THE RIDER SEPTEMBER 2010 HILLS OF HEADWATERS SPOTLIGHT /17


Memorial Ride-a-thon


Held in Honour of Jack Conley


The Hill Billy Hack Jack Conley Memorial ride-a- thon will be held on October 2nd this year in Mansfield, ON. The event is held annually by his family to honour Jack Conley who passed away May 29,1998 with Cancer. This year Hill Billy Hack has joined forces with Kicx 106 & 104.1 the Dock. The proceeds will go directly to the “Radio for Radiology” campaign. Larche Communications Inc. has pledged $500,000 to the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre being built in Barrie to buy an Interventional Radiology Machine used in the treatment of cancer. All money raised will go to the “Radio for Radiology”. Cur- rently, there is only one of these machines, which runs at RVH continuously. Having another unit will help treat more cancer patients sooner.


The Ride-A-Thon day includes a hearty pig and corn roast, prizes and a black light art show at a camp fire. Par- ticipants are required to pre-register by Sept 24th. The ride takes off at Hill Billy Hack, 937135 Airport


Road in Mansfield.


For those unable to be there, the facility will be donat- ing 1$ from every trail ride from their locations in Mans- field and in Muskoka from July 1st to October 1st. A raffle of art by Aubrey Swyers will also be held, all proceeds going towards the machine. There will also be a donation jar at the farm.


Thank you to everyone who contributed to this Spotlight!


Organizers invite horse folk to bring friends and fami- ly, come out and ride, donate prizes, volunteer their time and help make a difference. For more information, call 705- 435-282. Sign up form/waiver and pledge sheets are avail- able at www.therider.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=1


For The Love Of Horses And In Amanda’s Memory


By Adrienne Shaw & Kelly Bowers


Solely a dairy farm for generations, Maple Vista farm is now home to 14 beloved Quarter Horses and four Minia- ture Horses. Bonnie and Jim Coulter work the farm and raised their three children, Jamie, Julie and Amanda there, like Jim’s parents had before them.


It was not until their youngest, Amanda, showed tremendous potential in the riding arena, that the idea of owning horses became a reality. While the Coulter’s were not what they describe as ‘horse people’. Much has changed over the course of a decade and what was once simply the Coulter’s back yard, is now a thriving equine business. The family bought their first quarter horse, Destiny, in the mid 90’s and the two daughters took riding lessons. In 1998 they bred her and had Ajay, Amanda’s prize gelding. The two showed in both English and Western classes. Amanda wanted to be a riding coach to have her own busi- ness. She studied to complete her English Rider Levels but wasn’t old enough to take the coaching tests. However, in 2002, before she was able to reach that goal, Amanda lost her life in a tragic car accident at 17 years of age. Her brother and two friends were fortunate to survive but the family was devastated.


In the aftermath, Bonnie found the thought of giving up on her youngest daughter’s dream unthinkable. She responded by continuing to nurture Julie and Jamie’s love for horses and by acquiring Tango, a Quarter Horse mare and a rescue, Shay. Eventually, there were acres of pad- docks, a sand ring, an 8-stall barn and that was the start. They still rescue horses, breed their mare, and now offer boarding, lessons, summer camps and birthday parties. The Coulters are very thankful for the small dedicated team that keeps Amanda’s dream alive. Michelle Gilli- brand who started out as a visiting College student has been around for about eight years and is now Head Instructor. Her good friend, Adrienne Shaw came from University to capably fill the position of stable manager. Each are work- ing for the love of the horses, like Amanda would have, which makes them invaluable to Bonnie.


Now, at 23 years of age, both have begun preparation for their National Coaching Certification Program tests through the OEF as of May of 2009. Through the years, trainers Jenn Butler and Jake Walker left their unique marks as well as so many boarders, clients and other supporters through the years.


The grand children, Shane 9, Jessica 8, and Sydney 2 have already shown the love and abilities with their horses. And Bonnie and Jim, with their big hearts, dedication, hard work and love of horses ARE, as it turns out, actually horse people after all.


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