Issuu

BC’S EQUINE LIFESTYLE

Inside This Issue Emergency Response App

55+ Games Recap

FALL 2026

Racing

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Local Touch. National Strength.

BC’S Equine Lifestyle FALL 2026 Published quarterly by Horse Council BC #102 - 8047 199th Street, Langley, BC V2Y 1S2 Toll Free: 1-800-345-8055 www.hcbc.ca

News 2. Chair’s Message 3. Membership 5. Outreach 6. Acera Inc.

Competition Horse Council BC is a membershipdriven not-for-profit association representing the interests of the equine industry in all sectors throughout British Columbia. Horse Council BC represents the equine industry in agriculture, industry, sport, and recreation through education, grant funding, club support, government advocating, liability insurance, and participant programs.

7. Endurance Championships 8. 55+ BC Games

Interest 11. Equine Register Survey 12. Recreation 14. Awards

Horse Council BC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport.

Industry 16. Racing 18. Emergency Response App

HCBC Board Chair’s Message By Lynda Atkinson| HCBC Board Chair

As I reflect on this past summer, I am reminded of the efforts and resilience of our equestrian community. From the sun drenched and sometimes smokey arenas of July to the crisp clear mornings of late September, Horse Council has remained steadfast in its mission to support, promote, and protect the interests of our diverse membership. This summer brought its share of challenges. The difficult decision to withdraw equestrian sports from the BC Summer Games because of lack of venue was a disappointment to many. This challenge has only sharpened our focus on advocating for the long term sustainability of our sport. It serves as a stark reminder of the necessity for robust provincial and national infrastructure, and HCBC is actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the resources will be available. Despite these hurdles, the season was marked by incredible activity across the province. Our clubs and event organizers truly shone. The Interior Provincial Exhibition was a great success. The Campbell Valley Horse Trials in August, once again demonstrated the excellence of our riders and the skill of our volunteers. Similarly, educational initiatives like the “Through the eyes of a Ranch Horse Judge” clinic highlighted our commitment to fostering growth, learning, and skill development at every level of horsemanship. HCBC has invested in a learning platform called Momentum and will be developing more learning experiences over the winter together with other provincial organizations for your skill development and learning. Watch for these programs listed on the website. Do not forget that our grant programs are active and remain vital for supporting local equestrian clubs, maintaining safe and accessible trails, and promoting educational outreach throughout BC. These resources are the backbone of our community, and we are proud to see them utilized effectively to keep our sport and recreation active. Nominations for the 2026 HCBC Awards are officially open, offering a wonderful opportunity to recognize the achievements of volununteers who work tirelessly in the barns and behind the scenes. I encourage you to take a moment to nominate someone who inspires you. We celebrate that standardbred racing is once again happening in British Columbia at Desert Park Raceway in Osoyoos and wish the Thoroughbred Racing organizations the best in their efforts to begin racing again in 2027. This is a part of the horse industry that needs to be recognized as it supports hay and feed producers, breeders, farriers, veterinarians, and many other parts of the agriculture and farming communities. Races in Osoyoos are Sunday and Monday afternoons at Desert Park. You can join the fun in Osoyoos, or on Facebook under Desert Park Raceway. As we transition into a busy autumn, I am filled with optimism. Our community is strong and Active. Horse Council BC thanks you for your continued engagement. It is your energy and enthusiasm that fuels our progress together. It is our hope that we can continue this journey with positive growth and future planning as we move forward.

Warmly, Lynda Atkinson Chair 2

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

Membership

Are you interested in signing up for automatic renewal and avoiding the hassle of answering the same questions every year with Horse Council BC? If so, here’s how you can make your membership renewal process smoother and more efficient. HOW TO SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL There are two easy ways to sign up for automatic renewal: 1. Online or Phone Renewal When renewing your membership, either online or over the phone, you’ll find a small box on the last page of the renewal process. This box contains a description of what you agree to. Simply click the box and complete your payment to sign up for automatic renewal. 2. Speak with a Staff Member If you’re renewing your membership

through a staff member, just let them know at the beginning of the process that you’d like to enroll in automatic renewal, and they’ll take care of the rest.

OPTING OUT OF AUTOMATIC RENEWAL

ALREADY RENEWED BUT WANT TO SIGN UP FOR AUTOMATIC RENEWAL?

