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 NSEC 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 NSEC 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
Kat 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.
Kat Southam
Rebeka Kennedy
Rebeka starting riding at North Vancouver's Laura Lynn Stables when she was 10 years old, leasing a little welsh pony named Jelly Bean. Most recently before NSEC, Rebeka undertook a working student position with coach Sabrina Lever Glaser in Langley.
Rebeka says at heart she is a dressage rider, but mostly competes on the eventing circuit with her horse Babs, moving up from Baby Green to Pre-Training levels over the last few years with a goal of Training level this year. She's also busy working with a new horse of her own, Rafi, and training and showing several clients' horses. Rebeka hopes to put all her experience to work with Equine Canada level one certification in the near future.
What Rebeka enjoys most about coaching at NSEC is when she works closely with a student to help them understand something and it suddenly clicks - the light bulb goes on and she can go home knowing she taught then something new that day.
Rebeka starting riding at North Vancouver's Laura Lynn Stables when she was 10 years old, leasing a little welsh pony named Jelly Bean. Most recently before NSEC, Rebeka undertook a working student position with coach Sabrina Lever Glaser in Langley.
Rebeka says at heart she is a dressage rider, but mostly competes on the eventing circuit with her horse Babs, moving up from Baby Green to Pre-Training levels over the last few years with a goal of Training level this year. She's also busy working with a new horse of her own, Rafi, and training and showing several clients' horses. Rebeka hopes to put all her experience to work with Equine Canada level one certification in the near future.
What Rebeka enjoys most about coaching at NSEC is when she works closely with a student to help them understand something and it suddenly clicks - the light bulb goes on and she can go home knowing she taught then something new that day.
Rebeka KennedyKaz Zavaglia
Kaz grew up on the Sunshine Coast and has been riding since she was eight years old. Her experience ranges from barrel racing and dressage to jumping and equitation. She trained her barrel racing Quarter Horse to jump and showed him English as well as Western – flexibility and versatility between disciplines are key in the Quarter Horse world.
As a coach at NSEC, Kaz likes helping students develop their skills and increase their understanding of what horsemanship is. She also enjoys watching self esteem and confidence grow with each student as they learn new things and make positive decisions on their own.
Away from the barn, Kaz works in a care home for people with developmental disabilities. She has a BA in English and Archaeology from SFU and has recently applied to a Nursing program. She loves photography, exploring new places, getting lost in a good book and writing.
Kaz grew up on the Sunshine Coast and has been riding since she was eight years old. Her experience ranges from barrel racing and dressage to jumping and equitation. She trained her barrel racing Quarter Horse to jump and showed him English as well as Western – flexibility and versatility between disciplines are key in the Quarter Horse world.
As a coach at NSEC, Kaz likes helping students develop their skills and increase their understanding of what horsemanship is. She also enjoys watching self esteem and confidence grow with each student as they learn new things and make positive decisions on their own.
Away from the barn, Kaz works in a care home for people with developmental disabilities. She has a BA in English and Archaeology from SFU and has recently applied to a Nursing program. She loves photography, exploring new places, getting lost in a good book and writing.
Kaz Zavaglia
Tara Mobbs
Tara has been active in the horse world for over 25 years, starting by helping trainers at various boarding stables and taking every opportunity to ride and handle horses. She has shown English and Western and has competed in games. She is CHA certified Level III in both English and Western.
Her goal at NSEC is to share her passion and knowledge for horses and riding with her students.
Tara currently lives in Mission where she boards horses and teaches at her own barn.
Tara has been active in the horse world for over 25 years, starting by helping trainers at various boarding stables and taking every opportunity to ride and handle horses. She has shown English and Western and has competed in games. She is CHA certified Level III in both English and Western.
Her goal at NSEC is to share her passion and knowledge for horses and riding with her students.
Tara currently lives in Mission where she boards horses and teaches at her own barn.
Tara Mobbs
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.
Allanda Kerr
