Leah McCannell Cooke & Duncan
Team member
I grew up in Ontario where I started riding at the age of 6 after constantly pestering my parents for riding lessons. Luckily, they were very supportive which turned into them driving me to the barn daily to look after Muffin, a 12HH spunky little pony. Since then I've never looked back!
I've had several horses over the years but currently have my dream boy, Duncan. He is a 6 year old 17.1HH Pinto/Shire/WB cross. "Big D" is not your "typical" dressage horse... which is something I pride myself on! I hold a strong belief that dressage should not be limited to a certain size, shape, or breed, but instead, should be enjoyed by everyone.
My horse is my passion. I work to supplement his large grocery bill and shoe fetish of having a new pair every six weeks! I finished my Criminology diploma from Douglas College and I currently work in the food service industry, where I've been for the past twelve years. I also work part time as a support worker for clients with special needs. Working two jobs keeps
me very busy, so I'm very grateful to have Steve, my wonderful and supportive husband. He
is a fantastic help around the barn, and he looks pretty cute cleaning a stall too!
Beulah Farm has been amazing for both myself and Duncan. It is my sanctuary and I thoroughly enjoy spending my time there with great friends, horses and humans alike! So grateful to be part of the Beulah Team!
I've had several horses over the years but currently have my dream boy, Duncan. He is a 6 year old 17.1HH Pinto/Shire/WB cross. "Big D" is not your "typical" dressage horse... which is something I pride myself on! I hold a strong belief that dressage should not be limited to a certain size, shape, or breed, but instead, should be enjoyed by everyone.
My horse is my passion. I work to supplement his large grocery bill and shoe fetish of having a new pair every six weeks! I finished my Criminology diploma from Douglas College and I currently work in the food service industry, where I've been for the past twelve years. I also work part time as a support worker for clients with special needs. Working two jobs keeps
me very busy, so I'm very grateful to have Steve, my wonderful and supportive husband. He
is a fantastic help around the barn, and he looks pretty cute cleaning a stall too!
Beulah Farm has been amazing for both myself and Duncan. It is my sanctuary and I thoroughly enjoy spending my time there with great friends, horses and humans alike! So grateful to be part of the Beulah Team!
Kelley Hevessy & Starlet O'Mara
Team member
I've been riding horses since I was only five years old. After many years of riding lessons on leased horses, my childhood dream of having my own horse came true last year on my birthday! While my riding career began with hunter/jumper lessons and progressed to lessons in all the English disciplines, I now prefer to use my varied equestrian background experiences to pursue natural horsemanship and trail riding with my 7/8th Arabian mare, Starlet O'Mara. I graduated with a degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, and I currently work as a Behavioural Interventionist with autistic children. When I'm not riding (or spending WAY TOO MUCH time at Beulah Farm enjoying the scenery and the comraderie!), you can find me gardening, cooking, or travelling with my fiance, Richard. At the end of the day, I am grateful to have found the perfect equine partner and the most supportive team and a beautiful setting at Beulah Farm, where I enjoy my horse, relax, and unwind.
We are looking forward to including Star in our marriage ceremony at Beulah Farm next summer.
We are looking forward to including Star in our marriage ceremony at Beulah Farm next summer.
Michelle Ashley & Konner
Team Member
It all started with my Granny, a tough hard working lady that grew up farming in the prairies. She often told stories of being a prairie farmer, where there was plenty of hardship and hard work, but there were also plenty of horses. I must have inherited the passion and drive it takes to be a horsewoman from her, as is seems no matter how difficult and expensive things get, I have had and will always have horses in my life.
I learned to ride as a youngster, by the seat of my pants. No lesson, no fancy horse, just my Arab/Welsh cross "Ginger". We spent our days on horseback (often with no saddle), exploring the area. I believe this style of learning taught me to be confident in my horse and most importantly, I learned balance. Granny was right; learn to ride with no saddle and you learn to stay on your horse.
Today things are a bit different. I am married, have a career as an environmental engineer, own a lovely little home in Maple Ridge and have developed a fondness for cooking and gardening. However, one thing hasn't changed....I still ride and often it is by the seat of my pants! I have been competing as a 3 day eventer for approximately 20 years (yikes!) and have started riding with the Fraser Valley Hunt during the off season. I have had the good fortune to be able to compete on many great horses, and am particularly grateful for my most recent competetive mount "Konner". This spring I decided to semi-retire him, as he is getting on in age. He now lives a less strenuous life as an Okanagan horse, teaching a young rider the lessons he taught me. Now I am focused on my home bred Irish sport horse, "Irish Ambition", or "Tilly" as she is known as on Beulah Farm. I look forward to many adventures and cross country jumps with her in the near future. She has big shoes to fill.
