THE NOMINATION PROCESS, “HOW IT WORKS”
- Nominations must be for an HCBC member in good standing
- 5 Nominators are needed, who must all be current HCBC members in good standing
- Nomination form must be complete and in one package to be considered (all documents I one email)
- All nominations MUST be submitted on or before the nomination deadline to be accepted for the current year.
- The Awards Committee reserves the right to re-direct a nomination into a more appropriate award category
- Nominations Open August 1st and close November 30th
These awards recognize individuals (seniors or juniors) who demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to equestrians in BC. This individual MUST be a member of Horse Council BC in good standing to be nominated.
The HCBC Selection Committee is made up of volunteers from a variety of professional backgrounds and regions across B.C., contributing to the credibility and inclusiveness of the awards process.
Their role? To carefully select recipients who meet the criteria for the award they’ve been nominated for. The committee also reserves the right to withhold an award if no nominee meets the required standards.
SHERMAN OLSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Horse Council BC’s Lifetime Achievement Award was established and first presented in 1981 to honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to BC’s equestrian community. These contributions, whether they have been through education, mentoring or leadership, have made a lasting footprint demonstrating a lifetime of commitment and dedication to the on-going progression of the equine industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award is considered the premier award of Horse Council BC.
The recipient of this prestigious award must be a BC resident having achieved prominence through commitment and hard work, in turn positively impacting BC’s equine industry and inspiring others. This award is only awarded when warranted and is not necessarily awarded every year.
In 2013, the Lifetime Achievement Award was renamed the “Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award” in honourof one of Horse Council BC’s founding father’s who sadly passed away this year. Sherman Olson helped to found Horse Council in 1980. We are ever grateful for his contribution, foresight, vision and his dedication. Horse Council BC was formed by bringing together the BC’s horse sport, recreation and industry sectors. Sherman has left a legacy we can all be proud to be a part of. We will never forget his contributions to horse interests across Canada.
Additional criteria: Significant contribution(s) must be to an equine organization(s), Club(s) or discipline(s).
Volunteers are the backbone of the equine community and are involved in all aspects including sport, recreation, industry and community.
These awards recognize individuals (seniors or juniors) who demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to equestrians in BC. This individual MUST be a member of Horse Council BC in good standing to be nominated.
Horse Council BC looks to recognize the outstanding volunteers in each of the following areas, community, sport, industry and recreation. To honor these remarkable individuals, we are proud to present awards that recognize those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the equestrian community in British Columbia.
BOB JAMES COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD:
These volunteers go above and beyond in their local communities, playing a vital role in a variety of organizations such as riding clubs, therapeutic riding centers, organizing provincial competitions, and local trail access and building initiatives. Their efforts enrich the lives of others and create a positive, lasting impact on the equestrian community in the region.
SPORT:
These volunteers help drive equestrian sport in BC, this includes creating pathways for athlete development, supporting grassroots initiatives, and ensuring that equestrian sport continues to thrive at all levels in the province.
RECREATION:
These volunteers help promote recreational riding on the provincial and municipal level, whether that be advocating for road safety, access to crown lands, promoting multi-use access, working with trail access groups to support or influence policy, trail building and ensuring access at the provincial and municipal level.
INDUSTRY:
In this category, volunteers that have made or are making a significant impact or have implemented innovative solutions that contribute to improving and benefiting horse welfare. This can include; novel business practices, developing science-based educational resources, aiding during a crisis, providing exceptional care practices or contributing to provincial program and policy initiatives.
Congratulations to the worthy recipients of the Horse Council BC’s 2024 Awards! Each award winner will receive their award at an event of their own choosing throughout 2024. We received many outstanding nominations this year, so thank you to all who nominated someone and congratulations to our winners.
| Sherman Olson Lifetime Achievement Award | |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Diane Spencer |
| 2022 | Claudia Cojocar |
| 2020 | Frances Teer |
| 2018 | Rick Filmore |
| 2016 | Carol McDonald |
| 2015 | Borge Olson |
| 2014 | Bob Grimshaw |
| 2013 | Pam Arthur |
| 2012 | George & Dianne Tidball |
| 2011 | Judy Ross |
| 2010 | Dorothy Kirby |
| 2009 | Jacqui Oldham |
| 2008 | Ellen Smailes |
| 2007 | Bob James |
| 2006 | Fran & George Bloor |
| 2005 | Jay LaLonde |
| 2004 | Dr. John Gilray |
| 2003 | Freda Gunst |
| 2002 | Mary Swanson |
| 2001 | Hank McEwan |
| 2000 | Bud & Ethel Wright |
| 1999 | Dave Esworthy |
| 1998 | Alf Fletcher |
| 1997 | Joy Richardson |
| 1996 | Edith Reid |
| 1995 | June Osborn |
| 1994 | Maureen Walters |
| 1993 | Janet Dmitrieff |
| 1992 | Jean Simpson |
| 1991 | June LaLonde |
| 1990 | Dan Bland |
| 1989 | Al Sorensen |
| 1988 | Tilly Muller |
| 1987 | Rosie Hyndman |
| 1986 | Bill Archibald |
| 1985 | Vivian Hayward-Breakwell |
| 1984 | Laura Tidball |
| 1983 | Bill MacCauley |
| 1982 | Melva McLean |
| 1981 | Sherman Olson |
| Bob James Volunteer of the Year | |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Michelle Brittain |
| 2022 | Jill Ackerman |
| 2021 | Tina Knott |
| 2019 | Angie Szokol |
| 2018 | Margot Vilvang |
| 2017 | Chelsea Wallach & Lana Shields |
| 2016 | Ron Tricket |
| 2015 | Not Awarded in 2015 |
| 2014 | Charlene Kostecki |
| 2013 | Deb Oakman |
| 2012 | Janice Spenst |
| 2011 | Haidee Landry |
| 2010 | Sharon Pickthorne |
| 2009 | Sharon Hall |
| 2008 | Simone Stich |
| 2007 | Marilyn Gregory |
| 2006 | Maureen Savage |
| 2005 | Danielle Frothinger |
| 2004 | Wendy Christoff |
| 2003 | Sandra Ross |
| Coach of the Year | |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Lisa Shultz |
| 2022 | Jen Bell |
| 2021 | Stella French |
| 2020 | Jodi Bater |
| 2019 | Tegwyn Harper |
| 2018 | Sara Sellmer |
| 2017 | Derek Huget |
| 2016 | Andrea Taylor |
| 2015 | Jessie Blackmon |
| 2014 | Rochelle Kilberg |
| 2013 | Brent & Laura Balisky |
| 2012 | Fionna Christensen |
| 2011 | Selena Pellizzari |
| 2010 | Lynne Larsen |
| 2009 | Nikki Ayers |
| 2008 | Sandra Verda |
| 2007 | Lisa Pink |
| 2006 | Donna Allen |
| 2005 | Colin Schmidt |
| 2004 | Jane James |
| 2003 | Fionna Christensen |
Instead of hosting a gala in one location for an evening of presenting awards to people from all over the province and from all disciplines, we want the awards and the event to be all about YOU!
Jackets and Awards will be presented to the winners, nominators can work to create their own special way to recognize the winners if they wish.
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