THE
OWNERS
North Shore Equestrian Centre has been successfully owned and operated by Denise and husband Peter Kinvig since late 1986. Involved with horses most of her life, Denise has owned and shown a number of breeds in amateur events ranging from Western Pleasure to Hunter to Dressage. Peter is highly supportive of the Centre, but expect to find him mounted on motorcycles in his spare time. The Kinvig family live on the premises and are an integral part of the business operations.
You'll find Denise running the office at N.S.E.C. on weekday mornings - feel free to call her with any questions at 604-988-5131.
North Shore Equestrian Centre has been successfully owned and operated by Denise and husband Peter Kinvig since late 1986. Involved with horses most of her life, Denise has owned and shown a number of breeds in amateur events ranging from Western Pleasure to Hunter to Dressage. Peter is highly supportive of the Centre, but expect to find him mounted on motorcycles in his spare time. The Kinvig family live on the premises and are an integral part of the business operations.
You'll find Denise running the office at N.S.E.C. on weekday mornings - feel free to call her with any questions at 604-988-5131.
Denise Kinvig
OUR
TEAM OF INSTRUCTORS
We have several instructors who work in partnership with NSEC to accommodate all rider's needs.
We have several instructors who work in partnership with NSEC to accommodate all rider's needs.
Jessica
Stark
Jessica Stark is NSEC's senior coach, and has devoted herself full-time to the centre since 2000. Jessica is also NSEC's official horse purchasing agent, finding just the right mounts for students who have decided to purchase their first horse or upgrade. As senior trainer, Jessica specializes in developing NSEC junior/amateur riders and their horses as happy partners and to be competitive in the hunter/jumper 'A' show circuit. Riders start showing at the smaller local competitions and move on to regional and nationally recognized shows, locally and in the U.S.
Riding competitively since a small child, Jessica enjoyed success as a junior hunter and jumper competitor, showing in the 'A' circuit in Ontario, including the Royal Winter Fair up to the 3'6" division. As an adult, Jessica came to NSEC well prepared, having spent several years working as a certified snowboard coach, teaching for St. John's Ambulance and working with mentally challenged adults and children. Currently certified by the Certified Horsemanship Associate as a Level 4 coach, Jessica is working to obtain specialized Equine Canada certification.
Jessica finds her role as NSEC's head coach important, challenging, and rewarding. After schooling students autumn through spring at 'home', she takes riders to at least 10 shows over summer. Thanks to her sponsor 'Mind Over Management' (MOM) Jessica enjoys quite the 'set-up' at shows including a tent cover where students and their families can socialize, prepare for and unwind from an eventful day.
Jessica Stark is NSEC's senior coach, and has devoted herself full-time to the centre since 2000. Jessica is also NSEC's official horse purchasing agent, finding just the right mounts for students who have decided to purchase their first horse or upgrade. As senior trainer, Jessica specializes in developing NSEC junior/amateur riders and their horses as happy partners and to be competitive in the hunter/jumper 'A' show circuit. Riders start showing at the smaller local competitions and move on to regional and nationally recognized shows, locally and in the U.S.
Riding competitively since a small child, Jessica enjoyed success as a junior hunter and jumper competitor, showing in the 'A' circuit in Ontario, including the Royal Winter Fair up to the 3'6" division. As an adult, Jessica came to NSEC well prepared, having spent several years working as a certified snowboard coach, teaching for St. John's Ambulance and working with mentally challenged adults and children. Currently certified by the Certified Horsemanship Associate as a Level 4 coach, Jessica is working to obtain specialized Equine Canada certification.
Jessica finds her role as NSEC's head coach important, challenging, and rewarding. After schooling students autumn through spring at 'home', she takes riders to at least 10 shows over summer. Thanks to her sponsor 'Mind Over Management' (MOM) Jessica enjoys quite the 'set-up' at shows including a tent cover where students and their families can socialize, prepare for and unwind from an eventful day.
Jessica Stark
Kate
Southam
Kat first began riding 15 years ago in NSEC's summer camps and never looked back. She has pursued riding with passion and dedication, eventually competing nationally at Spruce Meadows in the 3'6 ring and thereafter competing up to 3'9.
Having owned horses since the age of 12, Kat has gained experience with a variety of different horses and places great importance in understanding the personality of your horse, developing a relationship and creating a synergy between horse and rider.
When not involved with riding, Kat had travelled extensively and enjoyed the opportunity to work with children overseas. Teaching English, working in refugee camps and taking part in international youth workshops has afforded Kat a special appreciation of child development and the teacher/student dynamic.
