WHERE IT BEGAN.
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. I started riding at the age of six in Hunter/Jumper and English Equitation.
ON A JET PLANE
In 1999, my family decided to make the move to England - an opportunity of a lifetime for a horse crazy girl. This is when I purchased Quintesse, at the time she was a jumper. The agent assumed we would have no interest in her, however, it was love at first sight. This mare was perfect, even with the four beat canter and the late flying changes.
FINDING MY PASSION
We continued to compete in the jumpers but soon began taking lessons with Rosemary Lord, who suggested I work on my Dressage which I fell in love with immediately. Rosemary was an amazing teacher, can I say hands on?
I fell off one lesson, due to the concern for my safety she started to roll in the dirt to show me the proper way how in fact to fall and land! The enthusiasm was contagious and is what I try to bring each and every ride and lesson daily.
I will always remember competing at the Great Windsor Park, with the castle as the backdrop. England was also the place where I completed my very first Prix St. George test.
COMING HOME.
From the rain to the snow. I began taking lessons with Gillian Sutherland and regularly schooling with Albrecht Heidemann. I was blessed with the opportunities to compete on several talented FEI horses over the years to come.
Quintesse and I progressed from 4th level up to FEI Junior/Young Riders level quite quickly due to our determination. With teammate Rebecca Elming, we both competed for Canada in the FEI Coupe Des Ameriques where we won the bronze medal.
In 2003, Quintesse was very successful throughout the whole summer in the FEI Junior division. We then made our debut in Florida, making a clean sweep in all three FEI Young Rider Classes at the Zada Enterprises CDI/Y.
MY DREAM CAME TRUE
In 2004, Quintesse and I placed 4th individually and won the silver medal for Canada with teammates Veronique Lavalle, Alexandra Hosein and Leah Wilson.
In 2005, Quintesse and I placed 6th individually.
A TRIP OF A LIFETIME
We were invited to take part in the first ever FEI Young Rider World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany. We arrived at the world famous Linsenhoff stables called Schahoff - this is now the official home of the ever adored Totilas! Walking around this facility was amazing, my mom said "it felt like we were within the Sound of Music!". Not to mention the two story Christmas tree leading to the viewing room and the butler in a tuxedo serving tea and coffee in the arena.
The hall was lit with thousands of Christmas lights, Santa Claus was holding up each Dressage letter around the arena, poinsetta's lined the corners of arena and a vibrant red curtain as your entrance to the arena.
Quintesse was terrified to say the least but as always tried her heart out, which is all I could ever ask for. This was a major competition and gave us so much exposure at the international level.
We placed 11th overall - which in my opinion is excellent!
STEP UP AND OUT
In 2008, I stepped out of the Young Riders division and moved up to the Advanced level with Quintesse and Dobble Tyme. Quintesse and I claimed multiple victories including the Intermediaire I test at the CDI-W Blainville International Classic. Quintesse and I were also long-listed for the Canadian Equestrian Team. Marking this as the fourth year in a row that we had earned this distinction.
In 2009, at the CDI-W Blainville International Classic Quintesse placed 3rd and Dobble Tyme placed 6th in the Intermediaire I. Quintesse and I won the Intermediaire Freestyle with a score of 72.000.%
In 2012, I was in training with Robert Dover and Evi Strasser in Florida for the season. With all the hard work Dobble Tyme and I made our debut into the Grand Prix ring, Diamond Tyme competed in the Advanced Level and Debonair Tyme was very successful in Third Level. In 2014, Diamond Tyme and I won our first national Grand Prix test with 68.05% and Debonair Tyme had several tests in the Advanced Level over 70% at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida.
TODAY & TOMORROW.
I am continuously honing my skills both as a professional rider and a coach. Focusing daily on how to better myself, my clients and horses on a daily basis.
Today, I am focusing on tomorrow's goals of representing Canada on the world stage. With hard work and determination, I am very confident these experiences will be a large part of the next chapter of my story.
