Trail Stewardship
Haney Horsemen Uphold a 50-year Legacy of Equestrian Trail Stewardship
2025-Present Day as Haney Horsemen Chapter of BCHBC
1981-2025 as Haney Horsemen Association
1965-1981 as The Ridge Riders
The Haney Horsemen Association was born from the Maple Ridge Riding & Driving Club (“Ridge Riders”), an equestrian community club formed in the 1940s. Its volunteers were tasked by the District Municipality of Maple Ridge in 1965 to build the Centennial Trail, with government funding, in commemoration of Canada’s 100th birthday. The Ridge Riders continued to fundraise internally, as well as apply for and secure government grants to support development of the horse trail network. The club became registered as a non-profit society in January 1981 under the new name (HHA), and cooperated for the next 32 years under a “fee for service” contract with the District of Maple Ridge, providing its volunteer membership to build and maintain the network of horse trails. This horse trail network would serve to enhance the outdoor opportunities available to residents who wished to appreciate nature while horseback riding or hiking.
In 2012, due to the rising costs of liability insurance, the HHA entered into a revised agreement with the district in which both parties would continue to work together at a high level of engagement to determine priorities for maintenance and renovations of existing trails. The main change was that the HHA no longer administered the inspections or funded building/maintenance, nor had the burden of dealing with liability insurance issues, which was a major concern. In an August 2011 interview, shortly before the new agreement came into effect, Dave Boag, Director of Parks and Facilities for Maple Ridge, said “[this] equestrian community has created a great asset to the community with the vast network of trails that exist today.”
The Trail Committee of the Haney Horsemen Chapter of BCHBC maintains an ongoing dialogue with the city of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows about any trail issues that arise throughout the year and participates in scheduled semi-annual meetings with the city, as well, to discuss the equestrian trail network.