Just a few minutes from downtown Vancouver, Southlands Riding Club (SRC) has grown up with the city. SRC traces its roots back to a time when the land was covered in farmland, horse stables, and a sense of community. Long before its official establishment in 1943, the Blenheim Flats were tended by farming families like the McCleery brothers, Samuel and Fitzgerald, and Hugh Magee. The landscape along the Fraser River, stretching from 75th/Granville to the river’s mouth, was characterized by pastoral lands and agricultural pursuits. This idyllic setting was also home to riding stables and academies, creating a vibrant equestrian culture in the region.

In the 1920s, the Point Grey Golf Course emerged, drawing more farm and horse owners to the Flats. However, the area was not only about golf; it was also a haven for horse enthusiasts, with riding academies scattered across Vancouver including Dunbar, Point Grey, and Stanley Park.

The spark that would ignite Southlands Riding Club began in the early 1940s when A.J. McPherson and 12 visionary riders gathered to discuss the formation of a community dedicated to preserving trails and advocating for equestrian safety. Names like Bernice Ramsey, Neina Williams, and Jack Abramson stand out among the pioneers who sought to promote the well-being of horses and riders. This group’s efforts bore fruit when, in August 1943, Southlands Riding Club was officially incorporated with a modest annual membership fee of $3.

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