If you change your mind and want to opt out of automatic renewal, you can either:

If you’ve already renewed your membership but want to sign up for automatic renewal, follow these steps:

1. Call the office and request a staff member to remove your automatic renewal details, or

1. Log in to your account on the Horse Council BC website.

2. Do it yourself by following these steps:

in August.

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2. Once logged in, click on ME in the dark blue banner at the top of the page.

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Click on ME in the dark blue banner at the top of the page.

3. Select Profile and scroll to the bottom of the page.

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Select Profile.

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Scroll to the bottom and remove your payment details under Payment Details

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Click Update to save the changes.

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Click ME again and scroll down to Logout.

4. Under Payment Details, enter your credit card information. 5. Click Update to save the changes. 6. To finish, click ME again and scroll down to Logout. You’ve now successfully set up automatic renewal! NOT RENEWED BUT WENT ONLINE AND ENTERED YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS. If you are not renewed and simply put in your payment details, this does NOT automatically renew your membership online. Membership renewal is done once a year in November-December months for the following year. AUTOMATIC RENEWALS FOR 2027 For the year 2027 membership, automatic renewals will occur between December 6th and 12th, 2026. If you’re signed up, you’ll receive monthly reminders starting

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

EXPIRED CREDIT CARDS If you’ve been receiving notifications about your credit card being removed from your account, this simply means that your credit card has expired. Don’t worry — your Horse Council BC membership is still valid until the end of the year. By signing up for automatic renewal, you’re ensuring a seamless and stressfree membership experience. If you have any further questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Membership

Have Your Say: HCBC Membership Survey Now Open

At Horse Council BC, our members are at the heart of everything we do. From education and advocacy to insurance, grants, programs, and member services, your feedback helps guide the direction of our organization and ensures we continue to meet the needs of British Columbia’s diverse equestrian community. That’s why we’re inviting all HCBC members to take part in our 2026 Membership Survey. Whether you’re a recreational rider, coach, instructor, athlete, breeder, horse owner, industry professional, volunteer, or supporter of the equine sector, we want to hear about your experiences, priorities, and ideas for the future. The information gathered through this survey will help HCBC better understand the needs of our members, identify areas for improvement, and shape future programs, services, communications, and advocacy efforts.

This year’s survey has been designed to be straightforward and easy to complete, while still gathering valuable feedback on a range of topics that are important to the BC equestrian community. All responses will remain strictly confidential, and results will be reviewed in aggregate to help inform organizational planning and decision-making. As a thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts, participants will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win one of the following: One-year Individual HCBC Membership (2 winners) $100 HCBC Store Gift Card (2 winners) $100 Visa Gift Card (1 winner) The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, but the impact of your feedback can help shape the future of HCBC and the services we provide to members across the province. We encourage all members to participate and make their voices heard. Complete the survey today: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZHBNRN6 Thank you for helping us build a stronger, more connected, and better-supported equestrian community in British Columbia. Every response matters, and we appreciate your time and input.

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

Outreach

HCBC Summer Outreach: Connecting with Equestrians Across the Interior

Summer and early fall provided HCBC with two fantastic opportunities to connect with equestrians and agricultural communities in BC’s Interior. Through booth outreach, conversations with members and sharing information about HCBC programs and services, we were proud to attend both the Interior Provincial Exhibition (IPE) in Armstrong and the Quesnel Fall Fair. The IPE took place September 2-6, 2026, at the Armstrong Fairgrounds. HCBC’s booth was located near the Light Horse Barn and arena, providing a great opportunity to connect directly with horse owners, riders and enthusiasts attending one of the province’s largest agricultural exhibitions. Bree Patterson, HCBC’s Manager of Marketing & Communications, staffed the booth for a couple of days throughout the event. While Mother Nature certainly made her presence known this year, with wet and drizzly conditions creating a soggy fair experience for much of the week, visitors who ventured by the booth were happy to see HCBC represented on the grounds. Despite the weather, meaningful conversations took place with members and prospective members alike, highlighting the importance of maintaining a visible presence within BC’s equestrian community. A few days later, HCBC was also pleased to be represented at the Quesnel Fall Fair, held September 5-6, 2026, at Alex Fraser Park in Quesnel. Representing HCBC was Lynda Atkinson, Chair of HCBC’s Board of Directors. In contrast to the rainy conditions experienced in Armstrong, the Quesnel event offered beautiful weather, comfortable temperatures and the perfect autumn atmosphere. The fairgrounds were filled with agricultural exhibits, local organizations, families and community members enjoying all that the event had to offer, creating an idyllic fall fair experience. Weather that weekend had much more favourable conditions which made it ideal for outdoor activities and community engagement. Outreach remains an important part of HCBC’s mission to connect with and support equestrians throughout the province. Whether at large agricultural exhibitions, community fairs, competitions or local events, these opportunities allow us to share information about membership benefits, advocacy work, insurance programs, education opportunities and the many ways HCBC supports BC’s horse community. As we look ahead to 2027, HCBC hopes to expand its outreach efforts and attend even more events around the province. If you know of a fair, horse show, community celebration or other event that would be a great fit for an HCBC booth, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to communication@hcbc.ca with your suggestions. Even when we’re unable to attend in person, we’re always happy to provide brochures, handouts, membership information and other resources to help share HCBC’s work with your local horse community. We look forward to connecting with more equestrians across British Columbia in 2027!

