Dear AEF Member,

The AEF Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013. We encourage all of our members to come to the AGM and share your voice and your vote; after all, the AEF is your organization. This special E-News bulletin contains the photos and biographies of AEF members that have put their name forward for election to the AEF Board of Directors (as of March 1, 2013). They are listed alphabetically by last name.

This is your opportunity to review the nominees list so that you can come out and vote for the directors that you would like to represent your interests.

Annual General Meeting: March 23, 2013

Where: Airdrie Agricultural Centre, Theatre Room,

97 East Lake Ramp NE, Airdrie, AB

Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Use this opportunity to come out and vote, use your voice and we will listen....

***Please note that there will NOT be any proposed Bylaw Changes at this meeting***  

Click here to review and download the AGM Meeting Agenda.

Click here to review the March 17, 2012 AGM Meeting Minutes.

Click here to review the November 16, 2012 AEF Special Meeting Minutes.

The AEF annual report will be made available at the AGM and will be posted on the AEF website under Business and Bylaws after approval by the membership.  

Bill is a Sole Proprietor in Commercial Mediation, Facilitation and Financial Services. Bill is also an Appaloosa Horse Breeder for Recreation and Show.

He has been involved for 40 years with Horse Organizations including, but not limited to, Breed Associations, Regional, Provincial and National Organizations. Bill is the current Chair of HWAC, and 35 year member of Kiwanis and other community organizations.

Since joining AEF Board, Bill was appointed to and held the Breeds & Industry Portfolio and would like to continue creating more liaison, stakeholder status and partner positions with Governments, Organizations and Institutions. Bill is also a past member of Equine Canada Breeds & Industry Division.

Bill has six grown children. Personally owned and partnership horses (all Appaloosa). Bill enjoys working with youth groups, music, and trail riding. 

Juliet has been a part of the AEF as a representative of the Alberta Morgan Horse Club since 1996 and as the recording secretary for the AEF Board.  Juliet has had a horse since she was six and her family has been involved with the Morgan horse for over 40 years. 

With her husband, Duane, Juliet has two sons and two daughters and is now a grandparent of two. The girls grew up involved in 4-H as well as successfully participated in breed shows with the encouragement of her sister and brother-in-law, who breed, train, and show Morgan horses. Ultimately, this led to her involvement within various provincial and national equine organizations.

Juliet has witnessed a tremendous growth and revitalization of the AEF in her time on the board.  There are a variety of outstanding programs and opportunities now provided to individual members as well as member associations. She truly enjoys the satisfaction from being a part of such a dynamic group of people involved in the AEF who are committed to the promotion and welfare of all equines and their owners not only in Alberta but across Canada.

The current President of the AEF, Tara has over twenty years of industry teaching experience instructing Western, English and jumping lessons. She is the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Past President, a certified Master Clinic Instructor and is a designated professional horseman with the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA). She has been fortunate enough to represent Canada as First Runner-Up Miss Rodeo Canada 1998 as well as Miss Leduc Black Gold Rodeo 1998. In 2008, she was a guest lecturer at the Ohio Quarter Horse Congress; January 2009 she presented two seminars at the Horse Owners & Breeders Conference; 2010 she presented three sessions at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Lexington, KY, and in 2011 presented at the Mane Event in Red Deer, AB. Currently she is the Vice President of the Miss Rodeo Canada Organization, and was recently appointed to the Strathcona County Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee.  Tara was also appointed as the Certified Horsemanship Association Representative to the AEF board in 2011.

Tara is committed to working with the AEF board, staff, and membership to help promote the mission and vision of the AEF. It is also her desire to assist the horse industry to solidify the great programs the AEF has, and be the premier source for education and information within the province. The AEF membership contributes strongly to the organizations' success and she is thankful for member's support. Tara currently holds a position on the Equine Canada Board of Directors as Recreation Council representative.

Tara's passion is working with people and horses and she possesses strong communication and organizational skills that she feels would be an asset for this position. She has governed the Certified Horsemanship Association board as President, of which this role has afforded her many opportunities to network with many breed associations not only in Canada, but internationally.

Tara has three children: Sophie (10), Braeden (8) and Tyler (3) who enjoy reading, playing sports as well as equestrian activities. In her spare time, Tara enjoys walks and reading.

Born in Kelvington, SK and raised in Porcupine Plain, Lew began his working career with his Father in the bee industry, producing a quarter of a million pounds of honey a year. For several years he worked each spring in California packing bees for import to Canada. During this time, Lew also played Junior A hockey in Flin Flon and Winnipeg. Lew bought his first quarter section when he was fifteen years old and raised beef cattle with his Father.

