| Yee Haw! Ride-a-Thon is ON!
WHAT IS IT?
The Ride-a-Thon is a fun and highly interactive way for participants, families, volunteers, and the community to come together and raise funds towards CTRA’s charitable program.
This year's event is RODEO-themed, with riders completing a special obstacle course over the week of June 15 – 21 and closes out with a big celebration picnic on Saturday, June 22.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Participants, families, staff, and volunteers are organized into teams supporting one of CTRA’s 15 therapy horses and raise pledges in order to advance their horse towards the fundraising finish line.
Everyone is a winner at the Ride-a-Thon, with participation and incentive prizes awarded to participants along with special trophies for the top pledge-earners.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE RIDE-A-THON?
Individuals looking to support a participant, team, or the charity generally are encouraged to donate pledges in person (through the CTRA office or a Ride-a-Thon team member) or online (you will receive a tax receipt through Canada Helps). Note: If you are supporting a specific individual/team make sure you identify the participant or horse team that your contribution should count towards. For more information on this event please contact our office.
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|  | Photo credit to Rooney Dumlar |
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FUNdamentals Vaulting Camp
Ages 4-11
No previous experience necessary. All abilities welcome. Groups no larger than 6 campers.
A chance for young children to learn the basics of vaulting including basic horsemanship & grooming, gymnastics foundations, skill-building games and of course, basic vaulting moves on the barrel and horse!
July 15-19 9:00 am - 11:00 am OR 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
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Message from the Board Chair
At CTRA's Annual General Meeting in April, the Board of Directors was pleased to welcome two new board members: Pat Hrushowy and Karen Whitehouse, bringing the total number of board members to nine. Janet Barclay has been our Chairperson for the past two years, working tirelessly and diligently to ensure the continuing successes of CTRA's vision and planning. Under her leadership, the Board has overseen financial matters, strategic planning, new ventures and fundraising ideas. Janet has made the decision to step down as Chairperson but thankfully has agreed to stay on as a Director. I will be glad of her presence as I take on the position of Chair. There are many distinct factors in the smooth running of our programs, starting with our wonderful herd of therapy horses. These are joined by the hard-working barn staff and night caretaker; our experienced accredited instructors; volunteers in the ring and at special events; upstairs our volunteer coordinator/program manager, office manager, program assistant and financial coordinator; our grant writer and communications officer; the board of directors, and last, but definitely not least, our Exectuvie Director. Jessie Fraser joined CTRA in January of this year and has been making great inroads connecting with community groups, becoming familiar with all aspects of our programs while looking ahead to future positive opportunities for growth and success. As Chairperson, I look forward to working with Jessie towards our common goals for the benefit of our programs and the participants they serve. Kate Southworth CTRA Board Chair
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Leaders of TomorrowOn Friday, April 12th I had the pleasure of presenting 4 of CTRA’s Youth Volunteers with a Leaders of Tomorrow Award. The awards celebration helped close off National Volunteer Week and acknowledges youth volunteer leaders in the Cowichan Valley.
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| In her own words, Annikka describes why she volunteers at CTRA. “I volunteer because I know what the program has done for me, in the riders place, and I want to be a part in giving another person what the program has given me.” With this pay-it-forward attitude and her genuine connection with young riders as a side walker and horse handler in our program, Annika has joined our part-time staff and is really investing herself in this program. I am excited to see what her future endeavors are as we already see her as an advocate for people dealing with unseen challenges, and an ambassador for therapeutic riding.
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| Eilidh is a proactive young woman who is a positive influence to her peers. Eilidh sought out volunteer opportunities in the Cowichan Valley before she had even moved from Scotland to Canada! Her communication skills are excellent and her work ethic is inspiring. She is a great addition to our Barn support every Saturday and jumps in wherever she is needed most. In a non-profit organization, and with the specialized safety concerns of our program, her help allows our staff members to complete all of their tasks when they have independent and reliable support. With a full school schedule, Eilidh still manages to stay committed to weekly volunteering. CTRA is so grateful and appreciative for the work she does here.