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

Dear PTSO Member, We are pleased to share an important milestone in the evolution of Acera Insurance. In the coming weeks, Acera will begin operating under the Navacord name. While our name is changing, the things that matter most to you are not. Your insurance coverage, insurer relationships, and day-to-day contacts will remain the same. You will continue to receive the same specialized equine insurance expertise and responsive service from the team you know and trust. As part of this transition, you will begin to see the Navacord name on communications, documents, and other materials. No action is required on your part. This change reflects our continued growth and commitment to serving Canada's equestrian community by capitalizing on the partnership, strength, and resources of one of Canada's leading insurance brokerages. If you have any questions, please contact your usual representative. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. Sincerely, Michael A. King National Director, Equine Insurance Navacord

Local Touch. National Strength.

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026 6

Competition

B.C. Rider Qualifies For World Endurance Championships 2026 In December 2024, Stephanie Richter followed a word-ofmouth recommendation and Facebook message from Melody Blittersdorf, to ride her horse Forward Motion CH (Moe), at the Goethe Gallivant endurance ride in Dunnellon, Florida. Almost two years and two Christmasses spent competing in Florida later, she is one of the five Canadian athletes, qualified and shortlisted for one of the four spots on Team Canada for the World Endurance Championships, taking place on 19 December in Butheeb (Abu Dhabi), UAE. Stephanie’s road to the championships has been unconventional: “I have never in my life owned a horse, don’t come from money, have no rich - or any! - husband, and work a regular 9-5, so I had to be creative in how to finance this not exactly budget-friendly endeavor - I did a lot of pet, house and farm sitting on top of my laptop job. Just the other day, I finally binned the sneakers that took me through all 6 qualifying rides and that I bought at a local thrift store for less than 10 bucks! At the same time, I was very fortunate to meet many incredible and generous horse people on both sides of the border - plus, everything I own fits into my Rav4, I have neither a mortgage nor kids. So that helps, for sure!” she chuckles. As the only short-listed athlete permanently living in Canada, she ponders on the future of the sport: “There are definitely challenges to overcome! We currently don’t have any FEI sanctioned endurance rides necessary to qualify for world championships in Canada, and it is a bit of a chicken-andegg-situation. Without enough events within the country, the qualification route becomes a non-starter for Canadian athletes with horses in Canada. But without enough interest, Canadian ride managers struggle to split the increased cost from FEI licensed vets and officials through a small number of participants, without coming out in the red as the ride organizer. This also leads to the strange situation that we currently have one set of Canadian endurance riders living and training in Canada and competing at the national championships, and another set of riders, mostly competing abroad on either collab or lease horses, qualifying for the world championships. Especially given the history of endurance in North America as a “man and his horse against the rest of world” discipline, catch riding or leasing is sometimes met with some reservations. But for many riders today, it’s the only viable option to be actively engaged in the sport, so I feel this is something we should embrace if we want to see our numbers and entries grow - worldwide, endurance is the second largest discipline after showjumping! And in a country with as much incredible

