The North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association is still searching for new long-term home.
For the past decade the association, which provides horse riding therapy for people with diverse abilities, was leasing a 17 acre property on Park Lane.
But, the property was put up for sale and recently sold, giving the association until the end of November to find a new space.
And they did at the Maple Ridge Equi-Sports Centre.
The last day of lessons was held on Nov. 29, and the horses were moved to the centre on the following Monday, said Gay Conn, general manager of the association.
"It was a misty day as our volunteers and staff gathered up the herd and walked, for the last time, down our driveway," said Conn, noting how emotional for her team.
However, Conn noted, the centre doesn't meet all of their needs.
For one thing, there are paddocks outside for the horses, but no pasture for them to go in.
More importantly, though, when show season begins again at the sport centre in the spring, it will get very busy there and that doesn't work for their programs, explained Conn.
"For a lot of our riders that's difficult when there's a lot of activity around, it stresses them out," she said, because they thrive on routine.
"When that routine is disrupted, for some it's really difficult and it's just counter productive to what we are trying to do with them," she said.
And they have to share the indoor arena, which is difficult because they have specialized equipment set up like mounting ramps for the children to get on the horses.
"Anything we have like that has to be taken out every night," she said.
The association is currently undergoing the final tasks of moving, they are packing up the office and clearing the property of their belongings. And, for the rest of the month they will be concentrating on adjusting to their new environment.
They just held their annual pub night fundraiser, which Conn said, was a sold out event.
More than 100 people attended and participated in the silent auction, the wine/coffee pull, and the 50/50 draw, raising more than $4,000 for the association.
"Money that will help us with our moving expenses," she said.
Conn is extremely appreciative of the support from the owner of the equi-sports centre, Jack Polo, for accommodating them and helping them with their fundraiser. But, she said, they will only be using the centre until they find something that works better for their group.
After the holiday season, they will be concentrating their efforts on a search for their long term home which they are hoping includes:
• a minimum of five acres;
• a long term lease;
• an indoor arena;
• a barn for up to a dozen horses;
• pasture;
• and a tack room, volunteer room, and office space.
"We are self sufficient tenants who will look after all maintenance and upkeep. We have tractors and other equipment for taking care of the property. Our volunteers participate in work parties and upkeep so there is an army of us available. We are a no nonsense, no drama, reliable organization," said Conn.
Anyone with property that sounds like it would meet the needs of the NFTRA is asked to call Gay Conn at 604-462-7786, or email: gay.conn@nftra.ca.
