WHERE HORSES & HAPPINESS MEET!
North Peace Ride for the Disabled Association
NPRD President Nominated for FSJ Citizen of the Year
FSJ Community Awards on Sept 6, 2025
We are extremely happy to announce the President of the North Peace Ride for the Disabled Justina Harder has been nominated for Citizen of the Year at the upcoming FSJ Community Awards! NPRD was the recipient of the Non-Profit Award in 2023 and received a $2000 donation from the City of FSJ. CONGRATULATIONS Justina on the well-deserved nomination and for all the amazing work you do for the NPRD and many other volunteer organizations!
A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Margaret & Jim Little for being chosen Citizens of the Year!!!
Congratulations Emma Stafford
NPRD 2023/2024 Ride Coordinator & Recipient of the 2024 Rick Hansen Foundation Difference Maker Award!
The RHFSP Difference Maker of the Year award celebrates youth ages 5-18 whose accessibility projects go above and beyond to make their schools and communities more inclusive by creating more awareness and removing barriers for people with disabilities.
Over the last decade, South Peace Secondary student, Emma Stafford has been involved with North Peace Ride for the Disabled. This past year, she worked as the Ride Coordinator for the organization.
As coordinator, Emma works with riders, families, horses and volunteers to provide weekly riding opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Some of her duties involved training volunteers to move riders that use wheelchairs to specialized saddles and working with people with lived experience to seek input on activities. The program provides an opportunity for riders to participate in an exciting activity and help build self-esteem and confidence.
Mission
Excellence ‧ Inclusivity ‧ Respect ‧ Innovation ‧ Community
Founded July 1985
The North Peace Ride for the Disabled Association enables people living with disabilities to experience enjoyment, challenge and a sense of achievement through equestrian activities to improve their quality of life, attain personal goals and develop life skills.
CRA Registration Number: 133424655RR0001
Society #: S-0020431
2025/2026 Board of Directors
If you're interested in becoming a member please send us an email!
northpeaceridefordisabled@gmail.com
New faces and fresh ideas are always welcome!
NPRD relies on the governance leadership and direction of our board of directors. Our goal is to have a diverse group of people with a variety of skill sets who are committed to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities.
NPRD Board; elected June 2, 2025:
President: Justina Harder
Vice President: Helen Gilbert
Treasurer: Denean Arntson
Secretary: currently vacant
Self-Advocate: currently vacant
Directors: Amanda Stafford, Ashley Holt, Dave Wiebe, Diana Glover, DoraLee Pratt Liz Calder and Mary Marcellus
2025-2026 Ride Coordinators: Bev & Dale Richards
Regular Meetings are held each month. Please check out Facebook Page for dates, time and location.
Program Benefits
North Peace Ride for the Disabled helps participants living with a wide range of intellectual and physical disabilities/limitations
- Improved Balance
- Strengthened Muscles
- Improved Coordination, Faster Reflexes and Better Motor Planning
- Stretching of Tight or Spastic Muscles
- Increased Range of Motion of the Joints
- Improved Respiration and Circulation
- Improved Core Strength
- Sensory Integration
- Social Interaction
Meet our Horses
We’re committed to creating a positive experience for all our riders. To ensure the best possible matches, every horse in our program is carefully assessed by our Ride Coordinator for temperament and suitability. Trial periods are encouraged and appreciated, as they help confirm that the horse is comfortable and happy in our environment.
If you have a horse you believe would be a great fit for NPRD, we’d love to hear from you! Please reach out with a brief description including age, height, breed, and experience.
Ideal candidates are:
- Sound at all gaits
- Calm and relaxed in barn and indoor arena settings
- Low in flight response
- Not young or green
- Suitable for people of all ages, abilities, temperaments and energies to ride
Thank you for considering partnering with us to support our riders and enrich our program.
2025/2026 program horses are:
Bess, Bill, Billee Joe, Gambler, Jazz, Li'l Mac, Mercedes and Raven
These horses have been part of the Ride program for anywhere from a few months to over a decade. Each one brings a unique personality, yet all share the qualities we value most—calmness, willingness, patience, and reliability.