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

spaces and places as Canada, there is no reason our discipline shouldn’t be growing!” Her proposal? “Outreach! I am relatively active on social media which no doubt has elicited some eye-rolls” she jokes, “but visibility and engagement matters. I also hosted a small introduction clinic and ride with Katelynne Newman, and in conjunction with Endurance Riders Association of BC (ERABC) and the Backcountry Horsemen CVI chapter which was super fun! I also did a few talks for local pony clubs on endurance. Ultimately, endurance is a team effort and community sport in every sense of the word; it only works with managers, crew, volunteers, vets, timers, trail crew, and many many more. It is far more than just horse and rider. So I would love to see the ones that are already in the sport carry it into the wider equestrian community, and share their passion and experience. Host a talk, organize training rides, offer to do a demo at a local boarding barn. It would be incredible to give the next generation of Canadian riders the opportunity to compete at top level on their own horses in their own country. And if there’s one place in the world where the best way to get from A to B is on the back of a horse, it is - in my humble opinion - Canada”. You can follow Stephanie’s journey on her socials: https://www. instagram.com/stephridestheworld/ Forward Motion CH (“Moe”, owned by Melody Blittersdorf) and Stephanie Richter at their final qualifying ride, CEI*** 160km at Biltmore (Asheville, NC) in May, 2026.

Image by Becky Kirchner Pearman Photography.

2026 55+ BC Games

Wrapping Up the 2026 Kamloops 55+ BC Games His participation was a wonderful example of the spirit behind the 55+ Games — getting out there, taking on a challenge, and enjoying the experience with your horse. He and his mare certainly left an impression on everyone who met them. Thank You to Our Sport and Discipline Chairs An event like this takes an enormous amount of preparation and coordination, and we want to extend a huge thank you to Sport Chair Darcey Woods for all of her hard work in bringing the equestrian events together. WE ARE ALSO EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO OUR DISCIPLINE CHAIRS

The 2026 55+ BC Games brought together equestrian competitors from across British Columbia for four days of competition, horsemanship, friendship, and fun. Held September 9–12 at the North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo Association in Barrière, BC, the equestrian events featured Dressage, Western Dressage, Mountain Trail, Ranch Horse, and Driving Trials. Dressage, Western Dressage, and Mountain Trail took place Wednesday and Thursday, followed by Ranch Horse and Driving Trials on Friday and Saturday. Competitors brought a wide range of experience to the Games — for some, it was another competition in a long history with horses, while for others, it was their very first horse show. There were plenty of smiles around the arenas throughout the week, with competitors supporting one another, making new friends, and enjoying the opportunity to share their passion for horses with riders from across the province.

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Jutta Jealous – Dressage

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Erik Sdoutz – Driving Trials

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Cat Armitage – Mountain Trail

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Hailey Prest – Ranch Horse

Thank you for the countless hours spent organizing, communicating, preparing, troubleshooting, and ensuring each discipline was ready for competitors. Your work was essential to making the Games run smoothly.

A SPECIAL RECOGNITION One of the highlights of the Games came from Mountain Trail competitor Holger Christiansen, who travelled from Comox to participate at age 80 with his beautiful, green PMU mare. Holger had been preparing for the Games following throat surgery and the transition to a new voice box. While he didn’t take home a Mountain Trail medal, his determination to make the trip and compete deserved its own recognition. Holger received a special award celebrating Longest Distance Travelled, Oldest Rider, and Most Heart.

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

THANK YOU TO OUR JUDGES A sincere thank you to our judges Judy Turner, Jodie Moore, François Bergeron, Dennis Huber, Nancy Pellikaaan, Nancy Meeres and Susan Matthews for bringing their knowledge, experience, and professionalism to the competition. We appreciate the time and commitment required to judge this event and appreciate all of your experience and expertise. And a Huge Thank You to Our Volunteers and PROs Of course, none of this would happen without the many PROs and volunteers who worked throughout the week. Thank you to everyone who helped with rings, courses, gates, scoring, scribing, setup, cleanup, administration, and all of the countless jobs that keep a horse show moving. Whether you were there for four days or stepped in for a few hours, your contribution made a difference. UNTIL NEXT TIME The 2026 55+ BC Games were a great opportunity to showcase equestrian sport and bring riders together from across BC. From first-time competitors to experienced riders, everyone had the opportunity to compete, learn, meet new people, and enjoy time with their horses. A big congratulations to all of the participants, and our sincere thanks to Darcey, all of the Discipline Chairs, judges, PROs, volunteers, and everyone who helped make the event a success. We hope everyone went home with great memories, new friendships, and plenty to look forward to at the next Games.

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

This was my first time competing in the 55+ BC Games, and it was an incredible experience. The equestrian events were so well organized, supportive and fun, and I loved sharing the week with both old friends and new ones. Sis and I came away with some wonderful memories, and I’m already looking forward to the next Games! -Marie McGivern, Competitor

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | SPRING 2026

How Do You Keep Track of What Matters Most?

