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| Each year, hundreds of supporters come together in support of CTRA's programs. Without the generous contributions of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and businesses from near and far - CTRA's work would not be possible. Following our AGM, this issue of the Leading Rein recognizes the generosity of donors, sponsors, and other helping hands in 2017.
You will find their names later in this issue.
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Message from the Executive Director
AGM 2018
CTRA’s 2018 AGM was held on April 9th. 43 people attended the meeting, and enjoyed the wine and appetizers following. For anyone who missed the meeting, the Annual Report can be found here.Three of CTRA’s recent videos were shown prior to the meeting, and the new Bonnie Tarchuk Memorial award was announced. (See below) We would like to express our sincere thanks to out-going board members Kathy Van Elk, Denise Phipps & Danielle Park for their countless hours of hard work. We would like to welcome two new board members to the team: Doug Sanford & Kate Morrow. Both Doug and Kate have been volunteers in the ring for some time so are familiar faces around CTRA.
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CTRA's Current Board left to right
Doug Sanford, Kate Morrow, Secretary Breanne Ellison, Vice President Kate Southworth, President Janet Barclay, Phil Salt & Irene Lintner. Not shown Treasurer Cathie Newman.
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Message from the Board Chair The CTRA Vision Statement reads:
"CTRA exists as a place where the human-equine relationship creates opportunities for achievement and positive human experiences."
As a CTRA volunteer, both in the ring and on the Board of Directors, I see this Vision come to life with every visit. Ten years ago I responded to an ad in our local paper. The Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association was looking for volunteers. No experience was needed and training was provided. I entered the barn for the first time on that summer afternoon and was immediately drawn into the special world of CTRA. I feel I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge and confidence over the years, yet still consider myself a novice, as I learn something new every time I am there! I am grateful for the added involvement of being a Board member for the past five years and now as Board Chair, take advantage of this fact and tout CTRA whenever I can, proudly wearing my badge with the CTRA logo engraved on it.
In the CTRA Constitution, the Purposes of our Society are:
"a) to provide therapeutic riding and equine-based therapeutic services to support the health and wellbeing of persons with special needs and b) To provide the resources required to sustain and develop CTRA's charitable services".
These purposes could not be fulfilled without our dedicated and hard-working staff; in the office, barn and ring, who also contribute many unpaid hours. Nor could they be fulfilled without our enthusiastic and upbeat volunteers, who while sharing their time and effort, add to that feeling of goodwill that envelopes CTRA. The Board greatly values CTRA's participants and families, and extends a heartfelt thank-you to our generous supporters. We have a wonderful community and are looking forward to sharing another exciting year with new developments on the horizon.
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National Volunteer Week Celebrates Volunteers Everywhereby Bren Pickel
Do you recall the credit card commercial with a tag line that went something like “scuba diving lessons in Bermuda - $400.00 …memories made – priceless”? This year’s theme for National Volunteer week was “Celebrate the Value of Volunteering”. I think it is the same sentiment as the credit card commercial. We know how to start to measure the value of CTRA volunteers, but I don’t think we could ever fully determine it or see the endless benefits.
The sub text to the year’s theme was “building confidence, competence, connections, and community”. That’s some value and it’s happening here at CTRA on a daily basis! As the Volunteer Coordinator, I am inspired by the amazing people on our volunteer team who support, interact, build, create, sustain, and reach out as they volunteer their time. The results deliver therapeutic experiences to our riders, their families, our community, and to each other!
To our Volunteers, both past and present, we thank you, and continually celebrate with you the value of volunteering here at CTRA.
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Kate Southworth leading Floella. Kate has been involved with CTRA since 2006 as a Side Walker, Horse Handler and then on our Board of Directors. | |  |
There is always a lot of fixing to do around the stable. Brent Heath keeps things running smoothly as a weekly volunteer. Here he is helping to transform the Piggery building into the Jane James Used Tack Shop. | |
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Volunteer teams help deliver over 60 therapeutic lessons every week of each session. Here Horse Handler Lisa takes Smokey out with Side Walker Rose and rider Kody. | |  |
There is always room for more! We need you! The Volunteer Holiday Luncheon lets us celebrate Horse Handlers like Ray (a real cowboy!) | |
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| | CTRA Horse Feature: Ember
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The little fjord who could!by Helgi Sangret
“Well, Ember is really a horse on short legs!” This was the first line of CTRA founder Jane James’ email to us after trying Ember out in Enderby, BC in October 2006. Jane also described her as having the typical Fjord horse personality of “very stoic, patient, and friendly.” Not only did Ember seem to possess those desirable personality traits, but her history of being a pack-horse out in the bush made her very careful, sure-footed, and strong. (For more info on pack-horses, check out this article: https://www.horsejournals.com/life-horses/pack-horses). After passing her vet-check with flying colours Ember made the journey down to CTRA, where she very quickly became an indispensable member of the herd.
