Alberta Equestrian Federation, www.albertaequestrian.com

Trail Safety Days

AEF’s first Trail Safety Day for multi-use trails was on July 15 in Canmore, Alta. Those in the area were invited to come out, share information and provide support for safe trail use and etiquette.

The Canmore event was the first of three Trail Safety Days planned this summer in AEF’s Share the Trails program. The day was a collaboration between AEF and the Bow Valley Riding Association, Canmore and Area Mountain Biking Association (CAMBA), Alpine Club of Canada, Ski Uphill, and Rundle Riders Therapeutic Riding Association.

Trail Safety Days are part of three trail use projects currently underway to promote responsible and sustainable trail use, unite equestrian trail groups, and educate equestrian and non-equestrian trail users on safely sharing public and multi-use trails.

To promote safety for all users of multiuse trails, AEF has put up numerous trail signs encouraging bikers and hikers to watch for and yield to horses. If you know of a trail that would benefit from this signage, please contact competitions@ albertaequestrian.com.

Watch for a conference coming in September to initiate collaboration between equestrian trail user groups, discussing trail use and planning. Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact AEF.

For more information on the AEF trail use initiatives program, or if you’re interested in assisting, please contact competitons@ albertaequestrian.com.

New EC NCCP Coaches - Congratulations on your certification!

Four Equestrian Canada (EC) National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) coaches/instructors have been certified so far in 2023. These educators have met the rigorous requirements needed to help others progress in equestrian sport.

Says Jessa, “Each person holds so much power within themselves, and being able to help them see their potential is what drives me as a coach. When you complete the coaching certification you are investing in yourself. You come out with valuable skills and you understand how to work with each client.”

Ty currently operates Kueber Farms Show Jumping – a hunter/ jumper breeding and training operation based out of Edmonton. Ty began riding at the age of eight, and throughout the years has attained diverse experience working for top sales barns in Canada and overseas in addition to grooming at the CSI 5* level. Ty is a lifelong student of the sport and has been exposed to some of the best show jumping trainers globally. Ty has a passion of blending this knowledge of equine care and management with equitation and dressage fundamentals to deliver an inclusive, well-rounded program to produce well educated riders and young horses. The EC NCCP coaching program enabled Ty to formalize his educator roll in introducing novice riders to upper level competitions.

I am an NCCP certified coach, born and raised in Edmonton. I have competed to the Grand Prix level and found more love for the sport in my coaching. I have a bachelor’s degree in commerce, specializing in small business and entrepreneurship. I strive to create a positive and confident environment for my clients, where they can learn and grow with incredible horsemanship as well as being talented, technical competitors. I believe the certification program is important to keep regulation and safety in our sport. This program will make a positive impact on my coaching to benefit my clients as well as equestrian sport in general.

I absolutely love working with horses and I love teaching. Walking beside a horse and rider combination and seeing the different interactions between the two is such an experience. I learn from these horses every day. Watching riders make the connection with new information or corrections and seeing them excel is an incredible blessing. Working with horses each day is beyond a dream come true for me! I believe as a coach it is my responsibility to show that I value structured education and continued education for the safety and integrity of the sport. I am coaching mainly out of Red Deer but I also travel to do specialized equestrian fitness and equine wellness programs.