Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association

09/03/2026

✨[VTRA's 2026 50/50 Raffle has officially launched!!]✨

From now until October 2, every VTRA 50/50 ticket gives you a chance to win big while supporting programs that change lives. Half the jackpot goes to one lucky winner, and the other half helps VTRA continue serving children, youth, and adults with diverse abilities in our community.

As demand for our programs continues to grow and our waitlist expands, your support helps ensure more participants can access the life-changing benefits of equine-assisted services.

Visit https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/vtra/ to purchase 50/50 tickets today!

*must be 19+ to purchase tickets*

License # 176153

09/01/2026

[Exciting news... VTRA's 2026 50/50 launches this Thursday!!]

One lucky winner will take home 50% of the jackpot, which could grow to $19,950 by the draw on October 5, 2026!

Every ticket purchased helps us continue providing life-changing equine-assisted services to our participants. Your support helps keep our programs accessible and our horses healthy and cared for.

🎟️ Ticket Packages
• 1 for $10
• 3 for $25
• 7 for $50
• 15 for $100

📅 Ticket Sales: September 3 to October 2, 2026
🎉 Draw Date: October 5, 2026

Get ready to purchase your tickets, support an incredible cause, and you could be our next big winner!

Visit https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/vtra/

*Must be 19+ to purchase tickets
License #176153

08/25/2026

🐴💙 Thank You for Supporting VTRA! 💙🐴

We are incredibly grateful to the North & South Saanich Agricultural Society, home of the Saanich Fair, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their generous donation of $5,000 to VTRA.

This gift was made possible through the tremendous success of the RCMP Musical Ride performances held earlier this month at the Saanich Fairgrounds.

The connection between horses and people is truly powerful. Every day at VTRA, we see participants build confidence, strengthen skills, create friendships, and experience the physical, emotional, and social benefits of working with our incredible horses. This donation will help us continue providing these life-changing programs for children and adults with diverse abilities.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the North & South Saanich Agricultural Society, the RCMP Musical Ride team, and every volunteer, attendee, and supporter who helped make this event such a remarkable success. Your support will have a lasting impact on the individuals and families we serve.
Together, you are helping us create opportunities, build confidence, and change lives, one ride at a time. ❤️

❤️ $5,000 to support something special in our community ❤️

Earlier this month, our community showed up in an incredible way for the RCMP Musical Ride at the Saanich Fairgrounds. The response was so overwhelming that our first two performances sold out - and when people were still hoping for tickets, the RCMP Musical Ride team generously offered to add a third performance. That one sold out too!

We were incredibly grateful for the support, enthusiasm and excitement our community brought to this very special event. We also wanted some of the good that came from it to flow back into our community.

Today, the North & South Saanich Agricultural Society, home of the Saanich Fair, was very proud to present a $5,000 donation to the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association. ❤️🐴

VTRA provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted activities for children and adults with diverse abilities in our community. Through the very special connection between people and horses, their programs help participants build confidence, develop skills and experience the many physical, social and emotional benefits that working with horses can provide.

It feels especially fitting that an event celebrating the extraordinary horses of the RCMP Musical Ride can now help support another organization where horses make such a meaningful difference in people's lives.

And this donation really belongs to everyone who helped make the Musical Ride such an extraordinary success - everyone who bought a ticket, came through our gates, volunteered, supported the event and shared in the excitement.

You showed up for us, and we're very happy to be able to give some of that support back.

Thank you to our incredible community, to the RCMP Musical Ride team for going above and beyond for us, and to the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association for the meaningful work you do every day to make a difference in the lives of so many. ❤️🐴

Pictured: Diana McMurtry, President, North & South Saanich Agricultural Society; Cathy Bickford, NSSAS Board Member; Liz Gagel, Executive Director, Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association; along with VTRA volunteers and friends.

08/22/2026

🐴☀️ Another amazing week of Teen Summer Camp is in the books! ☀️🐴

This week, our campers experienced life beyond the saddle, gaining hands-on experience in horse care, grooming, tack cleaning, and the day-to-day responsibilities that keep a barn running smoothly. Along with adaptive riding and horsemanship lessons, campers developed practical skills, independence, and confidence while building meaningful connections with both horses and friends.

Teen Camp offers a unique opportunity to experience what life at a barn is really like. From caring for their equine partners to helping with daily barn routines, campers learned the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and compassion while having plenty of fun along the way. 💙

We are so proud of everything our campers accomplished this week. Their willingness to learn, try new things, and support one another made for a truly special camp experience.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this week so memorable. We loved watching our campers grow, learn, and shine!

08/19/2026

🌟 Congratulations, Shannon! 🌟

We are thrilled to celebrate Shannon's achievement of becoming a PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. This certification is a testament to dedication, perseverance, and a passion for helping individuals achieve their goals through Equine-Assisted Services.

We are so proud of this accomplishment and look forward to the positive impact Shannon will continue to make in our program. 🐴💙

08/16/2026

🚨 Last Chance to Register!

Have you been thinking about adding hippotherapy to your treatment toolbox?

Join us for Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part I on September 11-13, 2026, and learn from experienced faculty member Pippa Hodge.

This specialized training is a rare opportunity to take part in an AHA-approved course right here on Vancouver Island.

✅ Hands-on learning
✅ Evidence-informed treatment principles
✅ Networking with fellow rehabilitation professionals

Register before the deadline at americanhippotherapyassociation.org

American Hippotherapy Association

08/15/2026

☀️🐴 What a fantastic week at our Kids August Summer Camp! 🐴☀️

From the barn to the arena, our campers spent their days learning about horses, building new riding skills, creating crafts, and making unforgettable memories with friends.

Every activity was designed to help campers grow in confidence, develop their horsemanship skills, and experience the joy of being part of a supportive and inclusive barn community. Whether they were grooming a horse, practicing in the saddle, or getting creative with crafts, there were smiles and achievements around every corner. 💙

The laughter, encouragement, and excitement throughout the week reminded us why camp is such a special experience. We are so proud of all our campers for trying new things, supporting one another, and embracing every opportunity to learn and grow.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible volunteers and staff who made this week possible. Your dedication and kindness create a safe, welcoming space where every child can thrive. ✨ We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to CFAX Santas Anonymous, whose generous support helps make our summer camp programs accessible and impactful for so many children and families in our community.

Here's to a week full of friendship, confidence, and horse-powered fun!

08/08/2026

📣 Calling all PTs, PTAs, OTs, COTAs, SLPs, and SLPAs!

Interested in using hippotherapy as part of your treatment approach? This is your chance to learn from the best.

Join VTRA's Hippotherapy Treatment Principles Part I course on September 11-13, 2026, led by Pippa Hodge, BSc Rehab, MCPA, HPCS.

This unique training opportunity is being offered right here on Vancouver Island!

🔗 Register and learn more: https://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/hpot-pt-i-course-details

⏳ The registration deadline is coming up soon. Secure your spot today and be part of this valuable professional development experience!