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Erin Gallant Newfoundland’s First Western Coach 2

June 12, 2006

Ottawa, ON --- Erin Gallant of St. John’s, Newfoundland marked a first for equestrian coaching in her province on June 2, 2006 when she became Equine Canada’s newest and Newfoundland’s first Western Coach 2 (General Performance).

Riding has been a life long passion for 24-year-old Gallant, from the first time she sat on her mother’s Quarter Horse, Topper, at two years of age. She started competing on her pony, Flicka, at age 10. By the age of 18 she had bought her first horse, Andy and the pair went on to compete very successfully on the Newfoundland Equestrian Assocation (NEA) primary circuit. Spicy, her nine-year-old gray Quarter Horse gelding has also helped her to win provincial championships.

After high school Gallant completed a Recreation Therapy Program before going on to obtain the Equine Canada Western Coach 1 national certification in August 2002. In 2004 she was trained and certified as an Equine Canada English Instructor. Last year she completed the Western Intermediate Rider levels and trained with her Coach 2 mentor, Melanie Gray. Gallant has been on the NEA board as treasurer since 2003. She operates her coaching program out of Clovelly Stables under a cooperative agreement with the stable’s owners.

The coaching exam was part of the NEA’s Western Weekend, held during Horse Week, Equine Canada’s national celebration of the horse. It was a truly national event, involving Master Course Conductor’s (MCC) Lyne LaForme of Quebec and BC native Carole Walton, who flew to Clovelly Riding Stables in Logy Bay for the assessment. Noreine Caldwell, Western Coach 2, from New Brunswick was Gallant’s Mentor for Coach 1, while Melanie Gray, Western Coach 2 from Ontario, acted as her mentor for Coach 2. Caldwell also came to St John’s to audit the assessment, in preparation for her level 2 Course Conductor status.

On June 3, Clovelly Riding Stables was also the host site of the NEA Western Coaching Update, facilitated by MCC Carole Walton. All five of Newfoundland’s Western Coaches attended and gave extremely positive feedback. They felt the update, which included coaching skill training, and a review of rider level testing national standards, was a great learning experience and opportunity to share opinions and views.

The weekend wrapped up on June 3 with several people taking advantage of Walton’s vast training and coaching experience in clinic sessions at Clovelly Riding Stabels and Avalon Equestrian Center.

About Equine Canada

Equine Canada is a member-based association that represents, promotes and services Canada's equine community and industry. Its core areas of activity involve sport, equine health and welfare, education and safety, governance and marketing, representation and communication. Equine Canada is recognized by Sport Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), the Canadian Olympic Committee and Canadian Coaching Association of Canada as the national organization representing equestrian sport and equine interests in Canada. For more information about Equine Canada, please visit www.equinecanada.ca.

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