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.
About Us
Erin
Position: Coach & Show Team Coordinator
Hunter/Jumper and Equation Specialist
Equine Canada Registered Coach
Erin is in the process of attaining Licensed Equestrian Canada coach status.
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 Equitation round, etc.
In 2025 & 2026, Erin has been an assistant coach and show rider for the Valiant Equestrian Silver and Gold Show teams, placing in almost every class she enters, including several first-place finishes in the equitation classes.
Erin prides herself on coaching riders to be technical and purposeful while keeping the environment fun and safe. 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
Our stable grooms are the backbone of daily life at Valiant Equestrian, playing an essential role in our horses' health, happiness, and well-being while helping maintain a safe, clean, and well-organized facility.
Their responsibilities extend beyond the daily routine and include feeding, grooming, mucking, turnout, handling, light exercise, monitoring equine health and behaviour, providing basic first aid, and assisting veterinarians, farriers, and other equestrian professionals. Their dedication, patience, and attention to detail ensure each horse receives thoughtful, individualized care.
At Valiant Equestrian, exceptional horsemanship begins with exceptional care daily. Our stable grooms are an invaluable part of our team and our commitment to treating every horse with the respect, compassion, and consideration they deserve.
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.
Sandy
Position: Coach
Dressage & Hunter/Jumper Specialist
Level Three Licensed Equestrian Canada Coach
CHA Certified Instructor
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
Position: Stable Groom, Coach & Part-Board Coordinator. In the process of becoming a registered coach
Hillary has loved horses from a young age and began riding at just seven years old. Her equestrian career began at Irish Creek Stables over nine years ago, where she regularly volunteered on weekends and at summer camps. After years of shadowing and gaining valuable hands-on experience, she became a camp counsellor and horseback riding coach, continuing in these roles until the facility closed its riding school program.
Outside the barn, Hillary lives on a small hobby farm with her two dogs, chickens, and two horses. Her first horse, Skeeter, is a beloved schoolmaster who has only strengthened her desire to have many more horses. She also owns a miniature pony with a cheeky personality named Acorn.
Since joining the VE Team, Hillary has continued to develop as a rider, coach, and horsewoman. When teaching, she prioritizes safety and references the rider levels established by Equestrian Canada, striving to create an inclusive environment that emphasizes sportsmanship and horsemanship. She is committed to her continued education, taking three to four riding lessons each week.
In 2026, Hillary had a successful show season aboard her main mount, "VE Steady Neddy", competing in the 2'6" and 2'9" Hunter divisions & .80 Jumper divisions on the Angelstone Silver and Gold circuits. In 2027, the pair plan to return to the Silver and Gold series, where Hillary will also catch-ride some of Valiant Equestrian’s training horses in the show ring, competing in derbies, jumpers, and traditional hunter classes.
Hillary also serves as head stable groom for Valiant Equestrian’s show horses throughout the Silver and Gold circuits, providing attentive horse care required throughout a competitive season.
Hillary is proud to be part of the Valiant Equestrian team and grateful to spend her days doing what she loves. She looks forward to continuing to grow as a rider, coach, and horsewoman while contributing to the supportive equestrian community at Valiant.
Ashley
Position: Office Support | Beginner Coach | Stable Groom
Ashley’s love for horses began at just six years old when she started riding lessons, followed by attending summer camps from ages 10 to 17. During high school, she attended Bethany Hills School for Girls, where horses and riding were an integral part of school life. Her education combined riding lessons three times a week with equestrian theory classes, allowing her to develop her riding skills while deepening her understanding of horses and the horse-and-rider partnership. Students could also bring and keep their horses at the neighbouring Saddle Wood Stables, surrounded by paddocks, with opportunities to ride on weekends.
During these years, Ashley participated in Hunter/Jumper shows, dressage, and mounted games through friendly interschool competitions. She also had the opportunity to attend the Royal Winter Fair each year and the Kentucky Rolex Three-Day Event, where she participated in judging the cross-country phase. These experiences helped shape her lifelong appreciation for horses and equestrian sport.
After taking several years away from the equestrian world to raise her three daughters, Ashley was delighted to discover that they shared her love of horses. When it came time to enroll them in riding lessons, Ashley jumped back into the equestrian world with two feet.
Ashley is grateful to be part of the Valiant Equestrian team, where she enjoys spending time with the horses and getting to know the wonderful people who make up the barn community. She also supports the office by frequently responding to emails and coordinating makeup lesson arrangements for riders and families. Her lifelong love of horses, enthusiasm for learning, and appreciation for the daily care horses require make her a valued part of the Valiant Equestrian team.
Meadow
Full-Time Stable Groom | Riding Coach | Show Rider
Meadow’s love for horses began at a young age, when attending horse camps inspired her to spend as much time as possible at the barn. Through helping with daily chores, assisting with day camps, and learning everything she could about horses, she developed a strong foundation in horsemanship and equine care.
