Horsewomanship at it’s Finest.
An interactive weekend of professional development and horsewomanship.
Daily activities include educational lectures and interactive sessions with topics including;
How to have effective conversations with your animals health care team, a hands on Introduction to Equine Massage, understanding the Pelvis and how the seat bones set your foundation, brain and evidence based horsewomanship, playing with horse training techniques, and understanding the biomechanics of the limbs.
Friday and Saturday have evening events (onsite) to celebrate, collaborate and have FUN! Saturday evening will include learning how to make fun whiskey cocktail drinks.
You can count on great food, a taste of whiskey and the good company of other horsewomen.
Investment: $550 per person
Includes: Registration for knowledge lectures and interactive sessions with horses, Friday & Saturday evening supper’s, Saturday and Sunday lunches, a special gift, AND a photo in our custom Horsewoman’s Club Frame.
NEW - Additional Friday hands on Workshop
Want to add to your weekend experience? We’ve added an optional Friday afternoon session with Trish Tweddell. This interactive session is about aligning and activating key domes of your body to enhance your riding. It includes an unmounted and a mounted portion with horses for those that want to get the FULL experience.
Investment: $150 per person
What next? Click on Register Now!
We’ll send you an email closer to the event date that includes specific event details including what to bring, and event schedule.
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“Domes of the body” with Trish Tweddell (Friday Add - On Session)
Friday’s session focuses on aligning and activating key domes of your body to enhance your riding. It will include both an unmounted potion and a mounted portion with horses.
Here’s what you’ll experience:
• Learn about the domes of the pelvic floor, diaphragm, and the mouth to the crown of the head
• Embody and activate these domes to create core stability with mobility
• Develop alignment skills to connect these domes for better balance
• Practice unmounted exercises to build body awareness
• Translate this activation into the saddle during mounted work
• Experience improved posture, presence, and connection with your horse
This session is designed to reset your whole system and prepare you to ride with more power and ease.
In the mounted session, you’ll experience how this deep core activation and alignment translates directly into the saddle, changing your balance, posture, and connection with your horse.
This event is a full-body, full-mind reset designed to align your entire system from the seat up
“Take Control without Being a Control Freak” with Becky Taylor
Have you ever felt a bit ‘out of control’ when making decisions about your horse’s health and well being? Been given a recommendation and not sure how to question it? Struggle to advocate for your horse AND yourself? You are NOT alone.
Let’s talk about how to have some challenging conversations.
Check in with your personal values and your budget.
Create powerful questions in advance of challenging topics.
Build a communication plan to have control and get your point across.
“Pelvis: Seat Bones as Your Foundation” with Trish Tweddell
Saturday’s session is all about grounding yourself in the foundation of your ride: your seat bones. Here’s what you’ll experience:
• Learn to feel your seat bones with clarity
• Discover how to properly weight your seat bones
• Explore how your seat bones move through all gaits with your horse
• Practice letting your seat bones follow and flow with your horse’s movement
This class is designed to deepen your connection and awareness, helping you build a seat that is both strong and fluid. If you want to feel anchored, aligned, and connected in the saddle, this session is your essential next step.
“Introduction to Equine Massage” with Tina Watkins
This session will guide participants through a practical, full-body equine massage routine.
What you’ll learn:
Understand the why’s, when’s and how’s of massage
Fundamental techniques for full body routine
Safety and body mechanics to avoid strain and injury
Master compression strokes and and post massage drainage aids
Know when massage is beneficial and when to consult a professional
Whether you’re a horse owner, groom or caregiver, this course equips you with the knowledge and skills to safely apply massage techniques to enhance your horses well being.
“Training Games” with Jody Busch
Ever wonder what it's like to be a horse in training?
Learn a little about learning and participate in some fun training games that will help you up your game when working with your horse. This session will include a combination of theory, interactive simulations and reflection.
“Biomechanics of the Limb” with Kim Lacey
Let’s sit down and discuss how conformation affects the limb's biomechanics. We will discuss conformation types prone to injuries and how your farrier can help prevent and manage injuries/pathologies.
Then let’s get hands on and interactive with a dissection of a limb to really understand the internal structures that are majorly affected.
This will be fun!
“Brain and Evidence based Horsewomanship” with Carola Sossdorf
Understand how your horse's mind works and how to work with it, not against it.
Let us guide you through the three main differences between you and your horse and learn how to be more like them in your daily routine.
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Microtel Inn & Suites Blackfalds
10 minute drive from HIHR. Next to Tim Hortons and many other services
OR
Hotels in North Red Deer close to Hwy 2 Access. 15 min ~ Drive to HIHR
Speakers
Elan Hansen
Elan has made her career for the last 15 years as an Environmental Health & Safety Specialist for a global manufacturing company. A large part of her role is to facilitate learning in specialized courses and coach others on the application of company standards. Elan is a natural influential leader. One of her strengths is the ability to connect with others on a personal level and cultivate meaningful relationships. A testament to her ability to listen to others. She creates a positive atmosphere and brings a high level of energy to any situation.
