Keeping Salt Spring Island's Equestrian Community Connected
GIHA's mission is to provide a location and space to support the equestrian community that encourages education, growth, responsible horse ownership, and all equestrian activities of every discipline through sport and education.
About Gulf Islands Horse Association
Our Vision
Our Approach
Our Mission
Our vision is to see a thriving equestrian community return to Salt Spring Island. After the last equestrian center was closed in 2016 due to a change in ownership, a small group of displaced horse owners formed a BC registered non-profit society, Gulf Islands Horse Association, to build an arena that will be available to the public in
Our vision is to see a thriving equestrian community return to Salt Spring Island. After the last equestrian center was closed in 2016 due to a change in ownership, a small group of displaced horse owners formed a BC registered non-profit society, Gulf Islands Horse Association, to build an arena that will be available to the public in perpetuity.
In managing and maintaining a public equestrian center, GIHA will facilitate events and activities where all members in our community can benefit from interactions with horses.
Our Mission
Our Approach
Our Mission
Our mission is to eventually build an all-inclusive equestrian center with indoor and outdoor riding arenas, educational space, trails, and boarding stables. It will be maintained and operated by GIHA for the residents of Salt Spring and the entire Gulf Islands community.
Our goal is to promote equestrian activities and foster a sense of
Our mission is to eventually build an all-inclusive equestrian center with indoor and outdoor riding arenas, educational space, trails, and boarding stables. It will be maintained and operated by GIHA for the residents of Salt Spring and the entire Gulf Islands community.
Our goal is to promote equestrian activities and foster a sense of community among horse enthusiasts. We believe in the power of interaction, communication, and collaboration to enhance the equine experience for everyone.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our Approach
Our strategy for turning our vision of building a public equestrian riding center into a reality is to attract members to join our association, and to create public awareness of our mission to raise the needed funds from grants, gifts, and public and private donors.
GIHA currently holds the lease for the arena on Rainbow Road behind the
Our strategy for turning our vision of building a public equestrian riding center into a reality is to attract members to join our association, and to create public awareness of our mission to raise the needed funds from grants, gifts, and public and private donors.
GIHA currently holds the lease for the arena on Rainbow Road behind the Farmers' Institute. We rent out the space for coaches and clinicians to offer riding lessons and other equestrian activities. Those with financial challenges are encouraged to contact us to help them participate.
GIHA also organizes the Horse Show for the local Fall Fair every September to raise funds for the maintenance of the arena.
The arena is free to use for GIHA members, (membership is $25 per year), and is accessible to non-members to use for a small fee.
Join GIHA and Support the Public Arena
Join GIHA and connect with like-minded equestrians on Salt Spring Island. Your membership fees also help to pay for the administration costs of the association including website fees, insurance premiums, arena maintenance and repairs, new infrastructure, and educational bursaries.