It turns out not all of the results were posted on the official results page of the Abbotsford 2023 55+ BC Games which ran Aug. 22-26.
Among the events missing from the online results were various equestrian events — events where Cowichan Valley athletes fared well.
Zone 1 equestrian sports coordinator Carol-Ann Rolls confirmed the results pages hadn’t been updated prior to the Citizen’s previous deadline and offered official results directly from Horse Council BC.
Three women from Shawnigan Lake led the medal haul.
Tracey Hennessey won silver in the equestrian mixed 55+ dressage open - first level event, and bronze in the 55+ working equitation - intro division event while Moria (Pip) Brecken secured five medals in the Games, including three golds and two silvers in the equestrian mixed 55+ arena driving - preliminary level events.
Finally, Catherine Royle took two silver medals and a bronze medal in the equestrian mixed 55+ arena driving - training level events.
“The Games were so much fun,” said Royle. “You are surrounded by people who are there to have fun with their horses. The competitions were well laid out and challenging. Winning isn’t really the goal, but if you do, it’s amazing. This was my fourth year and I’m looking forward to next year in Salmon Arm.”
Cobble Hill’s Rhonda Scheiber earned three gold medals and two silver medals in equestrian mixed 55+ arena driving - preliminary level events. Also from Cobble Hill, Jane Stone earned four gold medals in mixed 55+ working equitation - novice A and novice B events.
Duncan’s Mary Watts took two bronze medals in the equestrian mixed 55+ arena driving - training level events.
Leslie Park, of Mill Bay, earned a silver in the mixed 55+ working equitation - intro division event.
Athletes from no fewer than nine Cowichan Valley communities medalled at the Games.
Roughly 50 competitors from the region took part in the games, helping Zone 1 — Vancouver Island-South to fourth overall with 64 gold medals, 59 silver medals and 159 bronze medals.
SEE RELATED: 50+ Cowichan Valley athletes competing at 55+ BC Games
Among the Cowichan-area athletes was Youbou track athlete John Rudzik, who was looking to redeem himself after an injury kept him unable to perform last year at the 2022 Games in Victoria.
Rudzik took gold in the men’s 60-64 400m race and bronze in both the 100m and 200m races.
“All the events were held at different venues around Abbotsford, and the track and field event was held at the Rotary Stadium,” he said. “All the volunteers were excellent and they kept all the track and field events on time. Overall I had a great time competing and making new friends.”
Honeymoon Bay’s Anne Orman was golden in carpet bowling, along with teammates John and Paulette McCaughey.
“I found it very exciting to be a participant in the BC 55+ Games in carpet bowling triples along with Paulette and John; we also knew that it would be very challenging as we were going to be competing against a team of gold-medal winners from the Canada 2022 games,” said Orman.