This January, CTRA created our answer to the famous “Budweiser Horse” commercials. The 2-minute video features CTRA therapy horse “Ember” and her relationship with a young therapeutic rider. The supporting cast includes CTRA staff members, volunteers, and therapy horses "Tonka" and "Leo." In this short film, we watch as little Ember, who dreams of becoming a champion horse, grows sad realizing that she just can’t keep up with the dressage and jumping horses (played by Tonka and Leo). As the piece concludes, we learn that in the eyes of the child she works with, she is already a winner.
The film’s videographer is former CTRA employee Madison Mahon, a student currently attending Vancouver Island University on a full scholarship for her academic achievements in High School. Mahon has a background with the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre and is working towards her Technical Theatre Diploma and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree.
Much to our surprise, this little video quickly “went viral,” spreading around the world in a matter of hours and surpassing half a million views (on Facebook alone) in just one week. At this time, the Facebook clip is approaching a million views. In addition, the video will be featured at the upcoming EQUUS Film Festival in Illinois. CTRA has been overwhelmed by the support we received, including innumerable comments and touching stories from horse lovers across the globe - many in different languages.
We hope that this popular social media post will help attract the volunteers and donations we need to keep our equine-assisted therapeutic services accessible for persons with special needs.
Those looking to view the video can find it on Facebook or the CTRA site, where donations can also be made (click the “donate” button).
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If you've spent much time around the CTRA stables, you've probably had the pleasure of meeting Debbie. Debbie has been with CTRA (as a participant and volunteer) for the past 30 years! On Tuesdays, you can find Debbie hard at work in the barn - helping to fill water buckets, muck stalls, and groom the horses. Debbie is very passionate about equestrian life, an attribute that is reflected in her favourite TV show - "Heartland." If you missed an episode, Debbie is the expert to catch up with. She knows all of the storylines and character drama by heart! At this year's holiday party, Debbie was gifted autographed pictures from Amber Marshall (who plays Amy Fleming, Heartland's star) along with several issues of Amber's Life & Style magazine. This wonderful contribution was organized by volunteer Lynn James. Debbie is an exceptionally busy lady. When she is not in the barn, she is working at Staples or training for the Special Olympics. In 2017, Debbie was awarded 2 silver medals for her achievements in swimming. If you see Debbie, remember to give her a big thank you for 3 decades of commitment to the health and happiness of the CTRA herd. We couldn't do it without her!
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CTRA Riders on the Podium!CTRA riders cleaned up on the fourth and final leg of the 2017 Para-Equestrian Video Competition Series, securing CTRA's standing as 2017's High Point Therapeutic Riding Centre. CTRA riders compete under the Sea-to-Sea Para-Dressage program, an inclusive, multi-level competition which invites riders from across Canada to submit video entries of "tests" (pre-determined patterns demonstrating graduated skills) which are judged against riders classified within the same grade (grades are based on functional abilities such as muscle power, joint range and coordination). Video competitions are an innovative solution that allows riders with special needs to experience the thrill of national competition within the supportive environment of their home centre (using familiar volunteer teams, dedicated therapy horses, and specialized tack) and without the prohibitive expense of travel. Results (Oct 30 cut-off): Brendan Edwards - First Place: Grade I Test 1
Makenzie Smith - First Place: Grade II Test 1
Meygan Gordon-Crane - First Place: Grade II Test 1
Haley Smith - Second Place: Grade II Test 1
Chelsy Tuplin - Third Place: Grade II Test 1
Emma Muller - Forth Place: Grade II Test 1
Thomas George: First Place: Grade I Test 2
Hannah Bosnell: First Place: Grade II Test 2
Taylor Bennett: Second Place: Grade II Test 2 These latest achievements clinched CTRA the title of High Point Therapeutic Riding Centre for the 2017 Sea-to Sea Competition! This is the second year in a row that CTRA has been honoured with this distinction. Congratulations to CTRA riders and coaches on this tremendous accomplishment. We couldn't be more proud! About the Para-Equestrian Video Competition Series The 2017 Video Competition Series kicked off in March and ended in late November. Annually, the series includes the Sea-to-Sea Para-Dressage program, which focuses solely on Para-Dressage, and the Coast-to-Coast program, which offers classes in a variety of disciplines, from Equitation to Obstacle Courses to Combined Jumping. For more information on the Para-Equestrian Video Competition Series, visit Equestrian Canada.
