The Facilitators
DARYL CARTIER: OWNER & HORSE TRAINER
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Daryl is the owner and professional horse trainer at Cartier Farms. His family was very involved in the horse industry, breeding foundation quarter horses for over 50 years, and Daryl began riding long before he could reach the stirrups. He has been a professional horse trainer for over 20 years and his success is based on always working with the horses well-being foremost in his mind and his uncanny ability to communicate with them. He stands as a professional that has a true understanding of the fundamentals needed for training horses to be successful in many disciplines. He holds a Western Rider Level 4 as well as Coaching Level 1 Western certification from Equine Canada.
His passion for starting young horses, and riding reining horses, carries through to his ability to teach clients riding lessons as well as providing clinics at other facilities. Daryl appreciates the opportunity to coach his students at horse shows, always creating a positive learning environment for all involved. At Cartier Farms the riding program emphasizes the journey as well as the destination of preparing both horse and rider to be their very best. Daryl always says "winners simply do what losers won't". |
GAYLE CARTIER: Owner & LEAD FACILITATOR
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Gayle is lead facilitator of the Cartier Equine Assisted Learning Program and Instructor of the EAL Facilitator Certification Program offered at Cartier Farms. Gayle also holds a degree in Equine Studies from Humber College in Toronto.
In addition to Equine Canada, Rider Level 4, Coaching Level I English, and Coaching Level I Western, Gayle also enjoys being an instructor of the two day-four component theory program for Equine Canada coaching levels and the Sport Canada National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and Making Ethical Decisions offered through Saskatchewan Horse Federation. Gayle is a certified EAL specialist and an has certification to instruct the Cartier EAL facilitator certification program and holds a level 1 Egala certification as well. Gayle knew early in life that horses would play a major role in her career. Feeling passionate about horses since she was a young girl, she always had a desire to teach kids and adults to ride. Her 30 years of coaching experience in jumping and western disciplines allowed her the opportunity to recognize that horses have a gift for creating a positive lifestyle for people involved with them at all levels of interaction. Observing the horses natural ability to teach life skills when combined with facilitation and the effect this had on her students began her journey into Equine Assisted Learning. The 10-year development, testing and research by the Cartier Equine Center, has created an amazing program that the Cartier team is very proud of. "This program humbles me every day, and makes me appreciate how amazing it is to have a job where your co-workers are horses." |
JANICE BOUCHER: PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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Janice is the program coordinator, and assistant instructor of the Cartier EAL Facilitator Certification Program, she is also a facilitator of the Youth and Leadership Development Equine Assisted Learning programs currently running at Cartier Farms.
Janice began riding horses with her brother Daryl at the early age of eight years old. Over the years Janice has been involved in many different sports, but more specifically Janice excelled in archery. She was the Canadian National Champion and was the first Canadian to win the IOB World Championships in 1995 held in West Virginia, USA. With this drive for excellence she found success with her personal approach of facilitating individuals to understand and excel in equine assisted learning. Janice is a certified EAL instructor and facilitator, and holds a Level 1 Egala certification. And believes......... If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed. |
Dominique Dryka: Assistant PROGRAM DIRECTOR
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Dominique has been around horses her entire life, starting out in the jumping world and now showing reining horses. She has been certified in EAL since 2010 and is now our assistant program director.
Dominique stays busy helping run our youth program, as well as certifications, both on-site and remotely. When Dominique is not working for the program, you can find her riding with her two daughters. With her dedication, experience and passion for horses, paired with her ability to connect with people, she is a key member of our team. |
Erin Cartier: Facilitator
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Erin Cartier became certified in 2023 and has been actively involved in facilitating for the Cartier Farms EAL Youth Program for the past year and a half. She loves combining her passion for horses with helping them teach and connect with people of all ages.
