December 10, 2009
A Hundred Years of Spirit in Centre Line Stables

RICHMOND - After 110 years in the family, Centre Line Stables was honoured with a Century Farm Award by Steve Thomson, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and Linda Reid, MLA for Richmond East.

"The agricultural industry in B.C. needs passionate people who care about the land to take over and continue what so many hard-working producers have begun," said Thomson. "This Century Farm Award celebrates a great example of a new generation finding success in farm business."

The land has been in the McConnell-Hol-Pavicic family since 1899. Karen Pavicic, one of six children who grew up on the Richmond farm, bought the stables with her husband David in 2001. Her father, Gerry Hol, built the house and outbuildings on the 10-acre property himself. Pavicic continues  to honour her family's heritage, working at the stables training horses and riders.

"We're very proud to keep a century of agricultural tradition alive here at Centre Line," said Pavicic. "Our students love escaping to our beautiful acreage where they can work with their horses in a relaxed environment and feel a little closer to the land."

Centre Line Stables offers training in dressage, an Olympic equestrian discipline that is often described as 'ballet for horses'. The full training of a horse can take five years of intense practice, synchronizing horse and rider to perform a variety of delicate manoeuvres.

"Ninety-eight percent of B.C. farms are family farms. It's important to recognize the B.C. families who contribute to the vibrancy of our agricultural landscape," said Reid. "Centre Line Stables produces magnificent horses and riders while preserving a strong tradition of agriculture in Richmond, and that's something to celebrate."

Century Farm Awards honour farms or ranches that have been in the family for 100 years or more. The awards are designed to celebrate the diversity of the industry, bridge the urban/rural divide and generate interest in agricultural careers.

To download a photo of the Pavicic family receiving their award and view historic photos of the farm, visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/al/mediaroom/photos/thomson/2009/centre_line_stables/index.html

For more information on Century Farm Awards, visit http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/regional/CenturyFarmsAwards/CenturyFarms.htm

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