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Working Equitation, Working Cow-Horse & Youth/4-H Horsemanship Clinicians

Trainers
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Jill Barron

Jill has held a life-long passion for horses and education. She has been able to marry her passions, which is a rare occasion. Completing her Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Alberta and spending five years in the classroom elevated her teaching skills in the arena. Her love of horses soon won her over, and she travelled the world training horses, spending most of her time in Italy and Australia.

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Geoff Hoar

Geoff has a proven track record of training horses to compete and win in cutting, cow-horse and roping events. Solid horsemanship is the backbone of his training program and allows him to get the best out of each horse. Geoff has winnings in the snaffle bit, hackamore and bridle competitions. Geoff also brings a unique perspective and trained eye as he is a NRCHA judge.

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Lorie Duff

Lorie Duff is an Internationally renowned Canadian Equestrian Trainer & Clinician. A Provincial Equine Judge, Equine Business Consultant & Motivational Speaker. Lorie was born and raised on a scenic dairy farm overlooking the ocean in Topsail, Newfoundland. Lorie credits her parents and “the simple farm life” to how she developed her Philosophy of Horsemanship.

Lorie’s philosophy of communication, trust & respect helps establish a safe and solid inter-disciplinary platform.  The philosophy supports and enhances the continued mutual learning of humans and horses that work together.  These successes from teaching her program, have taken her throughout North America, Europe & Asia. One of Lorie’s greatest achievements was to be the “First Ever Western Performer” invited to the RCMP Sunset Ceremonies for 2 consecutive years (2016 and 2017) to showcase the western discipline and to demonstrate her horsemanship Philosophies.

Trainer’s Challenge Competitors

Competitors
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Kade Mills

Kade Mills-horsemanship trainer and clinician. His business is located in Sundre, AB where he lives with his wife Danielle and two daughters Rion and Reina. Kade credits his success to his dads Training Thru Trust program. Kade has trained all over Canada, the US, and Europe. He has started colts for renowned Quarter Horse breeders in both Canada and the US, one of which was Carol Rose Quarter Horses of Gainesville, TX. Kade is a three time trainer challenge champion at the Mane Event Expos. As well as a two time Canadian trainer challenge champion, two time All Equine trainer challenge champion and a Sask Expo Trainer challenge champion. Kade offers year round lessons, clinics and training. 

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Braden Bernier

Braden Bernier and his wife Kelsie own a ranch in Red Deer Hill, Saskatchewan, where he trains horses and provides various equine services. Braden grew up in a family where horses had a job and a purpose on the ranch. From a young age he started horses with his mother, father, and grandfather. Later he took a job starting colts for a well-respected horseman and horse trainer at the age of 15. It was then he started riding horses for the public. The following years he rode community pasture, started colts, and attended horse shoeing school all while finishing high school and achieving his Bachelor of Education degree. After university Braden moved away for a few more years to ride in different country and attend further schooling in Idaho. In Idaho he was fortunate to meet someone who became one of his best friends and helped shape some of his style of horsemanship. 

Horses and horsemanship are a large part Braden’s life. Having horses interwoven into his life has instilled an unwavering passion to help horses find their greatest success and talents. His entire focus when working with horses is to ensure horses can take on any task at their best.  Getting one confident and willing to demonstrate “try” is Braden’s main goal with the horse. He believes the horse needs to be allowed to search to find the right answer in their own way. Braden takes pride in being a horseman and giving horses a skill set for a productive future no matter their discipline. 

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Trevor Mertes

If you want a calm horse, stay calm. If you want a patient horse, be patient.” This is a quote from one of Trevor’s mentors, which he lives by everyday while working with horses. A good portion of Trevor’s life has been riding range for different ranches across western Canada and the US, where true cowboying still exists. More recently, he’s been competing in Extreme Cowboy Challenges where he applies his style of horsemanship and consistently places in the Green Horse and Pro Divisions. In November 2018 and 2019 he went down to compete in the EXCA world finals and placed in the top 20 there. His Extreme Cowboy reputation has been growing and has led him to provide a number of clinics specializing in Italy around the country. He has also had the opportunity to compete in ‘Colt Starting Challenge USA’ in February 2020 in Denver, Colorado where he placed very well overall. Most recently, he placed 6th in the world at the Extreme Cowboy World Finals 2022, in the pro division, putting him as the top ranked Canadian in the division. 

Trevor has had the opportunity to work alongside good friends of Ray Hunt and the Dorrance brothers, and he continues to work with them as much as he can. Originally from British Columbia, where his ranching roots started, he now runs his company called “Horses That Work” out of Cochrane, Alberta. He is able to bring his down-to-earth approach to horsemanship in any discipline of riding through a variety of training programs and clinics. You can learn more about him and his training methods at horsesthatwork.ca.

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