The Bill Henry Award - John Young

The Harold Clowater Musical Ride Award - is given to the person (usually a rider, but not always) who has made an exceptional contribution to the Musical Ride.

Winner- Gretchen Phinney

Kenny Irving Award - is presented to the top junior rider.

Winner Merryl Black, Evan Phinney, Emily Clarke

Sarah Louise Smith Trophy - is presented to the junior rider who both excells in their riding and who is a role model to the other riders.

Winner - Tessa Purcell

We also present "much improved rider" Ral Beilawski, katerina dikaios,Melanie Hunt.  awards to riders who have overcome some major obstacales and we have "merit awards" Zrinka Vranjes, Susan Brisseau, Lisa Lavers, Kellie Siddle, Margot Nickerson. for riders (or parents) who deserve to be recognized for their  consistent (a lot of times behind the scenes) contributions to Lancers.  These contributions are what allows us to continue to offer the programs that we do in the middle of a city!

Because the Lancers is a not for profit riding club, it differs from other private establishments.  This club serves its members and the members form the club.  All riders need to go the extra mile in caring for the assets of the club which are really YOUR assets.  Before joining the Lancer membership, you must be willing to not only commit to your weekly riding lessons, but to commit to the ongoing state of the organization itself. 

In this busy day and age, short cuts and “squeezing things in” have become a way of life and a practicality.  BUT horses only understand what they understand.  They do not understand that humans are inconsistent.  Horses are creatures of habit and they respond best when their lives are kept the same, they like things that are familiar.  This means things like grooming in an efficient manner that will allow both rider and horse to bond and become comfortable with each other. 

Horses are herd animals and within even the smallest herd there is order and discipline.  There are dominant animals and there are submissive animals.  The dominant animal is not probably the one that a novice rider wants to ride, as they are the boss.  In nature, the submissive animals are always looking to challenge and to raise their status in the herd.  When we domesticate horses and introduce them into training for our sport, the trait to challenge is still there for a lot of years.  Here at Lancers we recognize that the horses, even well trained ones must have their training refreshed on a regular basis in order that they remain to be safe and pleasurable for our members.  This training of the horses is also training for the riders.  We expect that as riders gain more experience and move up the ride list, that they will become a part of the training system of both the horses and of the younger riders.

“Hanging out” at the barn is invaluable to riders who expect to be good riders and horse people.  Having said that, it is equally important that time spent at the barn is spent in the company of the horses and in the company of someone who has the knowledge you are trying to attain.

The sport of horses is full of complexities.  The theory of riding and the practical application and development of skills can be worlds apart.  Each time you master a skill on a certain horse, you meet another horse!  Horses have brains and while we can explain some of their behavior in human logic, other actions and/or reactions of the horse have more to do with the inherent fact that they are animals, not humans.  Horses are fascinating by their very nature and to have the privilege to start to understand them is nothing short of a gift!  Not to mention the blessing of having them in the middle of the city.

 “A horse without a rider is still a horse, but a rider without a horse is only a man.”  The horses are our biggest asset and they require us, the membership to go the extra mile in educating ourselves so we can serve them better so they can in turn serve us better.

Our equipment like saddles, bridles, jumps, girths, wheelbarrows, clippers, boots for the horses, and shovels, are all expensive items which are purchased from the ride fees.  Hay, bedding, feed, supplements, first aid kits, shoes, veterinary care are also purchased from the fees you pay to ride.  All of the above mentioned items need to be cared for as if they belonged to you , the riders, personally.  In reality, you bought the items, and your ride fees will pay for the replacement of the items.