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| ‘Smile and the world smiles with you’ is the perfect quote to start to describe what Emma brings to the barn when she volunteers with CTRA. Emma is involved as a side walker, horse handler, tack cleaner, and in our barn, helping to support all of our programming. Adding to her positivity is her desire to learn and gain experience in order to understand the vital role of horse and human within therapeutic riding. She is committed to the ongoing support and encouragement of the riders she has been paired with and makes herself available for their lessons every week. Emma has a sensibility and understanding beyond her years which, combined with her compassionate attitude makes her a wonderful volunteer and team member at CTRA.
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Adam is a hard-working barn volunteer on Saturday mornings at the Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association. He helps with mucking stalls, lugging water buckets, and throwing down hay which are the mainstay chores of every barn. With a positive attitude and calm spirit, Adam works well with our horses and it is obvious to all that he enjoys the work he does. Last year, Adam asked to be trained in side walking in order to join a therapy team in a supporting role. He got involved in our summer camp programming and used his barn experience to start teaching kids how to work safely in the barn and around horses. He has also started to lead horses in therapeutic lessons, making him a more versatile volunteer in the CTRA program. It is Adam’s quiet approach that helps him connect with riders. His genuine encouragement and joy to see each rider succeed and overcome their challenges, is what makes Adam stand out as a volunteer at CTRA. Adam was drawn from the recipients in his age group and received $100 donation to his charity of choice from Coast Capital Savings, which Adam gave to CTRA! Thank you Adam. Bren Pickel CTRA Volunteer Coordinator
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Our Year in Review
Attendence at the Annual General Meeting was a bit low this year, but those who came were social and enthusiastic! Delicious appies by Judy's Fine Catering were enjoyed by all, and a video presentation of our year in review was well-received. To view the 2018 Annual Report, click here. To view the 2018 CTRA Year In Review Video, click here.
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I am odd, I am new
In 2016, 10-year-old Benjamin Giroux was given an assignment in his New York school. The assignment was to write a poem about himself and use the phrase “I am” to start a few couplets in what he wrote. What came out of Benjamin’s mind, through his fingers and onto his paper, was so insightful and moving it went crazy viral when his dad posted it. The driving force behind the poem’s virality is the fact that Giroux is autistic, and his poem was an attempt to give insight to people what it’s like being an autistic child. When the poem was posted by Benjamin’s parents, it somehow got the attention of the National Autism Association, who posted it on their Facebook page. From there, it blew up, and to date has been shared on the social media network more than 38,000 times.
Click here for more.James Schlarmann
From A Science Enthusiast on Facebook
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Try it! You'll like it!
Next Upcoming Vaulting Try-It Saturday afternoon (time to be determined) June 8th. Ages 7-16. No experience necessary. Contact us for more information or to register. Cost is $15 per person.
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Summer Jobs at CTRA
Summer Maintenance Worker 2019
The period of employment lasts for 16 weeks starting approximately May 15 2019 and the successful candidate will be available for this entire period. The Maintenance Worker has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of the facility and surrounding areas. Duties include, but are not limited to: painting, weed eating, mowing, equipment maintenance, trail upkeep, minor facility repairs, power washing, garden work, and other small projects. This position is suitable for those with a proven ability to work with little to no supervision and those with excellent multi-tasking, prioritization, and problem solving skills. The work is physically demanding and requires skill with common maintenance tools and equipment (weed eater, power washer). Only those with solid, applicable experience with similar jobs will be considered. Experience or familiarity with horses is an asset. Our organization is a place of respect, trust, and inclusion. A criminal record check is mandatory.
This position is available under the Canada Summer Jobs program and as such, applicants must be between 15-30 years of age. This position pays $15/hour and offers 30 hours of work/week, and may include early mornings and some weekends. Send resume via email to info@ctra.ca. Please no drop ins or phone calls. Only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
Summer Program Assistant 2019
The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association is seeking a Summer Program Assistant to help us organize, promote, and execute our busy summer program, including summer vaulting lessons, camps, and special events.