Ember’s short legs combined with her strong, horse-sized build allow her to take both children and adult riders who need side-walkers. She is one of our few therapy horses who is trained to tolerate the electric lift, which allows her to take riders who use a wheelchair or may otherwise have difficulty mounting in a traditional manner. Her patient and calm nature make her a favourite for playing games and going for trail rides. Don’t let her sleepy demeanor fool you though, Ember is also happy to perk up for a walk/trot/canter independent lesson or go for some zoomies on the lunge-line.
At almost 20 years of age, Ember really embodies the perfect therapy horse, and after 12 years at CTRA she is still going strong and loving her job, as evidenced by this beautiful video made by Maddie Mahon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6zMH1EBn_Y . If you haven’t watched the video yet, be sure to check it out. Since going viral on Facebook it has made our little Ember a celebrity all over the world, and she is always happy to receive visits from her adoring fans if you ever find yourself in the area!
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 | Ember's Funny Face Photo by Rachel Bodger | |  | Volunteer Coordinator Bren leads Ella on Ember Photo by Lisa Pink | |
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Horse? Or Goat?
Marvel lives with two goats, Jaime and Faye. When Marvel saw them standing on rocks for a better lookout, he started doing it too! What a Marvellous horse! Thanks to Marvel's owner Jenn Barnes van Elk for this great shot of her goofy equine!
Do you have a funny horse story or photo to share! Please send it to info@ctra.ca and maybe we'll pop it into our newsletter!
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A Positive Spirit Bonnie Tarchuk was an inspirational horsewoman from Gabriola. She faced the many challenges in her life with optimism and lived life joyfully. She knew the power & benefits of equine relationships through her own experience with a special horse named Bocina. When she passed away suddenly, her friends and family came together to create a legacy in her name, by donating to CTRA. In her honor, the Bonnie Tarchuk Memorial award will be handed out annually to a CTRA rider best shows a spirit of positivity and optimism in the face of adversity. This year’s winner is Lynn James. Lynn came to CTRA just over a year ago. Like Bonnie, Lynn has faced some serious health challenges & personal loss. She had very little horse experience when she came to CTRA but felt it would be a way for her to help her deal with her challenges. Soon she was also volunteering in the barn and finding that every bit as therapeutic as the riding was. But beyond that, Lynn has become one of those special people who seem to absorb CTRA into their life and have lovely ripple effect to those around them. She has quietly contributed little touches where she sees a need, and makes everyone who works here feel so appreciated. I think that like Bonnie’s friends felt about her, a day is a little bit brighter when Lynn is in it, and CTRA is richer for having her part of our family. We were so pleased to have members of Bonnie’s family attend the AGM – Her husband Ross Sherwin, step daughter Anna Quenelle & sister-in-law Jenny Sherwin.
