BCCTRA: British Columbia Competitive Trail Riders Association

VISION

BCCTRA is a leader in promoting long distance riding opportunities for recreational and competitive equestrian trail riders in western Canada. Our mission is to promote and enhance the sport of competitive trail riding within British Columbia by providing education, training and competition for all levels of equestrians. Although a CTR is not a race, both the timing and pacing of your horse is crucial to succeeding in these events. Pulse, respiration and dehydration are monitored by qualified vets and are important factors used in the final determination of the winning entrants.

Levels of Classification:

Level I: 12-20 miles - maximum average speed of 5.0 mph.
Level II: 20-30 miles - maximum average speed of 6.5 mph.
Level III: 30-50 miles - maximum average speed of 7.0 mph.

Who are we?

The B.C. Competitive Trail Riders Association is a non-profit society dedicated to promoting and improving the rapidly growing sport of Competitive Trail Riding in B.C. It is patterned after NATRC (North American Trail Riding Conference) and operates in conjunction with CaLDRA (Canadian Long Distance Riding Association).

Principles that the BCCTRA abides by are:

1. Safety: rider and horse safety are priorities for BCCTRA;
2. Fun: BCCTRA provides opportunities for horse folks to get together, learn and create shared experiences through competitive trail riding;
3. Education: BCCTRA actively provides education on long distance riding to members and the public at large
4. Horsemanship: BCCTRA provides avenues that strengthen horsemanship skills;
5. Horsecare: BCCTRA educates and promotes care in the health and fitness of long distance horses;
6. Sportsmanship: BCCTRA believes that every riders experience is important;
7. Access and stewardship: BCCTRA members use, create access and care for trails throughout BC;
8. Complementary use: BCCTRA promotes the practice of proper trail etiquette with other users;
9. Partnership: BCCTRA works with other horse clubs to enhance the opportunities for trail riding in BC;
10. Fitness: BCCTRA believes that long distance riding opportunities are beneficial to health of horses and humans.-

Can anyone participate?

Yes! If you have a suitable horse of any breed and you are desiring a new challenge, then you can enter and compete. Competitors are divided into 3 divisions based on a combination of the rider's weight plus all that the horse will be carrying.

1. Lightweight Division: Rider and Tack 140 - 180 lbs
2. Heavyweight Division: Rider and Tack 180 lbs and over
3. Junior Division: 16 years and under as of January 1st of year competing

Note: Juniors 10 and under must be accompanied by a parent or senior supervisor.

Note: In order to enter Level I, horses must be a minimum of 4 years of age. All horses entered in Levels II and III must be a minimum of 5 years of age.

Is my horse suitable for CTR?
Any type or breed of horse can compete in CTR. The only requirement being that the horse is sound and sufficiently conditioned. Expensive horses and flashy equipment are not pre-requisites. BCCTRA offers you and your horse a superb opportunity to ride through and enjoy some of B.C.'s finest scenery.

Where and when are rides held?
BCCTRA offers at least 6 sanctioned rides throughout a ride season, starting in May and running until October. In addition to promoting the sport of CTR, BCCTRA encourages the use, protection and preservation of equestrian trails. Areas that consistently offer rides are Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and the Cariboo.

Our Official Sponsor is Cavallo Horse and Rider

Want to see what CTR is all about? Click here to watch an introduction to competitive trail riding video