Staff

Hi, my name is Jo-Anne and I am an instructor with Little Bits. What started as something to get me...

Hi, my name is Jo-Anne and I am an instructor with Little Bits. What started as something to get me out of the house, has turned into one of the greatest joys in my life. At the time, I had two very young children at home. I felt all I was doing was changing diapers and feeding babies. One day, while looking through the paper, I saw an ad for volunteers at Little Bits Riding Club. Right up my alley, kids and horses! I went to the volunteer orientation and signed up to volunteer for the Sunday program. That was way back in the fall of 1987, and it was there I met Esther MacDonald who was the instructor on Sunday at the time. Over that fall session, I became friends with Esther. She told me that in the spring of 1988, Lida McGowan was coming up to do some certifications for the Cheff Center in Augusta, Michigan. She encouraged me to do it, so with a group of people we became certified instructors that spring. A few years later, I went to audit a CanTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association) certification exam at Marilyn McGhan’s. While there, she told me I was not just auditing, but was taking the exam. When the dust settled, I also had my CanTRA Assistant Instructor certification, now called Basic Instructor. In the spring of 1988, Ester decided not to return as an instructor, and handed the reins over to me with the support of the board of directors. In 1988, the Sunday program ran FOUR, 45-minute lessons, each with 6 riders, starting at 2:00 PM and ending at 5:00 PM. I began calling Linda, who was an instructor on the Thursday evening program, to consult with her and let her know what was going on. Although at the time we didn’t work directly with one another, we began to unify the two days, and Little Bits became a more cohesive program. Under Linda’s guidance, the program has evolved into what it is today. Lessons are now one hour in length, with a maximum of 5 riders per class. We also increased the number of days we program to Tuesday AM (adult classes), Tuesday PM, Wednesday PM and of course Sunday. I teach all days, except for the Tuesday PM classes. I am however available to sub on Tuesday’s and have taught a few sessions on that night, covering a maternity leave for another instructor. Starting as a volunteer and moving on to be an instructor has allowed me to meet an amazing group of people. The riders and their families have become part of my extended family. When I was pregnant with our last child, one parent was an EMT. I was due at the end of June and we were still programming. Each week, as my due date got closer, he would tell me he had his kit with him just in case I went into labour. Luckily for all, I managed to hold off till after the volunteer appreciation bar-b-que and had a baby boy. That fall, I was back teaching, doing what I loved! 2 I have worked with a few instructors over the years on Sundays. Dorothy Brewer, Wendy Fraser, Leslie Ouwerkirk, Lorraine McCartney, Pam Russ, Sonja and Evan are some of them. Currently, I have the pleasure of working with Catherine and Cindi on Sunday. One constant, however, has been Ros Schell. She began with Little Bits in 1987 as well and is our barn manager. We could not do our job without her. She makes sure the horses are ready with the appropriate tack to be brought into the arena for the lesson. No small feat when a horse is sick, or tack has to be changed. I mentioned family, and that is what we are at Little Bits. Instructors became friends, as did volunteers. I have always said that you must be an extraordinary individual to volunteer with Little Bits! The old arena left a lot to be desired. Freezing cold, tropical humidity, raindrops and snow sliding off the roof were not uncommon, depending on the weather outside. Through it all, the volunteers came and walked many hours with the riders, allowing them to enjoy the freedom of being on the back of a horse. When I started at Little Bits, there was talk of a new arena. I never dreamt that in my lifetime I would see the vision come to fruition. Finally, in the summer of 2017 the new arena opened. We have now added a winter program and I am thrilled to be able to teach those new riders. Little Bits is more than a job for me, it has allowed me to meet wonderful people. Every day is a new experience. Seeing what the riders can do never ceases to amaze me. Who knew that looking for something to get me out of the house would turn into such a fulfilling life? Thanks to everyone who has made this an incredible journey for me, and I hope to continue until I ride off into the sunset.

I received my first horse when I was 11 years old when my Grandfather purchased two Icelandic Horses one for...

