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About Our Team
MEET OUR HORSES & FACILITATOR
"The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see."
Alexandra K. Trenfor
San Pedro
TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE
What We Stand For
Spirit of The Horse is located in Clearwater County just minutes from Rocky Mountain House. We provide a safe space and other services for those looking to find their inner power. We’ve been working towards the goal of helping our community build essential life skills that will aid them in every area of life, guiding them towards a place where they are able to move forward with their lives.
Our Mission
To provide a safe, natural, and inspiring space for people to heal, to overcome, and to believe in themselves while experiencing the unparalleled wisdom and grace of the horse.
Shannon has been an animal lover and horse crazy since she was a little girl. She loves all of God’s creatures and believes that every one has a purpose and something to give, even if their original purpose in life is no longer possible.
Shannon started Spirit of the Horse in April of 2020 out of a desire to help horses and people alike. She enjoyed a 15 year career in sales and marketing where she was fortunate to be involved in the animal health industry as a Regional Sales Manager, and a National Sales Manager. She has a background in a variety of large and small animal health and nutrition, however; her specialty was dog and cat nutrition, where she was instrumental in the development and formulation of cutting-edge dog and cat food products. She has spent the last 20 years as a Legal Assistant with extensive experience in Family Law, Civil Litigation, Wills and Estates. Shannon’s experience assisting people in their legal matters is in part responsible for the inception of Spirit of the Horse which was inspired by her passion to heal, and to help people transition through life’s difficulties and move forward in a positive way.
Shannon has lived in the Rocky Mountain House area for 18 years with her family of critters, some of which are the teachers in the Equine Assisted Learning programs at Spirit of the Horse. She enjoys all outdoor activities including horseback riding, driving her team of Clydesdales, showing Clydesdales, hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, camping, and anything where she is surrounded by nature and has her dogs and horses along.
Meet Shannon Vayro
FOUNDER OF SPIRIT OF THE HORSE & EQUINE ASSISTED LEARNING FACILITATOR
Meet Our Team
Jett
DATE OF BIRTH: June 5, 2002
BREED: Quarter Horse
Jett, also known as Jetty, Fancy, or Fancy Boy is a real-life Black Beauty. Our “Spirit of the Horse” logo is depicted from an actual photo of Jett showing off how fancy he really is. He is very athletic and was born to do any discipline there is for a Quarter Horse. However, he has spent his life taking tours throughout the mountains to the most scenic places imaginable. He is gentle, kind, good-natured, steady and strong. He is the leader of his herd, he is the boss of his girls and as such he will help you elevate your leadership skills to a new level in order for you to learn to be a leader to yourself and to your team.
Meet The Horses
OUR TEACHERS AT SPIRIT OF THE HORSE
In Memory of Aleah
DATE OF BIRTH: April 18, 2003
BREED: Clydesdale
Aleah, also known as Momma Horse, is the kindest soul and very motherly, like her nick name. We have known Aleah since she was about 2 years old and she came to us several years ago to be a driving mate and teacher for one of her newest family members, Jules. She was born a show horse and competed in most draft horse shows in Alberta, including the Calgary Stampede. Some of her show accomplishments are Jr. Champion at Calgary Stampede, Champion at Olds and Vermillion Draft Horse shows, as well as Agribition in Regina. She and her teammate Naomi were undefeated in 2008 in all Ladies Team driving competitions. Once she retired from the show ring, she became a mom to some very amazing babies that went on to lead some pretty cool horse lives. Elliot tours people through a winery in California, Hickory is a show horse and broodmare (another word for Momma horse), Jingles delivers milk in British Columbia, and La La Loopsie who is a broodmare in Ontario. Olivia, who was Aleah’s last baby in 2017, was shown as a foal and was Reserve Champion Filly at the Foal Show. Aleah’s size and sweetheart nature will help you become more confident in yourself and overcome your fears.
"It is with great sadness that we lost our sweet Aleah on December 16, 2021. She is forever in our hearts, and will be remembered for changing the lives of those she touched."
Gina
DATE OF BIRTH: May 19, 2010
BREED: Clydesdale
Gina, also known as Bug, or Bugsy, is just that. She is a trickster extraordinaire and can typically be found bugging her herd mates or looking for some sort of trouble to get into. She loves walking over top of small trees (easy for a horse with legs like hers), for a good old belly scratch. Gina is a paternal sister to the 2011 World Clydesdale Champion Jolie (they have the same daddy). She is very pretty and near perfect in conformation. Although she could have had a great career as a show horse, her purpose in this life is to be a teacher here at Spirit of the Horse, she has a sweet demeanor and loves people but she also loves to play games, she will challenge your creativity and leadership skills!
