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Staff 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.
She has also
been an active senior judge on the Canadian show circuit for
hunters, jumpers and equitation.
In 1999, Trish expanded her vision of helping people to the wellness
industry where she provides consulting for people who are interested
in preventative and alternative methods of health and reducing the
stress in their lives.
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. |