Joan's passion for horses started while riding backyard ponies and through Pony Club. As a young adult she became a working student with the Canadian Eventing coach Michael Herbert. Discovering dressage led her to train with German instructor Dr. Renate Peiper, who encouraged Joan to go to Verden, Germany to achieve her Bronze Reiterabzeichen.

Joan became a certified Canadian Equestrian Coach and began riding with Jane Rincker, whose eye for detail proved very influential. The Canadian dressage scene was strong and provided clinic auditing opportunities from such Masters as Shultheis, Peilicke, Michaelis, Nigli, deKunffy, Schumacher, Balkenhol and Zettl.

Moving to a farm in Prince Edward County gave Joan the opportunity to offer lessons and training, while continuing to ride and train her own horses.

While raising a family and assisting in her husband's business, Joan began her next phase of riding with the help of Eddo Hoekstra. His enthusiasm and dedication for Classical riding principles advanced both her competitive and training aspirations. While pursuing these riding goals, Joan became conscious of her need for increased personal fitness. This awareness led her to become a Pilates instructor and Personal Trainer.

Joan's discovery of Balimo™ happened in 2005. With Jill Hassler-Scoop's support, Joan 'signed on' for her Balimo™ 'journey'. Over the next two years, she attended several Seat Symposiums and Instructor Training Workshops. Working with Eckart Meyners and Hannes Muller has been very beneficial to both Joan's riding and teaching. The idea that 'striving for excellence' can be an amazing learning journey, especially when partnered with a four legged friend, has made this program particularly meaningful.

As a recent Balimo™ Instructor graduate, Joan joined the group invited by Hannes Müller to attend the German Riding School - for an intensive week of training in October 2007. It was a truly unique opportunity.

At home Joan continues to teach, train, and compete in dressage. Integrating Balimo™ exercises and it's methodology into her lessons has proved rewarding - helping both horses and riders improve their way of going. With this in mind, Joan looks forward to meeting you and your horse and the potential for a shared experience!