Past, Present and Future

My Story: The Past

I grew up on a boarding and lessons stable, Vernadee. Here I got my first taste of being an equestrian. I had a 12hh bay pony, Chloe and we did a little of everything. From gymkhana, hunters and jumpers to dressage, eventing and driving. I was very involved in the Canadian Pony Club which is an organization I highly recommend to anyone regardless of level who wants a well rounded education in all things horses. I started into dressage at a young age and was taught by my mother, Gail Schmidt and classical trainer Joe Thauers. From there I went onto my next step, a home bred Hanoverian gelding Walkin’ Shoes. I started working with David Marcus and Nicholas Fyffe. I took him from Pony Club level to NAJYRC in 2015. In 2013 I spent a year in Moorpark, CA as an assistant rider for Jan Ebeling and of that year, I spent 6 weeks grooming with the US team in Europe as the prepared for WEG 2014.

My Story: The Present

I am now based out of Winterwood Farms in St. Clements ON where I run my training business for clients of all levels and their horses. From starting young horses to upper levels. We compete on the local and national circuits in Ontario from training level to FEI. I’ve also recently started back to the jumper world with an 8yo Hanoverian gelding, Laurier D’Alloys C. I enjoy teaching clinics all over Ontario and USA, for either strictly dressage or dressage for jumpers. We do a small amount of breeding of warmbloods also, mostly Hanoverian and Oldenburg.

My Story: The Future

Short term, I hope to have a barn full of happy horses and riders. Training is supposed to make horses stronger and happier so I want to continue teaching people to be the best rider for their horses. More long term, I aspire to work towards making Team Canada in some form. I have a great support team and can’t wait to see where things go!