To ensure consistency and care, our Ride Coordinator works closely with every horse. She also supports our volunteers, helping them become familiar, comfortable, and confident in their roles within the program.
Code of Conduct
Volunteers, Riders, Employees and Board Members of the North Peace Ride for the Disabled are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner
1. Treat one another with dignity and refrain from any form of harassment, bullying, discrimination, or abuse.
2. Maintain an environment that advocates cooperation, communication, and respect for the ideas of others.
3. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and fairness in dealings with other staff, volunteers, Board Members and clients of service.
4. Respect NPRD property and facility we operate in.
5. Treat all animals on premises humanely and report any mistreatment to the Ride Coordinator and Board Member immediately.
6. Maintain confidentiality regarding all business relating to NPRD as per our policy.
7. Comply with safety standards, policies, and procedures.
8. Do not attend NPRD premises under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants.
Donate
Your donation will help The North Peace Ride for the Disabled to educate volunteers and the general public about what we do as well as deliver our services to people with disabilities.
We rely heavily on people and companies to become part of our mission and vision. Your willingness to support can give children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to socialize, be active in a group activity and to participate in an endeavor they generally wouldn't be able to pursue.
Donations over $2 are tax-deductible.
Mailing Address: North Peace Ride for the Disabled PO Box 6834, Fort St. John, BC V1J 4J3
CRA Registration Number 133424655RR0001
Society #: S-0020431
Our Sponsors
We are deeply grateful for the generous support of our sponsors, whose contributions play a vital role in the success of our program.
If you're interested in being a Sponsor
please contact NPRD President,
Justina Harder, at 250-263-1816 or northpeaceridefordisabled@gmail.com
AFDE & Unions: LiUNA! Local 1611, IUOE Local 115, and CMAW Local 1998!
Alliance Pipeline -A Joint Venture of Enbridge and Pembina
AltaGas
Arthur & Laurel Hadland
Bryce & Denean Arntson
C & V Trailer Sales
Cabre Oilfield Inc.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
Canlin Energy Corporation
City of Fort St. John
Crazy O Ranch - Sean & Brandie Olmstead
Fort St. John Co-op
Fort St John UFA Petroleum Agency & Cardlock
FSJ Signature Sign Line Ltd.
IG Wealth Management
Mary Marcellus
McCormick Ventures Ltd.
North Peace Veterinary Clinic
NorthRiver Midstream
Northern Horse & Mule Harness Association
Peace Country Rentals & Sales Inc.
Reace River Regional District
Randy's Painting
Shell Canada
Sunrise Rotary Club of Fort St John
Surerus Pipeline Inc.
Tom Fisher in memoriam of Lorna Fisher
Tom's Construction
Tonka Coatings Inc.
Vancouver Foundation
Social Media
To stay up to date on all current events, notices and photos, please Like and Follow us on our social media page
@North Peace Ride for the Disabled
Contact Us
We are always happy to see you!
Directions to Sunset Stables:
From FSJ: Drive south from FSJ on the Airport Road, turn right onto 255 Road. In 4 km turn left onto the Baldonnel Rd. In 1.6km, past the Baldonnel school, turn right onto the 253 road. In 2.3km you will see the arena on your right hand side.
OR
Drive south from FSJ on the Alaska Highway. Near the top of the North Taylor hill, turn left on 238 Rd. In 850m turn left onto 253 Rd. In 1 km the arena is on your left side
Route from Taylor: Drive north toward FSJ. At top of North Taylor Hill, turn right on 238 Rd. In 850m turn left onto 253 Rd. In 1 km the arena is on your left side
Watch for NPRD signs posted at intersections!
Our Address of Operations:
6604 253 Road Baldonnel, BC V0C 1C2
Mailing Address: PO Box 6834,
Fort St. John, BC V1J 4J3
Get directionsOpen hours
Wednesday 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Contact info