We think this is a tremendous opportunity for our young people to gain valuable experience and make international connections. Important enough to share the profiles of our 2019 team. Thanks to Cathy Chalak who coordinates the young breeders program. Our chef d'equipe this year is CWHBA Chair, Charmaine Bergman. We wish them all the best of luck.

Darci Peterson: Senior team member from Beaverlodge Alberta. She has been riding since she was four, has taken lessons from Shirley England at Garden Hill Farm, and Sandy Alexander. She rode in the local Pony Club to level C. Darci has shown in dressage, hunter, jumper since the age of nine. She has progressed from lesson ponies and horses to owning her own horse, Roy, and now trains for other people as well. She has been immersed in the Young Breeder program for over six years, presenting horses at inspections and sales. A graduate of Olds College Race Horse program with a 4.0. Darci quotes: “This is an incredible program that helps develop breeding knowledge, creates connections, and guides people to learn, beyond horse knowledge, working as a team.”

Dani Riendeau: Junior team member from Beaverlodge, Alberta. Dani has been riding at Garden Hill Farm with Shirley England for over 11 years and has been mentored by Shirley and Sandy for the IYB program. She has shown locally in hunter, jumper and dressage events as well as helping in the summer camps and also with Shirley’s breeding program from conception to foaling and weaning. She has been an asset at the Warmblood inspections and sales. Dani boasts a 4.0 in her high school studies. She has won the Best Horsemanship award three years in a row at the Dawson Creek Exhibition. Dani quotes: “I acknowledge this as a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity. I will work and study as hard and beyond, to be the best and most prepared.”

Maria Ardito: Senior team member, from Princeton, Ontario. Maria represented CWHBA in 2017 at Spruce Meadows. She has managed several CWB breeding facilities and has groomed and prepared FEI show-jumping horses at competitions. She has shown on the A circuit in Ontario to 1m30. Maria has volunteered at inspections and handled the stallion Beau Balou at two for his licensing – he is now an approved stallion. Her knowledge and interest in breeding stallions of all studbooks will be an asset. She has extensive knowledge in equine health and physiology thanks to her Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management (BBRM) degree from the University of Guelph. Maria says: “My past experience in the Young Breeders competition and years of working in the equine industry will allow me to be a great asset for this year's team.”

Grace Arnburg: Senior team member from Evansburg, Alberta. Grace has just graduated from Olds College Equine Science program. She has been on the last two International Young Breeders teams: Canada at Spruce Meadows, 2017, where she placed 10th in loose gaits and free jumping; and in England 2015. She has mentored with Chris Gould who has shared his knowledge of the world’s top sires and dam lines. Grace has ridden most of her life and shown in hunter, jumper, and dressage. She took a handler clinic with Phil Silva in 2015, and has additional experience with judging and showing on the triangle as she has volunteered at the Fall Classic Sale and mare and foal inspections as a runner. She is a skilled groom as well. Grace: “I would love to represent the Canadian Warmblood young breeders team again this year.”

Montana Millar, another team senior, who currently rides with Lorrie Jamieson at Klondike Victory Farms, Red Deer Alberta. She rides a Canadian Warmblood jumper and has two foals by Jethro Tull that her bought as embryos through the Alberta Fall Classic Sale. Montana is a volunteer for Alberta on the marketing committee and helps out at all the major events. She is developing a keen eye for evaluating horses and has attended the clinics in support of the IYB program. She is passionate about the breed and aims to improve her own program. Montana brings  “professionalism and eagerness to succeed in the industry”.

Chloe Keglowitsch, from Valleyview AB, is a junior team member. She currently attends Grande Prairie college and owns a 14 year old Canadian Warmblood mare by Musing competing in the hunter ring. She has been riding as long as she can remember and her life is filled with a passion for horses. The young breeder program holds a “positive learning environment which appeals to her greatly”.

Katie Bohlken, a junior team member, from Condor, Alberta. Her current mentor and coach is Kim Aasman, WillowMist Farm. Katie has been riding most of her life starting in Western then English with Cobie Van Den Bosch, then pony club to C1, and also enjoying the Prince Phillip Games. She took part in the EC theory program, Kim Aasman provided at the barn, where she advanced her stable management and general horse knowledge. She has tried jumping, eventing, and will apply for the Equine Green certificate in High School. Katie has attended all the IYB clinics, volunteered at the Warmblood sale running horses and grooming. She volunteered at the mare inspection and practiced evaluating alongside Cathy Chalack and Joanne Wright. Katie says, “Now that I have more insight into breeding and showing, I can see this being in my future as a horsewoman. I will continue to work in this field, gain new experience and skills, and see where it takes me.”

Gavin Dunbar, junior team member from Calgary, Alberta. He rides at Willow Grove Stables and his mentors for the competition are Jenn Smart, Cathy Chalack, Gavin Pearson ,and Sandy Alexander. Gavin has attended all our practices and is a very motivated young man. His family owns a Canadian Warmblood named Riot with whom he takes jumping lessons. Gavin is interested in participating in the Young Breeders and going to Austria because, “I think it will provide great experience as an equine enthusiast and can potentially prove to be a good reference for future careers and education.”