Staff

Barn Boss & Riding Instructor

Ainsley grew up riding in the Southlands community and has loved horses for as long as she can remember. She learned to ride on the Maynard’s school horses and gradually worked her way through the ranks to instructor. Her favourite horse-related experience was getting to be there to watch Canadian show jumper Eric Lamaze won gold at the 2008 Olympics with his horse Hickstead. She also enjoys traveling (35 countries and counting!), puppies, and exploring the great outdoors.

BA Speech Sciences - University of British Columbia
MSc Audiology (in progress) - University of British Columbia

Barn Boss & Riding Instructor

Tasha has been part of the Southlands Scene since age 12. She is mother to Justin (indifferent to horses) & Callie (obsessed with horses!) She is a true animal lover and never hesitates to jump in with a helping hand for the messy jobs! Her husband Telf was born across the road from the farm and has lived in Southlands all his life.

Riding Instructor, Horsemanship Instructor

Instructor

Master Gardener, Farm Educator

Farrier

Connie tends to all the horses feet in the barn! She makes sure they are all sound and happy. A Farrier is a blacksmith specially trained to shoe horses. It is a very tough job. Did you know that 85% of the students in farrier school today are women? (In 1965 there were zero) Connie has also taken it upon herself to look after our retired ponies and give them the best possible quality of life before it is time for them to go to the greener pastures in the sky. She has loved so many... Kiwi, Katana, Sierra, Nikita, Splash, Towhee, .... and all had better lives because of Connie.

Office Admin & Photographer

Born in England and raised surrounded by horses and farm animals, Cara Grimshaw immigrated to Ontario Canada in 2000. Moving to her current home, Vancouver in 2003. Attending Langara College’s Photography Certificate program Grimshaw gained experience in all areas of photography in and outside of school. Including attending the London 2012 Olympics as an editorial technician where Cara rediscovered her passion for horses after a hiatus from equestrianism for a few years and subsequently began working with clients in the equestrian industry. She hopes to make it to Tokyo 2020 Olympics as a photographer.

In addition, utilizing her experience and knowledge from over 10 years in office management, personal assistance, project coordination and administration Cara now finds herself at the desk of the farm part time. Cara frequently travels for her photography between Canada, Singapore and Europe working with the industry leaders and most respected brands and organizations. Cara is also studying Emergency management and helping to keep the farm office tidy!

Farm educator

Instructor

Farm Factotum

Owner, Advanced Riding Instructor

Coach to the Vancouver Police Department Mounted Squad, Olympic Horse Riding Coach for Modern Pentathlon, elite show jumper and coach of 50 years, Rick has produced top riding athletes in the sport including Brian Morton and Tik Maynard. Rick was short listed for the Olympics in 1972 and is an EC Competition Coach Specialist.

M. Sc. Wildlife and Range Management
NCCP Competition Coach
Olympic Team Coach ( London and Rio Modern Pentathlon)
​Trainer for the Vancouver City Police Mounted Squad
​First Aid

Owner, Manager

Jen has an extensive dressage background, both competing and judging at FEI levels. She is proud of her role in creating the STARS programme, and is passionate about judging para- equestrian competitions. She is always followed everywhere by Ginny her dog. And... she is a proud Grandmother to, Justin, Callie & Brooks.
FEI 4* Para equestrian Judge
MSc. Ecology and Ethology
Favourite sayings:
If not you, who? If not now, when?
Don't pass it up, pick it up!
Don't hesitate.... innovate!
Jen's 80:20 rule... ask her about it!

Farm Educator

Kaylie has always had a love for and connection to the natural world. Growing-up as a home learner, with the “world as her classroom,” she spent countless hours exploring forests, shorelines, farms, and mountains along the west coast of BC.

These experiences developed not only a deep love and curiosity for the ecology and communities of these places, but also inspired an ongoing journey of learning and caring that has included: taking field courses on the west coast of Vancouver Island, working as a children’s program leader at the UBC Farm, coordinating the environmental justice collective at Capilano University, working with Soaring Eagle Nature School, studying natural horsemanship, completing a seven month practicum in sustainable agriculture, and exploring topics that include environmental biology, bird identification, and the relationships between plants and people. She loves to share these interests and passions with others, especially children, who inspire her with their enthusiasm, curiosity, observations, and new perspectives.

When not learning new things or playing outdoors, Kaylie can often be found knitting, working with clay, singing, playing music, and spending time with family, friends, and her family’s beloved Quarter Horse, Albert.

B.Sc. Global Resource Systems and Biology (minor), Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia
A.A. Global Stewardship, Faculty of Global and Community Studies, Capilano University

Farm Educator