Canadian Level III Coach Dressage
Armand Valkenborg began his riding career in Belgium at the age of eight. His comprehensive equestrian background in dressage as well as in show jumping and eventing is a result of his work with one of Belgium's top trainers, Antoon Phillipaerts, an international competitor himself.
Before coming to Canada in 1980, Armand competed successfully in dressage up to Z level and in eventing up to M level. He also got his “Instrukteur Level 1” at the age of 22 (equivalent to Level 3 in Canada).
In 1984 and 1985, Armand worked in the US, mostly in the Hunter/Jumper field. In August of 1986 he was hired as Farm Manager for Windedge Farms in Quebec, where he was responsible for the training, coaching and running of the farm’s breeding program.
Under his management Windedge Farms became one of the best Dressage Facilities in Canada in its time, promoting and fostering dressage in Quebec and hosting many International shows including “The Windedge Summer Classic” as well as the “North American Dressage Championships”.
Over the years he has ridden and trained with some of the finest equestrian coaches, such as Walter Zettl, Wolfgang Niggli, Erik Lette, Hermann Duckeck, Seigfried Peilicke, Wofgang Michaelis, Cindy & Neil Ishoy, Gina Smith, Ellen Bontje and Norbert van Laak.
Armand was named Rider of the Year three times and Trainer of the Year five times by the Quebec Equestrian Federation. He became long-listed in 1993 and short-listed in 1995 to the Canadian Equestrian Team with his Hanoverian “Marco”.
1995 was the most successful season to date, winning several champion and reserve championship titles at the Grand Prix Level (Marco) and at the Medium Level (Cartyer). He has developed several horses from Basic to Advanced level and four to the Grand Prix Level (Marco, A’Pan, Webster, and Seigneur).
