Andrea's Rambling Notes - once from Japan, now from Canada

::Andrea's Rambling Notes - once from Japan, now from Canada::

My notes and my memories: sometimes about a mom - sometimes about a wife - sometimes about a woman - sometimes about our life

::Author::

Name::Andrea
From::Small city/town, B.C., Canada
I am a short girl from the west cost of BC, Canada and I am a proud Canadian. I went to Japan in 2000 because my Dad told me I would regret it for the rest of my life if I didn't. He was right. I lived a good life found my husband from the other side of the world and have a beautiful daughter. Basically we lead a pretty normal life filled with normal ups and downs. We both come from different cultures: me Canadian, him Chinese. Living in Japan was a real eye opener about who I am and about the people I associate myself with. I lived and loved in Japan but the time to move on came upon us and in May of 2006 we left and moved to Canada: a huge move for us all. We are now trying to start up again, remodel our lives and create our future for our family. I now feel like a tourist in the country of my birth, my eyes see different and my life will be forever changed. This blog is my notes and observations of our life, our changes, our adventures and new beginnings. Welcome.
View my complete

::Recent Entries::

::Personal Links::

My Japanese Culture Teaching Notes

::My Family's Sites::

Alisha - a site set up by friends and family of my little sis

Phrax - my step-brother

Blue Mountain Stable

::Index::

An Index of past posts - the Japan Years

::Archives::

::Image Event Album::

My Image Event Photo Album

::My FlickR Photos::

www.flickr.com

::Tech Sites::

Tech2all

Blog Flak

::Extra Internet Info::

Canadian Atlas

National Geographic

Wikipedia

World TimesZones - please check this BEFORE calling me!

Currency Converter

eigoNavi - a pretty good language converter

The Samurai Appliance Repair Man - a funny repair site for N

::World News::

Generation Woman

Japan Times

Counter Punch

Japanese General Union - a must! read before working in Japan

::RSS Feed::

Blogarama

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Monday, August 29, 2005

ISLAND 22 HORSE TRIALS

This weekend, September 3, 4, and 5, is the Chilliwack Island 22 Horse Trials. If you live in the British Columbia Fraser Valley area
I recommend you check it out.
Just under 180 horses competing in four separate divisions from all over the province. Some coming as far as California or Alberta.
I say ‘horses competing’ because Three-Day Eventing is one, if not the only sport, where men, woman, boys and girls compete against each other equally regardless of age. It is one of those sports where a 12-year old can kick a 30-year olds ass, and a 1000dollar horse can beat a 100thousand dollar horse at any time. The key is talent and guts, and you have to have both.
I love Three-Day Eventing. The three disciplines of English riding, dressage, X-Country and stadium, all combined over a three-day grand total competition.
Ahhhhhh the adrenalin rush!
Here are some picture examples of what you can see if you go this weekend.

Island 22 Horse Park holds a soft spot in my heart. It has been a part of my family since the very beginning of its mental existence. I can honestly say that it was created in my house.
It was because of this incident, along with a few other encounters with dirt bickers and drunken idiots that got my mother’s imagination juices flowing and her temperature rising. Her, along with my father and our friend Wendy Weber, thought that their crazy idea of a horse-training park that could be used by anyone could work. They approached the local horse council people and they bought the idea. They were joined by a few of our 4-H friends and a couple of folks that we had just met by joining Pony Club.
They attacked City council for land, and the council was too afraid to say no.
If anyone has ever witnessed a rant by mom they would understand; it is scary.
And once my father gets on a role he wont even let you have the chance to sneeze. Dad can drive the savviest politician completely crazy with a non-stop barrage of questions.

Well my parents’ insistence and the convincing of people in the right areas of power led to the council agreeing to give us land. Their first offer bombed, the second offer was better but too narrow. The third land offer looked quite literally like a hole in the ground but we saw potential.
This was Island 22, a virtual hole in the ground that had been abandoned for years. The riverside was a popular boat launch and a so-so camp ground. The other side was a black- berry infested 80- acres of perfect land for us.
And that is how we got Island 22.
Through friends of friends we found Glen Wakline and Sean Flynn, who also saw potential in the place. They lived in our home every summer for almost five years.
Now about 20 years later, Island 22 is a VERY popular, well maintained boat launch, a popular campground and an excellent horse park.

You really need to see the Group in action this weekend. Their spirits will be a bit dampened due to the loss of Geunther, but they are dedicated to the park and every bit of encouragement is thanked.
Everyone who you see down there working is a volunteer: some because they are horse people, some because they are children people, some because they just love sports.

Saturday will be the Dressage day and things happen from around 8ish in the morning till around 3 or 4.

Sunday is the Action packed day of X-Country. The best time to go is probably 12:30ish, definitely before 2. This is when the big guys are going and this can be fun. That evening is the Fresh Salmon BBQ and Party put on by the group and the First Nations Band that sits next to Island 22. These people have been a huge part of the Park since its beginning and they hold an awesome BBQ.

Sunday is the Stadium Jumping day in the center ring. This is usually done by 3 ish. It is the last day of competitions and all the horses and their riders are dressed stylishly to win.
The Island 22 Horse Trials has become so popular with people that the campground is booked almost a year in advanced and EVERYONE goes to the Sunday night party.

Come on down and watch a great show. It is always nothing but a good time.
Damn I miss it.

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Posted by (Top)Andrea::8/29/2005 :: 1 Comments:

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