News
Friday, November 29 2024 - VSC Year End Awards Banquet to be held at Cedar Hill Golf Club
Link to our online Silent Auction on Facebook.
Applications for the NEW Rider Education & Travel Fund are now available! Many thanks to those of you who were so generous with your donations to our upcoming Silent Auction! Silent Auction to be held online Sept 22-26 2024.
The deadline for fund applications is October 15th 2024.
Rider Education/Travel Fund Application Form
First Ever Online Silent Auction!
Our online silent auction will help fund our NEW Education & Travel Grant!
Victoria-Saanich Cadora is excited to announce our new (and hopefully annual) Rider Education & Travel Grant. The grant will be funded by an online silent auction.
The Rider Education & Travel grant will not be based on competitive results. Instead by draw at our Annual Awards Celebration! There will be one draw for each rider category - Junior, Amateur and Open.
To apply you will need to fill out the application, have ridden in 3 Victoria-Saanich Cadora competitions this past year and be an active Victoria-Saanich Cadora member.
First though, we will need items for the Silent Auction. It will be started with the remaining inventory from the Capital City Classic. They will show the CCC logo and the years the competition was held 2002-2022.
The next part is up to all of us. We need new or gently used items to make the auction really exciting so please think of us! Donations could also be coaching lessons, gift certificates, treatment certificates or non-horsey items.
Heather Cormie and Sheila Skene will be collecting all donation items from now until July 15th.
The auction will be held for 5-7 days in early August (Mark your calendars! Tell your friends). Becky Wright will manage the auction.
Watch for the application form to be posted very soon. The deadline to apply is October 15th, directly to our Awards Co-ordinator Kelly Vassilliadis.
For now, please contact Heather or Sheila about dropping off any delightful items you’d like to donate to our Online Silent Auction. Many thanks
Heather Cormie - heatherdowne@shaw.ca
Sheila Skene - sheilaskene@telus.net
Position open in VSC! Looking for someone to replace our outgoing Show Chair/Competition Manager for 2025. Only need to commit to five show weekends per year. Hoping to find someone who can shadow Alison this year to learn all the details. It is a great way to meet club members and be part of the riding community! Come out to the show this weekend and see if you might be the perfect fit! Could be a joint position if two people would like to work together. Contact us at vscshows@gmail.com if you have any questions.
Posted May 24th 2024
Victoria Saanich CADORA Society Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday, February 29th., @ 7:30 PM by Zoom.
VSC 2023 Year End Awards Celebration to be held Sunday December 10th from 2-4 pm in the Oak Room at Saanichton Fairgrounds.
Featuring a delicious afternoon lunch by Wits End catering free to all VSC members including juniors’ parents. Please contact Melinda at vscadoramemberships@gmail.com to confirm your attendance ASAP.
For non-member guests a nominal charge of $15 is requested. Payment to be sent by e-transfer to vscadoramemberships@gmail.com.
Hope to see everyone there!
Sadly, long time local Lisa Volk passed away April 4th 2023. Lisa was very well known as a school teacher, equestrian, dog owner, gymnastics coach, mother, and friend to many. She will be sadly missed by all.
Her obituary can be found here https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/timescolonist/name/lisa-volk-obituary?id=51592297&utm_source=webshareapi&utm_medium=share_button&utm_campaign=wsapimobile_beta
What a splendid weekend for the Capital City Classic (written by Sheila Skene July 14 2022)
Perfect weather, amazing competitors, willing and enthusiastic volunteers and many of our most generous sponsors in attendance. Thank-you all!
Each and everyone of you played your own important part in the return and success of the CCC, this though is a big thank-you to those who supported us by way of financial or in-kind sponsorship. It takes a village to organize and run a competition of this nature and having the security of generous sponsors helps us make the competition the very best we possibly can.
Please say ‘hello’ to our sponsors when you meet them and thank them when you can:
MAJOR SPONSORS
Odlum Brown – Michael Simmons
Erdem Excavating Ltd. – Emreh Erdem
Deep Cove Winery
Winifred & Lindsay Hall
Martinez Veterinary Services – Dr. Tino & Sharon Martinez
Victoria Saddlery – Victoria Strongman
Canadian Horse Journals
Greenhawk Vancouver Island – Glynis Schultz & Maureen Garrity
PRIMARY SPONSORS
CADORA Inc.
