About Emily
Licensed Equestrian Canada Coach
Head Competition Coach
Emily is a highly accomplished international competition rider and coach with over 20 years of experience in coaching, training, and competition. She has trained under a distinguished roster of professionals, including Olympian Ian Roberts, Anne Zander, Peter Grey, Kate Farrell, Leslie Saila, Sarah Irving, Jim Dunn, Sylvia Decorah, etc. This diverse foundation has shaped her well-rounded, results-driven approach to developing both horse and rider.
Emily specializes in jumper rings, hunter derbies, equitation classes, and eventing, producing confident, competitive riders with strong technical foundations and polished ring presence. Her students consistently achieve top placings across disciplines, including Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, and Eventing (OEA) at both Silver and Gold levels. She has also worked with riders and horses internationally throughout Canada, the United States, South Africa, Botswana, the United Kingdom, and Qatar.
Her program is rooted in classical training principles—rhythm, suppleness, contact, impulsion, straightness, and collection—ensuring long-term success for both horse and rider. Beyond technical performance, Emily is passionate about developing well-rounded riders, pulling from her years in the Canadian Pony Club. She fosters a positive, team-oriented environment that emphasizes responsibility, respect, leadership, confidence, sportsmanship, and true horsemanship.
Through Valiant Equestrian, Emily has built a supportive and competitive program with a strong presence in the show ring. Emily has been a top-awarded trainer and has produced year-end winning riders in Silver and Gold at international horse shows in all the rings. She is deeply committed to horse welfare, ensuring that every decision reflects the horse's best interests.
In addition to her coaching, Emily is highly experienced in equine sales, producing professional marketing materials and advertising that accurately and professionally showcase each horse, from pleasure partners to top-level competitors. Emily has sold or leased 100's of horses provincially, nationally and internationally.
Emily is dedicated to ongoing professional development, regularly engaging in clinics, seminars, and advanced training opportunities to continually refine her approach to both horse and rider. She also holds an academic background in social work, with a focus on acquired brain injuries, human development, and sports psychology, bringing a well-rounded and educated perspective to her program. This foundation enhances her communication, leadership, and ability to develop confident, capable riders both in and out of the saddle.
Coach Erin
Equine Canada Registered Coach
Erin is in the process of attaining Licensed Equestrian Canada coach status.
Hunter/Jumper and Equation Specialist
Erin’s passion for horses began at age 8 when she started taking lessons and attending horse shows. She competed in 'C' circuits until her early teens, where she trained young ponies to become safe, competitive hunter mounts. Transitioning to the Trillium circuit, she competed in large ponies, 3’ children’s hunters, Jumpers and various equitation and medal classes, developing a love for equitation. Erin has also trained mounts for the "A circuit" and has worked and coached at various barns.
In 2021, Erin moved to Ottawa to study Joint Honours in Public Administration and Political Science at the University of Ottawa and joined the U-Ottawa Equestrian Team. She held leadership positions and competed in OCEA (Ontario Collegiate Equestrian Association) and IHSA (Intercollegiate Horse Show Association) events, including the IHSA Zone 2 Finals in Long Island, NY.
Her experiences in OCEA and IHSA allowed her to ride various horses, fostering her adaptability as a rider, coach and trainer. Erin emphasizes the importance of observing others to enhance riding skills and encourages using online resources like live-streamed classes, educational social media, and classes.
In her final year of university, Erin served on the OCEA Board of Directors, collaborating with universities to manage collegiate competitions. This role deepened her understanding of the equestrian industry and helped her develop knowledgeable and competitive riders.
As an OCEA representative at collegiate competitions, Erin had the opportunity to sit in the judge's booth and listen to the different Judges' processes and how they approach judging, what they look for in a Hunter and Equtation round, etc.
Erin prides herself on coaching riders to be technical and purposeful while maintaining a fun and safe environment. Drawing from her diverse training experiences, she aims to share the best techniques and methods to help her riders and their mounts excel in and out of the saddle.
Our Esteemed Coaches
Our admirable Stable Grooms
Stable Grooms manage, maintain, and care for the horses and the facility. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to handling, feeding, basic first aid, mucking, grooming, light exercise, assisting the veterinarian and farrier, and overseeing all aspects of the horses and facility.
Ellie
Full-Time
Stable Groom
Bio Coming Soon!
Emily Moniz, founder of Valiant Equestrian, is a licensed Equestrian Canada Coach with over 20 years of experience in the equestrian industry. A highly accomplished competitor at the Provincial, National, and International levels, she has had the privilege of representing both Canada and the United States on competitive teams.
Emily brings a refined and comprehensive depth of knowledge across multiple disciplines, including Show Jumping, Jumpers, Hunters, Dressage, Pony Club, Mounted Games, and Eventing. This diverse foundation supports a program built on correctness, thoughtful development, and long-term performance in the sport.
Valiant Equestrian is further strengthened by a dedicated team of professionals, each contributing their expertise to maintain the program’s high standard of care, training, and horsemanship. Together, the team is committed to producing confident riders, well-schooled horses, and a supportive, performance-focused environment.
For more information on our team members, please see below.
Coach Sandy
Level Three Licensed Equestrian Canada Coach
CHA certified Instructor
Hunter/Jumper and Dressage Specialist
Sandy started riding at 8 or 9 years old, riding both English and Western. For as long as she can remember, horses have been a significant part of her life. Through her teens, she competed in schooling show circuits in the hunter, jumper, and dressage rings and participated in pony club for numerous years.
