Sara Vey - Owner 

 

 

Angie Wohlford - Sales associate

I grew up in the Vernon area, and from an early age had a love of horses. I got my first pony at the age of 8. I promptly started lessons and joined pony club. When I was 11 my parents opened an equestrian center name Aspengrove Equestrian in Lavington. I helped with all the aspects of running the facility from picking lesson horses, schooling them, to overall care and feeding. Throughout my teens and early twenties I showed a lot in the jumpers throughout B.C., Alberta and Washington.

In 1997 I achieved my Equine Canada level 1 coaching certificate, and from then until the retirement of my parents in 2018 I was the head coach at Aspengrove. Since their retirement I have also taken a bit of a step back from teaching, but still have a handful of students. Last year I achieved my Equestrian Canada Licensed Coach status.

My riding focusses on hunter/jumper, but my passion is the hunters and equitation. I attend clinics with my two chestnut geldings, Kismet (4 years) and Piros (9 years) I have owned them since Kismet was a yearling and Piros a two year old. I enjoy all aspects of horses and horse care and love helping everyone that comes in the store and sharing my knowledge with newcomers.

Sandra Marbry - Sales Associate

My first pony arrived when I was 7 years old but my passion for horses started from birth. I do not remember a time where I have not thought about horses. I started my first horse when I was 10 years old. He was a lovely 3 year old Arab/Quarter Horse. I learnt a lot from him that I have carried with me over the years. We did not have an arena until I was in my teens so all my riding was done down the road, on trails or hacking to lessons at local arenas. I have always bought young horses and developed them. Trying to trade up as my skills and riding improved. I was around 10 years old when I joined the Bridlewood pony club in Prince George. I absolutely loved the horsemanship and riding levels. Eventing was a huge passion of mine in those early years. I competed in Prince George, Smithers, Kelowna and Oliver. I moved up the levels of pony club ending as a B2, a pony club coach and a national examiner. I also competed and qualified to be on a B level eventing team that represented British Columbia for the Canadian Pony Club Championships in Saskatchewan. Dressage has also had held a huge place in my heart. I learnt at a young age that you couldn’t place that well in eventing without a decent dressage score. That lead to wanting a better understanding on how to put a horse together properly which lead to the realization of all the amazing things you can do if your horse is obedient and relaxed. In my late teens and early 20’s , in between events and show jumping, I competed at medium level dressage (as it was know in those days). A trend I have continued through all my years of riding. Show jumping, however, has been my main focus and passion since my early 20’s. While in Prince George I competed on several horses up to 1.20m. When I turned 30 my family and I moved to Airdrie, AB. I felt something was missing in my understanding of horse behaviour. Also my horse was injured and needed a long rehabilitation. That is when I was introduced to Parelli Natural Horsemanship. I achieved my Level 1 then went on to do another 5 years with Josh Nichols. After that I felt I was ready to go back into the show ring. I had a much better understanding of horses and how they react and learn. I showed at Rocky Mountain, Paramount and indoor Spruce. Another quick dabble in dressage in my late 30’s where I took that horse up to 3rd level. On my 40th birthday my family and I moved to Armstrong and we were fortunate enough to find an acreage so we could finally have the horses at home again after 22 years of boarding them out. I joined the Full Throttle team where I met many great friends and teammates. I continued to compete at 1.10-1.15m and training 1.20m + at home. I also continued with the dressage, showing in Vernon and Kamloops. The Armstrong acreage, known as Piccadilly Sport Horses, is my latest passion. I continue to buy young, well bred, athletic horses and start them on their horse show journey. Showing locally as well as at Thunderbird and sometimes Rocky Mountain. Pictured is Oslo (by Oxford) locally bred and purchased as a 2 year old. Showing 1.10m at Thunderbird 2020 as a 6 year old.

Sarah Skogland - Sales Associate 

 I’m Sarah Skogland, a quintessential horse girl with a wealth of knowledge gained from a lifetime working and learning in all areas of the equestrian industry. Fortunate to of been mentored by some incredible equestrians including Olympians, along with riding a variety of horses at all stages of development, I cultivated a passion for Dressage (french word for “training”). Some re-occurring universal themes learned is the importance of developing solid basics, never stop learning and enjoying the process. I am an Equine Canada licensed coach and competitor, I’m also very enthusiastic to share my knowledge and passion for horses, Dressage (Training!) and the equestrian lifestyle with fellow riders.