Kellow Equestrian – Marissa Kellow
Bonnie Brae Farm – Bonnie Campbell Wright
Peninsula Physiotherapy – Linda Walker
Dark Horse Farm – Suzie Anderson
Seaside Cabinetry – Jessica Kwasnica
Eastgate Dressage – Brittney Eastgate-Simpson
Villa Ridge Farm – Gretchen Rohani
Eden & Plaxton Equine Veterinary Services
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
April’s Tack Boutique
John Road Barn – Alexandra Richards
Balance Equestrian – Sarah An
Little Dressage – Janine Little & Caitlin Cote
Buckerfields
Mountainview Farm – Roane, Lori & Sandra Tyson
Gail Gordon
Dr. Ashley Murray – Chiropractor
Galloping Goddesses
Swiftsure Equine Veterinary – Dr. Danica Olenick & Dr. Kaitlin McDonald
Horne Coupar LLC
Thrifty Foods
Indie Mode – Christel LeHavre
Woodsend Farm – Maureen Crosby
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Allusion Photograph – Allie Stephenson
Lindsey Millar Photography
Dr. Richard Chambers
James Norris Inc. – Jim and Mary Norris
Cooper Management Consultants – Tracy Cooper
Reitenright Equestrian Inc. – Kim Dennis
Equine Ability – Cheryl Morgan
Silver Veterinary Imaging – Tawni Silver
Eugene’s Greek Food – Lee & Kelly Vassiliadis
Michael and Sheila Skene
Glen Oaks Farm – Claire Vessey
VTRA – donated by Bonnie Brae
Heatherdowne Farm – Heather Cormie
Mitch Young – Farrier
Highbury Dressage – Courtenay Fraser
** If any sponsor did not pick up a show program
over the weekend and would like to receive one,
please contact: sheilaskene@telus.net
Lovely note our club received from one of the Capital City Classic judges.
Words of praise from Joan Macartney:
Hello Sheila and Liza,
A special thanks to both of you and your team for all your work to organize and offer that wonderful Capital City Classic Dressage show on the weekend. Certainly was so impressed with the huge entry and the organization - and must say, especially impressed with all the “young ones” and their riding skills. That was certainly an impressive group!!!
I had good flights home yesterday and now back to my rather normal life.
Thanks for all that both of you and the team do for Dressage and supporting this wonderful sport particularly in your part of the country.
I loved every minute of the show - I was treated so well and the riders and horses were an absolute joy to judge!!! Once again, congratulations on your success!!!!
Kind regards
Joan
ATTENTION ALL CCC COMPETITORS
As you know, EC Competitions have to adhere to current Bio-Security rules
which include the taking of temperatures of every horse on the grounds and
for a period before a competition. The CCC requires that every horse
competing must have had its’ temperature taken for 3 days prior to arriving
at the Saanich Fairgrounds and once each day during the competition.
A temperature log is shown below. Please take a copy and start taking and
recording your horse’s temperature on Wednesday forward.
When you arrive on Friday, you will be required to show this Temperature
Log before you are checked in.
Thank-you for helping us keep a safe and healthy competition environment.
Click here for Temperature log
Exciting Announcement!
After many years of study and shadow stewarding at both local and mainland dressage competitions, our own Melinda Minkley has just been approved as an EC Basic Dressage Steward. Expect to see her at our local half-day EC Bronze competitions doing her best to ensure all competitors have the best experience possible. Well deserved congratulations to Melinda and thanks so much for putting in the time and effort required to achieve this status!
Entries open for the CCC in the next few days and we are looking for many more volunteers to help make the show a great success. We need volunteers to pick up and drop off judges each day; judges hostess(es); announcers; silent auction helper(s); scorer(s);scribe(s); grounds crew; whippers-in; volunteer co-ordinator and more. If you’d like to be part of our CCC team, please e-mail our show chair Liza Lapham at: lizalapham@me.com
Check your calendars - Capital City Classic date change!
After much consideration the CCC is going ahead, but due to a double booking at the Saanich Fairgrounds, the date has changed to one week earlier on July 9-10, 2022. Luckily for us the officials we’d booked for 2020 had carried forward for 2021 and 2022 and, on just contacting them, are willing and available for these new dates. Many thanks to Joan Macartney, EC Senior, FEI 4* ret’d; Doreen Horsey, EC Senior and our Steward Jane James, EC Senior, FEI Para Equestrian, for their continued support.
We have been in contact with the staff at the Saanich Fairgrounds, and they are busily preparing for a strong event season with many repairs and upkeep already in progress.
More details to follow in the coming weeks.
THANK YOU !!!!
