Willmore Wilderness Foundation

Willmore Wilderness Foundation Preserving the history & pack trails of one of Canada's hidden gems in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Willmore Wilderness Park.

THREE ROSIE AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR SPIRIT WITHIN!We are absolutely thrilled to share that People & Peaks Productions has ...
08/19/2026

THREE ROSIE AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR SPIRIT WITHIN!

We are absolutely thrilled to share that People & Peaks Productions has received three Alberta Film & Television Rosie Award nominations for our documentary series Spirit Within!

These nominations recognize the incredible people who helped bring this series to life through storytelling, sound, music, and a deep connection to the culture and traditions of Alberta’s Eastern Slopes.

Best Narrator – Web Program, Series or Stand-Alone Production
Bazil Leonard // Spirit Within “Episode 3” // People & Peaks Productions

Best Overall Sound – Unscripted Under 30 Minutes
Dmitri Bandet // Spirit Within “Episode 1” // People & Peaks Productions

Best Original Musical Score – Unscripted
Laura Vinson & Dave Martineau // Spirit Within “Episode 2” // People & Peaks Productions

We are incredibly proud of our creative team and are grateful for the talent, heart, and dedication they brought to this production.

"Spirit Within" was created to share the stories, people, traditions, and spirit of our mountain community, and it means so much to see this work recognized by Alberta’s film and television industry.

A huge congratulations to our nominees and to everyone who helped make this documentary series possible!

For more information on the Rosie Award Nominees go to: https://ampia.org/2026-rosie-award-nominees/

DAY FIVE: 30 YEARS OF MOUNTAIN HORSEMANSHIP IN GRANDE CACHE!Day Five brought a cold, wet, and rainy June day—but the wea...
07/15/2026

DAY FIVE: 30 YEARS OF MOUNTAIN HORSEMANSHIP IN GRANDE CACHE!

Day Five brought a cold, wet, and rainy June day—but the weather did not dampen our spirits!

Rain jackets, rubber boots, and determination were the order of the day as participants continued working with the horses despite the challenging conditions. Everyone stayed positive, focused, and ready to learn.

One of the day’s highlights was working with Sunny, a six-year-old stud. Handling and training a stud requires patience, confidence, awareness, and respect. Participants continued building Sunny’s trust while learning the importance of calm communication, safe handling, and good horsemanship.

The rain offered an important lesson of its own: working with horses and carrying on traditional mountain skills does not always happen under perfect conditions. It takes perseverance, teamwork, adaptability, and a willingness to keep going.

For 30 years, Mountain Horsemanship Clinics in Grande Cache have brought generations together to share knowledge, mentor youth, build confidence, and preserve the traditions and culture of the Canadian Rockies.

Day Five showed us exactly what Mountain Horsemanship is all about—dedication, resilience, respect for the horse, and a shared passion for keeping these important skills alive.
A sincere thank you to our sponsors:

Northern and Regional Economic Development
New Horizon Co-Operative Ltd
JK Hallock Inc.
High Country Vacations Ltd.
Willmore Wilderness Foundation

Thank you for supporting traditional horsemanship, youth mentorship, community connection, and 30 years of living Rocky Mountain heritage!

DAY FOUR: 30 YEARS OF MOUNTAIN HORSEMANSHIP IN GRANDE CACHE! Day Four brought beautiful weather, a great crowd, and anot...
07/13/2026

DAY FOUR: 30 YEARS OF MOUNTAIN HORSEMANSHIP IN GRANDE CACHE!

Day Four brought beautiful weather, a great crowd, and another memorable day of Mountain Horsemanship in Grande Cache!

Participants and spectators gathered from across the community, bringing together the young, the young at heart, and every age in between. It was wonderful to see so many people sharing an interest in horses, traditional skills, and the history of the Canadian Rockies.

The atmosphere was filled with learning, encouragement, laughter, and connection. Experienced horse people shared their knowledge, younger participants gained confidence, and spectators had the opportunity to watch traditional horsemanship skills being demonstrated and passed forward.

For 30 years, these clinics have created a place where generations can come together, learn from one another, and celebrate the important role horses have played in the culture and history of Grande Cache and the surrounding mountain region.

Day Four was a beautiful reminder that Mountain Horsemanship is about much more than working with horses—it is about building relationships, mentoring youth, strengthening community, and keeping Rocky Mountain traditions alive.

As we celebrate the 30th year of Mountain Horsemanship Clinics in Grande Cache, we thank everyone who came out to participate, watch, learn, and support this special event.

A sincere thank you to our sponsors:
Northern and Regional Economic Development
New Horizon Co-operative
JK Hallock Inc.
High Country Vacations Ltd.
Willmore Wilderness Foundation

Thank you for helping us continue 30 years of horsemanship, mentorship, culture, and tradition in Grande Cache!

DAY THREE: 30 YEARS OF MOUNTAIN HORSEMANSHIP IN GRANDE CACHE! For 30 years, Mountain Horsemanship Clinics have helped ke...
07/10/2026

DAY THREE: 30 YEARS OF MOUNTAIN HORSEMANSHIP IN GRANDE CACHE!

