Classically trained in dressage in both Europe and North America, Denise has over twenty years of experience working with internationally known trainers such as Jaimey Irwin, Jo Hinnemann, Dietrich Von Hopfgarten, Bonnie Bonnello, Bodo Hangen, Nancy Smith, and Evi & Hans Pracht.  She has extensive show experience in many disciplines including Dressage, English, Western and Breed Shows. She attended the LA Olympics as Canadian Olympic Dressage Team Stable Manager.

Denise has competed in Dressage on numerous horses from Training Level thru PSG with some career highlights including winning Reserve Basic Champion Western Canada, Champion Region 18 Arabian Sport Horse Division Training and 1st Level. Her retired horse Liam, an Arabian gelding, was trained to 3rd level.   She successfully competed her new horse, a 17.1 CWB gelding, Viva’s Capitol in the Adult Amateur PSG national division GDF Winter 2015 in Florida training with Jaimey Irwin of Stoney Lake Equestrian.

A graduate of the Meredith Manor International Equestrian School, in Virginia with a Riding Master III certificate, Denise is a Certified Saddle Fit Technician, with extensive training and experience in all aspects of fitting and adjusting saddles with knowledge of human and equine anatomy and biomechanics related to saddle fit.  Denise has worked as a professional affiliate of Schleese Saddlery Service since 2003, completing the Saddlefit 4 Life® internship program under the tutelage of Jochen Schleese in 2006. With 10 years’ experience as a Certified Equine and Saddle Ergonomist, Denise uses the Saddlefit 4 Life®  80 point diagnostic Saddle Fit Evaluation to horse and rider to assist clients with saddle issues and improve movement, comfort, position and well-being of both horse and rider.

Denise is a regular guest speaker at many equestrian trade-fairs and events including Equine Extravaganza, VA 2005, Equine Affaire MA (2009, 2010) Balance in Motion Symposium with Gerd Heuschmann, Kemptville College, Canada’s Outdoor Equine Expo, Mane Event, and Can-Am Equine Emporium.