About Us 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 Equestrian Coach January 2008 In 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 both English and Western disciplines. She has a particular passion for reining and is excited to introduce curious horse enthusiasts to this thriving sport. 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. There is much more: Professional Life Coach January 2008 Carla is honored to be working with individuals in the area of personal and professional development as a Professional Life 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. 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 be active in a program involving Youth At Risk / Men and Women in recovery by facilitating Professional Life Coaching practices with the intimate and heart felt relationships that horses offer. “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