Candace Nilsson
Instructor
Candace’s passion for horses began in childhood, during trips with her brother to the auction mart at Clyde Corner. She would eagerly watch the horses move cattle up and down the alleyways. Frequent outings with her dad to look at cattle often ended with the chance to hop on different horses, further fueling her love for the equine world!
Her horsemanship journey formally began at the age of seven with beginner lessons at Rocking Bar Ranch. From ages 11 to 15, she continued developing her skills at Horse Sense, where she learned how to start young horses, drive, and refine her overall horsemanship. These experiences led her into low-level showing in dressage and jumping, and eventually sparked a greater passion for buying and developing project horses. Throughout this time, Candace worked with and under several coaches, continually pushing herself to expand her knowledge and skill set whenever possible.
In 2021, Candace began coaching and quickly discovered a true passion for teaching. Although she had owned her own horse since the age of 11, she shifted her focus toward buying and flipping projects rather than maintaining a single personal mount. Nearly three years later, this path led her to her 16-hand Thoroughbred mare ... a “failed” sales project who ultimately became a permanent partner.
After high school, Candace pursued a diploma as an Animal Health Technologist through Lakeland College and is now a Registered Veterinary Technologist. Over the past two years, she has worked as a veterinary technician in both a 24/7 emergency hospital and a general practice. She is currently continuing her education to become an Equine Dental Practitioner and looks forward to putting this certification into practice by the end of June 2026.
Today, she owns two horses, attends the gym daily, and balances full-time schooling with her professional and coaching commitments. Outside of horses, she enjoys playing guitar, traveling, reading, and going for walks with her chihuahuas.
Candace loves riding and is passionate about continually learning and refining her skills under the guidance of others. She is equally dedicated to setting her students up for success throughout their equine journeys. Her coaching is rooted in a deep commitment to positive, relationship-based horsemanship, with a focus on fostering a welcoming and encouraging community for riders of all levels. She believes strongly in cultivating a healthy barn atmosphere that benefits both horses and riders at every stage of development.
Mona Beckmann
Instructor
Mona started riding and joined Canadian Pony Club at the age of 7 years old. She quickly rose up through the levels, competing across BC up to Third Level Dressage, 1.20 Show Jumping, and schooling up to preliminary level eventing. In August of 2015 Mona became 1 of the 3 candidates across Canada to achieve the ‘A’ Level in Canadian Pony Club. Shortly after she received her Level 1 English Competition Coach license and certification under Equestrian Canada and the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP).
In addition to Mona's certification, her experience includes training client horses from backing to competition ready, and training her own horses up to preliminary level in 3 day eventing. In addition to this she spent time working at K & L Quarter Horses training ranch colts and schooling show horses. In 2017 Mona achieved a diploma in Animal Science with a major in Commercial Beef Production from Lakeland College. Mona moved to Sherwood Park in 2022, and her and her husband currently farm 2800 acres of grain and raise a
commercial flock of sheep.
Rebecca Hibbs
Therapeutic Riding Instructor
Rebecca is a proud Newfoundlander and began her journey teaching therapeutic riding at Rainbow Riders in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She became a CanTRA certified therapeutic riding instructor in 2021. Rebecca has nearly 4 years of experience teaching mounted and unmounted therapeutic lessons and has been riding horses for 15 years. She has ridden in the Canadian Pony Club and continues to ride in an Equestrian Canada Rider Level focused program.
In addition to teaching therapeutic lessons on Saturdays, Rebecca works
full-time as a registered social worker, supporting families and children with disabilities. Therapeutic riding is more than a job to Rebecca, it is a passion project and she takes great pride in ensuring the safety and enjoyment
of all program participants.
Christel Chattargoon
Barn Staff & Administrative Assistant
Christel is an Equine Canada licensed coach and a full-time junior high teacher who primarily works out of our sister facility, Mission Ridge Stables. With nearly a decade of experience in barn management at lesson barns, she brings her practical knowledge and leadership to the team. Above all, she feels that successful programs must foster a genuine love and respect for the horse, and encourage students to develop meaningful connections that extend beyond just riding.
Christel assists with administrative responsibilities at Meadow Ridge and looks forward to building positive, lasting relationships with clients and families.