Trish Mrakawa

Trish is the owner of Willow Grove Stables that was established in 1982 and has been at its present location since 1984. Trish attained her Pony Club “A” Certificate and is one of a select group to have a National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) Level 3 Certificate in Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation.

After successfully competing in both hunters and jumpers as a junior rider on the North American circuit, Trish then switched to Three Day Eventing representing 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 compete at shows from Novice level to Spruce Meadows throughout Alberta, across Western Canada, and often in the USA. Her students have reached many milestones in their riding careers including CET Regional winners, CEF Zone Awards, and representatives on team competitions such as the North American Young Riders Championships. Over forty students have moved on to professional careers with many attaining their own NCCP Coaching certificates.

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 which helps develop coaching programs for evaluating and training coaches in Canada, along with the Equine Canada Learn To Ride Program. Trish is an Evaluator for the NCCP/Equine Canada Coaching Programs and a Learning Facilitator for the NCCP/Equine Canada Equestrian Theory course. She has been appointed Chairman of Coaching for Jump Canada in 2008.

Ali Hedden

Ali originates from Vancouver B.C. and started riding at the age of 8. She bought her first horse at 14 and began her show career in the children’s jumpers. In 2006, Ali 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, Ont. Ali has also competed in shows in Washington, Arizona, Holland and Belgium. Ali is working on achieving her NCCP Coaching Certification in 2008.

Ali enjoys teaching all levels of riders, with a strong focus on creating a solid foundation and a functional position.  Ali exemplifies a true ‘horseman’ understanding the complexities of caring for and training horses while she maintains the altitude that there is always more to learn.

Ali has a keen interest in the ‘sales’ aspect of the horse industry having sold her first horse at the age of 16. She enjoys the challenge of working with a variety of horses and bringing out the best in each. Matching riders and horses is of upmost importance to Ali’s philosophy.

Allison Ungless

Allison was born and raised in Vancouver B.C. She has been riding since she was 9 years of age, in both Western and English disciplines. Besides horses, she loves MOST 4 legged creatures, some 2 legged creatures, and no creatures with any more than 4 legs!  She met many of the above while working several summers on a family guest ranch north of Kamloops.

Allison moved to Alberta in 2005 to attend Olds College. She graduated with honours from Olds College in 2007 with an Equine Science Diploma majoring in English Horsemanship. Allison came to Willow Grove in the summer of 2006 to fulfill her internship requirements for school and we are grateful that she chose to start her career at Willow Grove after graduating.

Allison achieved her National Coaching Certification for Instructor of Beginners in the summer of 2007. Besides keeping us all organized, fed and watered at the barn, she does an incredible job teaching young riders and adults.

Allison is also busy helping to run summer activities at the stable as well as organizer for Willow Grove summer tournaments. She continues being a mentor and role model for all the clients in the barn. With a very demanding schedule, she manages to fit in time to the young horses training in the program.

Allison will eventually return to the Kamloops BC area where she hopes to have acreage with her own horses and utilize her talents teaching riding lessons. She also loves travelling, and languages, and hope to travel to places where she can use the languages that she knows.