VS Cadora has been on Covid 19 imposed stall rest for the past 14 months but, as you all know, that doesn’t mean that expenses go on stall rest too. We have been keeping things ticking over in anticipation of a return to normal but it has certainly put a strain on the club’s finances with the dollars only flowing one way - out. So you can imagine our surprise, delight, relief and gratitude to receive an unsolicited donation of $2,000 this past week from long time supporters of VSC Drs. Melissa Eden and Andrea Plaxton of Eden and Plaxton Equine Veterinary Services. They wanted to ensure that the club remains viable during these difficult times and their support will help us ‘keep the lights on’ until we can all enjoy a return to competition and club social events. We offer Dr. Melissa and Dr. Andrea our heartfelt thanks for their very kind and generous donation and hope that you will thank them as well the next time you get an opportunity. (Photo credit Nunn Other Photography)
An important letter from EBLES:
Dear Victoria Saanich Cadora Members
Elk Beaver Lake Equestrian Society (EBLES) is a non-profit volunteer run charitable organization that built the equestrian facility at Elk Beaver Lake Park and advocates for horses in the park. The facility is open to the public. EBLES has a license agreement with Elk Beaver Lake to use the property for a nominal amount.
Membership in EBLES covers the operating costs of the facility such as the water and hydro bills and minor repairs. EBLES depends on donations, grants, events and fund raising activities, such as the annual Poker Ride, for major repairs and capital projects.
The main ring was last resurfaced with hog fuel in 2013 and has deteriorated. An attempt to remediate it by turning the hog fuel over stirred up too many rocks and the ring is now unusable and needs to be completely resurfaced again. It will cost approximately $80,000 to resurface the main ring in sand or $40,000 in hog fuel. Although sand is more expensive than hog fuel, sand will last considerably longer.
As a result, EBLES is in the midst of a major fundraising effort. Your club, Victoria Saanich Cadora (VSC), has donated $500, which is very much appreciated. Given the amount that must be raised VSC and EBLES encourages you as a member of VSC to also donate if you are able. This will help to ensure that the facility continues to be available for your use and use by other horse people in the area. Instructions on how to donate can be found at https://ebles.org/?page=society. As a registered charitable organization EBLES is able to provide a tax receipt for donations of $20 or more.
We also encourage you to join EBLES. Membership in EBLES demonstrates support for, helps EBLES advocate for continued access to the park for horses, and helps with grant applications. You can join online at https://ebles.org/?page=membership.
EBLES holds monthly meeting at 7:00 pm on the second Tuesday of each month. The minutes of the meetings can be found at the bottom the page at https://ebles.org/?page=society. Participation in the meeting is open to all EBLES members and is welcomed. EBLES is run by volunteers. Contact Dianne McGuire at dianneocmcguire@gmail.com to receive an Google Meets invite to the next meeting.
Sincerely
Dianne McGuire
EBLES President
August 16 2020
Hi Everyone:
We are all very sorry to report that VSC will not hold any shows for the rest of the year. This was an extremely difficult decision for the board of directors as we really hoped to go ahead with our last schooling show date at the end of September. We have had lengthy discussions at a number of zoom meetings on how a show could have proceeded within the Covid guidelines of VIHA, HCBC and the Fairgrounds as well as the availability of experienced show organizers. In the end, we did not have the expertise available in September - especially important in these Covid times. As we all know, we are in an evolving time and over the next few months our focus will be on organizing how and where we are going to hold future shows for our dressage community whilst at the same time protecting volunteers and competitors. One area we will be working on is to increase our 'pool' of members who can organize and manage shows. We currently rely on only a very few stalwart members and we need to have more so we can give these hard-working organizers a break! So work on those straight lines down the centre line everyone and we will be ready for you in 2021! - Melinda
April 24th 2020
To All Our Members and Volunteers
I know everyone has been waiting on pins and needles to see what is in store for this summer's show season. The directors of VSC had to make the difficult decision to suspend our schooling shows at this time. We are looking to the future and keeping our options open that we will still be able to put on a schooling show or two later in the summer or the fall.
Unfortunately, due to the current situation being so uncertain the directors had no choice but to cancel the Capital City Classic on July 18-19, 2020. The Capital City Classic has been a staple on this island for the last 43 years and we know that it will return again for next year. Please keep your calendars open for July 16-18, 2021.
We are headed into the summer with hopefully beautiful weather to enjoy our equine friends. Stay safe and healthy everyone and we will keep you up-to-date.
March 19th, 2020
To Our Victoria-Saanich CADORA Community,
In order to best support the health of our equestrian community and families, your VSC Directorship is monitoring the COVID-19 crisis continually and will keep you updated on the status of the current situation as it pertains to up-coming VSC equestrian events.
