About the coaches

Our head coach, Crystal Lee Ross has been riding since she was 2 years old and has 28 years of riding experience. In that time she has sucessfully competed on the Trillium and A circuits in both Hunter and Jumper and has trained several horses including retraining of problem mounts. Crystal's true passion with horses is breeding, raising and training her own horses. We find that the lifetime bond developed from raising a young horse results in a spectacular horse that is committed to its owner and rider.


Crystal has been coaching for the last 9 years and provides a positive environment that encourages learning and respect. She promotes a natural form of horsemanship that is very subtle focusing on creating a loving bond between horse and rider that leads to success which is based on the way horses naturally interact with one another.

Crystal has completed a Equine Riding Coach program, Standard First Aid and NCCP Introduction to Competition Course. Crystal belongs to several horse clubs including membership in: OEF (Ontario Equestrian Federation), CE (Equine Canada), AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association), NFQHA (National Foundation Quarter Horse Association), ONTRA (Ontario Therapuetic Riding Association)

Crystal has a University BSc Degree in Biology with a concentration in Molecular Genetics and Physiology from Bishops University in Quebec and is currently working on her second BSc in Psychology at the University of Guelph. Crystal combines her education and her love of horses by using them in a therapy program for individuals coping with emotional, cognitive or physical disabilities.

Crystal has one child a beautiful baby girl, Isabella (Bella for short) born on June 21st of 2007. Bella recently started riding lesson and is thoroughly enjoying herself.

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Hillary joined the Springland Riding Stable coaching team in September 2009. Hillary has been riding at Springland for the past 8 years. She thoroughly knows and enjoys the program and is excited about being able to pass along the knowledge she has gained through her years of experience at the farm to the next generation of riders. Hillary spent many of those years volunteering at the farm, assisting in lessons, chores and farm events. Hillary has participated successfully in our show program throughout the years. Hillary has loads of experience both in training young horses and in our program and will use this knowledge to develop a great lesson program for beginner riders.

Hillary will be focusing primarily on our beginner riders giving them a solid foundation in riding. Hillary is in charge of running our summer camp program with her experience gained after years of assisting as a camp councilor she has now taken over the coaching portion of the camps as well. Hillary's friendly and open approach to coaching ensures that those who are young or simply new to riding will have a great and fun experience as they learn the basic skills to make them great riders. Hillary's youth and exuberance for horses is definitely transferred along in her coaching to all her students.


Hillary gained many valuable lessons through her own horse Gemini who she raised and trained. Gemini is definitely Hillary's pride and joy and although difficult initially has turned into a wonderful and loving riding horse that Hillary is extremely proud of.