Duties will include some administrative support, such as data entry, word-processing etc, as well as assisting instructor staff with lesson, camp, and special event preparation and execution. The SPA will also serve as a camp leader during camp weeks, working with children of all abilities age 7-16. The position is suitable for someone who is able to work as part of a team, and also independently, who possesses basic administrative skills, and is comfortable working with/supervising children of all abilities in small groups, and those with excellent interpersonal communication skills. The successful candidate should be comfortable working with/around horses, and experience with stable management/horse care is an asset. Only those with solid, applicable experience with similar jobs will be considered. Our organization is a place of respect, trust, and inclusion. A criminal record check is mandatory.
This position is available under the Canada Summer Jobs program and as such, applicants must be between 15-30 years of age. This position pays $15/hour and offers 30 hours of work/week, and may include some weekends. Send resume via email to info@ctra.ca. Please no drop ins or phone calls. Only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
For Your Information
What has changed for Canada Summer Jobs 2019?
The program objectives have been updated to:
Provide quality work experiences for youth;
Respond to national and local priorities to improve access to the labour market for youth who face unique barriers; and,
Provide opportunities for youth to develop and improve their skills.
New expanded eligibility now includes all youth aged 15-30, and is no longer restricted to students. This change has been made to complement the Government's renewal of the Youth Employment Strategy, announced in Budget 2018.
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Tack Shack on the Move
The Coastal Tack Shack will be popping up all over the place at shows and events this year! Stop by for some great deals on tack and apparel, or to learn more about CTRA! May 24-26 - Back Country Horsemen, Arbutus Meadows June 8-9 - Cowichan Valley Pony Club, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds June 15-16 Cowichan District Riding Club, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds July 6-7 - Mid-Island Cadora, Beban Park Nanaimo Sept 6-7 - Cowichan Exhibition, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds Sept 21-22 - Cowichan District Riding Club, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds *NOTE: Schedule subject to change
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| What can working with horses teach us about power and communication?
‘When you work with a horse, you are a herd of two.' This short video from www.aeon.co is enlightening and inspiring. Click here to watch.
Growing up in a small Swiss village, Caroline Wolfer found herself much more at ease around horses than people. Now working as a horse tamer in Patagonia, she has developed an understanding of horses based on what she describes as male and female ‘energies’, with the behaviours of stallions rooted in respect, and the behaviours of mares rooted in trust. Wolfer believes that, in human interactions, these two equally vital energies are out of balance, with the scale tilted heavily towards the male. In her work teaching humans to interact with horses at a corral, she emphasises the value of both male and female energies, and the importance of being straightforward in communicating. In doing so, Wolfer feels that she has helped people with their everyday interpersonal skills, and also helped herself to find comfort around other people.
Director: Diane Crespo
Producers: Belle Casares, Diane Crespo
Website: Cicala Filmworks
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| Bonnie Tarchuk Memorial Award 2nd year winner is Annika Christensen!
Congratulations to rider, volunteer, and barn staff Annika on being awarded the Bonnie Tarchuk Memorial Award “For the rider who best shows a spirit of positivity and optimism in the face of adversity.” We are lucky to have you on our team! Bonnie Tarchuk was an inspirational woman who overcame many challenges in her life. After her death, her friends and family teamed up to honour her memory with an annual award offered by CTRA for a participant who exhibits the same qualities that made Bonnie so special and loved by her community. Annika Christensen continues to conquer many of the challenges of her PTSD (as a result of a series of traumatic episodes) and is a most deserving recipient of this award.
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Annika Christensen (right) receives the Bonnie Tarchuk award from Instructor Dani Vipond | |
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A New Face in the BarnFrosty is a middle aged, 13 +/- HH Welsh Arab cross. Island born and bred, Frosty spent his early years at a hunter/jumper barn. This dashing fellow has fit right in to the therapy-horse life here at CTRA, and is a favorite among our smallest riders and the volunteers who work with him. Frosty's favourite sport is soccer, and he loves to delight onlookers by maneuvering the large jollyball around the arena with his nose. This affinity for sports earned him his hashtag: #BendItLikeFrosty
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| Horse Wrap?
