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I saw a beautiful chestnut horse with a flaxen mane and tail while boarding my Quarter Horse at a stable in Quebec in 1986. This noble horse stole my heart as I watched his brilliant movement and marveled at his docility and intelligence. I inquired about the breed indicating that I might like to own a horse of that type someday. It's owner responded explaining it was a French Canadian, a rare horse bred in Quebec and the breeders did not take kindly to Americans. He suggested I forget about purchasing one in the future, but I couldn't forget that chestnut's beauty. A career move took me and my Quarter Horse to a new home away from northern New York and my friends in Quebec. Little did I know that just 8 years later I would return determined to locate the breed that horse represented.

I eventually developed a serious interest in the dressage discipline and the time came when I needed to find a new mount that would enable me to pursue my dressage goals. I formed an image of a horse that would possess all the traits I desired in a dressage prospect. Visions of that Canadian Horse etched in my memory from 1986 returned. I knew so little about horses back then, but I remembered that chestnut's movement and knew that was what I wanted. I also remembered his intelligence and docile, ready to work temperament and knew that was what I needed. I knew I had to return to Quebec and locate the breed that horse represented.

A trip to Canada was planned, embarking myself and my husband on a complicated search for a very special breed of horse. We drove to the fields where I had remembered seeing these horses grazing and came across a few brood mares and foals. Stopping to inquire, we were greeted by a young boy and girl who spoke little, if any, English. They showed us an advertisement for a small country exposition that led us to the "Exposition Pont-Château" where a show for The Canadian Horse was in progress.

As I walked across the grounds I spotted a splendid horse and once again allowed a Canadian Horse to capture my heart. I attempted to communicate with the French speaking handler of this beautiful horse and eventually managed to arrange a meeting with a breeder after the show.

While we waited, my husband attempted to captivate the beauty of these horses, shown in harness, on video to bring back to my riding instructor in central New York. The movement the horses displayed was exactly as I remembered and their steady, even temperaments were evident in their demeanor. The characteristics I desired were apparent in this elegant breed.

I attempted to speak with some of the other breeders at the show, but with most the language barrier was too complicated. One, who spoke some English, did his best to inform us about the breed as he introduced us to the breed standard and we discussed the variety of sizes of the horses present. His horses were all standing around 14 - 15 hands and the breeder I was to meet after the show had horses standing between 15 and 16 hands. All within the breed standard, but I was learning there was some contention as to the 'correct size'. I also learned that some Canadian Horses standing slightly taller than the breed standard existed.

As planned we met with the other breeder after the show and he proudly showed us his horses, promoting the breed in a very enchanting way. I returned to New York with my video and a couple of phone numbers determined to find and purchase my own Canadian Horse.

Fate seemed to be taking its course, since my riding instructor spoke fluent French and could help immensely with the communication barrier. Phone calls were made and a professional relationship formed between my instructor and one of the breeders from the show. Their relationship eventually led to my purchase of Conan and Venus, whom I immediately began training under saddle.

My instructor also helped 3 others purchase 6 more Canadian horses which I trucked to New York in 1995. Soon afterwards, I began to be troubled by the question of what I, personally, wanted to accomplish with my new horses. Concerned that rather than form my own goals I would simply concede to the inferences around me, I decided to move my horses to another stable. A stable where The Canadian Horse was no longer at the forefront and I was able to concentrate on forming a lasting harmonious relationship with my new horses.

I had hoped to present The Canadian Horse at local horse shows in a way that would promote the breed emphasizing the qualities it's breeders had worked so hard to preserve over the years. Instead, it seemed to me that many of the people around me were constantly trying to mold the breed into a horse possessing characteristics usually represented in other breeds such as the European Warmblood or Thoroughbred.

I am 5'9" and had looked for a Canadian Horse that was of taller stature and I came to understand that this had been interpreted by many as my intention to breed and promote Canadian Horses taller and lighter than the breed standard. I found myself in the middle of a debate about the size of the Canadian Horse with some pulling me toward the breed standard limiting the size to 14-16 hands and others pulling me toward breeding for taller, lighter Canadian Horses that would be marketable in the American horse show world.

I studied the history of the Canadian Horse and the breed standard. I wanted to find the answer to this vivid debate among established Canadian Horse Breeders as well as enthusiasts just discovering the breed. As a result, I began to firmly establish, in my own mind, the breed's value to our world as a horse that conformed to the current breed standard. My aspirations for my involvement in this special breed began to become crystal clear.

I will focus on training my own Canadian Horses in a way that allows them to maintain their pride and giving spirit. Classical dressage had always appealed to me and I've begun my quest for knowledge on this subject. I know I have the horse capable of assisting me in accomplishing a new goal; to be an accomplished dressage rider able to teach this art of riding by the time I retire from public school teaching in about 20 years. I do plan to show, but only when I feel we've reached a point in our training program where completing a test in a show situation will serve as a check point verifying what we have accomplished and pointing us in the proper direction to continue our work.

I will also fervently pursue the education of others, especially Americans, concerning the Canadian Horse breed. As an American Canadian Horse Breeders Association member and also a teacher, I have decided to make my primary goal to educate prospective Canadian Horse owners and breeders concerning the breeds future preservation and place in our world. They must be able to recognize the established characteristics of the Canadian Horse, become familiar with its history, and as breeders understand the importance of selective breeding to maintain the breed standard established over the past 100 years. Any attempts to tinker with these established characteristics can only result in the decline of this magnificent breed. I will make every effort to assist the members of The Canadian Horse Breeders Association to accomplish this goal.

Currently, I am pursuing the formation of the US District for this organization in order to more efficiently provide services to American enthusiasts of the breed concerning the above issues. I am also continuing my own pursuit of knowledge concerning the lines of the Canadian Horse in order to choose the best stallion for breeding to my mare. After all, one of the best ways to teach is through example.

I am eagerly greeting newcomers to the American enthusiasts of "Les Chevaux Canadiens" and I hope I will be able to assist them in bridging the gap between us and those, north of our border who have so diligently pursued the preservation of the Canadian Horse breed.