For 30 years, Mountain Horsemanship Clinics have helped keep the history, traditions, and culture of the Canadian Rockies alive—and Day Three was another incredible example of this knowledge being passed on to the next generation!

The day featured hands-on work with two green horses, Forest and Sunny, a young stud. Forest gradually warmed up to the group of young people brushing and handling him, and the team successfully introduced him to a pack saddle and boxes.

Sunny also made excellent progress as participants learned how to safely approach, brush, halter, and handle a young stud—building trust through patience, confidence, and respectful horsemanship.

Jaely, an advance Mountain Horsemanship participant worked with a young mare that was in foal, teaching her to follow pressure and respond to a "feel". She even had the opportunity to ride the mare ba****ck!

Three-year-old Hazel was also started during the clinic. She required patience and extra time before accepting the saddle, but the team continued working steadily and respectfully to build her confidence.

Youth participants and spectators also enjoyed a trail ride around camp, where they learned the fundamentals of horse safety, proper handling, and basic riding techniques.

These clinics are about so much more than training horses. They are about mentorship, confidence, patience, community, and preserving the living heritage of the Canadian Rockies.

As we celebrate the 30th year of Mountain Horsemanship Clinics in Grande Cache, we are deeply grateful to everyone who has helped carry this knowledge forward.

A sincere thank you to our sponsors:

Northern and Regional Economic Development
New Horizon Co-operative
JK Hallock Inc.
High Country Vacations Ltd.
Willmore Wilderness Foundation

Thank you for supporting traditional skills, youth mentorship, horsemanship, and the living heritage of the Canadian Rockies!

Celebrating 30 Years of Mountain Horsemanship in Grande CacheDay Two of the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic – June 27, 2026...
07/08/2026

Celebrating 30 Years of Mountain Horsemanship in Grande Cache

Day Two of the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic – June 27, 2026

Day Two of the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic was a powerful reminder of why this tradition has lasted for 30 years in Grande Cache.

The day started out warm and beautiful in the mountains, but by afternoon, heavy showers rolled in. True to the spirit of Rocky Mountain horsemanship, the clinic did not stop. Participants kept working with horses in rubber boots and rain jackets, showing the grit, patience, and determination that have been part of these clinics for three decades.

Young horses continued to make progress, participants built confidence, and spectators and youth enjoyed multiple trail rides around camp. Rain or shine, the learning continued — along with the laughter, stories, and friendships that make this clinic so special.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to Allylee Ingersoll for the wonderful meals. Allylee is an awesome cook, and her food helped bring everyone together after long days of learning and working with horses.

This day was about more than horsemanship. It was about relationships, mentorship, culture, history, and keeping the traditions of the Canadian Rocky Mountains alive for future generations.

As we celebrate the 30th year of Mountain Horsemanship Clinics in Grande Cache, we are grateful to everyone who has helped carry this knowledge forward.

A sincere thank you to our sponsors for supporting this important training:

Northern and Regional Economic Development
New Horizon Co-operative
JK Hallock Inc.
High Country Vacations Ltd.
Willmore Wilderness Foundation

Thank you for helping support traditional skills, youth mentorship, horsemanship, and the living heritage of the Canadian Rockies.

Celebrating 30 years of Mountain Horsemanship Clinics in Grande Cache!Day One of the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic — June...
07/06/2026

Celebrating 30 years of Mountain Horsemanship Clinics in Grande Cache!

Day One of the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic — June 26, 2026

Day One was all about building trust, confidence, and strong foundations with young horses. A number of colts and fillies were started, and it was inspiring to watch both horses and participants grow throughout the day.

A special highlight was seeing our youngest participant, 10-year-old Konnor Hallock, work with Chester. Konnor showed focus, patience, and courage beyond his years as he continued learning the traditions of Rocky Mountain horsemanship.

Mathew Sedore took on the challenge of working with Sleepy Joe, a three-year-old gelding with a big, explosive personality. With steady handling and thoughtful guidance, Sleepy Joe began to settle and respond to the process.

Throughout the day, Jules Desrochers, Markus Hofer, and Amber McDonald worked closely with participants, teaching the foundations of respectful, practical horsemanship. Their knowledge, patience, and calm leadership helped both riders and horses make meaningful progress.

The young colts and fillies responded well to the training, and it was a powerful reminder of what can happen when tradition, patience, and good horsemanship come together.
We are proud to see these important Rocky Mountain skills being passed on to the next generation.

We want to thank our sponsors:

Northern and Regional Economic Development
New Horizon Co-operative
JK Hallock Inc.
High Country Vacations Ltd.
Willmore Wilderness Foundation

We are so grateful for everyone who came out, shared their knowledge, supported the participants, and helped celebrate the traditions of horsemanship in the Alberta Rockies.

Kicking Off a Powerful Week of Mountain HorsemanshipWe kicked off the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic at the Willmore Wilde...
07/05/2026

Kicking Off a Powerful Week of Mountain Horsemanship

We kicked off the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic at the Willmore Wilderness Foundation's Traditional Training Centre with an incredible evening led by the talented Jules Desrochers, Markus Hofer and Amber McDonald.

