Annual Report 2025 Prepared June 2026
Table of Contents Message From Our Board Chair Board and Industry Reports 2025 Coaching Highlights 2025 Competition Highlights HCBC Grant Funding Fall 2025 Membership Survey 2025 Membership Recap Treasurer’s Report for 2025 Audited Financial Statements 2025
Message From Our
Board Chair Dear Members, Partners, and Friends of the Equine Community, I am pleased to present the Horse Council of British Columbia’s Annual Report for 2025–2026. This year marked a transformative chapter for our organization—one defined by hard work, strategic foresight, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the equine industry across our province. As Chair, I would like to report that we not only met but exceeded our strategic goals. We delivered meaningful advocacy, expanded educational opportunities, strengthened community connections, and achieved two landmark milestones: the successful sale of our long-time headquarters and relocation to a modern, purpose-built facility, alongside significant technological advancements that have positioned HCBC as a forward-thinking leader in the Canadian equine sector. Working with the other provincial equine organizations across Canada, we also were able to support Equestrian Canada in building new and more transparent connections with member, breed, and sport organizations. These accomplishments reflect the collective dedication of our Board, staff, volunteers, member clubs, and industry partners. Together, we continue to champion a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive future for horses and horse people in British Columbia. Thank you for your ongoing support. Lynda Atkinson, HCBC Board Chair
HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
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Industry & Recreation Reports These activities reflect continued work to protect the right to ride and own horses, build strong relationships with agricultural and equine partners, and develop practical resources for the horse community. Key Areas of Focus Work during this period focused on advancing priorities, maintaining partner relationships, developing educational resources, and supporting emergency preparedness initiatives. · Equine Classification Project · Disaster Guidelines · Horse Hauling and Pasture Management courses · Livestock Emergency Response Course training coordination · Collaboration with equine and agricultural partners, including Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, BC Agriculture Council, Back Country Horsemen Association, Equestrian Canada, Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System, and other stakeholders. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement Advocacy remained a central priority, with emphasis on access, education, partnerships, emergency planning, and stakeholder engagement. · Reviewed national traceability and livestock classification issues · Sourced legislation from across Canada to support policy and advocacy work · Supported local advocacy efforts related to trail access and public equine facilities 4
HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
2025 Coaching Highlights 16 New Coaches Certified in 2025 13 through the Region 1 Online Coaching Cohort 3 through provincial evaluations
Discipline of newly certified coaches: 16 English Coaches Currently Certified EC Coaches in BC: 263 English 28 Western
Total EC Licensed coaches : 251 (This total includes EC coaches & non-certified licensed coaches.)
HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
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2025
Competition Highlights
122 Officials
18
New Officials
73
Provincially Sanctioned Competitions
16
Nationally Sanctioned Competitions
Provincial Rules Officials
16 PROS
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HCBC Provincial Rules Officials (PRO) are available to attend Provincially sanctioned competitions to offer both competition management and competitors assistance in understanding, interpreting, and guidance of HCBC rules. A PRO may assist show management with the development and rule content in Prizelists as well as help to address questions, concerns, assist with any disputes or conflict resolution and encourage a safe, friendly and enjoyable competition experience for both horses and competitors.
HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
Grant Funding Horse Council BC proudly supports clubs, affiliates, and branches across BC with impactful grant funding to help grow and strengthen the equine community.
$84,443 $18,358 BC Equestrian Trails Fund
$57,932 Infrastructure & Equipment Grant
$8,153 Education Grants
Total Funding given in 2025
- Hope Pass Heritage Trail ( Skagit Bluff Section) Restoration - Pine Marten Horse Camp Improvement - Trans Canada/KVR Trail Gate - Lot 8 - Fraser Connector Trail
- Barn refurbishments - Various arena rehabs, footing replacements - Harrow, tractor and groomer purchases - Marathon obstacle construction - Rider helmets and many more projects
-Horsemanship Clinics -Pony Club Spring Camp -Equine First Aid Fundamentals
HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
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Fall 2025
Membership Survey In the 2025 membership survey, the most utilized HCBC benefit was Grant Funding, followed by Optional/Additional Insurance and Educational Materials. Members also demonstrated continued interest in educational resources and insurance options, with moderate engagement in trail databases and coaching information. Lower usage was seen across event-based and promotional services, indicating an opportunity to increase awareness and participation in these areas.
Top 3 Most Utilized HCBC Programs/Services: Optional/Additional Insurance
50% Grant Funding
Educational Material
50%
67%
“HCBC is such a user-friendly organization that supports all of us horse-crazy people. I am proud and honoured to say that I have been part of it since the beginning.”
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HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
2025 Membership Numbers 25,037 134
Club Members
13
Affiliate Members
Total Members in 2024
60
Branch Members
54
Business Members
Educational Initiatives 496 Webinar Attendees! From March Madness to a variety of educational sessions, our webinars saw strong engagement in 2025. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited to bring you even more webinars covering a broad range of topics to support and inspire our equestrian community.
HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
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Treasurer’s Report for 2025 2025 was a busy year for Horse Council BC. We sold our building located in Aldergrove and purchased a smaller Strata space in Langley. If you have ever moved you realize how much planning and work happens and I thank our Horse Council BC staff, who managed this large project. Our organization is in a very strong financial position due to this sale and you will see that reflected on our attached Statement of Operations in our Financial Statements. We closed 2025 with a gain from the sale of the building. The Board approved moving the excess funds into an Endowment Fund protecting your investment for the future.
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Our grant programs distributed funds to 53 clubs located all over the province. There was $22,200 given for Trail Grants, $60,553 through Infrastructure Grants and $7,153 through Education Grants. The variety of projects ranged from Working Equitation show Ready clinics to ring repairs and jump equipment. HCBC also supported infrastructure repairs for the BC 55+ Games that were held in Nanaimo. If your club needs support for a project next year you can research the grants here:
https://hcbc.ca/membership/ hcbc-members-funding/
HCBC manages two internally restricted funds, Animal Disaster and BC Trails Fund. Each of these is funded by HCBC and members generous contributions. The Animal Disaster Fund received member contributions of $10,232 and expenses were $9,686. This fund is available to assist in any natural disaster to help with transportation costs, feed etc. HCBC has developed great resources for emergency management. https://hcbc.ca/emergency-disaster/ emergency-planning/ including video modules that you can watch at your convenience. HCBC - your provincial equine organization is entering into 2026 in a positive position to provide you – the members with support for this great industry.
Happy Trails – Sharon Pickthorne
HORSE COUNCIL BRITISH COLUMBIA | ANNUAL REPORT 2025
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For inquiries, contact us. Horse Council BC info@hcbc.ca