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Joan
owns and operates a farm in Prince Edward County, where she offers
riding lessons while continuing to pursue her own riding goals.
Joan's enthusiasm for horses began as a small child. She spent her
early years riding backyard ponies and rising through the ranks of the
local Pony Club. Joan's passion continued to evolve as a working
student under Canadian Eventing Coach Michael Herbert. Through
this experience she discovered Dressage. Her fascination for the
intricacy and movement of dressage sparked her interest in becoming a
certified Canadian Equestrian Coach. Joan also continued her coach
training in Germany, training with Martin Plewa at the Westfalian
Riding School. There she completed the requisite training to pass
her International Trainer A license. She also trained with Eckart
Meyners, and his Balimo™ (Balance in Motion) program for Riding
Instructors. Joan spent many hours studying rider's balance
issues and solutions with both Eckart Meyners and Hannes Muller in
achieving her Balimo™ certification. Joan had the opportunity to
audit many European trainers and to train regularly with both Jane
Rincker and Eddo Hoekstra.
Through her career, Joan found Pilates as a method to maintain her
fitness. Pilates helped to improve her core stability and to maintain a
better mounted position. She was intrigued by the link and sought
to become a certified Pilates Instructor (matwork), in order to provide
similar benefits to her clients. With this ever-increasing
interest in body awareness, Joan began the in-depth Pilates Instructor
Training on the Reformer. In addition, she studied Anatomy in
Motion, Gait Analysis, Posture Analysis and several anatomy courses.
Joan has developed 'The Rider's Edge' program, which integrates
classical riding, body awareness and fitness using both Balimo™ and
Pilates. Focussing on giving clinics and workshops aimed to help riders
realize the important role that body mechanics has on their riding, and
providing on and off the horse exercises to improve their overall
self-carriage, has been very rewarding for Joan.
"In educating riders to be their best, we advocate for the horse and keep the spirit of this noble friend alive." JA
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