BCHJA AGM, Message from President & Board Updates.
BCHJA held their annual AGM on March 12th, 2023.
Presidential Report:
2022 was a great year for BCHJA riders and members. As every year has their challenges, the BCHJA was able to celebrate many successes. This was the first time in several years that we were able to hold our annual Awards Gala as well as our Symposium. The Gala brought Gold & Bronze level riders together to celebrate themselves, each other and allowed the community to recognize members of the equestrian community who have inspired us all. With our prizes, ribbons, photo booth, delicious dinner, and diverse silent auction, we are very excited to continue on with the gala this year. In addition to the gala, we were once again able to host the Symposium at Thunderbird Show Park. We welcomed Traci & Carleton Brooks as well as a last-minute savior in Richard Spooner who was able to step in at the last moment. The clinicians, riders and volunteers all did a tremendous job and we are proud to report that it was our most attended symposium to date. We look forward to holding more symposiums and events like this in our future!
Success was abundant for our competitive BCHJA riders this season! Many of our riders competed across the nation and showed at the national championships held at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto as well as competed at the Royal West in Calgary. BCHJA was proud to support these riders with our travel funding program and we look forward to continuing the program this year. In addition to events across Canada several of our riders experienced success in the United States at venues like Desert International Show Park and the Winter Equestrian Festival, furthermore BCHJA riders also experienced success in Europe. To say we our proud of the way BC is represented across the nation would be an understatement.
As we move into an exciting 2023 show season, I want to extend my sincerest thanks to the members of the BCHJA Board. Without the hard work and dedication of these volunteers the BCHJA would not be the successful organization it is today. This is also an excellent time to thank those board members who will no longer be serving with us this year and those who are changing positions. Thank you to Sorine Winther who will be stepping down and Natalie Hewson who will no longer be at the position of treasurer. Your hard work and effort certainly did not go unnoticed and you will be missed. I can whole heartedly say that this organization would not be able to function without the effort of its volunteers who dedicate themselves to the commitment of being on the board.
Looking forward to a successful 2023!
Thank you, Nicola Gillam
Along with many excellent discussions, the 2023 BCHJA Board of Directors was announced.
We want to extend a huge thank you to Sorine Winther who has made the decision to step down from the board. Sorine was an instrumental part of the board and will be very missed on the board.
Also, thank you to Jenna Brownjohn and Natalie Hewson who have stepped down from their positions of Secretary and Treasurer. Both will stay on as members at large.
We welcome Elysia Allios to the role of Secretary and Karly McRae to the role of Treasurer.
As President, I want to extend a huge thank you to past and current board members. This organization woild truly not run without you!