Message From Our Board Chair
Board and Industry Reports
2024 Coaching Highlights
2024 Competition Highlights
HCBC Grant Funding
Fall 2024 Membership Survey
2024 Membership Recap
Treasurer’s Report for 2024
Audited Financial Statements 2024
Message From Our Board Chair
It has been my honour to serve as Chair of the Horse Council BC Board for the 2024–25 term. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the dedicated volunteers who have worked tirelessly this past year to support HCBC’s programs and activities across the province. Our accomplishments would not have been possible without your continued commitment.
In 2024, our focus was on strengthening core programs, fostering education, and enhancing industry collaboration. The March Madness Educational Webinar Series was a standout success, providing free and accessible learning opportunities to HCBC members. We also hosted the Equus Film Festival, uniting equestrian enthusiasts to celebrate equine culture through film. Our collaboration with Equine Register Canada deepened, helping to advance horse identification and biosecurity initiatives.
Thanks to prudent cost management and membership growth—including a 5% increase following the introduction of auto-renew memberships—HCBC maintained a stable financial position. This growth allowed us to offer more grant funding in support of clubs, competitions, and equine welfare initiatives, ensuring accessible opportunities across disciplines.
We made progress on key strategic priorities, including the finalization of our governance framework and continued advancement of our strategic plan. Advocacy remained
a priority as well—we partnered with Sport BC and other recreational groups to champion equestrian access to public lands and trails. We also expanded insurance programs, enhanced member discounts and benefits, and increased access to educational resources.
Looking ahead, HCBC is committed to expanding our educational offerings through both webinars and inperson workshops, sharing resources via a new educational platform, and developing new programs to support both junior and senior equestrians in Western and English disciplines.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for equestrians in British Columbia.
Lynda Atkinson HCBC Board Chair
Board and Industry Reports
40+ volunteer firefighters and horse owners took part in the Livestock Emergency Response training with Facilitator, Jennifer Woods .
Fully funded by HCBC’ Animal Disaster Relief fund.
The course content includes
- barn fires
- transportation accidents
- extrication of horses from ditches and confined areas
This was using live horses and “Calamity” our articulating horse mannequin to ensure the best possible educational experience.
Horse Council BC also supported the work of the BC Agricultural Council and AgSafe BC to create and deliver disaster response and management protocols for your farm. These include:
• Develop and implement effective emergency management plans.
• Understand B.C.’s emergency response framework and how it supports producers.
• Explore vital tools, including the Access Pass System, Premises ID, and other producer-specific resources.
• Build connections with local Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) and strengthen community collaboration.
• Training for Agriculture Liaison roles within the Emergency Operation Centre.
2024 Coaching Highlights
17 New Coaches Certified in 2024
• 7 through the HCBC Coaching Cohort Program
• 10 through Provincial Evaluations
• Discipline breakdown:
o 3 Western
o 14 English
234 Currently Certified EC Coaches in BC
• 23 Western
• 211 English
175 EC Licensed Coaches
• This total includes both EC Certified and non-certified licensed coaches
Horse Council BC launched new support initiatives in 2024, including a $500 Coaching Support Grant in partnership with Acera Insurance and a Development Grant
Horseplay ™ Program
Horseplay is a recreational program to encourage members to learn, practice good horsemanship, and have fun. The program replaces the former Ride and Drive program and is now fully digital through the Horseplay app or webpage. Members can earn entries into prize draws by recording the time spent on horse-related activities.
In 2024 there were 127 Participants and 7042 hours logged.
2024 Competition Highlights
Provincial Rules Officials
HCBC Provincial Rules Officials (PRO) are available to attend Provincially sanctioned competitions to offer both competition management and competitors assistance in understanding, interpreting, and guidance of HCBC rules. A PRO may assist show management with the development and rule content in Prizelists as well as help to address questions, concerns, assist with any disputes or conflict resolution and encourage a safe, friendly and enjoyable competition experience for both horses and competitors
Grant Funding
Horse Council BC proudly supports clubs, affiliates, and branches across BC with impactful grant funding to help grow and strengthen the equine community.