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 | Lynn James with members of CTRA staff. As Lynn was not able to make the AGM presentation, we surprised her during one of her volunteer shifts! | |
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The Bonnie Tarchuk Memorial Award Plaque | |  |
Bonnie’s husband Ross Sherwin & CTRA Executive Director Anne Muir. | |
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Funder Feature: The Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
The Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island has been funding services for children and youth across Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands since 1927. The organization started when the Women’s Institute successfully launched the Island’s first children’s hospital – a “Solarium” in Mill Bay (relocated to Victoria in 1958). In 1984, The Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children was established, furthering the mission through initiatives such as Child, Youth, and Family Centres in Colwood/Sooke and Jeneece Place (a home for families travelling to Victoria for their child’s medical care). These days, the Foundation raises and manages funds to ensure that every Island family can access the essential health services and supports they need, so that kids can be kids. The Foundation’s focus areas include child and youth mental health, early childhood development, and access to rural and remote health care. CTRA has enjoyed a community partnership with the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver since 2011, back when the organization was still called the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children. During the course of this long-standing partnership, both CTRA and the Foundation have evolved and grown in order to better reach and serve vulnerable children and families in the Cowichan region. The Children’s Health Foundation has been instrumental in CTRA’s development over the past 8 years. This year, the Foundation announced a record-breaking $4.7 million dollar Island-wide investment, including a 3-year (2019-2021) funding commitment to CTRA at $25,000 per year. This multi-year grant is a remarkable departure from single-year support in that it will enable CTRA to establish and reach long-term goals while helping CTRA to leverage additional funding from other sources. The Foundation’s community resources go well beyond grants to health-care organizations. The West Shore and Sooke Child, Youth, and Family centres provide centralized “hub” facilities for organizations/agencies serving children/youth; the Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health offers early intervention and therapeutic services/programs for over 4000 children with physical and mental health challenges each year; Jeneece Place provides a “home away from home” for sick children and their families on the Victoria General Hospital Grounds; and the Foundation’s multiple scholarships/bursaries help youth and young adults with special needs undertake post-secondary education. To learn more about the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, please visit www.islandkidsfirst.com or follow them on social media @islandkidsfirst (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram).
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Ride-a-Thon is ON! CTRA's biggest 2018 Fundraiser is on! Theme - Steeplechase! Our riders will be sporting jockey silks and taking a bow in the Winner's Circle this year. Every year, CTRA holds Ride-a-Thon, a fund-raising (and FUN-raising) event where participants, families, and volunteers raise pledges for some great prizes. Riders take part in a special Ride-a-Thon obstacle course over the week of June 16-22 and the whole thing wraps up at our Annual Celebration Picnic on June 23rd. You can support this event by making a pledge--in person, by mail, by etransfer to payment@ctra.ca or online at Canada Helps. Annual Celebration Picnic - Save the Date! Everyone is welcome at our Annual Celebration Picnic. Come down and meet the horses, mingle with our community, and join in the festivities! Drop by on Saturday June 23rd between 2-4pm at the CTRA facility (on Providence Farm) for a hotdog and some fun! Bring your friends, family, and neighbours! RSVP appreciated to help us plan!
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Video Victories! CTRA has been front and centre in the media these days with some awesome videos! Young filmmaker Geoff Arrowsmith recently won the Best Documentary Award at the Cowichan Valley Film Festival for his excellent film about one of CTRA's early riders Neil Cutler. Click here for a look at this inspirational piece: Children's Health Foundation recently released a video that includes one of our participants and instructors. See it here:
Chek News did a great piece on our Volunteers in their Vital People segment: CTRA also appeared in a clip from CTV: And we are bursting with pride over the VIRAL success of "Ember Had a Dream", an incredible video made by filmmaker Maddie Mahon:
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CTRA's 2018 Summer Horse Camps
This summer, CTRA will be offering the following camps: July 3-6: Pony Pals Camp 1 (2-4 day flexible options) Referral Required, Ages 4+ July 9-13: Pony Pals Camp 2 (2-4 day flexible options) Referral Required, Ages 4+ July 16-20: Vaulting Camp No experience required, Ages 7-17 July 30-Aug 3: Fearless Fillies Girls Vaulting Camp Referral Required, Ages 7-17 Aug 13-17: Hoofprints Camp 1 No experience required, Ages 7-15 Aug 20-24: Hoofprints Camp 2 No experience required, Ages 7-15 Registration is now open, and camps are filling up quickly. Register early to avoid disappointment!
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In Memoriam Yvonne Pink Aug 5, 1937 – Mar 16, 2018
With great sadness the Pink family announces the passing of Yvonne Pink on March 16, 2018. She immigrated with her family to Calgary, Alberta in November 1954. She is survived by her husband Alf, her daughters Susanne, Michele, Leslie, Janette and Lisa and her son David, as well as her 14 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.
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Research Projects Coming to CTRAThis year, the CTRA in conjunction with the School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education (EPHE) at the University of Victoria, will be undertaking two research projects.
