About Us

The provincially recognized representative of Equestrian activity on PEI

About the IHC

Island Horse Council (IHC) was founded to be the caretaker for Strathgartney Equestrian Park (SEP). From that original purpose, IHC has evolved into the not-for-profit Provincial Sport Organization that provides governance to the equestrian industry on Prince Edward Island (excluding the racing industry). IHC provides support, leadership and resources to develop athletes and protect the interests of equestrian enthusiasts. Equestrian Canada, as the nationally recognized sport organization, recognizes one representative organization in each province across Canada. In PEI this is the IHC. IHC participates directly in national policy development, sport administration and delivering member services through this partnership.

Over more than 35 years, numerous volunteers have dedicated thousands of hours of their time to sit on the executive board to offer member clubs (currently: Dressage PEI, Horse Trials PEI, PEI Hunter Jumper, Charlottetown Pony Club, Island Reining Horse Association, Western Horse Association of PEI, PEI Trail Riders), and approximately 600 individual members, the substantial benefits of a Provincial Sport Organization. There are also two Directors at Large who represent members who are not aligned or members of current member clubs. They present a different viewpoint and introduce new ways to bring benefits of membership to more horse enthusiasts on PEI.

IHC is member-focused and strives to provide ever-increasing value. We sponsor certified coaching courses in both English and Western disciplines in an effort to increase the number of certified coaches in our province, and help current coaches upgrade coaching credentials. Additionally, we work with Island athletes to offer support to training and high-level competitions, thereby creating a development pathway. The Strathgartney Equestrian Park Improvement Project plays a pivotal role in supporting this strategy. Through these critical pieces, we have been able to increase the number and competitive level of our athletes.

Become a member of the Island Horse Council, volunteer with a member club or take your first riding lesson. We are here to support you, education you, protect you and celebrate you.

Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the Island Horse Council with your suggestions/concerns or triumphs.

Sincerely,

IHC Executive & Board of Directors

IHC Governance

Executive directors

President
Deb Smith
Email

Vice President
Sam Doucette
Email

Secretary
Dawn Helm
Email

Treasurer
Jeanette Gallant
Email

Certified Equestrian Coaches of PEI
Maureen Sinnott
Email

Board of Directors

Charlottetown Pony Club
Annalisa Gerroir

Dressage PEI
Anna Osinga https://www.dressagepei.ca email

HorseTrialsPEI
Nicola Brothers https://www.horsetrialspei.ca email

Island Reining Horse Association
Taylor MacKenzie
https://www.islandreininghorse.com

PEI Trail Riders
Donna Lee Cole https://peitrailriders.ca email facebook

Strathgartney Equestrian Park Michelle Smith
email

Western Horse Association
Amy Herring email facebook

Director at Large email

Director at Large
(Accepting Applications)

Standing Committees

English Coaching Coordinator
email

Western Coaching Coordinator
email

Contact IHC

Administration Alison Borghese email

IHC Office Hours

Remote Office

Monday 11am-2pm

Thursday 11am-2pm

Friday 11am-2pm

In-Office

Tuesday 1pm-6pm

Closures or changes to hours will be announced on our Facebook page.

For any inquiries or concerns please email Island Horse Council Administration. office@islandhorsecouncil.ca. We will respond as soon as possible during posted hours.

If you have an urgent matter, please contact one of our executive or board of directors.

Top photo by Jill Thomas