$81,203
Total Funding given in 2024
$24,975
BC Equestrian Trails Fund
$48,380
Infrastructure & Equipment Grant
- Belle Mountain Project
- Dewdney Trail and Tulameen Camp
- Pend Orielle Trail
- Meadow, Woodlands & Coalmine Camp
- Various Trail Maintenance Projects throughout BC
- Livestock Pens
- Cargo Trailer, Custom Jumps, Barrels
- Portable Cross Country Jumps
- Sprinker Replacement Project
- Fence repairs, building rehabilitation and more
$7,848
Education Grants
- Grade 10/11 students Equine Leadership Learning
- Pony Club Spring Camp
- Many wonderful clinics, vaulting, working equitation, equine massage and more
- Annual Open House
Fall 2024 Membership Survey
In the 2024 membership survey, the top three most utilized benefits were Optional/Additional Insurance, Educational Materials, and the Events Calendar. Members also expressed strong interest in educational resources, local events and competitions, trail guides and information, and industry news. Other key areas of value included competition sanctioning, equine welfare and industry initiatives, and access to the Trails Database.
Top 3 Most Utilized HCBC Programs/Services:
“HCBC is such a user-friendly organization that supports all of us horse-crazy people. I am proud and honoured to say that I have been part of it since the beginning.”
2024 Membership Numbers
25,037
Educational Initiatives
1,146 Webinar Attendees!
From March Madness to a variety of educational sessions, our webinars saw strong engagement in 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to bring you even more webinars covering a broad range of topics to support and inspire our equestrian community.
Coach & Instructor Cohort Program Continues to Grow
The HCBC Coach & Instructor Cohort Program saw strong momentum in 2024, with increasing interest from both English and Western disciplines. This hybrid learning model provides candidates with a supportive, structured pathway to NCCP certification through online meetings, video evaluations, and mentorship. With more coaches joining each session, the program continues to build a stronger, more connected coaching community across BC.
Pony Tails Kids Club Gets a Fresh New Look
In mid-2024, HCBC revamped the Pony Tails Kids Club into a fun and engaging monthly online magazine. The new format offers young horse lovers exciting content, interactive activities, and educational features—delivered right to their inbox each month. It’s a fresh way to keep kids connected to the horse world and learning all year round.
Treasurer’s Report for 2024
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Horse Council BC staff, who day to day, professionally run this large non-profit organization. As a Treasurer, this makes my volunteer position easier and enjoyable. Our Manager of Financial Operations, Kam Chutti, completed her first full year cycle with this year’s audit and as the Financial Statements attest, we received a “clean” audit opinion.
We closed 2024 with a small profit and a strong cash position allowing Horse Council BC (HCBC) to pursue new programs in Coaching, Recreation and an expanded free webinar series for our members. Grant programs have also been expanded for 2025 and you will find the details on our website under https://hcbc.ca/membership/funding-for-hcbc-members/
Our grant programs were fully used in 2024 with $25,000 spent through Trail Grants, $48,000 through Infrastructure Grants and $8,000 through Education Grants. The variety of projects runs the gamut from
Horse Council BC enters 2025 in a strong financial position, expanding grants and programs to better support our equine community.
ring sprinkler systems to saddle fitting clinics.
HCBC manages two internally restricted funds, Animal Disaster and BC Trails Fund. Each of these is funded by HCBC and members generous contributions. The Animal Disaster Fund received member contributions of $6,443 and expenses were $9,005. This fund, currently sitting at $ 179,477 is available to assist in any disaster situation to help with transportation costs, emergency feed etc. HCBC has developed great resources which can be found here: https://hcbc.ca/equine-welfare/disasterevacuation-resources/ for emergency management.
HCBC - your provincial equine organization is entering into 2025 in a positive financial position to provide you – the members with support for this great industry.
Happy Trails – Sharon Pickthorne