On March 16th, 2020 Equestrian Canada and Horse Council BC released statements suspending all equestrian activities through till April 12th, 2020. EC stipulated that after two weeks, a review would take place to assess whether the suspension will be extended or if activities may resume. We received news today from Saanichton Fairgrounds they are closing the fairgrounds property until April 30th. This news results in the cancellation of VSC’s April 19th, 2020 horse show. As more information becomes available, we will endeavor to keep you up to date on the impact this will have on future events.
We know this is a stressful time, with much uncertainty, but do know that we will all get through this. As a community, we are strong and we will remain strong as we navigate through these unprecedented times.
Be healthy everyone and practice social distancing.
Warmly,
Heather Cormie
President
Equestrian Canada update:
March 15, 2020
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) UPDATE FOR COMPETITION ORGANIZERS: MARCH 15, 2020
Equestrian Canada (EC) is making every effort to ensure continuous, thorough and up-to-date communication with competition organizers and officials concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Effective March 14, 2020, all EC run in-person events, clinics and activities will be suspended for four weeks (until April 12, 2020). After two weeks, a review will take place to assess whether the suspension will be extended or if activities may resume.
Furthermore, EC strongly encourages competition organizers nationwide to suspend all EC sanctioned competitions for four weeks and then re-evaluate the suspension based on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. For EC sanctioned competitions that do run, there will be no accumulation of points, scores, qualification or rankings towards any EC awards program or team selection.
EC’s complete statement on COVID-19, including regular updates, can be found on our website here. We will be sending a follow-up communication to competition organizers and officials during the week of March 16, 2020, with detailed recommendations and any necessary procedural updates.
Thank you for your cooperation and engagement as we work diligently to keep our community safe and informed during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please read - New for 2020 - Vaccination Info
Save the date for our annual year end awards banquet!
November 29 2019 - Year End Awards Banquet - held at the Royal Colwood Golf Club
Tickets may be picked up at Victoria Saddlery or Greenhawk, or you may send an e-transfer to vscshows@gmail.com (Security Question is What is our sport? and answer is dressage) and then pickup your ticket at the door.
Upcoming Events: LIEC will be hosting 2 Show and Tell test riding clinics with Dale Irwin. Please mark Feb 23, 24th and March 30, 31st on your calendars. See http://www.liec.ca/ for complete info.
February 23 and 24 clinic has been cancelled due to the snowy weather.
We would like to welcome Victoria Strongman as a new director with the club! Her enthusiasm is much appreciated!
Not VSC but an upcoming dressage clinic of interest!
November 30th & December 1st and 2nd
LH Equestrian Management and Fairlawn Equestrian Centre are proud to host
FEI 4*/Young Horse judge and Grand Prix rider & trainer Cesar Torrente!
Join us as a rider or auditor for three full days of excellent coaching and how to improve your marks in a test. Cesar has an amazing eye for bringing out the best in the horse and rider in a compassionate way where both will be in top form for the long haul. Cesar combines his extensive judging experience from all over the world along with his training and riding experience at Grand Prix to help you achieve your best scores.
This is a clinic not to be missed!
Rider registration form
$300 + GST per lesson, includes 45 minute session with Cesar, auditing for the day you ride plus auditing for one person during your ride and a rider package sponsored by Victoria Saddlery
Auditor registration form
$40/day, $65/2 days or $100/3 days + GST
Questions? Contact Laura
Not VSC but a local clinic of interest!
Joseph Newcomb clinic Nov 17/18th
For more information please contact: April Sheldrake apesleung@yahoo.com or 250-884-0747
AKA- the in hand guy, specializes in-hand piaffe/passage work helping horses of all levels achieve their maximum potential. Joseph travels internationally specializing in in-hand clinics. His clinics are built upon a philosophy of teaching the horse to respond to the smallest aids. Starting with basic groundwork and de-spooking, Joseph establishes good responses to basic aids. By using these basic exercises as building blocks, Joseph is able to develop the piaffe passage with as little tension and stress as possible. “My number one priority is that each horse in the clinic has a good experience today.” He mixes regular dressage lessons with the beginnings of in hand work for those just starting as well.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist…
https://www.youtube.com/playlist…
See below for an invitation to a fun upcoming fundraiser for our local VTRA!
It is my great pleasure to forward you an invitation to join us to an evening of live and silent auctions at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club on November 22, 2018. We gathered fantastic items including stays in Tofino, Haida Gwaii, Salt Spring Island and more. Local artists have also donated some of their art, paintings, jewelry etc…
Please feel free to send this information forward to friends and family as well as the rest of the Victoria-Saanich Cadora Society Team.
Tickets are $50 each, with complimentary glass of wine and hors d’oeuvres, and are available online here.
All proceeds will go towards funding our programs for adults and children who live with a diagnosis. For more information on our programs, feel free to consult our web site, www.vtra.ca.
