Horses were inevitably going to play a large role in my life. Both my parents rode horses in their youth - my father having won numerous cutting horse titles with American Quarter Horses, and my mother competed in show jumping. Following in my mother’s footsteps, I have been a competitive show jumper since the age of 10.

The equestrian sport has taken me all over the world. I have had the privilege of competing at Thunderbird Show Park (Langley, BC), Jumping Lummen (Belgium), Cavan (Ireland), the Winter Equestrian Festival (Palm Beach, Florida), Desert International Horse Park (Indio, California), and the world reknown CSIO Spruce Meadows Master’s Tournament in Calgary, Alberta. While my competitions have kept me closer to home as I pursue my legal career, I am grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to experience life in other parts of the world while pursuing my dreams in the sport.

In 2012, a career ending injury to my horse Bayba Ter Vinke prompted my mother and I to start breeding Dutch Warmblood sport horses under our Valhalla Equestrian banner. Referred to as KWPN (Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland) we opted for this breed of horse because of the exceptionally high standards in place. Our goal is to create horses that have excellent mindsets as well as athleticism for the top sport. So far, our program is showing signs of success as our horses continue to develop into promising athletes, as well as impressing the judges from the Nethlerlands who come to inspect KWPN horses in North America.

I am currently training under International Dutch Team rider Wim Janssen, but have had the pleasure of learning from accomplished riders such as Laura Tidball-Balisky (CAN), Yannick Patron (FRA) and Greg Broderick (IRE). I am currently focusing on rebuilding my team of horses, which includes:

• IRON SKY VA - aka Batty

  • Batty is one of the first Valhalla bred horses. Born premature, I spent the first 5 days of his life bottle feeding him as he was too weak nurse. Batty was the first horse I trained as a youngster, and I will always be grateful for him allowing me to learn how to do this. Unfortunately, he sustained a serious eye injury in the winter of 2024. While a comeback could still happen, I have decided to retire him from competition for the foreseeable future. With his big personality and constant antics, he remains a barn favourite, and he remains in work at home.

• ESPRIT RV Z - aka Poppy

  • Poppy is a Zangersheide mare born in 2018 in the Netherlands. Acquired from Irish rider Paul McDermott in December of 2024, this daughter of Elvis ter Putte has the makings of a future star with her athleticism, intelligence and willingness to please her rider.

• PORTIA VA

  • Portia is a product of my family’s Valhalla Equestrian Breeding program. A daughter of my former 1.40m High Amateur-Owner mount Goldy Hof Ter Zeedycke, this young mare takes the show ring seriously and is unflappable in a new environment. Portia’s bravery and no-nonsense approach towards show jumping suggest she will be a dependable partner. Despite being born in 2020, she has the maturity and work ethic of a horse more than twice her age.

• ROSÉ ALLDAY VA - aka Rosé

  • Rosé is another product of Valhalla breeding. This daughter of Grand Slam VDL received top scores of 85 in all categories for her free jumping technique from the KWPN. This young horse is also a quick learner and unflappable in all conditions. Truly a very exciting future awaits this one.

• UTRECHT VA - aka Heath Ledger

  • Named after a city in the Netherlands I used to call home, this little colt is the firstborn of my former top mount Coletta 31. A son of Harley VDL, this young horse has a lot of growing up to do, but in his first year of life has shown signs that he is cooperative, clever and kind.

Valhalla Equestrian in King City, ON

Rosé on her way to an 85 jump score

IRON SKY VA aka Batty

UTRECHT VA - aka Heath Ledger post KWPN Inspection

Competing at the CSIO ‘Masters’ Tournament