The Beulah Farm Team has a great group of people with a very supportive and inspiring atmosphere.
I learned to ride as a youngster, by the seat of my pants. No lesson, no fancy horse, just my Arab/Welsh cross "Ginger". We spent our days on horseback (often with no saddle), exploring the area. I believe this style of learning taught me to be confident in my horse and most importantly, I learned balance. Granny was right; learn to ride with no saddle and you learn to stay on your horse.
Today things are a bit different. I am married, have a career as an environmental engineer, own a lovely little home in Maple Ridge and have developed a fondness for cooking and gardening. However, one thing hasn't changed....I still ride and often it is by the seat of my pants! I have been competing as a 3 day eventer for approximately 20 years (yikes!) and have started riding with the Fraser Valley Hunt during the off season. I have had the good fortune to be able to compete on many great horses, and am particularly grateful for my most recent competetive mount "Konner". This spring I decided to semi-retire him, as he is getting on in age. He now lives a less strenuous life as an Okanagan horse, teaching a young rider the lessons he taught me. Now I am focused on my home bred Irish sport horse, "Irish Ambition", or "Tilly" as she is known as on Beulah Farm. I look forward to many adventures and cross country jumps with her in the near future. She has big shoes to fill.
The Beulah Farm Team has a great group of people with a very supportive and inspiring atmosphere.
Mia Marquis & Steele
Team member
A horse regulates the beating of my heart, softens breathing, relaxes muscles, allows my mind to be at peace and takes my soul to some horsey heaven every time I place my arms around his neck and lay my head against him. What a powerful but generous friend, my Equus.
Beulah Farm is a haven for team work, sharing, giving, understanding, helping, supporting, teaching knowledge, building and exchanging ideas. Experience, not criticism, critique if asked, but never destroying another's attempt to try.
Thank-you, Mom, for allowing me to be a part of this incredible environment you have created.
Beulah Farm is a haven for team work, sharing, giving, understanding, helping, supporting, teaching knowledge, building and exchanging ideas. Experience, not criticism, critique if asked, but never destroying another's attempt to try.
Thank-you, Mom, for allowing me to be a part of this incredible environment you have created.
Diana Dusevic & Ali-baba
Affiliate member
I have been competing in dressage in Canada and the USA since 1995. Before selling my FEI horse, “Picasso Jr”, I boarded at Beulah Farm. Anona Holgate of Beulah Farm was very influential in helping me compete Picasso Jr in the 2007 Alberta Provincial and Regional Championships where we won FEI Champion and came 2nd in the FEI freestyle competition. In the 8 years I've owned Picasso Jr we have won a total of 35+ championships at recognized shows. We also won 3 Dover medals in the USA and were the first Canadians to qualify, compete, and win the 2004 North West Dressage Championships in the USA. Picasso Jr was a top competitor in the FEI levels and was loved by spectators and judges alike. In 2010 I sold Picasso Jr to a doctor in the USA. In the spring of 2010 I purchased a Lusitano stallion named Ali-baba. Ali-baba and I have started our first show season with huge success at first level. He has received high praises from judges with scores in the mid 70’s and has won numerous championships at the PAALH show including “best movement”. Ali-baba and Picasso Jr were both trained by myself and my coach, Luis Magalhaes. I am currently living in Burnaby, BC, with my husband Brad Bumstead. My personal background includes a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and I work as a Diagnostic Laboratory Consultant for the Veterinary Company “IDEXX”.
I often take Ali-baba to Beulah Farm for some well deserved rest. Beulah Farm has been a strong supporter of me and my endeavours, both in and out of the show ring.
I often take Ali-baba to Beulah Farm for some well deserved rest. Beulah Farm has been a strong supporter of me and my endeavours, both in and out of the show ring.
Ruth Healy & Tilly
Affiliate member
I've loved horses all my life. I grew up in Pitt Meadows and enjoyed riding my horse all around the town. In my young adulthood, I was too busy with my career and hardly ever had the chance to ride. I am now in my fifties and am so very lucky to have met, Anona who runs her beautiful, pristine facility, Beulah Farm. Her farm is top class and I feel so privileged to be a part of the Beulah Farm Team. One of the members, Michelle Ashley, was so kind as to lease Tilly to me to ride. Tilly is a wonderful 6 year old Irish sport horse and we have the most beautiful rides together on the dykes, located right at the end of the road, just down from Beulah Farm. I love taking in the scenery of the majestic Golden Ears Mountains along with all the beautiful birds and wildlife that make their home in this agricultural area.
I am so happy to be part of the Beulah Farm Team of riders. Thank you so much Anona, for sharing your little piece of heaven with me!
I am so happy to be part of the Beulah Farm Team of riders. Thank you so much Anona, for sharing your little piece of heaven with me!
