SHIRLEY GUERTIN-COOK

EC Level 3 Dressage Coach

Shirley has the second highest available qualification for teaching dressage that presently exists in Canada.  Only a handful of other coaches across the country are fully certified Level 3 dressage coaches.  In both 1989 and 1990 she received recognition as Ontario's Female Dressage Coach of the Year.  She is also an EC Medium Dressage Judge.  She was involved as a Master Coach in a Coaching Apprentice project run by Cadora-Ontario to help in the development of coaches.  She is a skilled rider and trainer, having competed on homebred horses to the FEI levels.

Since 1973 Shirley has been working at Centaur, teaching, training, and in administration.  In 1989 she bought the farm from her parents and has been operating the business since then.  Shirley is available for lessons two week evenings per week along with some week mornings..

ALISON OVERTVELD

EC Instructor

Alison with Fantôme

Alison Overtveld has been riding at Centaur since 1992. She has been teaching since 2000 gaining much experience coaching both adults and children as well as teaching at some of our summer daycamps. Alison has been instrumental in developing Centaur's Rider Level Preparation Courses. She has attained her EC Instructor Certificate as well as Rider Level 2 and is currently working on Level 3.

Alison is rounding out her knowledge of horsekeeping through online courses with the University of Guelph Equine Science Certificate program. Alison is a very patient and dedicated instructor who is a favourite amongst all students. Alison has two horses at Centaur: Bip and Fant™me de R�ves. Bip has been at Centaur since the late 80's, and is now teaching new riders while Fant™me, born in 2002, is a wonderful talented prospect for Alison.

Valerie Arsenault

Coach

Valerie with Harley

Valerie has been riding horses/ponies for over 15 years, starting in 1984 in Pictou County , Nova Scotia . She became a member of a Pony Club starting in 1985 until 1988 when it disbanded. She was the proud owner of a Registered Quarter Horse named Miss Flicka Dude, on which she participated in various club activities including Gymkhana games, musical rides, vaulting and local fun/pleasure shows. As a result of owning her own horse for 7 years in her own barn and by working on various other horse farms, Valerie gained immeasurable experience in stable management and horse care. Valerie is presently teaching beginner and intermediate riders on Saturdays afternoons. In 2006 she began showing in both disciplines of Dressage & Hunter in the local OESS shows. In March 2007 she successfully completed the old Equine Canada rider level 2 & 3 exams. Valerie looks forward to furthering her teaching experience as well as her overall horsemanship knowledge.

Stefanie Roffey

Coach