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| New Award Honours Bonnie's Legacy
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On December 31, the Gabriola horse community lost a dear friend. Bonnie Tarchuk was a horse enthusiast with a penchant for Norwegian Fjords. No stranger to adversity, Bonnie faced life's challenges with unrelenting positivity and a thirst for adventure. Always smiling, Bonnie was positively radiant on the back of a horse - particularly aboard Bocina, her favourite Fjord. As part of Bonnie's legacy, a memorial award has been established to honour the CTRA participant that best embodies Bonnie's resiliency, determination, and enthusiastic attitude. Donations in support of this award can be made through the CTRA office or the Canada Helps site (please earmark your intention in the comments). The inaugural award will be presented at this year's Annual General Meeting on Monday, April 9, 2017.
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CTRA's Coastal Tack Shack Hits the RoadThanks to funding from Coastal Community Credit Union, CTRA has launched our "Coastal Tack Shack" - a travelling kiosk selling goods from CTRA's Jane James Used Tack Shop. The name for this initiative was selected through a community contest. Heather Healy, a Member Service Representative with Coastal Community Credit Union (Courtenay), submitted the winning entry. So far, the Coastal Tack Shack received a warm welcome (despite the cold weather) at Foxstone Stable's Winter Schooling Show on November 25th. The Tack Shack is scheduled to roll through many other shows and fairs in 2018, so keep an eye out for CTRA at an event near you! Coastal Tack Shack Tour Schedule*: * dates/events subject to change - new events may be added April 7/8 - Cowichan District Riding Club Show (Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan, BC) May 27 - Vimy Western Riding Club Show (Vimy Riding Club, Duncan, BC) June 9/10 - Cowichan District Riding Club Show (Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan, BC) July 19-22 - BC Summer Games (Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan, BC) July 29 - Vimy Western Riding Club Show (Vimy Riding Club, Duncan, BC) August 25 - Cobble Hill Fair (Cobble Hill Fairgrounds, Cobble Hill, BC) August 26 - Vimy Western Riding Club Show (Vimy Riding Club, Duncan, BC) September 7-9 - Cowichan Exhibition (Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan, BC) September 22/23 - Cowichan District Riding Club Show (Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan, BC)
October 6/7 - Cowichan District Riding Club Show (Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan, BC) Do you love going to horse shows and have an interest in/knowledge of tack? CTRA is looking for volunteers to help man the Coastal Tack Shack at 2018 events. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Bren Pickel if you are interested in helping out!
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Present this coupon in person or on your phone during your next visit to the store or kiosk and receive this deal! | |
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Summer Camps 2018
Summer camps are an important personal highlight for many children. Camps provide an enriching opportunity to learn new skills, make new friends, and build memories to last a lifetime. Studies have shown that compared to their peers, children that take part in camps report better social integration and a wider social network. Camp participation is also associated with improved self-confidence, heightened emotional intelligence, and greater coping skills/adaptability.
For children with special needs, camps help to explore abilities, realize achievements, and feel a sense of belonging. For youth that may be marginalized by barriers to participation (including a lack of adapted facilities/programs and stigmatizing perceptions of difference), inclusive camps are an invaluable community resource. Research demonstrates that in addition to all the benefits experienced by “able-bodied/neuro-typical” children, campers with special needs also benefit from immersion in an inclusive culture that celebrates differences as unique aspects of personhood.
CTRA has been providing equestrian camps for decades. Each spring and summer, we welcome a stampede of campers to the facility – where children of all abilities learn to ride, take care of horses, and revel in all things equestrian! In 2017, CTRA integrated equestrian vaulting services, providing additional camps specializing in this new discipline.