We can't exactly give you an ad wrap for a sponsored horse, but we can guarantee big applause, plenty of photo ops and lots of horse snuggles! Horse Sponsorship is one of the ways we ensure the best care for the essential tools of our trade. $2500 per year covers basic feed and care for one of these amazing ponies. We still have several horses needing sponsorship for 2019! Contact us to find out more. Sponsorship recognition is outlined on our website here.
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Pony Birthdays!
Tonka - April 6th - 1998
Floella - April 26th - 1996
Ember - May 10th - 1998
Keagan - May 26th - 2011
Bocina - June 6th - 2001
Polly - July 2nd - 2010
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| | Thank you to our 2018 Supporters
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Bentzen, Debbie
Blair, Patricia
Brown, Joy
Campbell, Barb
Equine Emporium
Morris and Helen Belkin Foundation
Murray, Catherine
Sicherman, Mark
United Steel Workers Local 1-1937
Wells, Norman
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Buckeridge, Stephanie
Campbell, Candice
Cowichan Community Policing Society
Fidler, Wendy
Gibson, Greg
Giles, Jennifer
Godfrey, Erin
Grayum, Sally
Gutherie, Frances
Howells, Ruth & John
Killick, Jackie
Klinge, Kara
MacGillivray, Alice
Mills, Kristina
Reynolds, Cindy
Sherwin, Ross
Taylor, Kimberly
Vogelaar, Tabitha
Weismiller, David
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Anderson, Sandra
Arrowsmith, Erin
Ayers, Cheri
Barclay, Janet
Barnes van Elk, Jennifer
Bell, Linda
Benwell, Owen
Billings, Susan
Bonner, Stephanie
Coulson, David
Cowichan Slinger Tucking Inc
Culver, Sue
Cutler, Anne
Denis, Stephanie
Dryco Systems Inc
Duffield, Richard
Ecole Pauline Johnson Elementary
Grigy, Maria
Grimes, Richard
G's Organic Solutions
Hayes, Marlene
Hemrich, Carol
Hudson, Catherine
Hutton, Jack
Island Domestic Services
James, Elizabeth J.
Johnson, Judy
Lake, Susan
Marcus, Kerry
Margetts, Cathy
Maurer, Athena
McKinnon, Teresa
Mitchell, Violaine
Morris, Nicolette
Muir, Anne
O'Brien, Sherry
Park, Danielle
Quinn, Calleigh
Reed, Dave & Wendy
Seymour, George
Smith, Marlana
Stackwood, Lisa
Summer, Rachel
The Community Farm Store
Tipping, Percy
Top Shelf Feeds
Unger, Donald & Patricia
Usborne, Joanne & Michael
Van Elk, Kathleen
Vandendungen, Amy
Walczak, Janet
Whiteley, Nigel
Wilkinson, Dave
Wilson, Allan
Wilson, Janice
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Bare Essentials
Bath Naturals by Sarah
Beal, Meggie
Bilquist, Kelly
Bjornson, Jocelyn
Caldwell, Anne
Calveley, Sandy
Chambers, Britney
Chari-Teas
Cowichan Canine Training Centre
Dellison Farm
Desiree's Custom Creations
Donily, Jessica
Drumm, Ann
Erickson, Teri
Garlick, Joan
Gorle, Joanne
Grahame, Kim
Hartlen, Debra
Heppell, Lindsay
Ilic, Kyla
James, Jane
Ketch, Shirley
Lacheur, April
LaPointe, Cathie
Lethbridge, Ashley
Lintner, Irene
Macmillan, Sharleen
MacMurchy, Marsha
Mowat, Sunny
Newington, Carol
O'Neill, Margaret
Red Arrow Brewing Co
Roome, Julie
Shar-Kare Feeds & Pet Supplies
Strongman, Susan
Swanston, Barbara
Taggit Engraving
Tewinkel, Naomi
The Vintage Brush
Wellwood, Delia
Williams, Darcie
Williams, Robert & Mary
Woods, Jane & John
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| Get Involved!There are always many ways to support any non-profit. Here are some of ours.
