearning and learning to ride and pack into the back country, the future of trails in BC is good. These kids, who are all members of the Back Country Horsemen of BC, are our future… and the future looks bright!
Hendrik Kessels (left) and Eddy Tabor (right) of the Northwest Chapter, share a lesson together at the BCHBC and 4H kids camp at Coalmine Camp, in Telkwa, August 2026.
Hendrik is six, and enjoys trail riding on his Fjord, Holger. He is working on riding independently this year, and is proud to have done his first creek crossings. Hendrik is excited for his second pack trip this fall.
Eddy (7) and his cousin Rupert (6) are so proud to be members of Back Country Horsemen and love riding and helping with the horses at their Gran and Papa’s farm.
Weston Jack is a three-year-old little cowboy who is happiest when he’s at the barn, helping with chores, riding horses, and getting his boots dirty. Horses and the western way of life have beenpart of his world since he was born. His mom is an experienced rider, and he comes from generations of horsemen, cattle ranchers, bull riders, and cowboys, so the cowboy lifestyle is very much in his blood. At only three, Weston already has a natural love for animals, the outdoors, and being involved in whatever needs doing around the barn.
Dilon Mohart, even before he got his first pony, was determined that someday he would be part of the Backcountry Horsemen. When he was three, he was bitten by the horse bug, and drew his mom back into the equine world after a nearly 20-year break. He wanted to become a rider, and started wearing boots and a cowboy hat long before his first lesson. He was lucky enough to have some great beginner lessons, and even had a very short stint on a previous world champion reiner, he had NO idea how lucky he was at the time (and every one let him know!) Now, at age 12 he has two ponies and two horses (shared with his sisters and mom) and is living every little cowboy’s dream. He has the most perfect mare at his side, Mable, who is an angel.
Scotia Fleming is 15 years old and has officially been a member of Aldergrove Chapter for five years, although she has been attending meetings since she was four! She has ridden with her granny for years, but recently started taking lessons on Winchester with Brian and Vivian. In February she took a Wilderness First Aid course put on by BCHBC. She was decades younger than anyone else there. Scotia is shaping up to be an exceptional Back Country Horsewoman!!
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!
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