Elan has successfully been able to navigate between the responsibilities of a demanding professional career all the while pursuing her passions outside of work. A balance that is hard to find. She has been able to nurture both area’s in her life to find growth and success in both.
Becky Taylor
Becky began her career as a Registered Veterinary Technologist and has been active in the veterinary profession for over 25 years. She has participated in hundreds of CE opportunities over that time, sat on many national and provincial boards and is a dedicated, lifelong learner. The pinnacle of this learning was in 2016, when Becky completed a Master of Arts in Professional Communication through Royal Roads University. Her special interest is combining the science and feel of dialogue in a skillful way, such that it contributes to highly engaged, rewarding conversations.
Becky is the Co-Founder of BS Communication Strategies, a new and progressive company providing customized communication coaching to individuals, companies and teams in a practical, skills- based way. She is well known for her expertise and wit in teaching and coaching skills used in generating connected, skilled dialogue. She is a self proclaimed, Communication Nerd!
Trish Tweddell
Trish is a Rider Biomechanics Coach, she is an expert at helping riders feel and correct imbalances in equitation. It takes a team to get our horses in top form.
Trish is an Equine Canada Certified Competition Coach & Equestrian Canada Licensed Coach. She completed a 2 year apprenticeship with a Canadian Olympic Equestrian Gina Smith and is a Canadian Pony Club Alumna. Being a Level 2 TAGteach educator; Trish offers student centred learning that uses effective communication, skill breakdown and motivated practice. This gives riders the tools to sustainably correct their equitation allowing for consistency with cues in the saddle.
Trish earned a BSc from the University of Saskatchewan, has travelled the world, lived in exotic places and experienced many cultures.
As the only Licensed Franklin Method Equestrian 3* Trainer in Western Canada she can walk riders through embodiments, imagery, simple anatomy and exercises that increase awareness and develop feel. All of these fall under the umbrella of DNITM , which is an evidence based, systematic method for movement and postural control re-training.
Check out https://eckwoodequine.ca/ for more info!
Tina Watkins
Tina Watkins is a certified EST (Equine Sports Therapist), and EEBW3 (Level 3 Equinology Equine Body worker). She founded Inhand Equine Therapy in 1996 and in the early years developing her business, Tina was fortunate to have opportunities to work with equine dentists, veterinarians, farriers and other equine practitioners gaining valuable experience and providing team-based solutions to health issues in elite animal athletes.
Teaching is a passion of Tina’s, and she shares her knowledge in a variety of courses every year. Her own desire to always continue learning keeps her fresh and excited about every aspect of her career.
As an active FEI dressage competitor herself, Tina truly understands the unique demands and issues equine-rider partnerships must address.
Jody Busch
Jody Busch trains horses and teaches lessons and clinics based in Saskatoon, SK. Jody believes that you should be able to ride your horse regardless of what you hang on their head and aspires to have all of her horses trained to the degree that they would be equally comfortable in a neck rope, bitless bridle, double bridle or a spade bit. Although she firmly believes it is about the training and not the tools, Jody is fascinated by the variety of headgear that we might choose to use, the rich history surrounding it and the reasons we might choose one piece of equipment over another.
Kim Lacey AWCF
Kim is an Olds College graduate from Alberta, who apprenticed for four years under Dan Sullivan DWCF. With extensive international experience, I am an AFA Exchange and WCFA International representative, shoeing in over six countries. A proud member of the Canadian Farrier team in 2022, and recently achieving the Associate with the Worshipful Company of Farriers. With a strong commitment to fostering international and local relationships, I actively participate in clinics and competitions, sharing expertise and continuing to advance the craft of farriery.
Carola Sossdorf
Carola Sossdorf is the owner of ProHorse Training, based in Madden, Alberta.
She specializes in starting young horses and working with so-called “problem horses,” always with a focus on fairness and understanding. Her true passion lies in Liberty Training, where she helps horse owners build deep, willing partnerships—without ropes or force.
Carola has dedicated her life to studying horse behavior, instincts, and brain function, developing a unique training approach that is truly Pro-Horse.
This philosophy is at the heart of her clinics, where she guides participants in creating real connection and communication with their horses. Carola is an international clinician, known for helping people understand their horses on a deeper level and train in ways their horses truly understand.
Madeline Fedora - Event Photographer
Madeline, is a horsewoman based in central Alberta with a passion for capturing the essence of Western life. Through Cowgirl Captures, I specialize in Western lifestyle photography, branding, couples, engagements, and social media content. My journey with horses has taken me around the globe, and now I use my camera to preserve authentic moments that celebrate the beauty and spirit of the West.
Cowgirl Captures began as a lifelong love of photography and the Western lifestyle. Mostly self-taught with some formal training, I turned my passion into a profession in April 2024.
Now, I’m dedicated to capturing authentic moments and stories.
Check out https://cowgirlcaptures10.mypixieset.com/ to see Madeline’s work!