Our Teachers

Our Teachers

Liz on Torimas Brandy Jac a.k.a 'Jackie' executing a beautiful sliding stop at one of

their many Reining Shows.

Liz was, in all honesty, almost born on a horse. She started showing with the Shilo Riding Club at age 11. She did performance, games, jumped at the Equestrian Park and eventually found Reining. In 1984 she started lessons with Roger Desjardins. Liz rode with Roger Brazeau, Lise Roy and Francois Gauthier - all world champions at one time or another.

In 1986 Liz bought a true reining horse Great Mission. He was one of the greatest teachers she ever had and lived 20 happy years at Circle J Ranchs' barn. Slick, as he was known, taught her husband Doug, daughter Katie, herself and many others a great deal. He could pop a roll back - not a u-turn - that would leave you behind the saddle.

In 1987 they won many awards in the Quebec Reining Association including Rookie of the Year. Riding Bobby Bar Chex, they came third at the Joe Cody Classic in Pennsylvania out of 103 entries.

In 1989 Liz trained and showed Hesa Royal Joe in the world reining futurity in Oklahoma City. They placed and won money in one go-round. Joey and Liz came in the money regularly including the times they got to show at the Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio.

Then there was Little Dots McCue. They won two bronzes at Quarterama. Liz got ready for that show by riding outside all winter long. That year, 1997, she came 6th in the world in the intermediate non-pro division. Cruzier, or Docs Nifty Man, was another one of the good ones in 2001 - he was the top horse in Canada in the non-pro and intermediate non-pro divisions.

Liz's current horse, Tormias Brandy Jac, has been a great horse to show. They have won many pewter trophies in open and non-pro categories as well as winning at free style reining.

Liz intends to continue and expand on what John, Grace and herself have already achieved with Circle J Ranch. She plans to do this by teaching and coaching as well as train reining horses for herself, and perhaps when the opportunity arises, to ride and show one for someone else.