By Pete McIntyre

Horse college pitched for Vernon area

Sep 6, 2019 | 3:53 PM

Efforts are underway to secure land in the North Okanagan for a horse college.

The Monashee Valley Agri Park Society is looking to lease at least 10 hectares for the facility which would start out with certified blacksmith and veterinarian assistant courses.

“Then as we get people that are interested in teaching dressage or bulldogging — anything to do with a horse — we’ll teach it. We want to have a jockey school. There isn’t one in Canada,” Society Founder Malcolm Lynn told Vernon Matters.

Another component could be an RV park and a swimming pool for horses, both which would create income for the non-profit society’s plan.

“That’s the new thing, swimming horses. It keeps the weight off of them, they don’t break down, they last longer, and the young horses grow better because there’s no pounding on their joints,” he said.

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Lynn said the BX Ranch Lands and the former Kin Race Track are possible locations.

“Paul Williamson with the BX Community Association thought this was a good fit for the BX Ranch Land that they are trying to save for agriculture, so that was the first thing we looked at,” he said. “It’s very suitable for what we want. We just have to approach the [Regional District of North Okanagan] because they own it.”

Lynn said they will also approach local First Nations, the Okanagan and Priest Valley bands, to see if they have land to lease.

“The Okanagan Indian Band, I hear they have an old car race track that had to be shutdown, and they have an old rodeo site at Head of the Lake that a lawyer in town told me to go look at because they’re interested in doing something there,” he said.

Lynn added they have a business plan, and the support of the federal and provincial governments, but first need the support of municipal governments to provide the land.

“So that all three levels of governments can be involved,” he said.

Lynn says any money raised would go back into the community.

“I’m not in it for the money. I’m into it for the horses because the horse industry in B.C. is in the worst shape in Canada,” Lynn said.

The proposal will be outlined at an information session Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. at Squires Four Pub.

by Pete McIntyre

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