Equine Resume | villanuevahorses

Equine Related Lessons, Trainings and Experience:

We believe in continuing education!

Every year, we spend a significant amount of

time and resources to advance our knowledge,

so that we can provide high quality

horsemanship programming for our clients.

2024 - Doug Mills Training Thru Trust Trainers Group Cohort out of Kamloops BC. Learning Doug's methods of training horses and riders. Refining my knowledge of on-line coaching using tech to help clients from all over the world.

2023 - Spent the winter months advancing my knowledge of horse behavior and training theories as well as equestrian & human physical performance enhancement techniques from a wide variety of teachers. I also went deep into learning more about physical therapy & massage techniques for helping horses to feel their best. There's always more to learn! I strongly believe that investing in my education makes me a better coach and helps me to help the horses that I work with.

2023 - Dressage Naturally Training membership

2023 - Equine Bodywork Online with Kara Kristine O'Laughlin

2023 - Art of the Horseman membership

2023 - In-depth study of Jec Ballou's "55 Corrective Exercises for Horses" & "Equine Fitness", Helle Katrine Kleven's "Physical Therapy for Horses", Sally Batton's "The Athletic Equestrian", Jim Masterson's "Beyond Horse Massage" Lisa Champion's "Riding from the Inside Out", Rene Tucker's "Where Does my Horse Hurt", Linda Tellington Jones "Horse Behavior & Training", Janet Foy's "Dressage for the Not So Perfect Horse", and Jane Savoie's "Dressage 101. All of these resources have deepened my understanding of how to help horses move in a way that is healthy for their body and mind & makes them stronger, helps them to be more comfortable in their work with us. This is some of the most interesting work I've studied to date & I will be continuing to learn more in the area of equine body work techniques.

2023 - Carson James Training membership.

2023 - Acro and conditioning coach for Graystar's competitive vaulting club in Kaledon BC.

2022 - Equestrian Canada - Mental Performance Planning

2022 - Working Equitation Clinic with Jacquie Doucet-Howes

2021 - Transitioned to the new Equestrian Canada: Licensed Coach Status

2021 - Hoof Geeks Barefoot Trimming course

2021 - Equestrian Canada: Fostering Healthy Equestrian Environments course

2021 - Equestrian Canada: Concussion Awareness training

2021 - Working Cowhorse clinics with Whitney Watson Wilson

2021 - Vaulting Instructor Workshop with Koot-Neigh Vaulters

2021 - Gymnastics BC Artistic Gymnastics Foundations Trained Coach

2020 - Barrel Racing Clinic with Chelsea Sanders

2020 - Acrobatic Arts Certified

2020 - Commit to Kids course by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.

2020 - Youth Equestrian Drill Team head coach

2020 - 4-H Horse project leader

2020 - Ritter Dressage on-line training

2019 – Continued regular dressage lessons with Lillian Evaniew. Lillian has taught me so much and I’ve loved how my horses have become straighter, stronger, more balanced laterally and lighter to the aids under her guidance. I’m not just a western rider! I feel there is something to be learned from all disciplines and I try to be a well- rounded rider and trainer.

2019 - I've been expanding on my knowledge of ground training:
double lunge, short reining and long reining. This is a whole art in itself, separate from riding. It is amazing preparation for riding, but also helps us see our horse’s foot movement, something that is impossible to do from the saddle. It is a very useful diagnostic tool and deepens our relationship with our horse. As the saying goes “If you only know your horse from above, you only know half your horse.”

2019 - I've been taking part in the Connection Training courses this year. I have found so many useful tools through this course work. I have to say, it has really opened my eyes to this training method and definitely has helped further develop my relationship with my horses and has deepened our training to another level. Their liberty work has been greatly enhanced through this work. I don't follow the method exclusively as I personally find that using pressure and release also works very well as a way to help guide the horse but using the addition of the Connection Training to help re-enforce the teaching is very effective and really helps horses to understand what it is we are asking of them. It can really help to solidify a new idea when teaching to the horse or to help refine the teaching a bit (or a lot) more. I've been really happy to explore this method of training. Both methods work on their own, but together, they really seem to be a little magical in the results the combination can achieve.