Let me know if you would like any more information about the evening or some of the fabulous prizes!
Kind regards,
Audrey Cooper
Executive Director
VTRA
Rider schedule is now available for the Stephen Clarke Clinic held June 23 and 24 at Fairlawn Farm. Rider Schedule
Vancouver Island 2018 Equestrian Canada Gold/Bronze Competitions
Save these dates and plan to attend our only Equestrian Canada Gold/Bronze competitions this year.
Mid-Island Cadora Summer Dressage Festival July 7-8
Victoria Saanich Cadora ‘Capital City Classic’ July 21-22.
Here are the details:
Mid- Island CADORA Summer Dressage Festival
Save the Date!
Mid Island Cadora Association is pleased to announce the officials for our EC Sanctioned Gold and Bronze 2018 Summer Dressage Festival Competition being held on July 7 and 8, 2018 at Beban Park in Nanaimo.
Our Gold Show judge this year is Kristi Wysocki from the USA. Her qualifications include USDF Senior; FEI 4*; FEI Young Horse 4* and she is also the only current FEI Para 5* judge in the USA and Canada. She is one of a very small number of officials in the world with this level of Para-dressage judging expertise.
Our Bronze Show judge is Monique Hubbs-Michiel who is an EC Basic judge as well as an EC Medium steward. She is coming to us from Vernon, BC and brings a wealth of experience to our show.
Our show steward is Jane James from Salt Spring Island, BC. She is a well known on the Island and is a very qualified EC Senior steward.
We are very excited about all our officials and hope that you will come and join us!
For more information and entry forms check our website:
www.midislandcadora.com
The Capital City Classic, our 42nd annual Equestrian Canada Gold and Bronze competition, is being held on July 21-22, 2018 at the Saanich Fairgrounds, Victoria, BC. The Capital City Classic is hosted by the members of Victoria Saanich Cadora.
We are pleased to introduce our judges this year; Birgit Valkenborg from Hudson, PQ, an Equestrian Canada Senior Dressage judge as well as an FEI 3* Para Dressage judge; we welcome back Doreen Horsey from West Foothills, Alberta, also an Equestrian Canada Senior Dressage judge, as well as being accredited for Western Dressage with both WSDAC and WDAA. Our steward is once again Jane James from Salt Spring Island, BC, an Equestrian Canada Senior Dressage steward and an FEI Para Equestrian steward.
The Capital City Classic offers all Equestrian Canada dressage tests from Walk/Trot, Training through Fourth Level; all FEI tests, including those for Children, Ponies, Junior, Young Riders, Young Horses as well as Para Equestrian. Western dressage is also offered in the Bronze competition. Our ever-popular Musical Freestyles will be held on Saturday late afternoon along with refreshments under the ‘Prancing with the Stars’ tent on the berm. For shoppers, we also offer a comprehensive Silent Auction on Saturday.
Whether you are already a dressage enthusiast or simply want to learn more about dressage, you will be warmly welcomed at the competition. There is no admission charge. If you would like to be more involved, do consider volunteering or perhaps become a class or championship sponsor.
Do watch our website www.vscadora.ca or Facebook page for updates and entry opening and closing dates.
Dressage Levy Performance Advantage Symposium Bringing Free Dressage Education to BC in November 2018
See the link below for all info!
https://www.equestrian.ca/news/vwmFC2frP7aunWys6/dressage-levy-performance-advantage
Member Questionnaire:
Horse Council BC Schooling Shows or Equestrian Canada Bronze shows?
VS CADORA membership has been declining over recent years, and show entries have declined.
In 2017 shows were changed to Horse Council (HCBC) schooling shows instead of Equestrian Canada (EC) Bronze shows in order to reduce the cost for riders and encourage more entries. Compared to HCBC, each EC test fees are around $10 more. Also, riders must pay the EC Medication Testing Fee of $3.50, Dressage Canada Levy of $10 and an Administration Fee of $4.50 per show.
There are benefits to holding EC shows. EC requires that a Steward be present at shows to protect the welfare of the horses and ensure fair play. They inspect horses, tack and rider attire, checking that all equipment is humane and adheres to EC Rules. They oversee the warm up area.
A technician is required to perform random drug testing of the horses, to detect the use of banned substances.
In addition, CADORA Inc. recently established a national awards program for Bronze competitions. Three scores from Bronze competitions from three different judges are required. This year there are only three Bronze competitions on the lower island (VS CADORA Capital City Classic, MICA show at Beban Park and a Vancouver Island Arabian Horse Association show).
The VS CADORA board is reviewing the decision to change from EC Bronze shows to HCBC schooling shows. We need to know what the majority of our members prefer.