Equine Register & HCBC Survey

What would make managing your horse’s health, identification and records easier?

Every horse has a story, and every owner has a way of keeping track of it. Vaccination records may be stored in a binder. Farrier appointments might be written on a calendar. Competition results, breeding information, veterinary notes and expenses could be spread across spreadsheets, emails and phone reminders. However you manage your records, each one reflects the care and commitment you have for your horse. Because your horse matters. Equine Register and Horse Council BC are inviting horse owners and equine professionals across British Columbia to help shape the future of equine care through the development of the Digital Stable App. Before moving forward, they want to hear from the people who understand horses best: the individuals who care for them every day. How do you currently organize your horse’s information? What works well? What feels time consuming or difficult?

While having your horse’s important information in one secure place is a key part of the Digital Stable App, the vision goes much further than digital record keeping. Recent discussions around equine disaster preparedness have highlighted just how important permanent identification and accessible records become during emergencies. Whether responding to a natural disaster, a disease outbreak or a missing horse, having your horse properly identified and connected to up-to-date records can make all the difference in protecting their welfare and helping reunite horses with their owners. The Digital Stable App is being designed to provide valuable services that help protect horses and support the equine community. In addition to securely storing health records, vaccinations, breeding information, competition history and important documents, the platform is envisioned to provide practical services such as missing horse reporting and disease alerts, helping owners stay informed and respond quickly when it matters most. Equine Register identification tags will also play an important role by providing a trusted connection between each horse and its digital record. In an emergency, or if a horse becomes lost, the tag can help veterinarians, emergency responders and those caring for the horse quickly access critical information and assist in reuniting horses with their owners. Together, the identification tag and Digital Stable App have the potential to improve traceability, strengthen communication and better

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

protect horses across British Columbia. Your feedback will help Equine Register and Horse Council BC determine which services and features matter most to horse owners, riders, breeders, trainers, coaches, boarding facilities and equine professionals. This is more than building another app. It is about creating a trusted resource that helps protect horses, supports responsible ownership, improves communication across the industry and keeps the horse at the centre of everything we do. Whether you care for one beloved pony, manage a busy boarding stable, compete at the highest level or simply enjoy riding recreationally, your experience matters. Every perspective will help ensure the Digital Stable App is built around the real needs of British Columbia’s equine community. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, but your input could help shape a resource that benefits horses and the people who care for them for years to come. Help move British Columbia’s equine industry forward by sharing your thoughts today. Because when your horse matters, your voice matters too. Complete the Digital Stable App survey: https://forms.office.com/r/zQMFfZFkTV

Recreation

A Trail Riders Introduction to Geo-Referenced Maps USING FO MAPS ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE We’re happy to announce our partnership with FO Maps (FaenaOffline GIS) to replace Avenza Maps which recently announced it would no longer be publishing new maps. Based in Chile, the FO Maps team has been very responsive to our needs throughout this transition. The app is being improved with our suggestions and offers some great features and is easy to use. Some of our riders are familiar with using geo-referenced maps on their phone. This technology allows a rider to see where they are on a map when offline on the trail. Other features are the ability to make a track of your ride, take pictures that link with the track, add markers, etc. all while outside of cell service. This technology uses the GPS in your phone to place your position on the geo-referenced map. HOW TO GET STARTED The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. Download the free App in the Apple App Store or the Android Google Play store. Main Page: Maps & Projects - This is where all your maps will be named and stored. Your main screen will look like the below. All of our 31 free HCBC maps are located under the Discover banner. You can download any of the 31 maps you want to use while you have cell coverage. Each Map will automatically create a Project. FO Maps offers three versions. Once you’ve downloaded the free version, scroll down and click on Subscriptions to view the available options. We encourage users to purchase the Explorer version which was developed for HCBC users. It has all the features you will need with no advertising or credits..

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

The reasonably priced Explorer version automatically downloads a 5 km × 5 km area of OpenStreetMap base mapping around the selected Horse Council BC georeferenced map. This means that if you’re riding in an area covered by one of our maps and venture beyond its boundaries, you’ll still be able to see your location on a map, even when you’re outside cell coverage.

STEPS Open Maps & Projects Click on the + sign top right. Choose Create Project; Name your Project and click on Create & open, your screen should look like this.. Click on Map Only.

