At Gateway 2 Ranch in B.C. Canada, the horses( and steer) run as a wild herd on 320 acres of grassland yet return each morning to report for work. The horses’ job is changing lives. In three years they have co-authored four books with Liz and won numerous book awards including the coveted Nautilus Award in company with Deepak Chopra, Eckhart Tolle and the Dali Llama. One With the Herd, the first in the series won 5 Independent publishing awards.
The books and subsequent workshops, which are attended by people from all over the world, are healing minds and bodies with a new understanding of connection and oneness. Liz,the horses, steer, dogs and cats, and the powerful land itself are the healers and have an important message for the world. EQUINISITY, the movie is real footage from the workshops. There is only one consciousness, one force of love that connects us all. When we experience that we are instantly and forever changed….
True to her philosophy, Liz believes in sharing her gifts with organizations working to help animals and the environment. Along with the honour of being B.C. Wildlife artist of the year twice, she has also been a national artist for Ducks Unlimited for nine years. Liz has been recognized as a notable Canadian woman by Eatons stores, invited by the Canadian Mint, and was a winner of the Habitat Canada stamp. Her art has been presented to well known dignitaries who support the environment, such as Premiers Harcourt and Clark, Vice-president, Al Gore and England’s Prince Philip.
Many of Liz’s recent paintings are featured in the books.
Kevan Garecki has spent the majority of his adult life both around horses and directly involved in commercial transportation. His professional accolades are almost second to none. In addition to nearly 7 million kilometres of accident-free driving (in recognition of which he received BC Safety Council’s coveted 30-Year Safe Driving Award), Kevan has amassed over 20 certifications ranging from Commercial Driving Instructor and ICBC-certified Road Test Assessor to designing & presenting high-performance driving courses, as well as dabbling in incident investigation, drug and alcohol program administration for commercial fleets and many other related qualifications.
“While on contract with ICBC as a Road Test Assessor, Kevan discovered a void in the information as it applies to the average trailering public”, Kevan relates. “What I found was that fewer than 2% of the general public had sufficient knowledge about what was required of them to legally operate their vehicles.” This lack of knowledge was unacceptable so Kevan decided to do something about it. Exhaustive research combined with helpful interpretations from close allies within ICBC’s corporate structure have allowed Kevan to produce a uniquely clear picture of trailering within B.C. for you, the safety-minded motorist. He has also served on advisory boards for commercial traffic studies, been a road test examiner for ICBC, and operates his own horse transport business."
Kevan lives in Langley, and has over 35 years experience in horse handling commercial and transportation. In January 2009 he founded The Wanted Horse Forum, an online forum for horse rescue and rehabilitation. Kevan has volunteered time and hauling to the Otter 4H Horse Club, Langley Riders, the SPCA, Zajac Ranch for Children, Pacific Riders for Developing Abilities and many other worthy causes and also has two adopted rescue horses that he has personally taken in and provided loving homes for.
For all your horse hauling needs contact Kevan at
H-4 Services
Vernon Groetchen lends his experience and expertise in sales and marketing and over 30 years expereince in the horticultural field. As VFTH launches into business, his support and knowledge of this industry brings on a new style for the marketing of equestrian concepts and wholy compliments Yvonne's trade. Given Vernon's many years experience of also working with the Ministry of Children, makes him a perfect fit for working in the field with horses due to his ability to connect and relate with children and young teens whose lives are not stable. His willingness to invite Angel, his first horse ever in his life when most men his age would be looking to upgrade to a new model BMW, shows a dedication second to none for the pleasures one receives when engaging with horses. Vernon is presently learning natural hoof care trimming and has taken several equine massage courses.
Joy is the daugher of a farmer in England and regularily sat on a pony before she culd walk and that was at 10 months. Her entire life has been dedicatd to working with and loving horses. this resulted in many International Champioinships in England,Canada and the United States where she judged a variety of disciplines. Hunters, quarter horses and thoroughbreds have taken her nt alldisciplines from fox hunting, working hunter, jumping,eventing, western performance and dressage.Joy has lived in Canada since 1957 working as an Interior Designer in Vancouver. For the years following she was involved with the Vancouver Art Gallery chairing their enthusiastic social committees before her husband and herself purchased property in Aldergrove, BC. The year was 1969 and the two of them established the fine 60 horse Heritage Boarding Stables. During the next seven years Joy was also an inspector with the SPCA.
Joy joined the WRNS at the end of the war serving in the south of England at the naval base Chatham where they were all exposed to the German buzz bombs flying over the English Channel from France. By the time many bombs flew in they were beginning to run out of fuel which had driven them with loud and fiery strength, many hitting tree tops, church steeples or just dying, then they all quickly took cover in ditches or under doorways. Sometimes they would see dozens of them overhead en route to London. This part of the war was known as The Blitz. After the war Joy received three medals, one for joining the service, one for being in for Armistice and one for serving during The Blitz.
Joy has written for many years in horse magazines and is now finalizing her sequel to "Pride and Joy" and to my autobiography, "Joy for Living" which became a best seller. With friend, Jan White, we have just completed a new book "The Horsemen" which relates a fascinating account of the lives of twelve movers and shakers who, with their skills, foresight and leadership became giants in the ever-growing horse industry in British Columbia.