This decision must be made early in 2018 to accommodate planning requirements for the 2019 show season.
You will be receiving an email soon. Please reply to the email with your answers to the following questions:
Have you joined VS CADORA for 2018? YES / NO
Do you intend to enter VS CADORA shows in 2018? YES / NO
Do you prefer to enter HCBC schooling shows or EC Bronze shows?
HCBC schooling shows or EC Bronze shows
Responses must be received NO LATER THAN APRIL 30th, 2018.
Exciting news for our member Christina Nash! Named March 2018 Dressage Volunteer of the Month by Equestrian Canada! Thanks for all your hard work Christina, it is much appreciated!
See the full posting by Equestrian Canada here. https://www.equestrian.ca/news/T7kQKdCi5vqk4jzDk/christina-nash-named-march-2018-dressage
Coming to our area May 11-13 - a bit fitting clinic with Neue Schule bits.
Contact: Sharon Brink
sharonbrink@brink.bc.ca
Spaces for fitting and auditing, see poster for all info. Bit Fitting Clinic
Lower Island Equestrian club is holding a educational clinic Scribe & Score on April 16, 2018. To register please email wallsdianne@gmail.com Poster
Upcoming fundraisers for the EBLES facility, see the links below for info!
Used Tack Sale - April 1st
Poker Trail Ride - April 29th
Thanks to the members who took the time to respond to our survey, results are now available. We also have a few questions for members regarding our Awards Banquet and our shows. Please see the attachment for more info. Member input is very important in the running of our club! 2017 Member Survey Results and Questions
Exciting new local series for those who want to get a jump start on the show season! For more info and forms see: http://fairlawnequestrian.com/events/
Wild N' Wooly dressage show series poster
For those members who are thinking of doing the Wild n' Wooly dressage series: get your 2018 VSCadora membership first and then you can use one score from this series to count towards the VSC year end awards! Will be riders responsibility to submit their score sheet to VSC.
Report on Stephen Clarke Clinic
Written November 26, 2017
By Claire Vessey, First VP, CADORA INC.
First of all I wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who helped make this clinic such a success.
A very special thank you goes out to Sam Reid and her whole family who worked so hard to prepare Fairlawn Equestrian Centre for the clinic. Stephen really enjoyed their company at dinner on Saturday night.
Thank you to the riders who rode in the clinic, the auditors who were able to witness the “magic” that takes place when Stephen Clarke works with the riders and to the volunteers who spent so much of their valuable time to help.
As all of you know, volunteers are the backbone of any successful project and the volunteers that made the clinic such a success were:
Heather Cormie and her husband Neil, Christina Nash and her mother Gail, April Leung and her daughter, Jan Rioux, Kelly Vassileadis, Sandi Marshall, Winn Armstrong, Taylor and Morgan Drew-Jones and David Rosensweig.
Thanks also go out to our photographers: Lea von Salzen, Jill Rogers, Kelly Vassiliadis and Kahsia Hartwell, whose pictures will be sent to Horse Council BC and CADORA Inc. in case they want to use same.
Sponsors also play a great part in making clinics a success. Although I didn’t approach any outside businesses for sponsorship, I wanted to thank Victoria-Saanich CADORA for their donation re the cost of the portable toilet and to Horse Council BC for their approval of our Zone 6 grant funding. A huge big thanks also goes to Don Barnes, President of CADORA Inc., who is the person who arranges for Stephen Clarke to come back to Canada year after year.
I wanted to close my report with a few “pearls of wisdom” from Stephen:
You can only collect a horse as much as he is going forward
The reward of coming back is the going forward
Don’t hold a horse’s head in position, put it in place
In piaffe, get a reaction first, and then get in rhythm. Once you get reaction, your body does the rest.
Take a break after a good moment rather than when the rider needs a break
It doesn’t have to be perfect, perfect comes later
We are very lucky to have Stephen Clarke return to Victoria on Friday, June 22nd to Sunday, June 24th, 2018 to hear more of his “pearls of wisdom”. Don’t forget to put these dates in your calendar. Further information about the Friday night lecture to follow in the near future.
Photos by Jill Rogers
Hello everyone,
As you will know from the recent announcement, our Victoria Saanich Cadora awards celebration and AGM is being held on Sunday December 3rd., at 2 pm in the Oak Room at Saanich Fairgrounds. This isn't really a reminder but a request for your help and suggestions to make the afternoon even more special.
We have three member nominated perpetual awards and are now looking for your suggestions of deserving members to receive these awards. Here are the descriptions of each of the three awards:
CIBC RIDE ON AWARD – Members to nominate a rider at any VSC show who handles a problem in or outside the competition arena with ‘exemplary skill, style and tact’. Winners of this award will be determined by the total number of votes. A brief description of the event is requested with the nomination.
