It is with great happiness that we are opening our Virtual Tryouts for the 2020-2021 season starting December 1, 2020! This year has definitely not gone as planned (see our last blog post!) but we are pushing forward and are crossing our fingers that we can get things together for Term 2! We understand that with the end of the term, finals, and the holidays, December is a busy time. This is why we have decided that our tryout period will end December 31 2020 at 11:59 pm! Instructions have been sent out by email. Not on our email list? Reach out!
Now for the moment, we’ve all been waiting for (drum-roll please!): Meet Our Executive and Coaching Team!
Nat Nahirney – Hunt Seat Coach
Our incredible coach Nat Nahirney has been riding since she was seven and spent most of her junior years riding in the big equitations around the Lower Mainland. She trained with and was a groom for Thunderbird Show Stables for many years. She was there when the team was created as part of the Thunderbird Sport Clubs back in 2015 and is therefore credited as being one of the founders of the TSC Equestrian team!
Nat rode on the team herself for three years and went to IHSA Nationals three years in a row. She won the individual Open flat at Stanford Zone finals in 2017 and 2018 and then went on to get 9th in 2017 then 4th in 2018 at Nationals in Open flat. After graduating from UBC in 2018 with an undergrad degree in Integrated Science (Neuroscience), she got her coaching certificate and began teaching at Riverside Equestrian Center and became our Head Hunt Seat Coach. She has loved seeing the team evolve to what it is today and the team is forever grateful for all the hard work and dedication she has given the team over the years! Thank you!
Fatima Tavera – Club Lead
“Hey everyone! My name is Fatima and I am from Peru. I am this year’s Club Lead! I’m in my second year Arts planning to major in International Relations and Political Science. I have been riding since I can remember, but I started showing 14 years ago when I was only 6! Both of my parents ride, so I was basically born in a saddle!”
Your most cherished equestrian moment so far?
My most cherished equestrian moment happened last year, in my last horse show before moving to Canada. My horse and I had an amazing round, it was so good that even my coach congratulated me and said words that I will never forget: “Fatima, that course was unbelievable I think your horse knows you are leaving him” (I started crying after that!)
A rider you look up to?
A rider I’ve always looked up to is my dad. Not only does he have perfect technique, but his patience and perseverance with horses have always amazed me. He can turn a horse around in every sense of the world, or make a horse go from zero to a champion! He never gives up on a horse, even if the odds are not always in his favor.
Eleanor Walton-Knight – Finance
“Hi! I am Eleanor Walton-Knight and I am our Finance Exec this year. I am in my second year of engineering at UBC, where I am majoring in Material Engineering. Some fun facts about me:”
How long have you been riding?
I have been riding for 13 years (I started riding when I was 5) and showing for 5 years.
Biggest show you’ve ever competed in?
The largest show I have competed at is Thunderbird Show Park (BC), where I have competed in both the hunter and jumper rings.
Favourite moment during lessons/ at a show/ on the team so far?
My favourite moment at a show is when you come out of the ring knowing you just had the best round of your life!
Tessa Wiehr – Marketing & Communications
“Hi everyone! I’m from Vancouver and I’m in my second year in Arts majoring in Geography (Environment and Sustainability) with a minor in Law and Society. I’m this year’s MarComm Exec which means I run the team’s social media, manage our emails and write the blog posts! I have been riding consistently for 7 years now but had never shown before the team. This year is my second year on the team and I’m so excited that I’m able to be more involved through my exec position and gain a whole bunch of new skills! Here are some facts about me:”
Favourite equestrian account on Instagram / Youtube / Podcast / TV Show / Movie
@zlequestrian and @cloudninefarm on Instagram. Elisa Wallace Eventing on Youtube. The Equestrian Podcast. Heartland! Racing Stripes or Flicka.
If you could switch disciplines, what would you do?
I don’t think I would completely switch but I really want to try cross-country, and maybe go all the way and try 3-day eventing?
How many breeches do you own?
Too many compared to how many times I ride during the week!
Sage Houston – Fundraising
“Hey! I’m a second-year student planning on majoring in Political Science. I’m from Marin, California and have been riding almost all my life except in high school. I never thought I’d be able to ride in college so being part of this team has been a dream come true.”
Favourite equestrian brand
I love Kerrits!
If you could switch disciplines, what would you do?
3-day eventing for sure!
Mares or geldings?
Geldings
Amy Perna – Travel & Safety
“Hi, My name is Amy Perna and I am currently in my second year in the faculty of Science. I am studying Statistics and Computer Science. Here are some facts about me:”
How long have you been riding?
I’ve been taking lessons since I was 6 but I have been around horses my entire life. My mom used to ride around with me on her horse when I was a toddler and I can’t remember a weekend where we didn’t go to the barn together.
Favourite moment during lessons/ at show/ on the team so far?
My favourite moments on the team so far have been the shows. While extremely tiring, they have been when I have gotten to know everyone on the team the most. Something about sleep deprivation and freezing temperatures really brings a team together 🙂 I can’t wait until we can all get back to it!
Favourite equestrian account on Instagram/ Youtube/podcast?
Recently I have enjoyed watching the videos provided through Noelle Floyd’s Equestrian Master class. There is a wide range of topics that have helped me improve both my riding and my understanding of my horse.
Melissa Tsia – Athlete Council
“Hi guys! I’m in my 4th year of science majoring in biology. I can’t wait to see how this year, being part of the equestrian team, will pan out. It’s going to be interesting having everything online, but we’ll definitely try out best to make it work! I’m hoping to graduate this year and after go into nursing. Besides riding and school, I like singing, dancing, and engaging in more sports. As well as helping animals and the environment. I’m also looking for a new Netflix show so hit me up if you have any suggestions! Below are some additional fun facts about me:
Favourite equestrian account on Instagram or Youtube or podcast
My favourite equestrian account on Instagram that I can remember is @lefaveequestrian! I think her QH is amazing!
Worst fall?
My worst fall was at Spruce Meadows a couple of years back. My horse spooked at the end of my course and I flew into a jump which gave me a concussion 🙁
Lazy horse or hot horse?
I prefer riding a hot horse for sure. My biggest pet peeve is riding a lazy horse that won’t budge or move forward.
That’s all from us for now! Happy holidays, enjoy some much-needed rest, and don’t forget to send us your tryout application!