Meet Our Team
Amazing coaches & staff are the key to a safe, fun and successful lesson program!
SAMANTHA TOEWS
Sam has successfully completed her Equestrian Canada Rider Level 8 and is a Registered Coach and Licensed Competition Coach with Equestrian Canada.
She started coaching at age 15 and is now the show coach at Sagehill, looking forward to seeing the show team continue to grow and attend a variety of events including all MHJA shows this year! She has been training and competing in the hunter and jumper disciplines since a young age and recently stepped into the eventing world. Working at numerous facilities of different disciplines since she was young gave Sam invaluable knowledge and built a strong horse management skills set. Sam has a multi-disciplinary background in both English and Western which helps her be a well-rounded coach and trainer for multiple horses and riders of different levels and backgrounds. She has successfully trained horses up to a competitive level in both hunter/jumper disciplines and eventing. Sam currently owns three horses, Luna, Miley and her newest addition, Josie. Her passion lies within retraining off the track thoroughbreds to successfully start new careers. 
SHANNON MATTHEWS
Shannon started working with horses professionally in 2001, After a few years off while raising her kids, she re-did her CHA certification and has been back working with horses as a coach and volunteering as a co-head 4-H leader with us at Sagehill while working on her EC levels.
Shannon recently graduated from her Equine Diploma program with distinction, reflecting her commitment to continued learning and her passion for improving the lives and well-being of horses, not only through her own care and practices but by educating others to do the same. Shannon is also a certified Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Facilitator. She believes in the incredible impact horses can have on people's lives. She is passionate about creating a safe, supportive environment where horses can help individuals build confidence, strengthen resilience, and discover healing and personal growth through connection. She also loves coaching the Drill team and helping with all the fun events throughout the year! Shannon is dedicated to using and teaching patience, kindness and understanding while focusing on safety and fundamentals in her lesson, helping students gain their confidence while having fun. She is a favorite of students with her incredibly positive attitude, caring nature, and has been called Barn mom on many occasions. Not only does she coach horseback riding, but she has coached both her kids hockey teams and her daughters softball team. She is also an amazing photographer, you can follow her Instagram at @Shannonlee_photography and @daydreamin_moments. |
AMANDA KLASSEN
Amanda grew up on a grain and poultry farm near Sanford MB. She started taking riding lessons in high school and after graduating, spent time in Texas where she got to be part of a wrangler team at the bible school she attended. Once back in Manitoba, she worked as a part time barn hand and volunteered with Horse Connection.
Amanda was diagnosed with Hodgkinds Lymphoma in 2009 and underwent 8 cycles of chemo, plus a blood clot treatment, which forced her to step away from horses and focus on herself. After recovery, she began working and riding more in Texas and Alberta, where she found herself heavily involved alongside a team in running Horses of Hope, a large horse program for at risk kids. Eventually she made her way back to Manitoba, bringing home a 4 year old mare, Tequila, whom she owned for 9 years. In this time, Amanda took part in many clinics including cowboy challenges and working cowhorse clinics with Shawn Seabrook, as well as a horsemanship clinic with Sean Patrick. Amanda joined the Sagehill team in 2021. Being a mom of 2 young kids, it has allowed her to continue working with and around horses in various capacities including chores and office work. Having spent a lot of time learning the importance of groundwork, on occasion you will also find her working with some Sagehill school horses that need some extra tlc. |
LAUREN SENDEN
Lauren’s passion for horses began at Miracle Ranch when she was just five years old. Over the years, Lauren embraced every opportunity to be at the barn whether it was time in the saddle, teaching lessons, guiding trail rides or doing odd jobs to keep things running smoothly. Lauren has worked at Miracle Ranch for over ten years and is excited to see the Sagehill team take the reins and continue to build on the strong equestrian community at this facility.
Lauren is a certified CHA instructor in both Western and English disciplines. Her lessons emphasize the development of true horsemanship, focusing not only on learning technical skills but also fostering a strong sense of partnership with the horses. She continually seeks opportunities to expand her knowledge and integrates this experience to her teaching, creating versatile and engaging lessons. Lauren’s horse, Baron, keeps her on her toes with his quirky and playful personality! Together, they keep busy barrel racing, trail riding and spending time just enjoying each other's company! 
ADRIENNE DORGE Adrienne (commonly known around the barn as Adi) is from La Salle, Manitoba. She started riding at the age of 2 at a family friend's place and participated in 4-H Horsemanship at age 7. Adi started taking riding lessons at age 12, soon after moving to Sagehill Stables. Since Adi started at Sagehill, she could be found working away at barn chores and assisting in putting miles under saddle on less advanced school horses. If a client is having problems with their horse, Adi always finds time to add them into her training schedule. She also puts miles on other horses that need to gain experience While specializing in jumping, Adi believes it is important to have a solid foundation on the flat first. She is working towards achieving an Animal Science Diploma followed by Equine Studies with a focus on nutrition and business management in the equine industry. Additionally, she is looking to go for her Equine Canada Rider Levels. As for coaching, Adi has an extensive background leading birthday parties and intro programs. As she progressed through the years she started teaching more advanced students. Adi has a passion for other animals, with a variety of critters at home including birds, fish, dogs, cats, etc. She brought up her filly, Honey, from untouched to having a goal of competing in the hunter and dressage rings in the near future. Before purchasing Honey, she took on a rescue, Parker. She worked with him on trusting people and now thanks to her hard work is a solid school horse mount at Sagehill and excels at taking students over their first fences. |
RHYDER LINK Rhyder started riding when she was 7 years old, taking English lessons and quickly grew a passion for horses. She has been at Sagehill Stables since 2016 as lesson student and spent many hours volunteering (pretty much calling this her home!) before she started working as a tack-up coach and now riding coach! She spends most of her summers at the barn running summer camps and teach Intro Programs and Children's lessons. Outside of Sagehill she also works as a horse handler for an equine assisted therapy program for kids/adults with disabilities. Rhyder has one horse name Ajericho (A.J. for short)! She currently takes lessons with Jaime Hasiuk to continue improving her coaching and riding skills. Her main goal is to build relationships with students and have fun! 
