Joining Instructions

  1. Canadian veterans and currently serving members will be participating in Communities For Veterans Foundation-The Ride Across Canada by joining Paul on horseback on a relay ride across Canada with veterans and for veterans.
  2. The aim of this ride is to make it across Canada in roughly 200 days and include as many veteran guest riders as possible. It is about Canada’s communities coming together with veterans to create awareness and encourage discussions of the challenges that veterans can face at home. By the time the horses reach the Atlantic coast of Canada, the stories of over 700 Canadian veterans will have been heard and shared.
  3. Riders – Guest riders will be given a date and time for an information session and riding lesson. They will be scheduled at a later date to join Paul and 2 other guest riders and ride for a specific leg of the journey in or close to their own community.

WHAT TO EXPECT

  1. All Participants, will meet at the Administration Area of the Communities For Veterans Foundation camp at 08:00 and complete the required paperwork. There will be two groups present. Riding Group will be the riders that will be joining Paul for their leg of The Ride Across Canada. Orientation Group will be joining Terry for horsemanship/riding lessons.
  2. Both groups will meet together in CP of administration area with staff for introductions, safety reminders, route/hazard assessments and schedule for the day.
  3. At 08:30 Riding Group and Orientation Group will split up. Riding Group will go with Paul and prepare to start their leg of the ride. They will collect the needed equipment for the ride (boots, helmets, etc.). Orientation Group will remain at CP with Terry and will begin Classroom information for horsemanship and rider knowledge.
  4. Riding Group may leave directly from the Administration area with riding or horses may be loaded into a horse trailer and horses and riders transported to starting point for the days’ ride. Ride will continue on route until 12:00 and will break for lunch.
  5. Orientation Group – Classroom-Learn about horse behavior and horsemanship
 
 
  • Watch a demonstration of grooming, tacking, riding and horse behavior.
  • The group will then choose riding boots and helmets and the sizes will be recorded for later use.
  • Rider candidates will then be introduced to the horses and will learn how to safely work around them.
  • With assistance, participants will then groom and tack a horse and will take turns mounting and riding in the round pen corral.
  • Once individuals are comfortable with their skills then a group ride may occur in the corral.
  • Terry will make an assessment of the rider’s abilities and this will determine if the rider is able to ride with Paul at a later date.
Horses are large powerful animals but they are also very intuitive and sensitive. Clear respectful leadership is very important to them use.

By the end of the lesson the rider must be able to:

  1. Lead a horse safely. Stopping, turning, and backing up.
  2. Mount and dismount independently in a timely fashion.
  3. Able to use basic aids to get horse to move forward, backward, and to the side.
  4. Interact with the horse in a respectful and effect way.
Terry is a patient teacher and wants everyone that is keen to ride a horse for this event to succeed. She will do her best to prepare riders for this event. Riders may even require more than one lesson in order to participate. Due to safety concerns, she does have the right to deny a rider from participating in this event. Learning to Ride
  1. Both Group participants will meet back at the Administration area CP at 16:30 for debrief.
  2. The ride is expected to attract a lot of publicity. Media, dignitaries and public relations personnel may be present throughout the day. The focus of the ride is awareness for veterans. Participants are encouraged to share their stories. These stories can help communities understand the needs and contributions of veterans and serving members. A reminder that this is not a political campaign. This ride is about what can be done as a community and not about what is, or is not, being done for veterans.
  3. Depending on the community and area, there may be presentations, dinners, events, or fundraisers in the evening that may include veterans and their communities.
  4. Physical Ability Horseback riding takes some degree of physical fitness. Riders with physical limitations may need to shorten the amount of time they are in the saddle or make adjustments tailored to the rider to make the ride more enjoyable. Any limitations must be brought forward to staff before the orientation date. For certain legs of the ride, a buggy will be available for those who are incapable of riding. Participants can ask about accommodations, and every effort will be made to accommodate everyone who wishes to participate.

ADMINISTRATION

  1. The following document must be received by Communities For Veterans Foundation – The Ride Across Canada a minimum of two weeks prior to rider’s orientation date.
  2. Rider Information Form
  3. Equine Waiver
  4. Photo Release Form
  5. Rider photo
  6. Rider’s Story (Optional but appreciated)
  7. Safety Equipment – All riders must wear riding boots. Riding boots can be supplied if needed. A helmet is highly recommended for use during the ride. If a rider chooses not to wear a helmet, a separate waiver must be signed.
  8. Riders of the Day may be showcased in the media and on the website. Riders who do not want their ride to be public can request to ride through a less busy area and have their information excluded from the website.

TRANSPORTATION

1. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Administration Area. Transportation to the ride’s start and end point will be provided.

 
 

FEES

1. The Ride Across Canada is FREE to veterans and serving members.

KIT LIST

Riders are to bring the following items with them to their orientation day and to their ride day:

  • Riding boots if you have your own pair you would like to use
  • Long socks
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug repellant if appropriate
  • Rain gear if appropriate
  • Comfortable jeans
  • Long sleeved shirt
  • Riding gloves (optional)
  • Hat (if helmet is not being used)

Communities For Veterans Foundation can provide you with the following:

  • Helmet
  • Riding Boots
  • Lunch for the day you ride and orientation day – If you have specific dietary needs, please bring your own lunch.
  • Water
  • Communities For Veterans Foundation T-Shirt