Joan Macartney

4* FEI Judge from Ottawa, Ontario

Joan Macartney has lengthy experience in dressage having trained, competed and judged for a number of years. She is a Senior Dressage Judge (FEI4*r) both with Equestrian Canada and US Equestrian (including Young Horse and Equitation) where she judges primarily throughout the Americas and Australia.

A priority of Joan’s judging career has been focused on education either as a participant in judging clinics or as a presenter - she will be heading off to Frankfurt for a judges seminar next month. A highlight of her judging career has been her participation in the FEI Challenge Tour, travelling to a variety of countries to judge and clinic. As well, she is focused on the development of youth in our dressage programs. Joan enjoyed a lengthy career in post-secondary education and since then has contributed to EC via her work with the Dressage Committee and presenting education clinics to officials.

Birgit Valkenborg

3* FEI Judge from Sainte-Marthe, QC

Birgit Valkenborg from Sainte-Marthe, QC first joined EC as a participant in the 1980s and today is an EC certified High Performance Dressage Coach, Dressage 'S' Judge and FEI 3* Para-Equestrian Dressage Judge. She co-owns Valkenhof Dressage with her husband and has competed up to the Grand Prix level in dressage. As a coach, she works with adult amateurs through to Young Rider level athletes, and especially enjoys working with FEI ponies. Birgit has also been active in helping to organize dressage competitions over the years, up to and including the North American Dressage Championships.

Stephanie Boyles

EC Steward from Ottawa, Ontario

Stephanie grew up in Summerside, PEI, finding her love for horses at McFaddens Riding Academy as a child. In 2005, Stephanie moved to Ottawa to pursue her career with the RCMP but continued to remain active as a volunteer at various horse events as well as an owner/rider. Stephanie has always been a strong promoter of horse welfare. She combined this passion with the love of horse shows and became an Equestrian Canada Official in 2015. She is currently an EC Medium Dressage Steward with her sites set on eventually certifying at the FEI level. The opportunity to work with Dressage at Gingerwood is very special to Stephanie, as it integrates her love of horses with her love for the Island.