JESCIE LAFLEUR
Jescie's Equestrian Journey began at a young age, growing along side horses most of her life, she quickly developed a heartfelt passion for them. Over the years, she has grown her skills, becoming a competitive rider in the hunter/jumper shows, consistently demonstrating her dedication and commitment to her equine partners and the sport in the ring. She is Always eager to spend time in the saddle and is deeply invested in her growth within the hunter world. While she has had the privilege of riding and working with many horses throughout her life, Her current partnership with Coco has proven particularly successful, with the pair continuing to excel together both in competition and through the strong connection they have built.
Since joining Sagehill Stables in 2023, Jescie has been proud to share her passion for horses with riders of all ages and skill levels. She loves being part of the team and is grateful for every opportunity to learn, grow, and help others achieve their goals. We look forward to watching Jescie continue her equine journey, while inspiring the next generation of equestrians! |
ISABEL HENAULT Isabel started riding at the age of 9 and has been hooked ever since! Throughout the years, she’s spent countless hours at the barn trying to spend as much time with the horses as possible. It was in 2015 that she found her passion for dressage and decided to pursue it full time. Since then, Isabel has been in lessons with Ariana Chia and has competed up to 4th level in dressage at local competitions with her horse, Roe. Isabel started teaching at Sagehill Stables in 2021 and has loved it since! Her favourite part about teaching is seeing riders progress and have a great time while doing so. Her lessons mostly consist of a flat work foundation based in dressage, but she loves teaching riders how to go over their first fences too. Outside of riding, Isabel is a student at the University of Manitoba pursuing a career in criminal psychology. Isabel is more than happy to help with anything, whether it’s under the saddle or on the ground, so don’t be afraid to ask her for help when you see her around! 
KATIE MATTHEWS
Growing up around horses, Katie has developed a lifelong passion for not only riding horses but understanding the commitment that goes into their care and well-being.
Starting with her very first riding lesson at Sagehill many years ago, she has spent the last four years as a member of Sagehill's hunter/jumper show team. Paired with 8 years as an active member of 4-H Club, she has built a strong foundation in equine care, sportsmanship, and rider development. Over the last four years, Katie has participated in the coach mentorship program, working alongside experienced coaches to develop her teaching skills, gaining hands-on experience supporting riders of various ages and abilities. She is excited to continue growing in her coaching journey, sharing her knowledge, enthusiasm, and love of horses with the next generation of equestrians. Currently working towards her Equine Canada Rider 6 level, Katie is dedicated to continuing her education and expanding her understanding of horsemanship. |
JEANNINE TAYLOR
Jeannine has a passion for horses. She started riding as a child at Westgates Horse Centre and was a member and eventually an instructor in the Pony Club for a number years. She spent many summers riding, working and training horses at a summer horse camp in Eriksdale in the Interlake of Manitoba.
While in University and looking to contribute to her community, Jeannine started volunteering with the Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association and quickly became an assistant instructor then riding instructor. Over the years Jeannine has participated and competed in numerous disciplines including hunter, jumper, equitation, western pleasure, barrels, poles, trail riding and she even drove Shetland ponies in a show once. Jeannine got her first horse, Kiefer an OTTB, when she was 14 (after many years of begging her parents). Her new horse Bandit is a Warmblood/Quarter Horse x who used to be a Sagehill Schoolie. These days, when not at her day job in insurance or with her family and dogs, she can be found in the barn helping out when needed, leading the Sagehill Stables 4-H Club and working on HR tasks. 
EMILY NARYNSKI
Emily began her equestrian journey by attending summer camps at Meadow Green, where she quickly developed a passion for horses and riding. She has now been taking riding lessons for eight years and has been actively volunteering within the equestrian community for nearly as long.
Emily initially began her training in dressage before discovering her passion for jumping. In 2023, she made the transition to Sagehill Stables, where she has continued to develop her riding skills while becoming increasingly involved in the Sagehill community. During her time at Sagehill, Emily has expanded her experience and knowledge through volunteering and participating in the Coach Mentorship Program. We are excited to welcome Emily to the Sagehill coaching team, where she will have the opportunity to share her knowledge and experience with riders of all levels. Emily is passionate about helping others develop their riding skills, sharing her knowledge, and creating a positive, supportive, and welcoming environment for every rider. |
