TURTLE VALLEY TRAILS CTR

Chase, BC July 27, 2002

Once again Ride Managers Lori Bewza and Darcy Muir pulled off another successful Turtle Valley Trails CTR outside the community of Chase.

Despite a few less riders than in 2000 and very very hot dry weather – 28 horses started and took the TVT challenge.

Level 1 was full, with 22 riders competing - 6 Juniors, a lot of first time CTR riders and a few rookies. Veteran CTR rider Leny Boersma from Salmon Arm was back in the saddle with a new horse after retiring her Arab gelding DS Shaklan (Sammy) last year. This CTR saw Leny with the young (5 year old) and tall Dutch Warmblood gelding PR Picasso. Picasso took the whole event in stride and earned a first place ribbon for Leny.

In Level 1 LW Jane Kennon and Boo took home the honors as well as High Point Grade Horse. Jane was co-manager of the 2001 CTR at The Ranch in Pritchard.

First Place, High Point Junior, High Point Level 1 Horse and High Point Part Bred Arabian was Joanna deMontreuil on Laredo Rose with an impressive score of 299. Joanna is the daughter of former BCCTRA member Susanne deMontreuil now living in Barriere. Taking up second place and High Point Arabian was Joanna’s sister Robyn on Come Dance with Me.

Level 2 started 6 horses – 2 Juniors, one LW and 3 in HW. New to BCCTRA this year was Del Lenk who travelled all the way from Victoria with his 18 year old Arab gelding Prince Dazzle (Ralph) and took home first in LW.

Megan Enochsen and her Morgan mare Jasmine took the challenge of the 30 miles in Level 2 and earned themselves first place. This was also the first time for local Junior rider Brooke Bewza and her QH mare A Lady Luck.

Taking first place and High Point Level 2 Horse was BCCTRA's Secretary Pamela Blair and Salah’s Image (Joey) up from Abbotsford. Joey who was HCBC’s 2000 Horse of the Year is still happily trotting out the miles at age 21.

Riders came from Vancouver Island, Langley, Maple Ridge, Abbotsford, Lumby, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Edgewood, Barriere, Pritchard and Lytton.

The vetting was done by Dr. Ken Gummeson from Kamloops and Dr. Christina Ringness from Vernon. A few horses finished with varying degrees of lameness, this was attributed to the very hard packed ground.

Super Trail Boss Dave Muir with assistant Mac Muir, did an excellent job on the trails. The trails were well marked and challenging, with no one going off trail or getting lost. The Level 2 riders were fortunate once again to have their trail go up and over ‘The Burn’. The Burn allows one to see a million dollar view of the South Thompson River, Chase, Niskonlith Lake and the whole valley. It is simply breathtaking.

Lori & Darcy pulled in a load of volunteers to help with the various tasks needed to pull off a CTR. Thanks go to Pat Crema (Chase) – Head Timer, John Whittle (Vernon) - Head P&R, Greg Lee (Chase) – Photographer, Jill Bewza (Chase) - Vet Recorder, Dora Gagne (Chase) - Vet Recorder, Don Bewza (Chase) - Camp Marshall in charge of the essentials (water, potties & garbage), Tracy Friesen (Chase) - P&R.

Many thanks to Brenda & Bob Lee for the use of their property as Base Camp and for all their extra help in many areas.

Also thanks to HCBC Treasurer Gord MacKenzie (Pritchard) who was in attendance to check out the world of BCCTRA. Gord just happens to be the father of BCCTRA member Murray MacKenzie who lives on Vancouver Island.

Lori & Darcy will again take their Ride Managers caps off in 2003, but we sure hope that they are back on again in 2004. TVT has become a ride NOT TO MISS!

RIDE RESULTS