It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the stalls of the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association.
The association (VTRA) is kicking off the holiday season with its ninth annual Deck the Stalls event, inviting the community to visit their 12 festively decorated horse stalls.
“People say it all the time, there is a feeling they get as soon as they walk in; they experience that positive joy. At Deck the Stalls they immediately feel the holiday spirit,” said volunteer Virginia Rego in a press release.
A highlight attraction of the event is the opportunity for the public to take pictures with their favourite horse, which executive director Liz Gagel says ends up being used as many people’s Christmas cards.
Year-round VTRA, and its nearly 275 volunteers, uses horseback riding as a therapeutic aid for children and adults with diverse abilities throughout Victoria, attempting to foster joy and connection. But at Deck the Stalls it's not just about the horses,
“It’s about our participants, staff and volunteers coming together to celebrate,” said Gagel. “It’s a chance for the community to come and see what we do and the joy the horses bring to those around them.”
Thirty volunteers are scheduled to help put on the event, which Gagel says is a little bigger and better than last year.
“We have a professional photographer this year who’s bringing professional lighting. We plan for the quality of the photographs to be higher than last year, with more opportunities to take pictures.”
But improved photos aren't the only addition visitors will notice this year.
“We’ve added a few games and other things like that in the arena, so more opportunities to stick around and spread holiday cheer.”
VTRA will host the community at their barn in Saanichton on Saturday, Nov. 30, inviting them to enjoy holiday refreshments, take photos with the horses and vote for the best-decorated stall.