Returnables CTRA has a large Return It bin at the top of the driveway leading down to the stable. Drop off your returnable drink containers any time! Plastic and metal containers go in the big bin. Glass returnables go into the blue bins alongside. This ongoing fundraiser is easy and effective! Returnables can also be taken to the Duncan or South Cowichan Island Return It Depots and donated to our account. Simply tell the cashier they are for Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association when you reach the counter.
Thrifty Foods Smile Cards By using a CTRA-linked Thrifty Foods Smile Card, your grocery purchases put money in our pocket! Thrifty Foods generously donates 5% of the amounts you load onto your card. It's so easy! Please contact us to get a CTRA Smile Card and start shopping!
Monthly Giving Committing to even a small monthly donation makes a difference to our bottom line. Having steady, reliable and unrestricted funding allows better budgeting for the basics such as utilities, wages and other overhead costs that many grants won't cover. Monthly donations are easily set up on Canada Helps.
Events Keep in touch to find out about our events. We hold several fundraisers each year, from Burger &
Beer nights to our big Ride-a-Thon pledge week. Getting involved in events supports us in a fun way! Follow us on social media for what is coming up next (see bottom of newsletter for links)
Tack Donations We can always use tack! Donations of used horse tack and equipment are a great way to help. Items we can use in our own programs are sidelined--reducing our equipment costs. Items we can sell in the Jane James Used Tack Shop generate funds for our programming. Items that are not suitable for either of these purposes get recycled in our Free Store to keep them in use. Higher value donations are eligible for tax receipts if desired.
Planned Giving Consider a legacy gift in your will or as part of your long term financial planning. Talk toyour financial advisor about how to set this up.
Volunteering Our volunteers make CTRA happen. Without them, we simply could not function. And most of them say that their time here is their therapy! There are many roles that CTRA volunteers can have, but the most comon are side walkers and horse handlers to facilitate our lessons. To find our more about how you can take part in what we do, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Bren Pickel at 250-746-1028 or info@ctra.ca.
Sponsorships/Donations philanthropy: the desire to promote the welfare of others, espressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes Financial support is still one of the best ways to support your favourtie cause. Although we seek support from a variety of sources, funds are often restricted to certain purposes or uses. Unrestricted funds are harder to find, yet are often the most important for us. Sponsoring an event or project, getting coworkers together to sponsor a horse, or simply making a donation are all great ways to practice philanthropy in your community. You will receive recognition for your contribution and know that you have made a difference. Find out more here.
Being a CTRA Ambassador You keep in touch with us regularly, and you already support us financially. What more can you do? Be a CTRA Ambassador! Tell people about us! Make sure that your sphere of influence knows about your interest in what we do. Promote our websie and social media pages. Wear CTRA branded clothing (available at our office). Put up a CTRA poster at your gym or workplace (contact us for this). Nominate us for philanthropy/fundraising groups such as 100 Women or 100 Men Who Care. Spreading the word about CTRA keeps us engaged with our community and garners support from our funders. Plus, it can help to direct new participants and volunteers to us.
Support Our Supporters Since many of our supporters are local businesses, it helps to let them know you appreciate their contribution to CTRA. Knowing that their involvement has been noticed is wonderful feedback to receive!
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| Upcoming Events
May 13 Spring 2 Session begins
June 15-21 Ride-a-Thon Week
June 22 Year End Picnic & Ride-a-Thon Wrap Up
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| | Visit our website for everything you want to know about CTRA! You can find press releases, informaiton about our herd of therapy horses, forms and much, much more.
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| | Facebook is a great place to see what is happening day by day at CTRA. Follow us to stay current and see some of those special moments that happen here.
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| | You will smile. You will laugh. You will cry. You will relate. Follow us on Instagram for memorable moments that will touch your heart.
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