For Ashton Belcher, moving to Cochrane was the opportunity she’d been waiting for.
A dedicated equestrian with experience in training horses and riders, high performance competition, and horse sales, Belcher recently moved into Diamond Willow Stables where she struck up her Paiton Show Jumping
There’s no shortage of rider and horse trainers in the Cochrane area, but Belcher said Paiton Show Jumping has a unique offering: a dedicated beginner-riding program combined with grand prix and international experience.
“I really enjoy developing riders,” she said, adding that many grand prix-level riders tend to have programs that focus on more advanced and competitive students. “I’m a grand-prix rider, but at the same time I still want to offer leadline and beginner classes in one program at one facility.
“If I start riders in my program, they are going to progress just that much faster. And it’s great to watch the students advance.”
Beginner riders will be in for a treat Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, when Paiton Show Jumping hosts a clinic with American-based instructor Kim Davidson at the Diamond Willow venue.
A friend and colleague of Belcher, Davidson is known for her development of young, inexperienced talent. Auditors are welcome to take in the clinic.
“You know how it takes a certain person to teach Kindergarten? Well, training beginner riders takes a certain touch,” laughed Belcher. “Kim has taken riders from raw beginners to winners in the show ring.”
But seasoned riders shouldn’t let the beginner lessons fool them — Paiton Show Jumping has plenty of opportunities for those looking to train or compete at any level.
“My goal is for my program to be well respected and safe,” she said. “Whether you’re a competitor or a hobby rider — I want this to be the best program for you.”
Belcher established her passion for the sport when she was just four years old — which is when she was first enrolled in an English riding program.
Even then, Belcher said there was no question of what she wanted to do with her life.
Since then, she’s racked up wins in the equitation, hunter and jumper rings, and her career has spanned across Canada, the U.S. and Europe.
She relocated to Alberta this fall and has already tackled the competition circuit at Calgary venues Spruce Meadows and Rocky Mountain Show Jumping.
This winter, she has plans to head to California with her grand prix jumper Willis, along with a string of students and horses to compete in the Thermal leg of the Horse Shows in the Sun circuit.
For addition information on Paiton Show Jumping or the Kim Davidson clinic, contact Belcher at [email protected] or 587-998-6940.