CIBC VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR - members to nominate a person who has volunteered for the club and displayed vision, teamwork, tenacity and a positive attitude. A nominee may not have received any remuneration for their services. A brief description of the nominee with the nomination is requested.
MARGOT PARKER MEMORIAL – GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Donor: Jill Yonge in memory of her mother Margot
The membership to nominate persons, who they believe have exhibited good sportsmanship during the past year. A brief description of the event or events at which sportsmanship was demonstrated is requested.
For 2016, the member nominated and well deserved recipients were: Cheryl Morgan, Sandi Marshall and Jessica Adam respectively.
Please think about who you have observed during the year who you believe needs to be recognised by receiving one or more of these awards. Then please let me know by e-mail: sheilaskene@telus.net who and a short description of why you have made the nomination. I'll need the nominations by November 15th., at the latest so that the lovely perpetual trophies can be engraved in good time for December 3rd.
I'll look forward to receiving your nominations.
Thank-you in advance.
Sheila
Upcoming dressage clinic with Michael Eilberg to be held at Fairlawn Equestrian Centre November 2-5 2017, see poster for more info. Poster
The Vancouver Island Arabian Horse Association is holding an Open All Breed show with dressage classes on June 17 2017. Cost is $20 per test. Sheila Skene is the judge. See their website for more info http://viarabianhorse.com/
Mid Island Cadora has upcoming shows in June and July, see their website for more info http://www.midislandcadora.com/horseshows.htm
2016 Year End results are now available on our Awards page and photos of our AGM Awards Celebration our now in the Gallery page. Stay tuned for show dates coming!
We have set a date for the Victoria Saanich CADORA Year End Awards Celebration and Annual General Meeting. We will be having an afternoon social at the Saanich Fairgrounds on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Light refreshments will be served and there will be no charge to attend the event. As a special treat, Dr. Danica Olenick will be presenting a slide show and talk on her recent adventures helping working elephants in Thailand.
So please put the following information into your datebook and look for additional information early in the new year:
VSC Awards & Annual General Meeting
Sunday, January 22, 2017
2 pm - 4 pm
Poplar Room, Saanich Fairgrounds, Victoria
Wishing you all a happy holiday season!
Ilona Rule
Victoria Saanich CADORA
A selection of Cassidy Nunn's photos from the 2016 Capital City Classic are now on our Gallery page. One photo of each of the horse/rider combinations she caught on Sunday are shown.
If you would like to see all of her photos or purchase a photo, go to her website at: www.nunnotherphotography.com
Thanks so much Cassidy!
If you are ever at a show and wonder what to do when asked to have a drug test done on your horse, we have all the info here! Drug Testing - What to do
Stephen Clarke’s ‘Build a Better Dressage Horse’ Clinics 2016
Cadora Inc. is more than thrilled to announce that for this eleventh year, Stephen Clarke has agreed to come to Canada for our annual clinics. We feel privileged that the FEI Judge General enjoys our venues, organisers, riders and horses so much that he has kept returning to Canada for these annual Cadora clinics. There will be two x two day clinics, the first will be held in conjunction with our Annual General Meeting on September 24-25 at Bonita Stables in Sidney, BC and the second will be held on October 1-2 at South Lane Stables in Vankleek Hill, Ontario.
Although these clinics have been organized by national Cadora Inc.,
it is the local Cadora groups who manage the individual clinics. Cadora club members are given rider priority provided they have achieved certain competitive scores followed by Level 3 coaches and their students, Junior/ Young Riders, amateur riders and Young Horses. Stephen always asks that his clinics are representative of a cross section of riders and horses at all levels and ages who are currently competing or working toward competing. These are not intended to be demonstration clinics, each rider has an individual lesson and is limited to one ride only and in this way, auditors can observe and learn how improvements at all levels can be achieved.
For details about being a rider or auditor at the Stephen Clarke clinic nearest to you, check the Cadora Inc. website at: http://cadora.ca/dressage-article/Stephen_Clarke_returns_to_Canada/16
Need help paying for all those dressage shows? Check out the grants available for attending shows on Vancouver Island as part of the Equinety Vancouver Island Dressage Series!
'The Capital City Classic being held on July 16-17, is our major event of the year, we bring in high level officials to ensure the competition is professionally judged and we provide a friendly yet professional atmosphere for all competitors and dressage enthusiasts. In addition to the need for our many valued volunteers, we also need sponsors because it is very expensive to run a competition of this size. Each year we send out a sponsorship package to all of our known generous sponsors but we would love to welcome more of you to support the CCC. In case you haven't been contacted and would like to receive a sponsorship package please contact Sheila Skene at: sheilaskene@telus.net Many thanks.'
