By Aynsley Cairns

The 2016 BC Summer Games, held July 22 to 24 this year, was a rollicking good time! This was one of the best BC Summer Games that Horse Council BC has ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Abbotsford was a terrific host city and all the volunteers made the four days of competition a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for all involved.

We want to say a big THANK YOU to all of our coaches, officials, volunteers, and athletes who attended the games. You were all wonderful individuals to work with and get to know, and really made us proud to be part of the Equestrian Team.

Congratulations to all the medallists. 

Para-equestrian medallists on Saturday, July 23, 2016 were (L to R) Tyler Woolley of Brentwood Bay (silver), Rachel Whitmore of Coquitlam (gold), and Danielle Benoit of Langley (bronze).

Indigo Bowick of Nelson aboard Epona. Vaulting gathered quite a crowd of spectators during the games.

Saturday dressage medallists – Natasha Holscher (gold) of Langley, Mairi Rathy (Silver) of Lantzville, Natasha Grapes (Bronze) of Quesnel.

Sophie DenHoed of Surrey and Landen II Z clear a jump with room to spare.

Sierra Hincks of Roberts Creek and Velocity conquer the jump course.

Para-equestrian athlete Danielle Benoit rides Maestro though his dressage test.

Saturday jumper medallists – Jessica Kwak (gold) of Kamloops, Ashley McKissock (silver) of Langley, Petra Pinkerton (bronze) of Saanich.

Sydney Moorhouse of Chilliwack and Epona perform a fun-to-watch vault routine.

All the medal winners from Saturday’s competitions!

Para-equestrian athlete Tyler Woolley puts his horse Island Queen through her paces. Tyler left the games with two individual bronzes, an individual silver, and a team silver medal.

Ashley McKissock, Sofie DenHoed and their horses, A Little Lucky and Landen II Z, share a laugh outside the arena waiting for their turn in the jump field.

Rachel Loif of Delta on Indy put in a great dressage performance during the games.

Shaylene Hawkins of Smithers and Shikita nab a silver medal in dressage. Shaylene was the only equestrian competitor from Zone 7 and she did amazing!

Chloe Tryhane of Surrey and Déjà vu make an impressive jump over the Canada fence at the BC Summer Games.

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2016 MEDALS

Show Jumping

• Gold: Sophie Den Hoed – Landen II Z
• Silver: Chanelle Peters - Lukas
• Bronze: Chloe Tryhane – Déjà vu

Dressage

• Gold: Natasha Holscher – Deo Volente
• Silver: Shaylene Hawkins - Shikita
• Bronze: Natasha Grapes – Winnington

 Vaulting

• Gold: Abigail Old - Buddy
• Silver: Emma Old - Buddy
• Bronze: Isabella Old – Buddy

Para-Equestrian

• Gold: Danielle Benoit - Maestro
• Silver: Rachel Whitmore - Galaxy
• Bronze: Dylan Allan – Getting Out Of Dodge
• Bronze: Tyler Woolley – Island Queen

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2016 MEDALS

Show Jumping

• Gold: Jessica Kwak – Grey Matter
• Silver: Ashley McKissock – A Little Lucky
• Bronze: Petra Pinkerton – Finale

Dressage

• Gold: Natasha Holscher – Deo Volente
• Silver: Mairi Rathy – Ringo Star
• Bronze: Natasha Grapes – Winnington

Vaulting

• Gold: Abigail Old - Buddy
• Silver: Isabella Old - Buddy
• Bronze: Indigo Bowick – Epona

Para-Equestrian

• Gold: Rachel Whitmore - Galaxy
• Silver: Tyler Woolley – Island Queen
• Bronze: Danielle Benoit - Maestro

SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2016 MEDALS

Show Jumping 

• Gold: Ashley McKissock – A Little Lucky
• Silver: Petra Pinkerton - Finale
• Bronze: Montana Garrington – Hollywood Starlet

Dressage

• Gold: Natasha Holscher – Deo Volente
• Silver: Mairi Rathy – Ringo Star
• Bronze: Michelle Hawthornthwaite - Nobel

 Vaulting

• Gold: Abigail Old - Buddy
• Silver: Kayleigh O’Hanley - Promise
• Bronze: Isabella Old – Buddy

 Para-Equestrian

• Gold: Danielle Benoit - Maestro
• Silver: Rachel Whitmore - Galaxy 
• Bronze: Tyler Woolley – Island Queen

 OVERALL ZONE TEAM RESULTS

• Gold: Zone 4 – Fraser River
• Silver: Zone 3 – Fraser Valley
• Bronze: Zone 6 – Vancouver Island-Central Coast

For full results, please visit www.hcbc.ca.

Photos courtesy of BC Summer Games.

Main photo: Para-equestrian athlete Dylan Allan receiving his bronze medal on Friday for para-dressage. Dylan is from Zone 3 – Maple Ridge.