GENERAL MAP This is the base map of the world created by Open Street Maps. If you are riding where there is cell services you can use this general map, and create tracks, etc to see your route. All HCBC maps will show as floating on top of the General Map.

The map will default to where you are located while you are creating this new map. You can now scroll to another part of the Open Street Maps and locate the crosshair point where you want the 5 km square map to be centered on. Then click on Use this point. It will then build your map. A fabulous feature with the Explorer version is the ability to create your own geo-referenced map for any area. If you are going riding somewhere that HCBC has not created a map, you will be able to create your own map while you are still have cell coverage.

HCBC will be hosting an FO Maps Training webinar January 25th 2027. Watch our Facebook page, the E-News and Instagram for links to register. If you have any questions, please contact recreation@hcbc.ca and our Recreation team will be happy to help.

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

Awards

2026 HCBC Award Nominations Closing Soon Horse Council BC is also reminding members that nominations for the 2026 HCBC Awards close on November 30, 2026. The HCBC Awards recognize outstanding individuals who have made meaningful contributions to British Columbia’s equine community through volunteerism, leadership, innovation, advocacy, sport development, recreation, and industry advancement. These volunteers are the backbone of our equestrian community, helping to create opportunities and strengthen organizations across the province.

Award categories include: • Bob James Community Volunteer of the Year • Sport Volunteer • Recreation Volunteer • Industry Volunteer • Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award The Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award is HCBC’s highest honour, recognizing individuals whose lifelong dedication and service have left a lasting impact on BC’s equine sector. Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for their club, discipline, organization, or local community? Consider submitting a nomination and helping us recognize those whose efforts make a difference for horses and horse people throughout British Columbia. Nominees must be HCBC members in good standing, and each nomination package requires the support of five current HCBC members. To learn more and access nomination forms, visit: https://hcbc.ca/about-hcbc/hcbc-awards/ Together, these programs help Horse Council BC continue building a strong, safe, and vibrant future for horses and equestrians throughout British Columbia.

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

10 ACRE FARM FOR SALE

$975,000 Grand Forks BC

PROPERTY FEATURES:

3 Bedroom

2 Bathroom

2 Shop/Garages

ABOUT:

Looking for the perfect blend of country lifestyle and convenience? This beautiful 10-acre property offers space, privacy, and an incredible setup for horse lovers, gardeners, and hobby farmers — all less than 10 minutes to town, schools, and groceries, and only 5 minutes to the hospital.

Horse Facilities

10 minutes from all amenities

CONTACT DETAILS: Bill Powell

Riding arena 5 paddocks w/ shelters Hay shed 2,800 sq ft home w/ full basement, heat pump and/or wood stove Greenhouse Short ride to community show grounds

Mature fruit trees/berry bushes No sprays for 17 years 75 GPM well High-ceiling storage shed Insulated workshop 4 covered parking spots Direct Trans-Canada Trail access

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

+1 250-442-2777 pwptrading@shaw.ca

Racing

Back on Track: Desert Park Raceway Ushers in a New Era for Racing in BC The journey to opening day, however, was anything but straightforward.

The sound of pounding hooves returned to British Columbia this fall as Desert Park Raceway welcomed horsemen, equestrians, industry leaders, and racing fans to its inaugural race day in Osoyoos. More than the opening of a new racetrack, the event marked a turning point for an industry that has endured years of uncertainty, closures, and shrinking opportunities. For many in attendance, opening day represented something far greater than a day at the races. It was proof that British Columbia’s horse industry remains resilient, determined, and committed to preserving an important part of the province’s equestrian heritage. Set against the stunning backdrop of Osoyoos Lake and the South Okanagan’s unique desert landscape, Desert Park Raceway has become the new home of Standardbred harness racing in British Columbia. Developed through a partnership between the Western Canada Horse Racing Association (WCHRA), the Desert Park Exhibition Society, and the Town of Osoyoos, the facility provides a much-needed venue for competitors and racing enthusiasts alike. The track officially launched its inaugural season on September 27, bringing live harness racing back to BC and marking the first race day in Desert Park Raceway history. For many spectators, the atmosphere was equal parts celebration and relief. Drivers, trainers, owners, breeders, industry supporters, and racing fans watched as the first horses stepped onto the newly rebuilt track, bringing competitive racing back to the province after months of uncertainty surrounding the future of the sport. The day represented not just the opening of a new venue, but the beginning of a new chapter for horse racing in British Columbia.

