NOW SHOWING

They say three’s a crowd, but when it comes to the Simmie trio who took over the reins of Milner Downs Equestrian Centre in 2005, crowds are a good thing.

Glen and Jo-Anne Simmie, along with daughter Pamela, have resurrected the 38-acre Langley show park and are diligently restoring the facility literally from the ground up.

“We purchased Milner in November, 2005, and this is our third show season,” Glen says.

The centre offers an indoor arena, two sand rings, five-acre grand prix ring, hunter ring, grass warm-up area and exercise track. They also provide stabling for 400 horses, maintaining up to 45 horses daily.

Resident head trainer is Bobbie Reber, whose resume carries her deep into equestrian circles. Reber is joined by instructors Ashley Robin and Christine Penner in instruction at the centre.

Pamela, the equestrian in the family, has been riding under the instruction of Reber for years, and was training at Milner Downs when the Simmies purchased the facility.

Originally built as a dairy farm in the 60s, Milner Downs was transformed into an equestrian centre in the 80s, and held shows at the site until 1998. Prior to the Simmie’s, Gary and Gail Schell operated the facility. When Gary passed away, the facility went up for sale.

Glen, a lawyer practicing in Maple Ridge and Vancouver, admits his horse experience is strictly from a parent’s eye view.

“I’m a horse person in the sense of being a parent of a rider,” he admits, “But I have always been interested in having a training facility for competitive hunter-jumpers. What I want is to provide a first class training facility for the competitive hunter jumper in a friendly, park-like setting.”

Jo-Anne is a recently retired school teacher, while Pamela, 20, balances studies at the University of the Fraser Valley with working at the centre.

“Our challenges are wanting to do everything immediately, when in fact, it takes time to complete all the improvements. We’re far from finished,” Glen says.

He said the greatest satisfaction has been the rebuilding of a facility that was very well known and respected.

“The feedback we’ve gotten is, people have enjoyed the opportunity to come back to Milner Downs because of the fun experiences they had riding here years ago.”

“We have returned Milner Downs to hunter jumper competitions on the grass, and this year we’re booked for four shows.”

“What we do is provide another venue for hunter jumper shows.”

For a complete listing of amenities and show dates, visit www.milnerdowns.com or call 604-534-7918, milnerdowns@shaw.ca