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Joy is delighted to be returning to teach at Opening Gaits! Some of you may remember her from when she taught (and volunteered on the board while on maternity leave) from 2013-2017.
“I have been a certified coach with the Special Olympics in Minnesota and am double certified as a CanTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association) and CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) instructor. These include both English and Western disciplines for both able-bodied and physically/cognitively challenged riders. I managed a riding program from 2016-2020 for a camp that saw 1,300 people through the barn my final year and had a herd of about 25 horses. I love to pursue ALL the equine disciplines, and have experience to varying degrees in dressage, jumping, western equitation, ranch work, gaming, trail guiding, competitive trail, driving, mounted archery, and polocrosse. Outside of the arena I have experience in program development, marketing, mentoring, counselling, and human resources.
After more than 15 years in the equine industry I have endless stories of the amazing people and horses I have met along the way.
“See the Ability” together.”
Samantha comes to Opening Gaits with a lifetime of horse experience. Originally from the UK and in Canada since 1998, she has a myriad of experience in competing in most disciplines from Eventing to Sidesaddle and Gymkhanas to driving. She spent a few years being a judge at horse shows and holds several BHS qualifications. Samantha looks after the Opening Gaits program administration and also looks after the Opening Gaits herd of horses like her own, managing their health and development. She also keeps everyone in line and frequently can be seen wearing her “boss mare” hoodie around the barn 🙂 She consistently keeps up to date with seminars and training to keep current in the horse world. Samantha’s horse Nigel is in the program and together they love doing cowboy challenges, obstacle courses & trail riding. Besides managing our program & horses she is also a part time Optician and Contact lens practitioner and in her spare time (ha ha ha 😂) she loves to go Kayaking with her husband and taking vacations, her favorite one being hiking the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu, Peru.
I was raised on a farm, on Vancouver Island. I was in cattle 4 H, Horse 4 H & was a member of the Sunset Riding Club. I did training in English, including jumping but much prefer riding Western. I have been riding for over 55 years, and have been volunteering with Opening Gaits for five years.
I am the Friday Instructor, Volunteer Coordinator & also Volunteer Wednesday nights & Saturday mornings. I am Samantha’s sidekick for all things equine.
I am married, we have 3 Children & 4 1/2 grandchildren, the 1/2 is due in May.
My hobbies are riding when I can, reading murder mysteries, gardening & travelling.
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