In 1978 becoming Chairman of the British Quarter Horse Association, Joy was elected their AQHA Director. After a serious accident in the fox hunting field when kicked by the Master's horse, this resulted in eighteen months in a wheelchair and on crutches. In 1983 Joy returned to Langley with her horses and soon become president of the BC Quarter Horse Association. During this time Joy was the Vice President of the Langley Horse Federation from which she was elected Chairman of Road Safety in 1995 working with the Municipality, and Chairman for The Spirit of the Horse Memorial Garden in Campbell Valley Park the following year. Joy was awarded Horse Person of the Year from BC Horse Council's 17,000 members in 1997 and received the Fraser Valley Woman of Excellence Award in Sport category in 1999.
Both Yvonne and Joy have the common interest of being proactive in their efforts to promote the horse and the humane and ethical treatment of them. Joy has attended alongside Yvonne at various events promoting both Spirit Garden and Voice For The Horse.
Geary Whiting received his doctorate in December of 2003 in the field of Original Holistic Studies from Shepperton University in London. Seven years after his graduation he was also awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Shiatsu Massage School of California for his contribution to the field of Oriental Medicine Through Shiatsu-Anma and recognized for his strong commitment to help and educate people.
In 1997, after many years in the Health and Fitness business, Dr. Whiting went after yet another dream and started "Geary Whiting's Equine Massage School for Horse and Rider" taking his human knowledge to the arena of horses. Geary's school is perhaps the only school of its kind; much of what is taught comes directly from his life's experiences of which he has many. This is the uniqueness of his educational program.
"In understanding it is only the human being who possesses the ability to dream a dream, go after it, and look back at ones achievements and appreciate what he/she has accomplished, as well as the understanding if we create our environment, it will create us. It is this understanding which allow people to feel good about themselves and care more about what they are doing with their horses. Of coarse the horse also plays a big part of validating the human being, the two simply go together like a hand in glove".
Other than health and fitness Geary is a motivator, lecturer, teacher and achiever. He is also a chaser of dreams, and encourager to others who have a dream but do not quite know how to achieve them. This is why when Yvonne Allen, his very accomplished graduate student and friend asked him to be part of Voice For The Horse Project he raised his voice willingly and enthusiastically said, "lets get er done little lady".
Happy Trails!
Thea Mackenzie ~ "The first comment that comes to mind when people ask me about my life is "my parents finally gave in and bought me a horse at 16 and have regretted their decision ever since!" Horses have always consumed my life - since I can remember anyway. My grandparents used to tell me the first word I spoke was horse and when vacationing with them noted that I recognized the written word horse long before I could actually read. Every pony ride or trail ride advertised on the highway became a MUST STOP adventure. What patient grandparents I had"!
"I have learned a lot in the life I have had with horses ~ more than can be expressed by mere words. Today I am working on a life changing project for ourselves and the horses. Our new equestrian facility will be the backdrop for many new and exciting learning experiences. My philosophy is much the same as the Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan - we need to re-habilitate the horses and train the people. The horses do not need training!! They need people who can communicate more effectively with them in a TRUE partnership on their level ~ not the dictatorship that is the norm in society today. So many trainers talk about respect and partnership but the words don't convey the truth of the training tactics used. I am not sure just yet about the full scope of what will occur here but I do know we, as a society, must move forward in kindness and understanding. Though I know not where it will lead, I am enjoying the journey!
Thank you Thea for your insights! Thea has been most generous in providing Mischief and Angel a great home to grow up and blossom into the beautiful horses they are today. Thea was there when I didn't know what to do with Mischief, a little horse needing a home that I by choice entrusted into my care. Mischief has now claimed me wholy as his person and it is because opened a door for us so that this could happen.
Visit Thea and the rest of her family and herd at Mackenzie Meadows in Pritchard, B.C.
We invite you to also meet Thea's daughter Lyla who is an up an coming Advisory board Member! Lyla is open to learning as much as she can about horses, the training of horses and follows very much in her Mom's footprints. We invite you to meet Lyla on the VFTH Kid's Corner
Horses helped me find myself, in a time when I felt a little lost in my journey through this world. I had just become a young, single mother, struggling to find my way...the responsibility of raising a little boy, into a man, daunting and quite terrifying to me. He had become my whole world! How amazing it was, the instant, unmatched love I felt for him. And, as my life took a turn onto this unknown path, the beautiful and majestic horse galloped in full force, guiding my way, carrying me through the tough times, difficult decisions, struggles, and the precious moments, joys, and endless love. Was it luck, just good timing, chance, fate, that had the horse and I uniting again when I needed it the most? Who knows...but I am thankful, whatever the reason may be!
I have always been an advocate for the horse and always will be. I am excited about Voice For The Horse and look forward to meeting and connecting with many more like minded individuals who share the same values as we do. Enjoy the VFTH web site as it is loaded with great content and material; a place where we can both share and learn together, for a better today and tomorrow for all of our horses!
Rachel Blaney ~ Check out Rachel's VFTH Affiliate Membership ~ she presently has a lovely young filly for sale.
Birgit Stutz from Falling Star Ranch has been a great inspiration for the VFTH Project. I have known Birgit since the Christmas of 2008 when she headed up the rescue for the Sundance and Belle trapped up in the mountains near McBride, B.C. Birgit has been of great support to VFTH and we will look forward to getting her Bio up online when she returns home from Europe.
It is our hope at VFTH that in the coming years we will see less horses with the need of rescues and that eventually our horses at risk will reside peacefully in protected fields and pastures free from harms way.
Angel helping out with all the barn chores!
