Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association
Please visit www.vtra.ca for more information.
VTRA is a registered charity and non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding and related equine-assisted activities for those with diverse abilities. VTRA has been operating since 1982, when it was started by a small and extremely dedicated group of visionaries who wanted to bring the proven benefits of equine assisted activities to our community. Finding a permanent home was a challenge for the program in the early years; in 2009 VTRA was fortunate to be able to set up long term operations its’ current location. Its history demonstrates growth from a small, volunteer-only organization to a well-structured not-for-profit agency with an employed staff, consisting of highly trained and experienced therapeutic riding professionals. There is a large pool of committed volunteers who provide most of our program services, working as horse handlers, sidewalkers, assistant instructors, grooms, and helpers in the clubhouse. The scope of our activities and the degree of organization have increased over the years, resulting in a substantial enhancement of levels of service and efficacy of our programs.
09/23/2026
The VTRA Used Tack is open this coming Saturday from 10am till 2pm, and we have a special sales for you!
🚨BUY ONE BLANKET/SADDLE PAD, GET ONE 50% OFF 🚨
The sales end on October 2nd.
Shop with purpose and support our Equine-Assisted Services!
We accept debit, credit, cash and e-transfer.
📍6917 Veyaness Rs, Saanichton
🕛 Used Tack Store Hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 5:30pm
Thursday: 10am to 7pm
Friday: 10am to 12pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm (September 26th, October 10 and 24, November 14 and 28. December 12)
09/21/2026
[VTRA's 2026 50/50 Raffle jackpot has reached $2,975 and is growing!]
When you purchase a 50/50 ticket, you're doing more than entering for a chance to win. You're helping VTRA participants access life-changing equine experiences that build strength, confidence, independence, and connection.
Our goal is a $19,950 jackpot, with: 50% going to one lucky winner 50% helping fund VTRA programs.
Every ticket purchased brings us one step closer to supporting more participants while increasing the jackpot for the winner.
Get your tickets today and help make a difference! Visit https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/vtra/ to buy your tickets before October 2!
*must be 19+ to purchase tickets
09/19/2026
🐴✨ What an incredible weekend of learning!
Last week, we welcomed 14 therapists for the American Hippotherapy Association's Hippotherapy Treatment Principles, Part I, a three-day course led by Pippa Hodge, BSc Rehab, MCPS, HPCS.
Participants enjoyed a great mix of classroom learning and hands-on experience with the horses, including grooming, leading, and riding.
A heartfelt thank you to Pippa Hodge and Kim Andersen, B.Sc.P.T., VTRA's Early Intervention Program physiotherapist, for sharing their knowledge and experience with everyone who attended.
And, of course, a BIG thank you to our wonderful volunteers! 💙 Giving up your weekend to support the course made all the difference. We truly couldn’t have done it without you.
We’re so grateful for the opportunity to host this course and can’t wait to see where these new connections and learning opportunities take us next! 🐴
09/18/2026
Meet Magi! ✨
Magi is a beautiful 18-year-old Norwegian Fjord mare, standing 13.2 hands tall, who came to us all the way from the interior of BC. Her name means “magic” in Norwegian, and she certainly lives up to it! Magi has a wonderfully friendly personality and loves making new friends. Before joining our herd, she had a successful career competing in dressage, winning many ribbons under her show name, Magic Magi! We are so excited to welcome this special little mare to our barn and can’t wait to see the magic she brings to our riders. 💛
Magi was generously purchased with funds donated by the Sons of Norway, and we are incredibly grateful for their support in helping bring her to our herd.
09/15/2026
[VTRA's 50/50 jackpot is over $2,000 and growing!]
Every ticket purchased for VTRA's 50/50 is more than a chance to win. It's a chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, youth, and adults who benefit from our specialized equine-assisted services.
Behind every equine experience is a story of growth, connection, confidence, and hope.
From now until October 2, you could take home 50% of the jackpot while helping VTRA continue providing life-changing equine-assisted services to our community.
Don't wait, get your tickets today and help the jackpot climb even higher!
Visit https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/vtra/ today!
09/10/2026
[VTRA's 2026 50/50 Raffle is in full swing!]
Our 50/50 jackpot is already over $800 and growing!
When you purchase a ticket, you're not only entering for a chance to win 50% of the jackpot, you're helping make equine-assisted services accessible for those who need them most.
Half of the jackpot supports VTRA programs and can help fund up to 66 equine experiences for our participants. Providing our programs comes at a significant cost, but we are committed to keeping them accessible. Every ticket purchased helps offset program expenses and ensures participants can continue receiving the support they need.
Visit rafflebox.ca/raffle/vtra/ to purchase your tickets today!