Jules
DATE OF BIRTH: May 1, 2010
BREED: Clydesdale
Jules’ daddy is an imported horse from Scotland, and she is a sister to the 2011 World Champion Clydesdale Gelding “Trevor” who has the same dad. Jules is the reason for Spirit of the Horse. Although she is not currently a teacher in our programs, she is my teacher. She is not overly trusting of people and very sensitive, she and I have been on a journey of healing together. A journey that has shown us that we can trust again. We have come a long way together and her letting me into her kind heart has led me to share this amazing gift of horses where I am able to help others along their journey of healing. Jules continues to teach me and is still learning to trust new people; she is a loving soul and is getting better at her own pace.
Naomi
DATE OF BIRTH: May 12, 2003
BREED: Clydesdale
Naomi, also known as "Ny", is a retired show horse and has been a broodmare for the last several years. She is Aleah's very best friend for life. They grew up together and were both shown in multiple hitches. Ny was Aleah's teammate in 2008 where they were undefeated in all Ladies Team driving classes throughout Alberta. Ny raised some very amazing babies, one of which is "Iggy", who was the Reserve World Champion Clydesdale in 2015, and "Meistro" who was the Reserve World Champion Stallion Cart Horse at the World Clydesdale Show in 2017. Ny is the biggest of our teachers, she is sweet, and kind, and her sheer size will help you to realize you can conquer anything, regardless of how overwhelming it may seem.
Jagger
DATE OF BIRTH: January 18, 2012
BREED: Off Track Thoroughbred
Jagger, also known as “The Prince”, and “His Majesty”, is a retired racehorse, and the newest member of our family. He is big, beautiful, and extremely fast! It is something to behold to see him run! Jagger’s bloodlines go back to an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse Bold Ruler, who is the father of another of the greatest racehorses in history, Secretariat! He is also related to the most famous Canadian racehorse in history, Northern Dancer. Northern Dancer is the first Canadian bred horse to win the coveted Kentucky Derby, he then became one of the most successful sires of the 20th century. He is considered a Canadian icon and was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1965. Jagger has some famous relatives, fitting given he is a Prince himself! Jagger is very willing and quick to learn. Since he retired, he has learned English and Western disciplines, as well as a little jumping and even barrel racing. He is now a crowd favorite teacher at Spirit of the Horse and will be touring the mountain trails in his spare time. As a racehorse, Jagger learned all about consequences. Early on he decided he did not like to have mud and dirt from the horses in front of him sprayed in his face. He quickly realized the only way to escape this, was to run faster than everyone else. He is a very smart boy and will teach people about the consequences of their decisions. Jagger’s favorite pastimes are hanging out with his horse friends, eating, and stealing gloves out of my pocket. We are very excited to have Jagger as a part of our team, and more importantly, our family.
Meet The Donkeys
OUR TEACHERS AT SPIRIT OF THE HORSE
Riley
DATE OF BIRTH: September 9, 1996
BREED: Miniature Donkey
Riley, also known as Riles came to us as a little donkey needing a home. He came on a ‘trial’ basis, 20 years ago. Riley, like his brothers, is a lover. He has the longest ears of the bunch, which he loves having rubbed. He would stand like a statue all day for any willing participants. He is also somewhat of a thrill-seeker, trying such human activities as walking up the stairs onto the deck and into the house, should you forget to close the door. One of Riley’s favourite sports when he was younger was to have races around the house with his canine pal, Honey. They would frequently be seen chasing each other in a circle around the house which became their personal racetrack. Riley would chase Honey for a few laps, then the tables would turn, and Honey would chase Riley for a few laps. He is a great teacher and will have you an expert in communication in no time at all because he will expect you to be clear and a good leader to him in order for him to be a part of your team.
In Memory of Daniel
DATE OF BIRTH: June 4, 2006
BREED: Miniature Donkey
Daniel, also known as Danny was purchased because we felt that Riley needed a pal of his own kind. Danny was raised at the same farm as Riley, although Riley is older than Danny and had left the farm before he was born so they didn’t know each other. We knew Danny would be a great companion for Riley, but then it got interesting……
As it turned out, Danny already had a very best friend named Garfield, they were born only a few weeks apart and had been inseparable since.
"Sadly we lost Daniel on December 22, 2022. He will forever be remembered for the sweet little donkey he was. He was loved by all."
Garfield
DATE OF BIRTH: July 2, 2006
BREED: Miniature Donkey
Garfield came upon his name because his owner’s grandsons found him covered in a deep bed of straw the day he was born and they thought he was one of the cats-so they named him after the cartoon cat character Garfield. He is the cutest of all spotted donkeys and loves ear rubs and pets like his brothers. Garfield has lost sight in his left eye and he will need you to be the best leader you can for him in order for him to trust you.
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