Copper Cayuse Outfitters

This month, we spoke with the Owner’s of Copper Cayuse Outfitters, a Pemberton based Adventure Business for our Meet the Member Feature! Copper Cayuse Outfitters is a Premier guided horseback riding outfitter in the area, offering anything from hourly to 4 day long horseback trips.  

So team, why did you decide to start Copper Cayuse Outfitters?
CCO started as a retirement project for the four of us, Kennetts and Coggins. Horses and horse trails were being pushed out of existence in the backcountry. We wanted to keep them and ourselves active, and it grew from there. CCO is now an internationally recognized tourism business, and we are proud to receive bookings from clients worldwide. These trails are available for everyone to use, and are a public sustainable wellness initiative. 

What is the biggest challenge in running your business?
Our biggest challenge is dealing with the Provincial Government, who, unfortunately, continually change operating conditions in the backcountry with little or no consultation with operators. 

What is the greatest reward? 
There is a saying in our business: “It’s more about the horse than the rider.” 
Both rider and horse are important, of course, but we have 40 horses that trust us to make the right decisions about their wellbeing and happiness, and keeping them happy is one of the greatest rewards. Equally, putting smiles on the faces of riders, whether it be their first ever horseback ride, or someone who just finished up a technical ride, that smile is everything. 

How do you see your business contributing to the local community? 
A few years ago, we had cause to have a third party study done on the impact of our business in the area. It came back that for every $1.00 of revenue that we took in, we put about $1.20 back into the community, that is for hay, farriers, groceries, caterers, veterinary services, truck/trailer/tractor maintenance, and hardware. We seasonally employ about 16 staff, mostly women, some local, some from away, who are some of the most badass women we know. We support local community charitable activities. As owners, we are active on local boards and community groups. We promote wellness and adventure in the backcountry, while being mindful of the impact these activities may have on the people that live here. 

Any last words about your business? 
Our business is about maintaining the historic legacy that horses and horse culture have in the valley and benefiting all of the communities in the area.

To book an adventure with Copper Cayuse Outfitters or to learn more about their services, head to their website. Thanks to Copper Cayuse for taking the time to chat with us!