Since joining Valiant Equestrian in 2021, Meadow has become an integral part of the team as a full-time stable groom while also coaching riders. She brings four years of experience grooming for Hunter/Jumper competitors on the Silver and Gold circuits, as well as Eventers, and has worked as an assistant to a licensed coach. Her experience has given her valuable insight into the preparation, dedication, and care required throughout a competitive show season.
As a rider, Meadow spent over three years competing aboard VE Despeaux, a large Welsh pony. Together, they won the majority of their classes across the Equitation, Hunter, and Jumper rings and were particularly successful in the derby ring with many, many 1st overall ribbons.
Meadow is now developing Audrey, a Section D Welsh filly, in preparation for the 2027 season at Angelstone. She is dedicated to building Audrey’s skills and confidence both in and out of the saddle.
Meadow is known for her genuine kindness and deep care for horses, always putting their comfort, health, and well-being first. She extends that same kindness to fellow equestrians, leading by example and demonstrating that being a true horseperson means more than success in the show ring. To Meadow, good horsemanship, sportsmanship, and treating both horses and people with respect, understanding and kindness are what truly matter.
Autumn
Part-Time I Assistant Coach | Stable Groom
Autumn’s love for horses began at just nine years old. From watching horse-themed television shows and playing with horse toys to getting excited whenever she spotted horses while driving past, she was fascinated by the equestrian world from an early age. As her interest continued to grow, her parents eventually signed her up for riding lessons, giving her the opportunity to turn her childhood fascination into a passion.
Since joining Valiant Equestrian in 2023, Autumn has grown tremendously as both a rider and horsewoman. Over the past three years, she has gained valuable experience in and out of the saddle, developing her riding abilities while building a deeper understanding of horse care and stable management. In 2025, she took an exciting next step by becoming an assistant coach and has since progressed into a part-time stable groom position. Today, she balances both roles, supporting the coaching team during lessons and contributing to the daily care and well-being of Valiant’s horses.
In her stable groom role, Autumn has continued to expand her practical horsemanship and equine-care knowledge. She is confident taking and assessing vital signs, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, and recognizing when readings are normal or concerning. She has developed a particularly keen eye for subtle changes in a horse's behaviour, often recognizing the earliest signs of discomfort or potential colic before they become obvious. This comes from taking the time to get to know each horse individually, understanding their personalities, routines, and what is normal for them. She also understands how to respond to colic, choke, and other emergency situations, including recognizing when veterinary attention is necessary. Her practical skills also include routine leg care and applying standing wraps.
As an assistant coach, Autumn works alongside the coaching team during lessons, guiding students through the practical skills essential to good horsemanship. This includes teaching riders how to properly groom, tack up, blanket, and safely handle their horses, helping them become more knowledgeable, capable, and independent equestrians.
One of the most rewarding parts of Autumn's experience has been helping younger riders develop their confidence and horsemanship skills. She enjoys supporting students of all ages as they learn, overcome challenges, and reach new milestones. Always eager to lend a hand and learn from those around her, Autumn continues to develop as a rider, groom, and assistant coach.
Looking ahead, Autumn is excited about the possibility of competing with her new mount, "Gibson’s Finest", owned by Mike Moniz, during the 2027 season. With plenty of goals still ahead, she looks forward to the opportunities, friendships, and experiences the equestrian world will bring. She is grateful for everything horses have taught her so far and is excited to continue growing alongside them.
Coach Brianna
Position: Coach
Equine Canada Registered Coach
Specializes in developing Beginner and Novice riders and Camp Coach Programming.
Brianna’s love for horses began at seven years old when she took her first riding lesson, and she has been riding ever since. Like many passionate young equestrians, she spent as much time as possible at the barn, learning through hands-on experience and developing her horsemanship. She has ridden in the Hunter, Jumper, and Dressage disciplines and has competed in both the Hunter and Jumper rings.
Brianna began coaching professionally in 2021 and later became a Registered Coach with Equestrian Canada. Although she enjoyed competing herself, she discovered a particular passion for coaching and supporting riders. She enjoys teaching riders of all levels, from those taking their very first lessons to experienced competitors working toward their goals.
Brianna believes that flatwork is the foundation of good riding and sound horsemanship. Her lessons emphasize softness, correct basics, confidence, and progressive skill development, helping riders build a strong foundation for long-term success while prioritizing the horse's well-being.
Alongside her equestrian career, Brianna earned a degree in Social Development Studies in 2026 and works in the social services sector. Her background in social development, combined with her experience working with youth and as an Equine Assisted Learning facilitator, brings an added dimension to her coaching. She understands the importance of adapting her approach to each rider, building trust, communicating effectively, and recognizing that confidence and personal growth are just as important as technical ability. These skills help her create a supportive learning environment where riders feel encouraged to ask questions, work through challenges, and celebrate their progress.
Brianna is passionate about creating a positive and inspiring environment where riders can challenge themselves, develop their abilities, and enjoy their time with horses. She loves sharing her knowledge, celebrating every achievement, and helping riders develop not only their riding skills but also a lifelong love and respect for horses.
Alexis
Part-Time
Stable Groom
Coming soon