Jules opened the clinic with a powerful roundtable discussion that brought participants together to share stories, set intentions, ask questions, and get inspired for the days ahead. The conversation was thoughtful, engaging, and full of the kind of wisdom that comes from real experience with horses, people, and the Rocky Mountain way of life.

The Mountain Horsemanship Clinic, held June 25–30, 2026, was hosted by the Willmore Wilderness Foundation and focused on building confidence, skill, and a deeper understanding of working with horses in the Rocky Mountain tradition.

Throughout the clinic, participants gained hands-on experience working with young colts, problem horses, and horses needing stronger foundational training. The training focused on patience, timing, feel, respect, safety, and clear communication between horse and handler.

Participants learned and practiced important horsemanship skills, including:

• Building trust and confidence with young horses
• Handling colts safely and respectfully
• Working through fear, resistance, and problem behaviours
• Developing groundwork skills that prepare horses for future riding and packing
• Improving timing, body position, pressure, and release
• Understanding how calm leadership helps create a safer and more willing horse
• Carrying forward traditional Rocky Mountain horsemanship knowledge

This clinic is about more than training horses — it is about mentorship, tradition, confidence, and keeping practical mountain skills alive for future generations.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our sponsors and supporters who helped make this important training possible:

Northern and Regional Economic Development
New Horizon Co-operative
JK Hallock Inc.
High Country Vacations Ltd.
Willmore Wilderness Foundation

We are so grateful for everyone who came out, shared their knowledge, supported the participants, and helped celebrate the traditions of horsemanship in the Alberta Rockies.

Mountain Horsemanship: Diamond Hitch Clinic July 16–20, 2026This course is fully booked!Please inquire in case there is ...
06/27/2026

Mountain Horsemanship: Diamond Hitch Clinic
July 16–20, 2026

This course is fully booked!
Please inquire in case there is a cancellation.

Five incredible days in the Canadian Rockies learning the art of traditional horse packing. From the legendary diamond hitch to smart pack-box handling and solid tack skills, this is the real deal — Rocky Mountain know-how passed down the right way!

We are honouring that history matters, and together we are keeping the traditions of the Canadian Rockies alive.

Participants learn:
• Mastering the diamond hitch and other essential knots
• Packing horses with pack boxes for balance and safety
• Saddling and bridling with confidence

A special thank you to Alberta’s Northern and Regional Economic Development Program (NRED), the Municipal District of Greenview, High Country Vacations Ltd., and the Willmore Wilderness Foundation for supporting this important mountain horsemanship training and helping keep traditional Rocky Mountain skills alive for future generations.

06/25/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our local Co-op for their generous donation toward food for the Willmore Wilderness Mountain Horsemanship Clinic. Your support helps feed our participants and keeps this important community learning experience going. From all of us at the Willmore Wilderness Foundation, thank you for supporting our clinic and community.

New Horizon Co-operative

Mountain Horsemanship Clinic — June 25–30, 2026Hosted by the Willmore Wilderness Foundation.The Willmore Wilderness Foun...
06/23/2026

Mountain Horsemanship Clinic — June 25–30, 2026
Hosted by the Willmore Wilderness Foundation.

The Willmore Wilderness Foundation is excited to welcome everyone to the Mountain Horsemanship Clinic, taking place June 25–30, 2026. The Clinic is located at Smoky River Ranch, 10 km north of Grande Cache, riverside on Highway 40. Look for the balloons at the turn off.

This five-day clinic focuses on building confidence, skill, and a deeper understanding of working with horses in the Rocky Mountain traditions. The clinic begins with an evening session on June 25, followed by full clinic days from June 26–30.

This year’s clinic will focus on working with young colts, problem horses, and developing strong foundational horsemanship skills. Instruction will be provided by the top students of Larry Nelles, a respected Master Horseman who dedicated his life to teaching thoughtful, practical, and respectful horsemanship.

FULLY BOOKED FOR HORSES
We are now fully booked with horses to start and problem horses for this clinic. Thank you to everyone who registered early and helped make this event such a strong success before it even begins.

SPECTATORS WELCOME
Spectators are still very welcome to attend free of charge. This is a wonderful opportunity to watch, learn, ask questions, and experience traditional Rocky Mountain horsemanship in action.

Please bring your own chairs.

All spectators and participants will be required to sign a liability release and a filming/media release.

MEALS AND BEVERAGES
Donations are welcomed and appreciated!

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and community partners. We are deeply grateful for your contribution to youth mentorship, horsemanship education, traditional skills, and community learning.

Thank you to:

Northern and Regional Economic Development (NRED)
Grande Cache New Horizon Co-operative
JKHallock Inc.
High Country Vacations Ltd.
Willmore Wilderness Foundation

Your support helps keep these important Rocky Mountain traditions alive and accessible for future generations.

For more information or directions to Smoky River Ranch.

Willmore Wilderness Foundation Office
1-780-827-2696
[email protected]

Address

4600 Pine Plaza
Grande Cache, AB
T0E0Y0

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+17808272696

Website

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