I received my first horse when I was 11 years old when my Grandfather purchased two Icelandic Horses one for my sister and one for me. Thus, began my love affair with horses. I still own Icelandic Horses including the offspring of those first two. I was very fortunate that those first Icelandic Horses were purchased from Robyn Hood the sister of Linda Tellington-Jones. Linda created the Tellington Touch now known as TELLINGTON TTOUCH. Both she and Robyn travel the world sharing this method and all I know about horses I learnt from Robyn and Christine her long-time trainer. As part of those clinic I was also blessed enough to participate in centered riding and connected riding. All these skills I use in teaching Therapeutic Riding. I became involved with Little Bits Riding Association over 20 years ago after the great suggestion from Petra. I started as a volunteer with the intent to become Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association certified. Thanks to the mentorship of Linda, Joanne, Loraine, Mellissa and many more I achieved certification. I am so proud to be part of such a great program all the volunteers and staff make this program great. Catherine

My name is Lisa and I am happy and proud to be an instructor with Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association....

My name is Lisa and I am happy and proud to be an instructor with Little Bits Therapeutic Riding Association. I am a mother of 2 kids, Alice is 8 years old and Clark is 4 years old and I am married to my high school sweet heart Dennis. Like most people involved in the organization, I first got involved with Little Bits as a volunteer. In 2006, I saw an advertisement in the newspaper calling for volunteers at LBTRA. At the time I had little knowledge of therapeutic riding but thought anything that involved people and horses had to be amazing and I was right! I was hooked from the first day and fell in love with the incredible atmosphere and relationships created through horse, rider and volunteer. In 2007 I became the volunteer coordinator and continued in this role through to 2010. During this time, I obtained my Certification as a Therapeutic Riding Instructor through CanTRA. I had so much support and encouragement from everyone at Little Bits but especially Linda, Jo-Anne, Rod and Lynda. without them I would not have had the courage or knowledge to be successful in my training. Thanks guys!! In 2012 I completed my EC Rider Level 6 and went for my certification through Equestrian Canada to obtain my Instructor of Beginners with Jump component certification. Today I work for Whitemud Equine Learning Centre as an instructor and an office administrator as well as an instructor for LBTRA and feel blessed to belong to these two marvellous organizations. I love the relationship between the two organizations and the positive impact our programs and horses have on our community. I love LBTRA for the people; riders, volunteers and staff and the herd of horses we get to work with, they are the most generous and wonderful horses. I believe that the connections made between horse and rider create life long friendships and the confidence and skills gained on horseback are something you must see to believe! I will never tire of watching as riders progress and I feel very lucky to have even a small part in it. I am thankful to be a part to this organization each and every day and am proud to call it “my job”!

Cindi Instructor – LBTRA “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” ~ Winston Churchill I...

Cindi Instructor – LBTRA “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” ~ Winston Churchill I was raised on a farm in southern Saskatchewan. Our family were grain farmers who at any given time were raising cattle, chickens, pigs and horses! My love for all things horses began early in life. Dad put me on the back of a horse at the age of 3! All of my childhood I rode, owned and trained horses until I left the farm to attend the University of Alberta. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Administration majoring in Community Development and minoring in Working with People with Disabilities. After university, I made Edmonton my home and have worked in post-secondary education for nearly 30 years. My career began at MacEwan working in Athletics and Intramurals; 3 years later I began providing extra-curricular programming and activities for the Students’ Association and then took a left turn and decided to work as a fundraiser. I’ve been fortunate to meet so many amazing people while working for MacEwan, the University of Alberta and most recently, NorQuest College. In 2008, I came to Little Bits as a volunteer because I was missing horses…I told myself I was only there for the horses…little did I know, I would find a passion and love for working with both horses and riders. I would eventually, with a nudge from Jo-Anne B, go on to study, train and mentor with Jo and become a certified Canadian Therapeutic Riding instructor. While taking my Rider Level training, as part of my Instructor qualifications, I met a feisty ball of fire, a 6 year old bay Arab/Quarter horse cross that stole my heart. Sage had been abused and was angry, frightened and trusted no one who put tack on her, especially a bit in her mouth. She and I have been and continue to be on an amazing journey built on patience, love and understanding. She is becoming the horse I always hoped she could be…still jet fueled and feisty but sweet, gentle, mostly calm and willing to do as I ask. Sage and I learned that kindness builds trust – a lesson we can all use in our daily lives with others. “I call horses `divine mirrors’ they reflect back the emotions you put in. If you put in love and respect and kindness and curiosity, the horse will return that.” ~ Allan Hamilton

Little Bits Staff Lynda T.

Little Bits Staff Lynda T.