Kat first began riding 15 years ago in NSEC's summer camps and never looked back. She has pursued riding with passion and dedication, eventually competing nationally at Spruce Meadows in the 3'6 ring and thereafter competing up to 3'9.
Having owned horses since the age of 12, Kat has gained experience with a variety of different horses and places great importance in understanding the personality of your horse, developing a relationship and creating a synergy between horse and rider.
When not involved with riding, Kat had travelled extensively and enjoyed the opportunity to work with children overseas. Teaching English, working in refugee camps and taking part in international youth workshops has afforded Kat a special appreciation of child development and the teacher/student dynamic.
Picture of Kate coming soon!
Claudia Zurmuhle
Claudia grew up in Switzerland where she started her riding career on Shetland Ponies, providing ample opportunity practicing falling off and getting back up! Over the years she has developed many horses and competed at various levels to win awards in dressage and jumping.
Claudia is an Equine Canada Level 1 coach and Vaulting coach. She is currently working on her Level 2 certification. Claudia also judges regional dressage shows with her provincial "r" dressage judge card.
Claudia's "other" profession as a psychotherapist allows her to incorporate sports and animal psychology into the lesson program. She greatly enjoys working with horse and rider in a partnership that incorporates empathy and communication while improving riding skills.
Claudia Zurmuhle
Jacqueline
Chapman
Jacqueline has been riding at NSEC for over ten years. She has a wide variety of experience in both English and Western styles, and currently has a passion for jumpers. Her many summers working as a senior staff member at a guest ranch for kids gave her the coaching bug!
Away from the barn, Jacqueline is studying for her BSc at UBC, and considering a career in veterinary studies.
Jacqueline's classes have a relaxed attitude and focus on having fun as well as getting better at the art of horseback riding.
Jacqueline has been riding at NSEC for over ten years. She has a wide variety of experience in both English and Western styles, and currently has a passion for jumpers. Her many summers working as a senior staff member at a guest ranch for kids gave her the coaching bug!
Away from the barn, Jacqueline is studying for her BSc at UBC, and considering a career in veterinary studies.
Jacqueline's classes have a relaxed attitude and focus on having fun as well as getting better at the art of horseback riding.
Jacqueline Chapman
Brittany
Turner
Brittany has been working as a full time coach at the North Shore Equestrian Centre since 2004. In addition to teaching, she is instrumental in training the school horses in order to keep their skill levels up to date.
Brittany continues to learn under the tutelage of NSEC's Jessica Stark and trainer Danalynn Rooks. Britanny and Jessica work together daily and share the workload when students are taken to shows. Currently a Certified Horseman Association Level 2 Instructor, Brittany finds herself becoming more and more focused on the Hunter/Jumper show world and plans to become certified though Equine Canada as well.
Brittany has been working as a full time coach at the North Shore Equestrian Centre since 2004. In addition to teaching, she is instrumental in training the school horses in order to keep their skill levels up to date.
Brittany continues to learn under the tutelage of NSEC's Jessica Stark and trainer Danalynn Rooks. Britanny and Jessica work together daily and share the workload when students are taken to shows. Currently a Certified Horseman Association Level 2 Instructor, Brittany finds herself becoming more and more focused on the Hunter/Jumper show world and plans to become certified though Equine Canada as well.
Brittany Turner
Our
Horse Technician, Allanda Kerr
Allanda is a Vancouver Island native and has been working with horses from the age of 14, both at private barns and a western trail company. After moving to North Vancouver, she found herself wanting to work with horses again and continue to expand her knowledge.
As Horse Tech, Allanda's responsibilities include looking after diets, health and vet/farrier work for NSEC's school horse string. She also deals with any "boo boos" boarded horses may get and attends any vet or farrier appointments that owners cannot be present for. If you have any concerns regarding horse health, please feel free to talk to Allanda. If she isn't in, just leave a note in her box, which she checks regularly.
Allanda is very happy to be a part of NSEC and enjoys learning all she can to keep her moving forward in a career path that she is passionate about.
Allanda is a Vancouver Island native and has been working with horses from the age of 14, both at private barns and a western trail company. After moving to North Vancouver, she found herself wanting to work with horses again and continue to expand her knowledge.
As Horse Tech, Allanda's responsibilities include looking after diets, health and vet/farrier work for NSEC's school horse string. She also deals with any "boo boos" boarded horses may get and attends any vet or farrier appointments that owners cannot be present for. If you have any concerns regarding horse health, please feel free to talk to Allanda. If she isn't in, just leave a note in her box, which she checks regularly.
Allanda is very happy to be a part of NSEC and enjoys learning all she can to keep her moving forward in a career path that she is passionate about.
Picture of Allanda coming soon!