At 14 years old, Sandy began working at a summer camp, instructing children's horseback riding lessons and leading trail rides. Here, she developed a love for coaching. At 18, Sandy became a certified instructor (English and Western disciplines emphasizing jumping through CHA) and continues to hold this certification through continued teaching and professional development.
Managing several horsemanship programs for over 20 years, including children and youth camps, where Sandy managed riding programs, trained horses and mentored staff in becoming instructors, and oversaw riding school facilities. Sandy also worked for a professional dressage rider for several years as a stable groom and rider before having three children. She has coached at this facility, under its former ownership of JL Equestrian Center, since 2006. As well as coaching lessons at JL, she ran riding camp programs, schooled and trained horses, helped host the annual schooling show series, and developed young/new coaches.
Sandy has a degree in animal biology, which she passionately shares as she teaches equestrians how to better themselves through knowledge of their horse and horsemanship from the ground up. Sandy thoroughly enjoyed showing, but she has more passion for coaching others in their equestrian journey, whether as a rider/student or fellow coach.
Sandy believes that knowing the "why" behind a horse or rider's actions and responses creates a greater connection and an opportunity for growth from a solid foundation. Sandy's goal in coaching is for her riders to learn to ride the horse they are on each ride and become in tune with the subtle changes of their horse each time they interact. She believes strongly in success through the relationship between horse and rider and enjoys facilitating the creation of such through her role as a coach.
Coach Hillary
Full-Time
In the process of becoming a registered coach
I have loved horses since I was young and started riding at the age of seven. I began my career at Irish Creek Stables over nine years ago. During that time, I regularly volunteered on weekends and at summer camps. After years of shadowing and gaining valuable experience, I became a camp counsellor and horseback riding coach until the facility closed its riding school program.
I currently live on a small hobby farm where I have two dogs, chickens, and two horses. My schoolmaster, Skeeter, is my first horse, and he has only made me want to have 100 more! I also have a miniature pony with a cheeky personality.
When teaching lessons, I prioritize safety and reference the rider levels set out by Equestrian Canada for both riders and horses. I strive to create an inclusive environment that emphasizes sportsmanship and horsemanship qualities.
I am taking time off with the intention of attending the Equine Management program at the University of Guelph to deepen my knowledge and become a registered Equine Canada Coach. I also take three to four riding lessons weekly to continue my education as a rider and a coach.
This 2026 season, I will be showing on the Angelstone Silver and Gold Series in the 2'6 and 2'9 Hunter classes aboard my main mount "Steady Neddy" & catch riding some of Valiant's Training horses in the show rings, be it Derby, Jumper or traditional hunter classes.
I am very grateful that I get to spend every day doing what I love, and I am thrilled to be part of the Team. I am proud to be a part of the Valiant Equestrian Team and to contribute to the exceptional community they have built. I am very grateful that I get to spend every day doing what I love, and I am thrilled to be part of the Team!
Coach Ashley
Full-Time
Stable Groom Manager, Groom and Beginner Coach
At six years old, I started riding lessons and attended a summer camp from age 10-17. In grade nine, I participated at The Bethany Hills School for Girls during my high school years, centred around riding and horses. Our gym class was riding lessons three times a week. We were also allowed to bring and keep our horses at the Saddle Wood Stables barn, located right next to the school with paddocks surrounding it. We also had free rides on the weekend. I attended the equestrian theory classes at school to learn more in-depth techniques about the horse and rider.
We did horse shows, jumper, dressage, and mounted games, which were friendly competitions between other schools. I was also involved with many great opportunities. For example, we would attend the Royal Winter Fair every year and attend The Kentucky Rolex three-day event, where we judged the cross-country phase.
I took several years away from the equestrian world and had three beautiful daughters who, I am happy to say, love riding and horses as much as I do. When I could sign them up for their first riding lessons, I found it hard to sit and watch, so I started riding lessons again! Now, my daughters and I are at the barn almost every day.
I was fortunate to join the Valiant team and spend time with all the horses and the beautiful staff. I have always been in love with horses and learning more about the daily aspects of horses and their care.
Zippy
Full Time
Stable Groom and Trail Maintainer
Coming Soon
Brielle
Part-Time
Stable Groom
Coming soon
Coach Brianna
Full-Time
Equine Canada Registered coach
Specializes in developing Beginner and Novice riders and Camp Coach Programming.
Brianna’s love for horses started at age seven when she took her first riding lesson, and she’s been riding ever since. Like many horse kids, she began her journey as a true “barn rat”, spending every spare moment at the barn learning and gaining hands-on experience. She has ridden in the hunter, jumper, and dressage disciplines and has competed in both hunters and jumpers.
She began professionally teaching in 2021 and later became a registered coach with Equestrian Canada. While she enjoyed showing herself, she has found that she truly loves coaching at shows and supporting riders in the competition ring. Brianna enjoys teaching riders of all levels, from first-time riders to experienced competitors.
Brianna believes that flatwork is the foundation of good riding and sound horsemanship. She emphasizes soft riding, correct basics, building confidence, and progressive skill development in every lesson.
Outside of coaching, Brianna holds a degree in Social Development Studies and is currently completing her Social Work degree. She has also worked as an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator, which has strengthened her ability to connect with riders. Brianna has experience working with youth and enjoys coaching riders of all ages.
Brianna is passionate about creating a positive and inspiring environment where riders can grow, challenge themselves, and truly enjoy their time with horses. She loves sharing her knowledge, celebrating every small achievement, and helping riders develop not only their skills but also a lifelong love and respect for horses.
