Canadian Level III Coach Dressage
Canadian Medium Judge Dressage
Birgit E Valkenborg was born in Germany and started riding at the age of seven as a member of the riding club Dingden RV. She grew up under the tutelage of Johannes Egeling and the then “Landesjugendwart“ (youth coach of Rheinland) Hans Hoffrogge.
She had her own ponies until the age of 16 and competed successfully in dressage, jumping and eventing, her highest accomplishment was an 80% in dressage at the German Pony Team Championships.
She has coached young children on her ponies as well as started several young riding horses for the surrounding breeders in the Rheinland / Westfalen region.
Birgit came to Canada in 1982, emigrated in 1984 and moved with her husband to Windedge Farms in 1986, where she trained the young horses, coached her husband and helped organize numerous events and International Dressage shows. She successfully developed and showed the young horses such as Nicolas/ Bogart/ Monet/ Rapide/ Perkunos to advanced level.
During her time at Windedge she worked with such well-known coaches and judges as Eric Lette, Wolfgang Niggli, Willy Schultheis, Harold Cornelissen, Cindy & Neil Ishoy, Gina Smith and Cara Whitham.
In 1996, she and her husband Armand started their business “The Equine Connection“ and in 2000 moved into their own full time training and coaching facility “Valkenhof Dressage“ where they concentrate on the development of FEI Children, Ponies, Juniors
and Young Riders.
Birgit’s interest not only lies with Warmblood horses, but also with Lusitanos, Andalusians and especially Ponies. She won the Quebec Equestrian Federation Trainer of the Year award in 1997 and is a Certified Medium Dressage Judge, working towards her Senior status.
