RIDING CAREER

Souhaila has been riding horses for as long as she has been able to convince her father to drive her to the barn. 

Formative years were riding out of a show stable in her native town of Sudbury in Northern Ontario with Cathy Inch and Rick Smith. By 18, she had topped the junior divisions, where she qualified and competed successfully at the Royal Ontario Winter Fair.  Always working with horses alongside her studies and professional career Souhaila groomed, trained, showed horses and coached since 14 years of age and continues today.                                                                                                            

           Red Baron 1987

University studies and the desire to show more intensely in Southern Ontario brought her to Guelph, Ontario at 18. Here she met Michael Grinyer, former Canadian team member. For seven years as a working student, she rode and competed a large variety of Michael Grinyer Stable's young and sale horses where she eventually became barn manager. Michael's invaluable advice refined her skills in the Junior / Amateur jumper divisions.

                                                                                                                                            Chocolate Factory 1989

Following graduation in Landscape Architecture, Souhaila moved to her mother's native country, France. For two years, her time was divided between her own equestrian landscape architecture practice and riding professionally, training and selling young horses in Normandy. Gilbert Doerr, well-known French rider, offered much help. Dual citizenship has always given Souhaila the chance to live and work in France. Now, the rest of Europe presents her with future opportunities.

Beach Boy 2000

After France, Souhaila lived 5 years in Bermuda where she continued to train and campaign horses for owners in both the hunter and jumper divisions.  Ojyosie (Goodtimes X Nimmerdor, Joyful Lady), 9 yr old Dutch warmblood mare was purchased in Canada in 2004. She placed in the top 5 of the Caribbean standings.

Returns to Canadian soil  kept her skills sharp with help from Tom Gayford, former Canadian chef d'equipe and his daughter Margie.

Souhaila and Ojoysie went on to compete very successfully on the prestigious 2005 Spruce Meadows summer circuit in June and July before moving back to Canada.

Ojoysie 2004

2006 is dedicated to North American "A" show and international circuit with Ojoysie, who is moving up the ranks.

Souhaila will also be campaigning young horses on the national circuit that are entrusted in her care.

Souhaila's goal today is to form a sponsorship team which will  provide the means to reach the highest levels of the sport she can attain.

Garfield 1997