License # 176153
*must be 19+ to purchase tickets
09/03/2026
✨[VTRA's 2026 50/50 Raffle has officially launched!!]✨
From now until October 2, every VTRA 50/50 ticket gives you a chance to win big while supporting programs that change lives. Half the jackpot goes to one lucky winner, and the other half helps VTRA continue serving children, youth, and adults with diverse abilities in our community.
As demand for our programs continues to grow and our waitlist expands, your support helps ensure more participants can access the life-changing benefits of equine-assisted services.
Visit https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/vtra/ to purchase 50/50 tickets today!
*must be 19+ to purchase tickets*
License # 176153
09/01/2026
[Exciting news... VTRA's 2026 50/50 launches this Thursday!!]
One lucky winner will take home 50% of the jackpot, which could grow to $19,950 by the draw on October 5, 2026!
Every ticket purchased helps us continue providing life-changing equine-assisted services to our participants. Your support helps keep our programs accessible and our horses healthy and cared for.
🎟️ Ticket Packages
• 1 for $10
• 3 for $25
• 7 for $50
• 15 for $100
📅 Ticket Sales: September 3 to October 2, 2026
🎉 Draw Date: October 5, 2026
Get ready to purchase your tickets, support an incredible cause, and you could be our next big winner!
Visit https://rafflebox.ca/raffle/vtra/
*Must be 19+ to purchase tickets
License #176153
08/25/2026
🐴💙 Thank You for Supporting VTRA! 💙🐴
We are incredibly grateful to the North & South Saanich Agricultural Society, home of the Saanich Fair, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for their generous donation of $5,000 to VTRA.
This gift was made possible through the tremendous success of the RCMP Musical Ride performances held earlier this month at the Saanich Fairgrounds.
The connection between horses and people is truly powerful. Every day at VTRA, we see participants build confidence, strengthen skills, create friendships, and experience the physical, emotional, and social benefits of working with our incredible horses. This donation will help us continue providing these life-changing programs for children and adults with diverse abilities.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the North & South Saanich Agricultural Society, the RCMP Musical Ride team, and every volunteer, attendee, and supporter who helped make this event such a remarkable success. Your support will have a lasting impact on the individuals and families we serve.
Together, you are helping us create opportunities, build confidence, and change lives, one ride at a time. ❤️
❤️ $5,000 to support something special in our community ❤️
Earlier this month, our community showed up in an incredible way for the RCMP Musical Ride at the Saanich Fairgrounds. The response was so overwhelming that our first two performances sold out - and when people were still hoping for tickets, the RCMP Musical Ride team generously offered to add a third performance. That one sold out too!
We were incredibly grateful for the support, enthusiasm and excitement our community brought to this very special event. We also wanted some of the good that came from it to flow back into our community.
Today, the North & South Saanich Agricultural Society, home of the Saanich Fair, was very proud to present a $5,000 donation to the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association. ❤️🐴
VTRA provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted activities for children and adults with diverse abilities in our community. Through the very special connection between people and horses, their programs help participants build confidence, develop skills and experience the many physical, social and emotional benefits that working with horses can provide.
It feels especially fitting that an event celebrating the extraordinary horses of the RCMP Musical Ride can now help support another organization where horses make such a meaningful difference in people's lives.
And this donation really belongs to everyone who helped make the Musical Ride such an extraordinary success - everyone who bought a ticket, came through our gates, volunteered, supported the event and shared in the excitement.
You showed up for us, and we're very happy to be able to give some of that support back.
Thank you to our incredible community, to the RCMP Musical Ride team for going above and beyond for us, and to the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association for the meaningful work you do every day to make a difference in the lives of so many. ❤️🐴
Pictured: Diana McMurtry, President, North & South Saanich Agricultural Society; Cathy Bickford, NSSAS Board Member; Liz Gagel, Executive Director, Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association; along with VTRA volunteers and friends.
🐴☀️ Another amazing week of Teen Summer Camp is in the books! ☀️🐴
This week, our campers experienced life beyond the saddle, gaining hands-on experience in horse care, grooming, tack cleaning, and the day-to-day responsibilities that keep a barn running smoothly. Along with adaptive riding and horsemanship lessons, campers developed practical skills, independence, and confidence while building meaningful connections with both horses and friends.
Teen Camp offers a unique opportunity to experience what life at a barn is really like. From caring for their equine partners to helping with daily barn routines, campers learned the importance of teamwork, responsibility, and compassion while having plenty of fun along the way. 💙
We are so proud of everything our campers accomplished this week. Their willingness to learn, try new things, and support one another made for a truly special camp experience.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this week so memorable. We loved watching our campers grow, learn, and shine!
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Category
Telephone
Website
Address
6917 Veyaness Road, Central Saanich
Victoria, BC
V8M1W1
Opening Hours
| Monday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5:30pm |
| Friday | 9am - 12pm |