Meet my Mentors
I would like to express my sincere thanks to all who have invested into my life to help me become who I am.
Every trainer and every mentor listed below has enriched my character and expertise with special insights and qualities. I will try to sketch the contributions of each of them.
Monique Dekkers: Monique is my dearly beloved aunt who gave me my first years of experience with horses. She trains and competes in dressage with her Dutch Warmbloods and was and is up to this date still one of the best teachers I have ever had. She really instilled a love for riding, and riding with precision in me. Her years of training are much appreciated, and I am very grateful for her and all that she was able to instill in me.
Pat and Linda Parelli: The Parelli's were my first introduction to the natural horse world and I have learned an invaluable amount from them. They taught me many of the principles to which I hold when I train my horses. They gave me a deep knowledge of how horses think and act, and what they need. And also helped me to develop into a better and better leader. I will never forget what Mr. Parelli always says: "Good, Better, Best... Never let it rest... Make your good better, and your better best."
John Lyons: John Lyons is the one I often turn to when I can not find answers to some issues. His knowledge and practical approach to horse training has profoundly helped me out many times when I would get stuck. What I also very much appreciate in John Lyons is that he is outspoken about his love for our Lord. He is an expert horseman, and a great mentor.
Clinton Anderson: I think what Mr. Anderson did for me is give me practical steps in which I could apply my knowledge. His perspective on horse training has been a very important part in my growth. I am the kind of person that needs practical steps, and Mr. Anderson has certainly given those to me.
John Soles: Mr. Soles (see picture) is one of the most seasoned horse trainers in South East BC. He is a very humble man and a great professional. Though he isn't as well known as e.g. Parelli and Anderson, he certainly can train a horse just as good as any of them can. He has given been an incredible support by sharing openly with me all the knowledge he has gained over the years. And that's a good forty years of horse training experience!
Karen Rohlf: Mrs. Rohlf has really opened my eyes to how much and how soft you really can get horses to be. Her example and knowledge have opened my eyes to where you can bring horses if you are in a right relationship with them.
Though the people that I have listed above have - by far - provided me with the skills and insights in horse training and handling, I would like to acknowledge the influence of all the other authors of countless invaluable books that I have read, videos I have seen and clinics I have gone to. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all who have invested into my life to help me become who I am. Lastly, yet most importantly, I give thanks to God, who gave me this life, this love, and the opportunities. He guided me on my path, carried me when I got stuck, encouraged me through His Word, and blessed me pressure and difficulties which allowed me to mature and to grow.
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