2024/2025 — A Year of Growth, Learning, and Community
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Volunteers,
As we reflect on the 2024/2025 season, we’re thrilled to share with you the many milestones and exciting developments that have shaped our year. From an increase in the number of riders to the introduction of new programs and significant facility improvements, it has been a year of growth, achievement, and dedication. Thank you for being part of our journey—whether through volunteering, attending events, or supporting our mission. Your continued support is what makes all of this possible!
Classes & Programs: A Year of Growth and New Initiatives
In our 2024/2025 season, we welcomed 130 students, ranging from preschoolers to adults, through our therapeutic riding sessions and our popular Horse Camp programs. Our focus on inclusion and expanding our offerings led to the introduction of new initiatives, including a vaulting program, and Stable Management lessons—a perfect complement to our riding programs.
Our Family Day event in Spring 2025 was a highlight, where our riders proudly showcased their skills and progress to their families. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate the hard work and success of our riders.
We also hosted multiple camps during school breaks, which included:
A two-day camp over the December break
Spring Break camp
Summer camps throughout July and August, bringing an additional 36 riders through our doors!
Rider Growth: More Students, More Impact
We are excited to report that our programs continue to grow! We saw 139 riders during our 2024/2025 season which is an increase of 13 riders over last season.
It is inspiring to see so many new and familiar faces making progress, and we’re eager to see what the next season brings.
Staffing & Expertise: Strengthening Our Team
This year, we had the privilege of expanding our team. We welcomed Milan Jackson as a horse care consultant and trainer, who brought invaluable expertise to our program. Milan’s continued work with our horses, along with her training of our horse handlers, has helped improve the overall well-being of our animals and the quality of our programs.
Our Head Instructor, Claire Robertson, and Milan Jackson also completed their Vaulting Certification, which has already enriched our program offerings, especially for our horse Jasper who is really enjoying being a vaulting horse. Claire has also supported Rachel and Aliah in their journey to become Certified Cantra Instructors, which will strengthen our instructional team even further.
Horses & Equine Care: Prioritizing Health and Well-being
Our horses, Pete, June Bug, Pheobe, Voo Doo Luna, Lena, Jasper, remain the heart of our program. This year, we made significant strides in horse care with:
Transitioning Pete and Luna to barefoot.
Implementing a new track system that provides a healthier environment for our horses.
Expanding our turnout field in Spring 2025, giving our horses even more space to roam freely and stay active.
These improvements, along with ongoing care and attention to their well-being, ensure our horses are happy and healthy as they continue to serve our riders.
Volunteers: The Heart of Our Program
With a total of 1499 volunteer hours, our volunteers have truly been the backbone of our success. From assisting in lessons and camps to supporting our facility upkeep and community outreach efforts, volunteers make all the difference. We are incredibly grateful for the passion, dedication, and energy our volunteers bring to the table.
Facilities & Safety: Creating a Safe, Welcoming Environment
Our commitment to safety and facility upkeep has remained unwavering. This year, we made significant investments in:
Turnout field resurfacing to provide mud-free areas for the horses.
Expanding the turnout field to improve the horses' living environment.
Regular maintenance of our arena, stalls, and fencing to ensure a safe, functional space for both our horses and riders.
In addition, we continued our volunteer training programs, focusing on horse handling and rider support, to ensure that everyone who interacts with our horses is well-prepared and confident.
Community Outreach & Fundraising: Building Stronger Connections
This year, we strengthened our ties with the community through outreach initiatives and partnerships:
We delivered a presentation for the Powell River Rotary Club and participated in Mother Nature Santa Pictures with Your Pet.
Volunteers attended First Credit Union’s Community Impact Day, where they helped clean up our yard.
We hosted out-of-town horses and riders for the Working Equitation Horse Show in July, which was a great success.
Summer camp brought in 36 additional riders, and many local horse enthusiasts used our facilities for clinics and boarding.
Grants & Fundraising: Securing Vital Support
We are incredibly grateful for the financial support we received this year:
Over $210,000 from 31 grant applications
We raised over $50,000 through a variety of fundraising events, including:
Barn Ball
Open House with a Bake Sale, Silent Auction, and Petting Zoo
Burger and Beer Night with a Silent Auction and scratch tickets
Family Day Ride-a-thon
Ferry Card Raffle
These funds allow us to continue our work and improve our programs and facilities.
Looking Ahead
We are excited about the future of PRTRA as we continue to expand our programs, enhance horse care, and build a stronger community. As always, your involvement makes all the difference—whether through your time, donations, or spreading the word about our mission. Together, we are changing lives.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another year of growth, learning, and success!
Warm regards,
The Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association Team