The first project will document the physical demands of Adapted Equestrian Vaulting, in terms of the muscles used and the range of motion required during the vaulting moves. Initially, the physical demands will be assessed on the vaulting instructors, then with participants. When participants are involved we will also document the social interaction between riders during vaulting sessions.
The EPHE team who will be conducting the evaluation is:
• Dr. Viviene Temple (adapted physical activity expertise)
• Dr. Lynneth Stuart-Hill (exercise physiology expertise)
• Ms. Beth Achtem (elementary school teacher and Masters student)
• Ms. Amber Nordquist (undergraduate honours student)
The focus of the second study is to examine how participation in therapeutic riding at (CTRA) affects the social connectedness of its participants and their families. Or …
The second project will examine the role of the CTRA in helping with the social connectedness of families who attend the program regularly. This project will involve interviewing parents and potentially riders.
The EPHE team who will be conducting the evaluation is:
• Ms. Shelby Bouthillier (elementary school teacher, special educator and Masters student)
• Dr. Viviene Temple (adapted physical activity expertise)
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CTRA Out & About Children's Health Foundation Summit!
Development Officer Jennifer Barnes van Elk and Executive Director Anne Muir recently attended the 2nd Annual Summit, put on by the Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. The theme this year was Strong Together. The event brought together all the agencies supported by the Foundation for a jam-packed day of learning and collaboration.
Check out the foundation's video featuring one of CTRA's riders!
Photo from left to right: Chief Executive Officer Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island Veronica Carroll, Community Investment Manager Anita Brassard, CTRA Development Officer Jennifer Barnes van Elk and CTRA Executive Director Anne Muir
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Volunteer Coordinator Bren Pickel and Executive Director Anne Muir "mugging" for a photo at the Mad Hatter's Tea Party Fundraiser put on by Nourish Cowichan | |  |
The Coastal Tack Shack made an appearance at the CDRC Event in April at the Cowichan Exhibition Ground | |
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CTRA's booth at the recent Home & Wellness Expo attracted some attention -- we love to show off what we do! | |
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Interested in helping with ASD research? Bloorview Research Institute is surveying the Use of Technology in Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This survey refers to non-television electronic screen media and is for children between 0-19 years old. Please note that this survey is not related to CTRA and this link is provided for your information only.
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| | Thank You to our 2018 Supporters
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FOE 4400 (Chemainus/Crofton) | |  |
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Debbie Bentzen
Susan Billings
Robert Bridge
Casagrande's Pets Plus
DV Media Inc.
Foxstone Stable
Chris Groendyke
Delford Lenk
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| Candice Campbell
Leanna Collard
Loree I'anson
Janna Jorgensen
Corinne Lapointe-Turk
Tiffany Littmann
Philip Salt
Amy Steen
Jane Stone
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Adkins, Shelley
Barclay, Janet
Beggs, Sandra
Birch, Carol
Burke-Gaffney, Theresa
Calder, Kathy
Dargatz, Vegas
Dous, Diane
Fairweather, Nicholas
Fritz, William
Gibney, Juanita
Hamilton, Alexandra
Hankins, Vicki
Hayes, Marlene
Higgins, Lori
Howells, Ruth & John
James, Elizabeth J.
James, Lynn
Kelly, Joan
Lake, Susan
Macaulay, Anne
McKenna, Patty
Mitchell, Violaine
Model, Pawli
Morrow, Kate
Mowat, Sunny
Muir, Anne
Plante, Ybo
Rankin, Pat
Schuler, Eveline
Seymour, George
Tipping, Percy
Usborne, Joanne & Michael
Vimy Western Riding Club
Wellwood, Delia & Douglas
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Barnes van Elk, Jennifer
Bell, Linda
Bjornson, Jocelyn
Brownlow, Jennifer
Cochrane, Emma
Cowburn, Wendy
Denis, Stephanie
Drew, Maeve
Ferguson, Lori
Hudson, Margaret
Lintner, Adolf
Mason, Tina
Millar, Kristina
Park, Danielle
Plaatjes-Burnes, Andeline
Power, Julie
Ryzak, Jacqueline
Southworth, Kate
Steen, Laurel
Tompkins, Claire
Whiten, Anna & Derek
Williams, Robert & Mary
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| Don't forget to follow us on social media for the latest from CTRA!
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| Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association | 1843 Tzouhalem Road | Duncan, BC, Canada | V9L 5L6 |
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