AN OVERVIEW
“Loyalty, Character, Sportsmanship”
BC Islands Region is proud to be hosting the 2003 National Tetrathlon Championships! We would like to warmly welcome all athletes, new and familiar, all chaperones and coaches and all family members and friends, to Vancouver Island and to the warmlands of the Cowichan Valley. We look forward to this annual gathering of Tetrathlon and Pony Club enthusiasts!  
The Venue we will be using this year is located in Duncan, “City of Totems”, which is in the heart of the Cowichan Valley. The "Cowichan" name comes from the Quw'utsun' people who first inhabited this area some 4000 years ago and translates to mean ‘land warmed  by the sun’. It is no surprise then that this area boasts the highest mean temperatures in Canada and is home to over 70,000 people. Duncan is famous for it’s World’s Largest Hockey Stick and Puck at the Cowichan Community Centre, and for it’s many authentic carved Totem Poles that are on display throughout the city.
While at Duncan, we will be staying at the Queen Margaret’s School campus, which offers: 27 park-like acres,  Campus Residence and Full Cafeteria, Over-height Gymnasium, Outdoor Tennis Courts, Heated Outdoor Pool, Field Hockey Pitch, Heritage Chapel, Horse Boarding Stables, and Indoor/Outdoor Riding Rings.
The riding venue will be held about 40 km. north, at Michael Lake Cross Country Course. This lovely private facility is situated on over a hundred acres of open fields, rolling hills, forests, and orchards. It is a sanctioned Horse Trials course from Pre-Green to Preliminary levels. Horse stabling is in outdoor paddocks situated in a lovely forested campsite. They are also currently building a large indoor ring and barn facility, with limited barn stabling. Campsites are available (no hookups), and there are several Bed and Breakfasts to choose from in the area.
While traveling to the Riding facility, we will stop at the world famous town of Chemainus. Heralded as "The Little Town That Did" Chemainus is known world-wide as the largest outdoor art gallery. With thirty-three larger-than-life historic paintings in this open air gallery Chemainus attracts over 300,000 visitors annually. For 100 years,  Chemainus remained a "one industry" town. Until 1983 it boasted one of the world's largest sawmills. When the mill closed, many felt the end of commercial viability for the town was near. However, through the dreams, imagination and energy of the community, the little town of Chemainus found a new life by putting on a new face. The town transformed itself into Canada's largest permanent outdoor art gallery, capturing and expressing its history , its people, and its future.
We have many other fun stops and activities planned to make this year’s Championships one to remember. We hope that once you visit our Island you will want to return and visit many of the natural wonders we have to offer!
MEALS and ACCOMMODATION: Competitor’s, Coaches, Chaperones, Officials:
www.northcowichan.bc.ca www.warmland.ca www.bctravel.com Airport Transportation:
Please allow sufficient time for baggage claim, and travel time to the Venue: *For Competitors arriving early: Limited billeting is available. Please make a note of this requirement on the entry form. Travel by Ferry and Horse Transportation: Horses will be boarded at the Cross Country Course: Michael Lake, near Ladysmith, BC 
Three Ferry routes service the Island:
Please Contact the BC Ferry website for important and up to date information on livestock boarding! **Please Note** Ferry traffic is especially busy on a long weekend! or phone: 1-250-386-3431 for information or to reserve vehicles phone: 1-604-444-2890 Follow directional signs from Ferry to Victoria/Duncan (you will pass through Nanaimo on Hwy Number 1, if traveling from Departure Bay) Continue driving South on Hwy #1 passing the “Bungy Zone” and Nanaimo River, and passing the Nanaimo Airport. At 2nd set of lights, past the entrance to the Nanaimo Airport, turn left onto Cedar Rd. Follow Cedar Rd. and at the Husky Station, turn Right onto Yellowpoint Rd. Continue along until you see a Cranberry farm on the right and a steep hill. At the top of the hill turn Right onto Doole Rd. Continue along Doole Rd. to 13270 Doole Rd. You will see directional signs to show you the entrance into the forested campsite area, which is above the main Cross Country course. (The main entrance to the facility is further up Doole Rd. to the right, just past Donna Rd. which is to the left) From Duncan or parts South: Take Hwy # 1 north past Chemainus and Ladysmith. Take the Cedar Rd. turnoff to the right (just before the 2nd light past the Husky Station after Ladysmith. If you get to the Nanaimo airport, you have gone too far). Follow Cedar Rd. and at the Husky Station, turn Right onto Yellowpoint Rd. Continue along until you see a Cranberry farm on the right and a steep hill. At the top of the hill turn Right onto Doole Rd. Continue along Doole Rd. to 13270 Doole Rd. You will see directional signs to show you the entrance into the forested campsite area, which is above the main Cross Country course. (The main entrance to the facility is further up Doole Rd. to the right, just past Donna Rd. on the left) 
Turn West onto Trunk Rd. Follow thru town over train tracks at 2nd light. Keep straight. (becomes Government Street) Continue up hill to Brownsey Rd. on the left. (Bruce’s Grocery on the Right) Turn left and enter school grounds. Meet on Field Hockey Pitch to the right for Registration and Opening Ceremonies. DISCIPLINE VENUES: 
Shooting:Queen Margaret’s School, Founders Hall (gymnasium)
Riding: Michael Lake Cross Country Course,
13270 Doole Rd., Ladysmith, BC.
Swimming: Cowichan Community Centre, Duncan, BC.
 Running: Mount Tzouhalem Park, Duncan BC.
HORSE REQUIREMENTS AND SHARING OF HORSES:
A scheduled stop will be made to the town of Chemainus, where there are many unique craft and gift stores available. A brief amount of time will be available for tourist shopping and viewing the outdoor Murals. No competitors or Chaperones may leave the Venue sites at any time without advanced permission from the Organizers. LEISURE TIME:
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