Who we are
With indoor and outdoor riding arenas, a riding track, and a great group of people, Crescent is the place to be! All boarding options at Crescent include a stall with an attached paddock for horses to “turn out” themselves whenever they like. For the rider, we have two lounges and lots of room to enjoy the ambiance of this green oasis. In the lesson program located in a nearby facility, we have horses and ponies to suit all riders, from those just giving it a try to students wanting to compete.
Dr. Susan Thompson
EC Competition Coach Specialist, EC Learning Facilitator,
EC Coach Evaluator
Susan is the owner of the farm, and has been coaching for enough years that some of the lesson kids are now the married moms! Specializing in Dressage, Susan is particularly interested in having her students gain an appreciation for the positive benefits of Dressage for both horse and rider. In addition to her own students, Susan helps to cross train the Hunter riders and the Jumper riders, as well as continuing to develop new coaches. Susan has produced more than 10 EC certified coaches and has mentored many other coaches in the Lower Mainland. Susan coaches to the FEI level in Dressage, and helps Eventing riders improve their dressage scores as well.
Thea Mackenzie
EC Instructor, BA Equine Science
Riding School Manager
Growing up in Tasmania and Australia, Thea has participated in many equine activities, but was trained in Classical Dressage prior to moving here to Canada. Thea teaches many of our Dressage students, and assists Susan Thompson with the advanced riders. Thea’s detailed and straightforward approach is very popular.Thea oversees the care of the school horses, and starts children on the right track to riding and the love of the horse.
Debbie Slagter
EC Competition Coach
Deb has been at Crescent for over 25 years, and teaches both the fundamental skills of jumping as well as taking her students to the A circuit in Hunter and Equitation. Deb facilitates the purchase of suitable horses for her clients, and oversees the care and training of the competition horses.
Natalie Ramirez
Coach
Natalie began riding at the age of 7 and after
10 years of weekly lessons, and a little break for college, she bought her own
horse! In addition to riding her own horse, Natalie found her calling in
working with young off the track thoroughbreds. Natalie first came to Crescent
Stables as a working student in 2010, and has since started a family. Now that
her son is older, Natalie is back riding the young horses and schooling some of
the jumpers, and her son is riding too! Natalie teaches in the Riding School
and is taking new students interested in riding and showing in the
Hunter/Jumper disciplines.
Anne Lyon
EC Instructor
Anne specializes in teaching adult riders the joys (and rigors!) of Dressage. With a keen eye for position, Anne is often engaged to lunge the advanced riders wishing to improve their position and the clarity of their aids.