Horse camps are an amazing "first contact" opportunity for children and their families who might be looking to therapeutic riding as a long-term therapeutic strategy and healthy activity. We have found that many children who join our camps stay involved with our program after discovering the benefits of therapeutic riding. For children already involved in the program, camps are a great opportunity to dive deeper into the world of horses and develop new skills. For all participants, CTRA's camps provide an amazing opportunity to make new friends with a shared love of horses. 2018 Camp Schedule:
July 3-6: "Pony Pals" Camp I
July 9-13: "Pony Pals" Camp II
July 16-20: Adapted Equestrian Vaulting Camp (learn more about AEV)
July 30-August 3: "Fearless Fillies" (girls-only vaulting camp)
August 13-17: "Hoofprints" Camp I
August 20-24: "Hoofprints" Camp II
More information and registration forms can be found here. CTRA is looking for volunteers to help out as horse-handlers, side-walkers, and camp leaders with our 2018 camp program! This is a wonderful opportunity for equestrians and non-equestrians alike to give back to the community, gain volunteer/mentoring/employment experience in the field, and learn valuable new skills. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Bren Pickel to learn more.
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Funder Feature: Canadian Tire Jumpstart CharityCanadian Tire Jumpstart is a national charity committed to making play and sport more accessible for kids of all abilities. Their motto, "Play Finds A Way" reflects Canadian Tire's corporate commitment to ensuring that barriers (including low-income households and adaptive sport needs) do not prevent children and youth from participating in, and benefitting from, community-level recreation and organized sports.
Since 2005, Jumpstart has distributed over $135 million to help financially disadvantaged families access sport/play programs. In 2017, an additional $50 million investment expanded this mandate to include funding for programs serving children with disabilities.
Through individual grants, Jumpstart provides direct financial support to low-income families with children (4-18) to offset the costs of registration, equipment, and transportation expenses for play/sport activities (learn more here).
Through the Community Development Grant program, Jumpstart provides support to community organizations that offer physical activity, sport, or recreational programming to children (4-18) from families in financial need (learn more here).
Jumpstart's Play Finds A Way program is a new initiative composed of three distinct programs: Jumpstart Accessibility Grants (supporting capital projects related to improving physical accessibility), the Parasport Jumpstart Fund (a partnership between Jumpstart and the Canadian Paralympic Committee), and the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground Project (an initiative funding inclusive playgrounds across Canada).
In 2017 and 2018, CTRA has been the fortunate recipient of funding through Jumpstart’s Parasport Jumpstart Fund and Community Development Grant program. This support is integral to keeping CTRA's life-enhancing services accessible for children of all abilities and financial circumstances.
CTRA is a registered Jumpstart Community Partner. Low-income families are encouraged to apply to Jumpstart for individual grants to subsidize registration fees, equipment costs (e.g. boots, helmets), and travel associated with participation in CTRA’s program. For more information on this and other financial aid options applicable to CTRA’s services please visit our financial aid page or contact the CTRA office.
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- Therapy Horses Needed: CTRA desperately needs more suitable therapy horses for our growing program. We're looking for "been-there-done-that" types around middle age. Candidates must be sound, safe, and preferably "going" (no lawn ornaments please!). Please note that a trial period is required for all horses considered for the program. Free leases are preferred with the possibility of a small budget for purchases. Contact CTRA with any leads.
- Annual General Meeting: Monday April 9th @ the CTRA facility. Doors at 6:30pm, meeting at 7pm, social hour with wine and snacks to follow. Everyone welcome, memberships available!
- Summer Camp Registration Opens May 1st, 2018 - register early to avoid disappointment!
- CTRA Ride-a-Thon Week: June 16-23
- Annual Celebration Picnic: Saturday June 23
- Volunteer Dates????
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In the News: Research Supports Horse Therapy for PTSD New research out of the University of Missouri has shown that equine-assisted interventions reduced PTSD symptoms by 87% in military veterans from the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Hospital. Check out the full article here.
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| Don't forget to follow us on social media for the latest from CTRA! Posting your CTRA pics? Use the #CowichanTRA hashtag!
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CTRA's Community Partners | |
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