In The Beginning

Carla was introduced to horses in hometown Port Alberni at the young age of two under the guidance of long time coach, Carole Walton. Carla soon began competing in local gymkhanas which then led to competition in the Vancouver Island AQHA circuits. She rode in both English & Western classes and took instruction from the likes of Bob Grimshaw, Richard Shrake, Len Cooke and Dave Whitbeck.

The Return To Horses

Carla joined the Vancouver City Police Department in 1996 and had a brief hiatus from riding to focus on her career. She was eventually reintroduced to horses by a fellow police member and in 2001 a trip to Calgary coupled with an interest in reining, landed Carla on the property of Bob Grimshaw. It was there that Jason Grimshaw introduced Carla to Shady, the eight year old finished reining horse that became her teacher, mentor and guide.

Accomplishments

   • Numerous Western Canadian Reining
     Association’s (WCRA) High Point Show Series
     Championships 2002-2005

   • In 2004 Carla was honored to earn the WCRA
     Ken Omelchuck Memorial trophy presented to
     the highest scoring Non Pro during the show
     year. This was a special highlight in Carla’s
     reining career.

   • In 2003 Carla took on the reining
     coordinator’s role for the PNE’s “Equestriana”
     as well as performing in this equestrian
     extravaganza.

   • In a volunteer capacity, Carla has
     demonstrated the sport of reining and
     freestyle reining throughout the Lower
     Mainland on many occasions.

From Non Pro To Professional

January 2008 Carla left the Non Pro world of reining and embarked on a new venture. Carla is thrilled to be coaching beginner and intermediate riders in Western Horsemanship and Reining. Carla’s coaching approach is positive, fun and results oriented. She incorporates sport psychology to provide her students with a solid foundation that will carry them through into riding competition as well as other aspects of life.

Professional Life And Wellness Coach

Carla is honored to be working with individuals in the area of personal and professional development as a Professional Life and Wellness Coach. This solution focused style of coaching truly inspires clients to move forward in their lives in a supported and positive way. “It is so amazing to witness a person becoming aligned with their dreams, often for the first time in their lives” Carla observes.

Equine Guided Development

Carla discovered the beauty of this emerging field and was lead further down her new life path. It is difficult to describe how moving this type of interaction with horses can be, not only as the individual experiencing it but observing the impact it has on other people. The possibilities are endless.

A Future With Vision

Working with Youth at Risk/Recovering Drug Addicts Carla worked closely with Vancouver City Police “Odd Squad” in the initial days of filming “Through A Blue Lens.” As a result of the Odd Squad’s Vision, it was easy for Carla to develop positive relationships with many drug addicts in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside; having the ability to see and appreciate the inherent goodness in people. Carla’s vision is to create a new Vancouver Police Department Program partnering Young Girls At Risk and Horses:“When Magic Happens.”

“When you are inspired …dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” Patanjali

I have found that words cannot express the profound feelings that flow within us as we interact in the presence of horses. I asked my gelding Shady for his guidance in explaining the work that we create. I leaned forward with my ear near his soft nose, without effort these simple words came to me.

“A nuzzle of soft breath whispering secrets of dreams you already know” Carla Webb ©2008