Stefanie was born and raised living among horses, having the fortunate advantage of being raised in an equine community on the East Coast of Canada and within 200 steps of the local branch of the Canadian Pony Club. She started taking riding lessons at the age of 7 and hasn’t looked back (save a brief 5 year hiatus to obtain her PhD in Chemistry). Starting as a hunter and eventer, her focus shifted to dressage at the age of 14 with her first dressage instructor Katie Duffy. Under Katie’s tutelage she was afforded opportunities to ride with Lee Tubman, Evi Strasser, Albrecht Heideman and others on her hand-me-down Thoroughbred Mare, All Dressed Up (aka Ali).
Since moving to the USA and finally settling in California, Stefanie has achieved her USDF Bronze Medal and is halfway to her Silver Medal. Stefanie started working with Allida in early 2017 and has earned her first 70+% scores under her teaching and guidance. After her 17.3 hh, 20-year-old, Oldenburg Lupo needed to be retired, Allida found and imported Franziskaner (aka Willi) for Stefanie in Europe as a 2 year old and has been helping her to train and develop Willi to hisĀ fullest potential. In 2020, they qualified for Championships at Training Level and hope to do the same at 1st level, in 2021. She is very excited to have the opportunity to help others find their perfect equine partner as she has found hers!