Just a year ago, BC’s racing community faced one of the most significant challenges in its history. Fraser Downs, the province’s only harness racing track, abruptly closed in August 2025, leaving horsemen, owners, trainers, and breeders scrambling for answers about the future of Standardbred racing in the province. For nearly five decades, Fraser Downs had served as the heart of harness racing in British Columbia and was the province’s sole Standardbred racing venue. Its closure created immediate uncertainty for hundreds of participants and businesses connected to the industry. Only months later, Hastings Racecourse [KC1.1]announced the end of live Thoroughbred racing after more than 130 years of operation, due to the B.C. provincial government cutting off slot-machine revenue-sharing funding for the horse racing industry. Long considered one of the cornerstones of BC racing, Hastings had supported generations of horse owners, trainers, breeders, veterinarians, farriers, feed suppliers, and agricultural businesses. The closure followed significant changes to the industry’s funding model and further heightened concerns about the future of horse racing in British Columbia. The combined loss of Fraser Downs and Hastings sent shockwaves throughout the equine sector. Beyond the horses and the races themselves, the closures threatened livelihoods, rural businesses, breeding programs, training operations, and a long-standing equestrian tradition deeply rooted in communities across the province. Yet rather than accepting the decline of racing in BC, industry leaders and stakeholders came together to seek solutions. Among those advocating for the industry throughout this difficult period was Horse Council BC. As the provincial voice of BC’s equine sector, HCBC worked to ensure that government officials, decision makers, and the broader public understood the far reaching impacts that racing closures would have on horse owners, equine professionals, agricultural businesses, and rural communities throughout British Columbia.

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026

“Bringing racing back to BC has taken a tremendous amount of work and a lot of people working together. We’re excited to have a new home for Standardbred racing at Desert Park, and we’re very appreciative of Horse Council BC’s support throughout the process.”- Kelly MacMillan While horse racing represents just one segment of BC’s diverse horse industry, its contributions extend well beyond the racetrack. The racing sector supports breeding farms, training centers, veterinarians, farriers, feed suppliers, transportation providers, stable workers, and numerous small businesses that form part of BC’s broader agricultural economy. When racetracks close, the effects are felt throughout an extensive network of equine and agricultural professionals. Recognizing those impacts, Horse Council BC actively advocated for the importance of maintaining opportunities within the racing sector while highlighting the significant role horses play in British Columbia’s economy, recreation, sport, tourism, and rural way of life. Throughout a period marked by uncertainty and difficult conversations, HCBC remained committed to ensuring the concerns of the equine community were heard and understood. The successful launch of Desert Park Raceway demonstrates what can be accomplished when industry organizations, local governments, horsemen, volunteers, and advocates work toward a common goal. While many individuals and organizations contributed to making the project a reality, Desert Park stands as a powerful example of why industry advocacy matters. Protecting opportunities for horse owners and equine businesses today helps ensure a stronger and more sustainable future for the entire horse sector tomorrow. Under the leadership of Kelly MacMillan and a dedicated group of horsemen, significant work was undertaken to transform Desert Park into a modern racing venue. The racetrack surface was completely rebuilt specifically for harness racing, creating a five-eighths-mile track featuring one of the longest homestretches of its kind in North America. The result is a facility designed to provide exciting competition while creating a new foundation for Standardbred racing in British Columbia.

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As the field crossed the finish line on Desert Park Raceway’s inaugural race day, the significance of the moment was unmistakable. What began as a vision to create a new future for racing in British Columbia had become reality. The cheers from the rail, the sight of horses once again competing on home soil, and the overwhelming sense of optimism shared by participants and fans alike reflected far more than a successful day of racing. They reflected the resilience of British Columbia’s horse industry. Desert Park Raceway’s first race day was not merely the start of a new season. It was a celebration of perseverance, collaboration, and advocacy. Most importantly, it demonstrated that when the equine community comes together behind a common purpose, new opportunities can emerge even in the face of significant challenges. For British Columbia’s horsemen, equestrians, breeders, trainers, and racing supporters, the first race at Desert Park Raceway was more than history in the making. It was proof that racing in BC still has a future. Join the excitement at Desert Park Raceway, either by coming to the track in Osoyoos or by watching the races on YouTube at @DesertParkRaceway. Races are on Sunday and Monday afternoons.

Images from https://desertpark.ca.