As he was always interested in flying, Lew worked towards his pilot's license and after attaining it, he sold his share in the bee business and bought a partnership with Clem Gerwing, founder of Alberta Boot in Parkland Airways in Melfort, SK. Their charter was unique in that they could do almost anything from flight instruction to crop spraying. After selling his share to Clem, Lew moved on to instructing at the Regina Flying Club. During this time, he managed to obtain his instrument rating from the Winnipeg Flying Club and subsequently was hired by them as an instrument instructor. Lew was then hired by Air Canada, where he achieved his promotion to Captain in five years. Lew's career spanned thirty three years, ten of which he was flight training manager for the Boeing 727 where he was responsible for the training of pilots, instructors and various M.O.T. inspectors. He was also responsible for the check rides given to the Air Canada check pilots. In his capacity as flight manager, Lew was able to work with companies like Sperry, developing various programs. Lew had a marvelous career with Air Canada and retired in 1999 where upon he immediately obtained his Class 1 driver's license - just because he always wanted to drive a tractor to Vancouver via Golden. Lew has also owned his own recording studio, Hand Made Productions, and produced the work of various artists. After retirement, he was able to devote more time to horses and became a Double Silver certified trainer and coach.

Over the years, Lew's volunteering activities have been varied, from the Shriner's Circuses in both Montreal and Calgary, various sailing races out of the Hudson Yacht Club, The Americade Touring Motorcycle Rallies in both Lake George, New York and Estes Park in Colorado, Expo Lachute Fair in Quebec, Bearspaw & District Agricultural Society in Cochrane, the Abbotsford Air show in Abbotsford, BC, The Rocky Air Show in RMH, AB, various amateur radio endeavors (VE6LLH), Trail Rider of the Canadian Rockies - former director and coordinator on rides. Many trade shows for various organizations. At present, Lew is also a director for the Ricinus Wooler Community Association, Bighorn Stampede Rodeo in Caroline. Lew also volunteers on the AEF Finance Committee, AEF Bylaw Committee and AEF Internal Audit Committee.

Lew is happily married to his wife, Brenda, has two daughters and two grandchildren. He loves coaching, training and teaching - horses and people feed that passion.    

After a lifetime of riding: fox hunting, eventing, Pony Club, judging, teaching, 4-H leadership, and trail riding, Kippy has retired to owning and running a tack shop in Rocky Mountain House. She and her husband Gerald, who was on the AEF board for several years, ran a purebred cattle herd, then started a boarding stable where Kippy taught riding. She has been a long time member of the Rocky Agricultural Society, a 4-H leader for 16 years, and a member of the PEAC team responsible for writing the main Manual, the Levels, and the Jumping Manual. Kippy has been a Pony Club examiner for more than 20 years and is now a national examiner. She teaches and gives clinics for both youth organizations. Outside the horse world, Kippy was a museum curator for 18 years, and now volunteers for the local Rocky Museum.

Kippy served on the AEF board as rep for 4-H, Chair of Education, on the High Performance Committee, as Director, Vice-President, and co-chair of three AB Equestrian Games. This year Kippy has been an enthusiastic learner in the Wild Rose Judges program; coordinated the saddle blanket sponsorship presented to Miss Rodeo Canada; been the AEF's representative to the Olds College Equine Advisory Council, served on the Bylaw committee; provided a financial donation with ATRA for the AEF saddle raffle, and has continued as the AEF's representative on the Alberta Stables Initiative.

Kippy lives in the middle of a horse pasture with 11 horses, 4 dogs, a cat, and the odd boarding horse.  Her interests are people, reading, riding, travelling, gardening and antiques like herself. 

Trish is the owner of Willow Grove Stable, which was established in 1982 and has been at its present location in DeWinton since 1984. She found it necessary to 'take the plunge' to own her own facility so that she could assure the proper care and well-being of her horses and students alike.  Her passion is coaching and it shows in the extensive program that has been put together at Willow Grove. While Willow Grove is a successful competitive stable, the program covers beginners to high performance as well as mentoring and business development for coaches. Trish is a certified Coach with Equine Canada and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) having attained her Level 3 designation in Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation. She also holds a Pony Club "A" Certificate which brings with it a strong background in stable management and horsemanship. Believing that it is important to give back to the industry and sport, Trish works on several equestrian boards provincially and nationally. Trish is currently the Chairperson for the National Coaching Committee, Chairman for Coaching High Performance for Jump Canada and is the Master Evaluator for English Coaching for Alberta. Trish also currently serves as the AEF Chair of Education.  

