I started in OCTRA and Endurance riding when I was 13 years old. I have competed at all levels over the years. I went on to become a police officer for 33 years. Endurance taught me to be resilient in all areas of my life. It made me mentally tough and I learned how to face all challenges presented to me.
Deb McBride, OCTRA member since 1984
Volunteer President and long-time Board of Directors member. Represented Canada East 4 times at the North American Championships. Winner of the Esau Lewin Legacy Award for her outstanding contribution to OCTRA.
Provided a social network.
Octra is and always has been a place to share ideas on improving horse performance. A place to discuss issues which may be affecting your horse's well being. One must always keep an open mind to new ideas, while keeping in mind that each horse and rider react differently from each other.
After moving to Ontario in 2010, OCTRA immediately provided a social network, to a transplant.
Robert Gielen, OCTRA member since 2010
Decade partners with FC Galaxy and MoreBangForYourBuck. Represented Canada at the World Championships and World Equestrian Games. Part of an OCTRA Ride Team that hosts the Rabbit Run ride in Flesherton.
My two favourite sports, running and riding.
Riding with OCTRA is so much fun. Ride n Tie combines my two favourite sports, running and riding, and it’s been on my bucket list for years ... so glad to finally have the opportunity to participate! The OCTRA Community is welcoming and friendly, at all levels.
Sylvie Hand, OCTRA member since 2018.
Friendships that last a lifetime.
OCTRA is a warm welcoming group promoting distance riding from grass roots introductory rides up to International level.
From my first 15 mile intro ride in 1995 to my first 100 mile ride a few years later everyone was offering encouragement, education and is always promoting the welfare of the horse.
You will make friendships that last a lifetime while enjoying safe beautiful trails across the Province.
Wendy Benns, OCTRA member since 1995
Decade Award, Honour Roll and High Point Best Conditioned Endurance Horse
Ready to share their knowledge.
Christian and I have been members of OCTRA for 25 years! It's the best Endurance Club! There is a distance for every level of riders, from beginners to FEI! People are so friendly and always ready to share their knowledge with the less experienced riders!
Come ride with us!
Patricia & Christian Calleya. OCTRA members since 2000.
Achieved 4000 + OCTRA miles with our Morgan geldings. Patricia - 4000 + miles and Christian 3000 + miles!
Trail ride and camp.
I joined OCTRA not to compete, but to trail ride and camp with my horse. If you had of told me 10 years ago I would love this sport I would have told you that you were crazy!!
I had a series of tragedies and wasn’t able to ride in my first ride until 2023. I made a promise to a dying family member, and here I am filling it.
All embers of OCTRA are supportive and whether experienced or a newbie, have tips and tricks to share. A welcoming group, the best events and truly fun!
Best way to trail ride and camp!!
Tammy H. OCTRA member since 2021
More than just a sport.
Endurance riding is more than just a sport to me—it's a journey of resilience, connection, and discovery. I love building trust and a true partnership with my horses, and the challenge of going the distance together.
It is a lifelong passion for me, beginning with my first 25-mile ride at just 6 years old in Australia. But I took a break from endurance riding to focus on completing my studies, and initially, restarting the sport in a new country was a little daunting. But I found a truly wonderful and welcoming community in OCTRA!
OCTRA has made my transition back into the sport seamless, and I have met so many fantastic people who share my enthusiasm, making me feel right at home. Endurance riding continues to teach me resilience, patience, and I love exploring new terrains with great company. I am grateful to be part of such a supportive group and to continue pursuing my passion!
Bronwyn Rutland, DVM. OCTRA member since 2015
Three successful Shahzada (400km) buckles in Australia, with the fastest time being 36hrs 8mins & 2nd junior.
Greater horse knowledge.
OCTRA is a family. I believe that there is no other equestrian sport where there is such profound support and encouragement from fellow competitors.
And, I also believe, that there is no better way to spend a day than riding your horse on miles and miles of marked trails in the beautiful forests here in Ontario.
OCTRA has given me greater horse knowledge, lifelong friends, and a solid relationship with my horse that has been fostered through the hours spent in the saddle.
Misha Green, OCTRA member since 2006
Top Ten Novice in my first year of competition & Pit Crew of the Year the year I crewed with a broken leg on crutches!
Supportive community.
I started out as a junior rider many years ago on a chestnut Arab/grade gelding named Demac Simbar.
Together, we earned several top junior placements. After some time away, I returned to OCTRA in recent years and have been actively involved as a board member. This past ride season, I had the opportunity to host a CTR in the East—a truly rewarding experience that taught me so much. Everyone I’ve met within this organization has been incredibly welcoming and helpful, and I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive community.
OCTRA provides both educational and community benefits, including training rides and opportunities to connect with a network of like-minded individuals. In addition, it offers a variety of competitive and incentive programs such as sanctioned competitive rides, distance achievement awards, special incentive initiatives, and year-end recognition.
Trisha De Coeur, OCTRA member since 2000
Ride Manager/Board Member
It only took one ride to get me hooked.
I started with OCTRA in 2019 when Deb McBride was gracious enough to lend me a horse to try this new and exciting sport. It only took one ride to get me hooked and I have been competing on that same horse, Kree, ever since. I have made lifelong friends and love being a part of this community.
I have embraced several roles within OCTRA including the Ride n Tie Chair, Publicity and Promotion, Banquet Committee and most recently, a Director on the Board. Being a part of OCTRA as a volunteer has allowed to me meet and interact with new people, give back to a community that I love and understand how important volunteers are for our sport.
Christina Sibley, OCTRA member since 2019
Lifetime of memories.
When I went to university, I sold my horse and stopped riding for a while. A few years later, a ride passed by our family ski chalet in the Beaver Valley, and my curiosity got the better of me. I introduced myself and was offered a ride on an endurance horse — it turned out to be the best ride of my life.
That moment in 1989 was my introduction to OCTRA, and since then our family has enjoyed countless miles of smiles, adventures, travels, and life experiences.
As a result, we now have a stable full of sound, fit, and happy horses, and a lifetime of memories built through this amazing community.
Wendy Webb, OCTRA member since 1990
Rookie of the Year 1990, Winner of the Esau Lewin Legacy Award for her outstanding contribution to OCTRA. 7th place at the Vermont 100.
Video: During COVID, OCTRA hosted a virtual ride, Flesherton riders participated.
From the dressage an eventing world
I first came to distance riding from the dressage and eventing world and was blown away by how helpful and friendly everyone was - even in competition! My first competition was in 1986 with a standardbred/thoroughbred cross named Max-a-million, who I had trained myself. He loved it and so did I.
Life got in the way and I didn't rejoin OCTRA again until moving to our new farm around 2001. There was a local club offering a Competitive Trail Ride and I entered with my Quarter Horse named Loveable Holy Terror. That first CTR re-introduced me to OCTRA, got me involved with our local Arabian horse association and the local horse community - many of whom are still my greatest friends. Eventually my family also became involved, participating in OCTRA events themselves and becoming part of the OCTRA extended family. From there, my participation broadened to supporting and then being selected as a member of the Canadian Endurance Team competing at the World Equestrian Games. We have had the pleasure of meeting and riding with folks from all over the world who come to ride at OCTRA events.
Distance riding is the best way to spend a lot of time with your horse on amazing trails, with good friends, and great support for you and your horse.
Without my start in OCTRA and CTR, I never would have been able to learn and grow and compete to ultimately be selected to represent Canada at the World Equestrian Games as a competing member of the Canadian Equestrian Team in Endurance!
Kim Woolley, member since 1986
Sanctioning Director through COVID; two HVS with my mare, Schakka Khan
