TEAM SUGARTIDE
OWNER AND HEAD COACH
LEAD COACH - COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
VICTORIA FORBES
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Vicky’s love for horses began at a young age and has shaped every step of her life since.
With a Master’s degree in Equine Science, Vicky brings both academic expertise and hands-on experience to SugarTide. She has earned nationally recognized coaching certifications across South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and is currently an Equestrian Canada Licensed NCCP Certified Competition Coach.
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As a young woman, Vicky proudly represented South Africa on its national show jumping and dressage teams, competing at the highest levels with passion and determination. Her professional background includes serving as a specialist in Equine Biomechanics at the University of Warwick and lecturing at Hartpury University, giving her a uniquely science-based approach to rider development and horse care.
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DEMINICAPEDERSON
Demi brings over two decades of experience in the show jumping world, beginning her riding career in Kalispell, Montana under Irish Olympian Damian Gardner.
At 16, she relocated to Calgary to further her competitive goals, training with respected coaches such as Frank Selinger, Rodney Tulloch, Lisa Carlson, Dayton Gorsline, and Alexander Grayton.
A former client of Spruce Meadows, Demi has competed successfully up to the 1.40m Grand Prix level, earning top placings at prestigious venues including Spruce Meadows, Rocky Mountain Show Jumping, Thunderbird Showpark, Desert Horse Park, and the Arizona Winter Circuit.
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We are proud to have Demi as part of the SugarTide team. Her passion for the sport, dedication to her students, and wealth of competitive experience make her an invaluable coach and role model within our program.
BARN MANAGER
EVENTING INSTRUCTOR
LINDA HOLMES
Linda joined us as our barn manager in 2022 from one of our good friends Ridgeview Equestrian, and we couldn't be more grateful to have such a loving and experienced horse woman as the head of our staff. She is constantly making the barn more enjoyable and efficient for all, and has an impeccable eye for detail along with excellent bedside manner.
She is an avid showjumping competitor and enjoys bringing along young horses and horses that need a second chance. She and Vicky own the Phoenix program together reteaching Chuck Wagon horses to be riding horses.
She is undergoing her coach licensing and certification process and is currently a registered EC Coach.
Kristine is one of the most wonderfully talented and skilled horse women we have ever met, and we are awed and humbled to have her as part of the SugarTide team. Having competed to the upper levels of eventing she is armed with knowledge and experience in all three disciplines of showjumping, dressage and cross country.
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Any horse she sits on emerges from that ride as a better citizen, and she gives wonderful technical lessons to all of our students. She also organizes clinics with fabulous instructors, and keeps everyone safe on the XC course.
She is currently an Equestrian Canada Licensed NCCP Certified Competition Coach.
KRISTINE HAUT
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SENIOR BARN STAFF
JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR
MICAH BOUSCAL
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Micah joined our team in 2024 as our senior barn staff. As the barn and program grew, we were in need of another dedicated staff member and we couldn't have been more fortunate to find her.
She and her precious horse Aspen immediately settled in and become family the moment they stepped onto the property, which we are incredibly thankful for. Her love for the horses, dedication to her work, attention to detail, and tendency to go above and beyond for the horses and the clients make her absolutely invaluable to our team.
She will be undergoing her coach licensing and certification process during 2025.
Maddy is a talented young horsewoman with a bright future in the equestrian world. She become a valued member of the SugarTide team through her work ethic, calm presence, and natural ability with both horses and riders.
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A long-time student of SugarTide, Maddy has grown up in our program and now takes on a leadership role as our Junior Coach. She assists with lessons, supports younger riders, and brings a positive, grounded energy to everything she does. Whether she’s setting jumps, helping with tacking up, or offering quiet encouragement in the ring, Maddy’s passion and reliability shine through.
We’re proud to support her development as a rider and coach, and excited to see where her journey takes her next.
MADDY SUTHERLAND
VET
FARRIER
MASSAGE
CHIRO
MOORE AND CO
CRS HORSE SHOEING
WILDROSE EQUINE
HECTOR
MARRA
We are proud and honoured to be clients of the best large animal veterinary practise in Alberta - Moore and Co.
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All of our medical, feeding, worming, dental, farriery, rehab, vaccination, and exercise protocols are developed hand in hand with Moore's excellent team of remarkable veterinarians.
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While we love all the vets at Moore, we are particularly grateful that Dr.Katherine Macdonald, Dr. Shannon Lockhart, Dr Ashley Lamond and Dr. Jennifer Fowlie take primary care of our facility.
Without them our horses would not thrive as brilliantly, and we would not have the reputation for horse care that we do.
Since SugarTide's inception we have had the good fortune to have and retain the services of one of the most talented farriers in the business - Chris Richter of CRS Horseshoeing.
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While we, the horses, and our vets love the quality of Chris' work, he is also unparalleled in his knowledge of the foot and it's surrounding structures, his ability to explain and support his methods and ideas, and he has the most wonderful bedside manner.
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Farrier days at the barn are always a joy, as after this many years we are more family than clients. We are so thankful to have him in ours and our horse's lives.
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Our horses put their heart and souls into performing for us, both in the school program and on the show circuit, so we are beyond grateful that Tanja Minder of Wild Rose Equine Massage is here to replenish them regularly for us.
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With detailed notes on each horse, exercises for clients to perform to help with their horses balance and muscle development, our animals have never felt better. She brings the best out of our animals and her wonderful energy replenishes the barn from top to bottom.
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If you ever wonder if massage is worth it for your horse and whether they benefit from it mentally or physically, we invite you to come and watch Tanja at work, our horses do not hesitate to show her their appreciation.
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We are incredibly lucky to call ourselves clients of the marvellous Hector for many years now.
One of the most sought out equine chiropractors in Alberta, his ability to ease the tension and move the vertebrae in horses spines is incredible to watch. He always finishes treatments with expertly applied acupuncture, and by the end of a session you can tangibly feel the difference in each horse, both on the ground and in the saddle.
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His past as a veterinarian means his approach to chiropractics takes into account the horse as a whole, and he is a fountain of knowledge we are eternally grateful to be able to sample from.
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