2019 - Barrel racing clinic with Heart Bar Performance Horses.

2019 - I've also been studying Yvonne Barteau's coursework through her KYB Connected. She has lots of training in dressage, tricks, equine exhibitions, in-hand training, horse care, etc. She is a very inspirational trainer and has a wealth of knowledge to share. I've learned a lot from studying her work. She is part of the organisation called Horses Without Humans, that helps to rehabilitate horses who've run out of options and retrains them so they can find forever homes. So many times, horses end up at auction through no fault of their own (meaning their humans have let them down with poor training, and the horses have become dangerous either from fear or dis-respect due to being spoiled). This organisation does good work and with a $20 donation to Horses Without Humans, you can view the documentary produced by Yvonne Barteau called "Into the Spotlight 2". The movie is spectacular and well worth the $20.

2019 - I have also been studying the work of Glenn Stewart and Double Dan Horsemanship. Yes, I spend a lot of time studying! Each method is a little different but they each have useful tools that I keep adding to my toolbox so that I can become a better horsewoman every year. This helps my horses and also helps give value to the lessons I teach to my own students. I am absolutely passionate about good horsemanship because it's for the good of the horse. Well trained horses with good manners and good body control are almost always going to have a home, and that's really important to me.

2019 – Horse 4-H co-leader with Jody McPherson.

2018 - Weekly, bi-weekly and Monthly clinics with Lillian Evaniew. (The following are just a few of her many accomplishments: Judge for the World Western Dressage Championships, Reserve Champion at WDAA World Show 2015, NBHA World Qualifier, Miss Rodeo Canada -horsemanship).

2018 - Western clinic & schooling show with Tami Hutton of Hutton Performance Horses.

2017 - Long lining lesson with Equine Canada Competition Coach Specialist Wendy Price of Grand Forks BC. Wendy is a very knowledgeable trainer local to my area who has a ton of great information to share.

2017 - I attended the Mane Event in Chilliwack BC. Lots of great clinicians to learn from at this event: David Lichman, Connie Coombs, Jim Masterson, Mette Rosencrantz, Garn Walker, Van Hargis, and more.

2017 - I attended another riding clinic with Lillian Evaniew Phelan. Lillian was a past top ten competitor at the World Western Dressage Championships and this year she was a judge at the WWDA championships.

2017 - I organized and attended a clinic with Rene Phillips Strebchuck. Rene is an accomplished trainer and instructor, having worked for million dollar earning reiners Craig Schmersal and Tom Mccutcheon. She also worked for Gerry Hansma who has been inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association's Rider Hall of Fame. Rene has been a top ten competitor at the World Western Dressage Championships.

I organized and co-taught a Youth Horsemanship Clinic in Grand Forks with fellow instructors Maralynn Rehbein, Jessie, Rebecca Horkoff and Gary Vann.

2017 – Attended a clinic with Tami Hutton of Hutton Performance Horses. Tami is a top level AQHA competitor and coach.

2017 - I received training that qualified me to administer the Equine Canada Rider 1-4 tests. These tests can be used as credits toward high school graduation.

2016/2017 – Straightness Training Home-study course and Mastery Entry course.

2016 - I earned my Equine Canada Western Rider Instructor certification.

2016 - Attended a week long clinic learning the Doug Mills Method in Kamloops BC. Some of Doug Mills accomplishments include : Mane Event Trainer’s Challenge champion, World Snaffle Bit Futurity finalist, Saskatoon Equine Expo challenge.

2015 + 2016 – Western dressage clinics with Lillian Evaniew Phelan (The following are just a few of her many accomplishments: Reserve Champion at WDAA World Show 2015, NBHA World Qualifier, Miss Rodeo Canada -horsemanship)

2015 – Attended the Mane Event and audited clinics by Kristy Wysoki (dressage), Doug Mills (western performance), Pat Parelli (horsemanship), Jec Ballou – (Western dressage and Equine Fitness), and Glenn Stewart (horsemanship).

Early 2000’s to the present time: I have taken many clinics and lessons with Yvonne LaBounty. She has unique and very effective methods for starting horses and helping horses who haven’t had the best start. She uses an extensive ground work training program. Through her I learned much about preparing a horse for the future work we will be asking it to do for us and a whole lot about how to “read” a horse, dressage, reining principles and solid horsemanship skills.

