Horse Council BC Awards

HCBC’s Annual Awards honor outstanding achievement within BC’s equine community.  These awards acknowledge those who stand out from the crowd and have made a positive impact on the equestrian community.

The “HCBC Selection Committee” collectively has over 25 years experience within BC’s Equine Industry and comes from diverse geographical areas contributing to the creditability of these awards. The committee, comprised of a panel of four volunteers, considers nominations submitted by current HCBC members including seniors, businesses, clubs, affiliate groups and the HCBC Board of Directors.

Their Job? To select deserving recipients that meet the award criteria for which they have been nominated for. The committee does reserve the right not to pick an award recipient from among the nominations.

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).

COACH OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, leadership and mentoring skills in a coaching role overseeing a team(s) or individual(s) at any level in any recognized equestrian discipline during the year. This individual MUST be an HCBC member and a Horse Council recognized coach in good standing to be nominated.

BOB JAMES VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognizes an individual (senior or junior) who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to BC’s equestrian community and/or sport in any recognized discipline. No athletic achievement is necessary. This individual MUST be a member of Horse Council BC in good standing to be nominated.

Congratulations to the worthy recipients of the Horse Council BC’s 2023 Awards!  Each award winner will receive their award at an event of their own choosing throughout 2023. We received many outstanding nominations this year, so thank you to all who nominated someone and congratulations to our winners.

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.