OUR TEAM
Meet our Peer Helpers
Dominique
Fillion
A graduate of the Equine Science Certificate (with Distinction), Dominique Fillion is, with her husband, the owner of GaitedRidge Farms, a small breeding operation located in Manitoba, dedicated to the preservation of the true Rocky Mountain Horse. Her interests lie in studying, understanding, and applying different breeding and training methodologies hoping to produce and bring out the best in each and every horse and in developing strong relationships between equines and humans. She is a strong believer in natural horsemanship but does not abide by any "one" method, believing that each and every person has something to offer that will someday become useful, she keeps an open-mind and tries to learn from all. Dominique is also a graduate from the University of Manitoba (BA), and a Certified Aromatherapist (Honors); she is an avid learner who is always looking for the science of things.
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Shirle Ternan
Shirle is a Certified Management Accountant by profession (CMA), with a background for many years in the pipeline construction business, working in Alberta and across Canada.
Shirle was introduced to horses through Little Bits (Edmonton, Alberta), therapeutic riding for individuals with disabilities and became a volunteer sidewalker and horse leader. From there, her interest in horses grew and she now currently owns several horses focusing on Dressage, Hunters/Jumpers as well as just having fun!
When Shirle and her husband relocated to Houston, Texas, she became involved with SIRE, another therapeutic riding association. Houston has allowed her to expand her knowledge about various equine disciplines - - and continues to learn with an open mind. Much of her day is spent at the barn where she boards her horses, working and learning more about them and their environment.
Dinah
Rojek
Dinah Rojek lives in Vermont with her friend and husband Steve Rojek, two-time U.S. Team member at World Endurance Championships. She has been chosen for the East Coast Endurance Squad twice and has won a gold medal. Dinah started competing in the 1970s and hasn't lost interest yet. She bred and trained two World Champion Endurance horses, four Pan Am horses, three East Coast 100-mile Competitive circuit winners, numerous AERC 100-Mile, BC and International Arabian endurance champions. The ultimate competition goal for her is the Best Condition award, proving her conditioning program has been successful. What is even better is watching horses run and play after stepping off a twelve hour trailer ride and a 100-mile competition.
Dinah always have been fascinated by the horse's physical ability, and this interest extends to the cellular level. Thanks to the Equine Science program, and in particular the Exercise Physiology class, she has become more and more amazed by "the internal balancing act" our horses perform during exercise.
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Cathy Wentworth-Stanley
Cathy Wentworth-Stanley obtained an Honours Science degree in Biology from the University of Guelph and completed the BHSAI course in England. With that training behind her, she was offered the job of barn manager for the British barn at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. A recent recipient of the Equine Science Certificate with Distinction, she strives to acquire more knowledge about the wonderful horses that play and have played such a large part in her life.
Cathy lives with her husband and 2 daughters on their farm, High Wyck, situated on top of Blue Mountain outside Collingwood, Ontario
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Tori
White
Tori White came into the horse world late, after only dreaming of such adventures as a girl. Since purchasing her first horse she has not looked back. Tori was training, riding and competing at western events in British Columbia with her family until she accepted a position at Olds College in Alberta in 2005. She presently owns two horses - a 13-year-old Quarter Horse and an 18-year-old Shetland pony. As well as competing, Tori has been involved behind the scenes with planning and organization of horse shows, clinics and equine-based charity events as well as freelance writing. Tori and her family live near Olds, Alberta.
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Kristin Williams
Kristin's academic background includes the Equine Science Certificate (graduate with distinction), as well as an honours degree in Cultural Studies / Interdisciplinary Methodologies and additional post graduate work in Communications and Media Relations. Kristin also has experience working hands-on with equine veterinarians in a clinical environment; assisting with examinations, surgery, diagnostic and laboratory preparations. Kristin works in Communications for Animal Welfare in the Non-profit sector. She has two horses: a Thoroughbred and a Percheron cross. Competing in her youth, she now rides and trains in dressage for pleasure and personal fulfillment. Kristin is also a mother of two young boys and along with her husband, she owns and operates Warwick Fields, a 65-acre equestrian facility / hobby farm, located in Sunderland, Ontario.
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Ward Yaternick
I received my Equine Science Certificate (with distinction) in 2004 which is when my family and I purchased a 135 acre farm and built a full operation from the ground up. Of course, thanks to Management of the Equine Environment (MEE), I had a pretty good idea of what to do. Horses for me are a hobby, so I operate this farm as a private facility but I do accept boarders, so we always have about ten horses here. I currently own four horses: A brood mare, a yearling, and 2 warmblood geldings for pleasure riding, mainly dressage. Between the four horses of my own, and the boarders' horses, I see all varieties of situations. Running a horse care facility is always exciting, especially as seasons change and as we try to improve the facility, horse care, and farm operation. To see more about my place, try: http://www.coverall.net/customers/riding2.html. When I'm not doing something with the farm or horses, I work at my own software company.
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