Trish Mrakawa

Trish is the owner of Willow Grove Stables, which was established in 1982 and has been at its present location since 1984.  She found it necessary to ‘take the plunge’ to own her own facility so that she could assure the proper care and well-being of her horses and students alike.  While Willow Grove is a successful, competitive stable, Trish promotes a friendly ‘family’ atmosphere amongst all her clients.  She is proud of the fact that many of them have been with her for several years.

Trish holds a Pony Club “A” Certificate and is one of a select group who has attained a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Level 3 Certificate in Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation. She is often heard to say, “I love to teach all levels and am grateful for being able to do what I love every day. Not all people are so lucky.”  

After successfully competing in both hunters and jumpers as a junior rider on the North American circuit, Trish switched to Three-Day Eventing and represented Alberta many times in the Continental Young Riders Championships. Returning to her first love of show jumping, she began riding and teaching professionally in 1982.

Trish's students have competed at shows from Novice level to the international ring at Spruce Meadows. The riders at Willow Grove travel to competitions regionally, nationally and into the USA.  The many milestones her students have reached in their riding careers include CET Regional winners, CEF Zone Awards and representation on such team competitions as the North American Young Riders Championships. As a testament to her ability to ‘empower others’, over 100 of her former students still remain active in the horse industry.  Half of these students have become professional riders and coaches, with their own students finding success in many disciplines.

In 2002, Trish became the Master Course Conductor for English Coaching in Alberta. She was then appointed Chairman of the Equine Canada English Coaching Committee that has been instrumental in developing coaching programs for evaluating and training of coaches in Canada along with the Equine Canada ‘Learn to Ride’ program.  Although remaining a member of this committee, Trish stepped aside as Chairman in 2009 to focus on her responsibilities for a position she received in 2008, Chairman of Coaching for Jump Canada. A Certified Mentor and Evaluator for the NCCP/Equine Canada Coaching Programs, she was accredited in 2008 by the Coaching Association of Canada as a Learning Facilitator for the NCCP/Equine Canada Equestrian Theory course.

Trish has used her vast experience in the horse industry to establish a focused program in the development of young horses. In 2001, she partnered with her longtime friend Janine Olson to establish Two Willows Equine Development Centers to raise warmblood horses and ponies for the North American market. The program has been very successful and continues to grow.

Ali Hedden

Ali’s philosophy of ‘Perfect Practise Makes Perfect’ is a testament to the work ethic and dedication she exhibits in her training and development of horses and riders at Willow Grove.  She exemplifies a true ‘horseman’ understanding of the complexities of caring for and training horses, while she maintains the attitude that there is always more to learn.  She enjoys the challenge of working with a variety of horses and bringing out the best in each of them.

With extensive show ring experience in competitions throughout Canada, the US and overseas in Holland and Belgium, Ali is an active competitive rider who is successful in both the hunter and jumper arenas.

Originating from Vancouver B.C., Ali started riding at age 8. She bought her first horse at 14 and began her show career in Children’s Jumpers. In 2006, she was champion in the Thunderbird Good Hands & Seat Medal Class Finals. Competing that year in the CET Pacific Medal Finals in B.C., she qualified to compete in the CET National Finals at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto.

Awarded her Coach 2 Certification from Equine Canada in hunters, jumpers, and equitation in 2008, Ali enjoys teaching all levels of riders with a strong focus on creating a solid foundation and a functional position.  Matching riders and horses is of upmost importance to her philosophy. Having sold her first horse at the age of 16, Ali has a keen interest in the ‘sales’ aspect of the horse industry.

Together with Willow Grove, Ali’s focus is to offer training, showing & sales opportunities to breeders and owners across North America. She enjoys the partnership she has with clients and owners in the development of a strong contingent of show horses.  We welcome new sponsors and partners who would enjoy working in this dedicated, focused environment.

Jenn Smart

Jenn began riding in B.C. at the age of 13 with a horse whose ad stated, “Ideal for an experienced rider who likes a horse with energy.”  While this did not turn out to be an ideal learning situation, Jenn did succeed in learning the skills required to cope with difficult horses (and how to fall off – also not ideal). Moving on to three more “off the track” thoroughbreds, she was presented with the even greater challenge of retraining horses to their new careers. Becoming involved in the Canadian Pony Club, Jenn found the thrill and challenge of three-day eventing was right up her alley.

A graduate of Olds College with Distinction, Jenn was College Valedictorian and Faculty Outstanding Student of the Year. She does everything well and to the finest detail, and these qualities make her an excellent coach and mentor.

Jenn is a NCCP/Equine Canada certified Level 1 Coach and is currently in training for her next coaching level. Since joining Willow Grove, her talents have been well utilized with a long list of accomplishments in the show jumping arena and in three-day events. Jenn spends her days coaching students at all levels, breaking and training horses, competing and helping to care for the horses at the stable. She loves all the theoretical and practical knowledge of caring for horses and is our resident ‘Stable Management Coach’.

In 2007, Jenn was a member of Team Canada at the Intercollegiate World Equestrian Cup where she was part of the winning team in the overall competition and was the individual theory winner and top overall rider. She has gained extensive experience working with a wide variety of horses both in Canada and overseas, spending a year working in the Netherlands at various breeding, dressage and jumping stables.

Riders beware!  Be careful if you fall off your horse around Jenn or you might be introduced to another of her many talents – drawing and sketching. You never know when or where a picture of your mishap may show up.  Although we are not sure where she finds the time in her busy schedule, Jenn is an accomplished artist in a variety of mediums.