After successfully competing in both hunters and jumpers as a junior rider on the North American circuit, Trish switched to Three-Day Eventing and represented Alberta many times in the Young Riders Championships. Returning to her first love of show jumping, she began riding and teaching professionally in 1982.

In 2002, Trish became the Master Evaluator for English Coaching in Alberta. She was then appointed Chairman of the Equine Canada English Coaching Committee that has been instrumental in developing coaching programs for evaluating and training of coaches in Canada along with the Equine Canada 'Learn to Ride' program. Although remaining a member of this committee, Trish stepped aside as Chairman in 2009 to focus on her responsibilities for a position she received in 2008, Chairman of Coaching for Jump Canada. A Certified Mentor and Evaluator for the NCCP/Equine Canada Coaching Programs, she was accredited in 2008 by the Coaching Association of Canada as a Learning Facilitator for the NCCP/Equine Canada Equestrian Theory course.

With over 30 years of coaching experience in Alberta at both national and international competitions, she uses her experience to manage equestrian competitions at all levels with an emphasis on fun and education at boutique type shows. Presently, Trish is a director with Jump Alberta, Jump Canada, and the English Coaching Committee of Equine Canada.

Trish judges Equine Canada recognized hunter and jumper competitions and conducts riding clinics across Canada. She also manages several social media campaigns for organizations throughout Canada. In 1999, she expanded her vision of helping people by becoming involved in the wellness industry where she provides consulting for those who are interested in preventative and alternative methods of health and reducing the stress in their lives.

Les has been working as a financial planner for over 30 years, specializing in taxation and investment products.  He has great organizational and time management skills that help him to juggle his work, personal life and volunteer time. Les has been involved with horses and the horse industry for over 15 years including Pony Club and Gymkhana and he is an active member with the Commemorative Militia Troop, the Sam Steele's Scouts.

Les is currently the Treasurer for the AEF. He knows he would be a great asset as he is a high energy person who becomes passionate about the job at hand. He has tremendous people skills that have been acquired over a 20 year period as a financial planner that allow him to be a great listener and enables him to mitigate conflict and find solutions. Les Chairs the AEF Finance Committee and volunteers on several other AEF Committees where needed.  

Les lives with his wife and youngest daughter east of Calgary.Les breeds and trains thoroughbred horses and enjoy both English and Western events. His wife breeds, shows and hunts with her English and Gordon Setters, and his youngest daughter breeds Arabian horses.

 

Dena is a very motivated and high spirited individual. She enjoys meeting new people and being presented with new challenges! Dena currently works for her family's business, specializing in promotional products, silkscreening and embroidery. This line of work has given her a good sense of community and a beginner's knowledge of marketing. Dena also works part time for the Canmore Veterinary Hospital as a Veterinary Assistant for the last 5 years. Four years ago, she participated in an Equine Body working course and always works to keep up on her knowledge of Anatomy. She has been working with and riding horses since she was a young girl and has a strong passion for them. She spent many years in competitive show jumping as well as dressage. Dena now rides western pleasure with interests in competitive trail and various rodeo events.

Dena is currently serving on the AEF board as an Individual Director. She plans on being more involved with different committees, working hard to increase public knowledge of the AEF, building a better relationship between the AEF and their associated clubs / members, and assist with fund raising. This past year she was part of the 35th Anniversary raffle committee. 

Laura has been involved with horses for her whole life from hunter/jumper to 4H. She also runs a horse club in the Calgary area. Laura is a Management/Technical Consultant for the largest Systems Integration and Consulting firm in North America. She has over 15 years experience as a professional consultant and again wishes to offer her extensive business, government, military, and strategic planning experience to the AEF.

Last year she had the pleasure of working with Brian Irving  on the Recreation committee and immensely enjoyed helping plan the 1st annual AEF Wildrose Trail Ride. Laura was also a part of the AEF Public Relations committee responsible for organizing the 35th anniversary raffle. She helped draft the AEF 2012-2015 Strategic plan that provides a disciplined approach with objectives for orderly management of the AEF for the next five years. As well, Laura is currently leading an internal audit committee to perform the first ever AEF internal governance audit. She looks forward to continuing to reach out to recreational riders throughout Alberta as well as having the best interests of sport and competition in mind.  

Laura is an avid recreational trail rider, and has 5 horses that her and her partner keep on the family ranch NW of Cochrane.