It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the stalls of the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association.

The association (VTRA) is kicking off the holiday season with its ninth annual Deck the Stalls event, inviting the community to visit their 12 festively decorated horse stalls.

B次元官网网址淧eople say it all the time, there is a feeling they get as soon as they walk in; they experience that positive joy. At Deck the Stalls they immediately feel the holiday spirit,B次元官网网址� said volunteer Virginia Rego in a press release.

A highlight attraction of the event is the opportunity for the public to take pictures with their favourite horse, which executive director Liz Gagel says ends up being used as many peopleB次元官网网址檚 Christmas cards.

Year-round VTRA, and its nearly 275 volunteers, uses horseback riding as a therapeutic aid for children and adults with diverse abilities throughout Victoria, attempting to foster joy and connection. But at Deck the Stalls it's not just about the horses,

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about our participants, staff and volunteers coming together to celebrate,B次元官网网址� said Gagel. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a chance for the community to come and see what we do and the joy the horses bring to those around them.B次元官网网址�

Thirty volunteers are scheduled to help put on the event, which Gagel says is a little bigger and better than last year.

B次元官网网址淲e have a professional photographer this year whoB次元官网网址檚 bringing professional lighting. We plan for the quality of the photographs to be higher than last year, with more opportunities to take pictures.B次元官网网址�

But improved photos aren't the only addition visitors will notice this year.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e added a few games and other things like that in the arena, so more opportunities to stick around and spread holiday cheer.B次元官网网址�

VTRA will host the community at their barn in Saanichton on Saturday, Nov. 30, inviting them to enjoy holiday refreshments, take photos with the horses and vote for the best-decorated stall.