Emergency Response

The Network You Build Before You Need It

This past August, as wildfires tore through the Summerland and North Okanagan areas, I found myself driving through roadblocks in the dark, hauling Kentucky thoroughbreds away from a property the flames were about to reach. It wasn’t the first call I’d gotten that summer, and it wouldn’t be the last. What struck me most wasn’t the danger. It was the chaos. Trucks and trailers showed up to properties where the animals had already been evacuated, while animals just a few kilometres away had no one coming for them at all. Animals were taken to places with no fencing or water. There was no single place to look, just scattered phone calls, social media posts, text messages and hope. The morning after one of those rescues, I woke up thinking: we need an app for this. That idea became LCN, the Livestock Coordination Network.

to transport, and vice versa. As part of the SOS, the owner can choose a destination from the safe spaces and pastures listed in the network, or indicate that they have their own location to take the animals to, which stays undisclosed. Because hosts keep their open spaces up to date, owners can see what’s actually available when they choose where to take their animals. The owner then watches help respond in real time, with direct CALL and TEXT options for each hauler on screen.

LCN is a province-wide emergency coordination app designed to connect animal owners, haulers, boarding hosts and emergency coordinators across British Columbia. While wildfire was the catalyst, LCN was created for any emergency where animals need to be moved quickly and safely. Fires, floods, severe weather and other community emergencies all create the same problem: owners need to know who can help, how their animals will be moved and where they can safely go. Owners build their property profile before an emergency happens, including the exact address responders may need at a roadblock, a precise map pin, animal species and numbers, access and loading notes, and optional photos. Haulers sign up by listing their trailer capacity and the species they can safely transport. Boarding hosts and safe pastures sign up by describing what they offer, including fencing, access to water, and supplies such as hay and feed, along with how many animals they can take. Hosts can update their space count at any time, in the app or by text message. If a pasture had ten spaces and now has two, they adjust the number, or mark the pasture full, so owners and haulers only see what’s truly available. When help is needed, the owner activates a large red SOS button. Available haulers within approximately 75 kilometres whose capacity and species match the animals are alerted through both the app and text message. A hauler equipped for horses won’t be matched to animals they aren’t equipped 18

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LCN also works by text message where cellular data is limited. Once a profile is set up, an owner can activate and follow a rescue by text alone. With their permission, a neighbour can set up a profile and send an SOS for someone who may never use an app themselves. A live coordinator map brings active requests, evacuation information and available resources into one place, and owners can choose to show only their general area publicly until a hauler commits to helping. Verification is available for haulers, boarding hosts, rescue organizations and owners, but it isn’t a barrier to neighbours helping neighbours. Haulers and hosts can also choose to receive donations by Interac e-Transfer, sent directly from supporters to the volunteers themselves. LCN never handles the money. As Kevin Boon of the BC Cattlemen’s Association put it: “You have hit on one of the biggest issues we encounter with emergency management, and the need for better organization and communication when moving livestock from small scale and hobby farms.” LCN would not exist without Cory Silva and the team at Sixth Summit in Kelowna, who turned my rough prototype into a fully functioning app pro bono. I’ve funded LCN myself because I believe every animal owner should have access to better emergency coordination, regardless of what they can afford. That’s why LCN is free. The app is set to launch on the Apple App Store and Google Play this fall, and this is only the beginning. Next up is an education section with practical guidance on loading difficult animals, how permits work at roadblocks, and caring for boarded animals. After each emergency, post-incident reports will show planners how the response went, including response times and requests that went unmatched, so the system keeps improving with every event. Whether you own horses, cattle, goats, chickens or other animals, have a trailer you could hook up in an emergency, operate a rescue organization, or have pasture or stalls you could open to evacuated animals, LCN was built for you. The help is often already out there. The problem is finding it fast enough. Build the network before you need it. livestockcoordinationnetwork.com

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It’s Me, Alice! Hey kids - I’m Alice the Pony, author of the Pony Tails Kids Club Monthly Digital Magazine!

Each Issue Features: A signed letter from Alice Horse/pony breed of the month A short story featuring Alice & friends A horse and pony themed activity Educational horse facts of the month A horsey colouring page The opportunity to reach out to Alice and tell her what you’d like to see in the next issue! The best part... (it’s FREE, whether you’re an HCBC member or not)!

To let Alice know that you would like to subscribe (or for general inquiries) please reach out to her via e-mail:

ponytails.alice@hcbc.ca HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | SPRING 2026

HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | FALL 2026