Erin has a strong background in riding, having grown up in the 4-H program from a young age. She currently rides and competes in reining, however, her expertise extends beyond the saddle. She is also certified in Equine Sports Massage Therapy and trained in Equine Bodywork Treatments. Erin uses this training to run her own business, helping horses feel and perform at their best. It’s safe to say that horses truly are Erin’s passion! |
Kelsey Winder: Facilitator
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Kelsey is a Level 2 EAL Facilitator and has been involved in the development of the Cartier EAL Program since she was a young girl. Kelsey grew up at Cartier Farms riding, reining and jumping horses in competitive horse shows.
Kelsey now splits her time between EAL and being a riding instructor to both beginner and intermediate riders. She also has a family of her own and enjoys involving them in her love for horses. |
Gracie Dryka: Facilitator
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Gracie has joined our team of facilitators this past spring and has quickly become an important part of our program. She has been riding horses for a few years and recently has been competitive in the reining pen. With her kind and welcoming personality, Gracie loves helping participants connect with the horses and gain confidence that comes from working alongside them.
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Colton Cartier: Facilitator / Marketing Manager
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Growing up on the farm, Colton has always been a part of the horse and farming world. From a young age, he was involved with all the things that kept the farm moving including helping with the haying, fixing machinery, horses, and the development of the EAL program.
Colton now works as a facilitator, and brings his knowledge of technology to help with the website and marketing. |
Tracey Evans: Owner/Master Instructor of Dreamwinds satalite facility
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With a passion for developing strong leaders and a love of horses, Tracey left her successful career as a marketing executive in 2012 to open Dreamwinds Equine Assisted Learning Centre with her partner Dirk Tews. As a certified Business Coach and Master Certified Equine Assisted Learning Instructor, Tracey delivers innovative leadership, team building and life skills development programs for corporate teams, sports teams, youth groups, families and private groups using horses as guides. An avid equestrian and former senior marketing executive, she brings together her horse sense and over 15 years of leading high performing teams to help others develop critical skills to enable them to reach their full potential. The foundation of Dreamwinds programs is the Cartier Farms EAL Building Block Curriculum which uses carefully designed objective based team exercises that allow participants to learn how to communicate, lead and work effectively with a horse which in turn develops and hones critical skills that are important to success in work, school and life. In 2015, Tracey achieved her Master EAL Instructor Certification and Dreamwinds became the only Certified Satellite Training Facility for the renowned Cartier Farms EAL Certification Program making the program more accessible to Eastern Canada.
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The Teachers
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Reba
Reba is a go getter. This 16yr old mare is sensitive, willing and eager please. She is small, feisty and loves to come in the arena to teach. Reba has done everything from teaching beginner riders to being the mother of our most talented Reiners. She's not afraid to tell you exactly what she thinks.
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Slick
Slick is a sensitive 20yr old gelding who is retired from reining. He is all about your approach and if you take his halter off he might trot off and say "catch me if you can", which makes Slick a crowd favorite.
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Ivy
Ivy is a fun, energetic 25yr old sweetie. She loves meeting new people and being part of the team. She has done everything from 4h, to roping, and even jumping! Ivy loves to show her eagerness, and you can often find her standing on the platform, or playing with a ball.
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Elle
Elle is our golden princess, and she knows it too! At 11yrs old, she may be our youngest EAL horse, but she is an old soul & wise beyond her years. She was raised at Cartier Farms, and was used to teach beginner & youth riders. Elle thrives with a team that works together, and teaches lessons along the way.
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Brandy
Brandy is a 22yr old mare who catches your eye. Shy at first but once she gets to know you she is right there with you. She loves hanging out with her best pals Rocky & Amos. We call them the Three Amigos.
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Rocky
Rocky is a 17yr old Kentucky Mountain Saddle Horse who loves to play soccer. This good moving black gelding promises to be an outstanding teacher
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Amos
Amos is one of a kind. He is a 21 yr old Curly. His unique looking coat makes him a favorite for all that meet him. He has a kind eye and loves to be pampered
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Lucy
Lucy is our smallest horse and has the biggest heart. She is 20yrs old and loves being right by your side. She has experience in reining & working cow horse. Most of her time has been spent being the sweetest program horse you could meet and spending time in the herd.
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