2015 – Vaulting Instructor clinic with the Koot-Neigh vaulters.

2015- Successfully challenged and passed the Horse Council BC Western Rider 4 exam.

2015 – Ken Macrea - horsemanship and riding clinic

2014 - Distance Training through DressageTainingOnline

2003 – Dressage lessons with Will Bundshu – former dressage champion of the Netherlands.

Early 2000’s – Audited several Roy Yates clinics. Western dressage and reining, horse training.

2003 – I earned my first Western and English instructor certification with through the CHA this year (Certified Horsemanship Association). Attended a week long clinic in Sherwood Park Alberta with the Steve Horsman and Ruth Lick (Master CHA instructors)

Early 2000’s – I achieved my Horse Council BC English rider 2 (which is the equivalent to the present day English rider 6 exam and is the riding requirement to attend the Horse Council English Instructors Evaluation.

Early 2000’s – Many lessons and clinics with Lesley Walton – flatwork, horsemanship and jumping.

Early 2000’s – Audited a riding clinic with Chris Irwin.

1999 - Susan Hewton Waters – Equine Canada level 2 coach and Equine Canada Dressage coach. Multiple dressage lessons.

1990’s – Worked on jumping and dressage with my Equine Canada level 1 coach Robin Armstrong.

1990’s – Many jumping and dressage lessons with Adrian Williamson who was an equestrian “young rider” specializing in 3 Day Eventing.

1980’s – Flatwork and jumping lessons with Cathie Cross –multiple lessons.

1980’s – Jumping clinic with Fran Thibeault

1980’s – Reining and horsemanship clinic with Barry Bonner

1980’s and 90’s – Wendy Maclean – multiple lessons, work experience, including ground work of young horses in training and riding lessons.

1980’s – multiple English flatwork lessons with Kim Southwick

1980’s – I was a 4-H member from the age of 9-16. I took various riding, judging, and horsemanship clinics throughout those years. I also took part in public speaking competitions and demonstration competitions.

I have spent many, many very enjoyable hours exploring local mountain trails by horseback.

I have invested a huge amount of resources through the years in books, DVD’s, and home study programs on horsemanship and training. I learned a great deal through this method from top trainers such as Glenn Stewart, Double Dan Horsemanship, Steve Rother, Clinton Anderson, Josh & John Lyons, Doug Mills, Jane Savoie, Marijke de Jong, Jack Brainard, Steve Irwin, David Lichman, Lynn Palm, John and Josh Lyons, Pat Parelli, Tom Dorrance, Lesley Desmond, Sally Swift, Linda Tellington, JP Forget, Mike Kevil, Mary Midkiff, Heather Moffat, Jec Ballou, Peggy Cummings, Sally Tottle, Daniel Stewart, Al Dunning, Carol Fletcher, John Pierre Hourdebaigt, Kip Mistral, Charlene Strickland, Cherry Hill, Rick Pelicano, Mary TwelvePonies, Linda Benedict, Marty Marten, Chris Irwin, Roy Yates and many, many more. Not a day goes by that I am not putting my energies into becoming a better rider and trainer for the benefit of the horses that I come into contact with. I am very proud of what I have learned throughout the years. As I have developed my skills, my horses have become happier and more willing. This is the greatest reward I could ever ask for.

I have learned an incredible amount from my friends, many of whom are very talented riders and trainers. Although I haven't taken formal lessons from them, they have been very generous with sharing of their knowledge and experience. It has been a huge honor to ride with these people! Special mention goes to Merna Boltz for mentoring me and being my "eyes on the ground".

My Mom Jill and my Dad Frank were my first riding teachers and instilled in me a love and respect for horses. I am so thankful for the time they spent with me and my siblings both on horseback and as our helpers on the ground. I was blessed to grow up with parents who loved horses as much as I did and I got to spend my youth trail riding, taking clinics, attending horse shows and gymkhanas and riding with my 4-H friends. My parents supported me in it all and I do not take for granted how lucky I was. Thank you Mom and Dad. I am forever grateful!