VSC is in need of a member to fill the club's Secretary position. Our long time Secretary is off to medical school. A big congrats to Lindsay Richier!! We are a friendly bunch and can help ease someone new in to the position!
See below - a note from HCBC regarding our local trails!
Please Consider Registering with Capital Region Equestrians
Capital Region Equestrians (CRE) has formed as an advocacy group to represent equestrian interests within the Capital Regional District (CRD). After there was no provision made for horses in the Draft Island View Beach Regional Park Management Plan and a threat that the CRD was considering paving the only sections of Lochside Trail still accessible to horses, there is clearly a need for equestrians to organize with a representative voice.
CRE is prepared to be that voice.
Are you interested in preserving and building future access to parks and trails for equestrian use? Join our Registry and encourage your horse friends to do the same. Numbers are powerful.
According to the Horse Industry study done by HCBC in 2009 and updated in 2015, there are 2240 HCBC members within the CRD and 7000-10,000 horses. The equine industry generates approximately $74 million of economic activity annually within the CRD.
Liz Ashton, two time Olympian and past President of Camosun College, has agreed to Chair CRE during its start-up phase.
How to register with Capital Region Equestrians:
Send you e-mail to CRE Communications at: capitalregionequestrians.comms@gmail.com
Please include:
Your name,
Email,
Phone number,
Home municipality,
Riding club affiliation (if any).
Sincerely,
Horse Council BC on behalf of Capital Region Equestrians
Exciting upcoming local dressage clinic: Now postponed until July 10/11
LH Equestrian Management presents Karen Pavicic on May 28th and 29th! Poster
Thanks to Canadian Horse Journals for their coverage of our fashion show!
Exciting news!!
Back by popular demand - we are holding a fashion show showcasing the latest in equestrian wear with styles from Arista, Greenhawk, and Victoria Saddlery.
The date is April 5 in the Poplar Room in the Saanich Fairgrounds. Open to members, each member may bring one guest. Doors open at 7:00 PM.
Light refreshments will be available. Please respond to Sandi Marshall, sandimarshall23@gmail.com. To qualify for an early bird door prize contact her by March 31.
There is a limit to the room capacity so be sure and get your name to us promptly.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Win and Sandi
Upcoming Event in Victoria Poster
I have attached a poster for an upcoming event that I'm excited to bring to the Island. This seminar is with Dirk Stroda who is the high performance mental coach for Equine Canada, many Olympians, World Champions, NHL players as well as successful entrepreneurs. Dirk is the most sought after speaker of his kind and has traveled the world speaking in front of thousands. He writes for Huffington Post and other international magazines. He was most recently with the Canadian Equestrian Team in Ontario for the Pan Am Games and also in Normandy for the World Equestrian Games. He will be travelling to Rio to work with our Olympic team members as well this summer.
Dirk will be in Victoria on February 20th from 10am-4pm at the Four Points by Sheraton Victoria for a Recharge + Refresh + Renew empowerment seminar and he is also available for one-on-one sessions on February 21st. The seminar is open to everyone as athletes and coaches from any discipline as well as business people can benefit from his talk. Coaches can also use the seminar towards their Professional Development hours.
You will definitely come away from the seminar feeling ready to tackle anything!
Click here to purchase your tickets from my website.
Get yours today before they sell out!!
Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone you think may be interested or to post the poster in your barn or workplace.
Laura Card Hall
Chief Event Coordinator
3080 Rosalie Road | Ladysmith, BC | V9G 1C2
Mobile: 250-756-8777 | Email: lhem@shaw.ca
www.lhequestrianmanagement.com
Dear Victoria Saanich CADORA members
Our show season is officially over and now it is time to take out those braids, wash white saddle pads for the last time, let your hair down and get ready to party! We hope you can join us for the 2015 Awards Banquet & Annual Meeting on November 27 at the Royal Oak Golf Club where we will have a chance to recognize the good times, goofy times and great people that made up such a fun year for our club. Awards, door prizes, great food, good friends - really, who could ask for more?
A registration form is attached that you can use to reserve your seat at the dinner. Friends and family are welcome but please don't delay in getting your tickets as they are limited.
See you on the 27th!
Of interest to VSC members - upcoming Supple Equestrian Somatics
Level I workshop! Special price for VSC members (and those referred by us) of $5.00 off, and register by October for further savings, see poster for more info! This is a great class and geared specifically to riders! Somatics Poster