NANCY KING started with CVTRS in 2009, and is now the Executive Director. Over the years, Nancy has assumed ever increasing roles of responsibility with CVTRS; bookkeeping, budgeting and financial reporting, office manager, grant writing and fundraising coordinator. She has a diploma in Accountancy and a CPIM certification in Planning. Nancy is a CanTRA certified Assistant Instructor.
I have lived on Vancouver Island since 1999, and moved to Courtenay (to retire!) in 2014. I’ve finally come home. I’ve had the honour of working as the Stable Program Facilitator since 2017 after volunteering for that same program and serving on the Board of Directors. My adult professional life has been spent working in the non-profit sector serving marginalized populations. For me, this is where the real work gets done. That has included sheltering homeless women, supporting survivors of sexual assault, assisting street entrenched kids, and HIV education and prevention. My fifteen years of employment on the island was as Support Coordinator at Alberni Drug & Alcohol Prevention Service. That work included but was not limited to engaging with youth struggling with problematic substance use, their families and supports, facilitating parenting groups, early intervention programs for youth and an open social/support group for queer and questioning kids. Working at CVTRS gives more to me than I can give back. I witness the synergistic effect of the alliances formed between clients and horses, staff and volunteers. I’d like to thank those who believe I can make a further contribution to this this exceptional organization. I am committed to working from a place of integrity and mutual respect.
Tegwyn grew up in the UK, riding horses for clients from a young age which transitioned into coaching others at her property with her horses. She specialized in eventing, showjumping and hunting, as well as training horses for her clients. In 2007, Teg and her family emigrated to Canada and set up on a lovely farm in Black Creek, British Columbia. Settling into life in Canada, she found herself drawn to therapeutic riding and became a passionate advocate for the Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society (CVTRS). In 2008, Teg achieved her CTRSI certification and helped bring CVTRS to accreditation and into the CanTRA family. In 2014 became a CanTRA Coach. Following her life long interest and novice involvement in rider biomechanics, she began her formal studies with Colleen Kelley in 2012. Just three years later Teg won the prestigious International Biomechanics Coach of the Year award in Kentucky, USA. As the Head Instructor at The Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society, Teg continues to coach privately around Northern Vancouver Island, specializing in Rider Biomechanics and Rider Fundamentals. “It is the grassroots teaching that matters. Biomechanics make you aware of the body and how it can affect the horse, which is essential to therapeutic riding”.
Kristopher’s involvement with CVTRS began as a volunteer in 2014. He was hired as barn staff the following year and has quietly been working behind the scenes ever since. When not mucking stalls, Kristopher can be found teaching piano at Long & McQuade in Courtenay
Recently moved from Ontario, Jacinta Secker has been working with horses since she was ten years old. From volunteering at a trail riding facility, interning at an Icelandic Pony farm in Germany, working at a large hunter jumper barn in Toronto, and finally working as a barn hand at CVTRS Jacinta is no stranger to the Equine world. “I love working at CVTRS because they care equally about the horses and the people who make up this place. Everything is very organized, and because of this, I can give the proper care each horse deserves during my shift. CVTRS is such a positive environment, and I can truthfully say to anyone who asks, that I really love my job.”