On June 18th, we hosted our very first SPORTAMii event, and we couldn't have asked for a better way to start.
A small group of us headed out to Pemberton to spend the morning at Copper Cayuse Outfitters. Keeping the group intimate meant everyone had the chance to get to know one another, chat with the wranglers, and enjoy a relaxed riding experience at a comfortable pace. It brought together people who shared a love of the outdoors, horses, or simply wanted to try something new.
That's what SPORTAMii is all about! Connecting people through shared experiences. In fact, many of the people who joined us had always wanted to go horse riding in Pemberton but had never had someone to go with.
After arriving at the ranch, we were each introduced to our horse before the wranglers gave everyone a beginner friendly lesson in Western riding. Whether it was your first time in the saddle or you had ridden before, everyone quickly felt at ease.
As we left the ranch and made our way through the forest trails, our guides shared the stories behind the horses we were riding. Many of them came from the Pemberton wild herd and have since been carefully trained by the wranglers at Copper Cayuse Outfitters to become calm and dependable ranch horses. It was incredible to learn how each horse had its own personality and journey.
They also spoke about the ranch's long standing partnership with the N'Quatqua First Nation, whose traditional lands we were riding on. We learned how the ranch works alongside the community to support sustainable tourism while helping honour and preserve N'Quatqua's rich horse culture and heritage. It gave us a much deeper appreciation for where we were riding and the history of the land beneath our horses' feet.
Before long, we reached one of the highlights of the ride, crossing the beautiful turquoise glacial river. While some of us wondered how the horses would react, they wandered confidently through the water, clearly enjoying the chance to cool off on such a warm day.
On the return journey, we crossed an open meadow with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains before making our way back to the ranch. The horses were finished for the day and headed off for a well earned afternoon of grazing, while we gathered together to enjoy a complimentary Poppi, chat about our favourite moments, laugh about our horses' different personalities, and get to know each other a little more.
The response to the event was amazing. It was so rewarding to see people arrive as strangers and leave having made new connections, all through a shared experience outdoors. We had so many enquiries afterwards that we've already scheduled another ride for July 18th, this time on a weekend so even more people can join us.
As someone who has been riding horses for years and has been lucky enough to ride in some incredible places, I can honestly say this experience is truly special. Between the stunning scenery, the fascinating history of the horses, the stories of the land, and the welcoming team at Copper Cayuse Outfitters, it's an adventure I'd recommend to anyone.
Thank you to everyone at Copper Cayuse Outfitters for making our very first SPORTAMii event such a memorable one. We can't wait to be back.