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About Alberta Horse Trainer - Jon Cooper
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Jon was born right into the rugged Rocky Mountains, surrounded by snow, a month too early, eager to see the world, in Nordegg, AB. From then on, open spaces have been imbedded in his spirit, with lots of room to wander and horses to keep him company. From Nordegg to Leslieville to Dapp to Sundre, Jon had plenty of comfort in the great outdoors.
However, he finished school in the city, the flattened world of Regina, SK, and as soon as that was up, in 2002, he jumped a plane back to the mountains where he worked as a restaurant manager for white spot in Mission, BC. With adventure in his spirit and a memory of horses he started taking lessons with Chelsea Hind riding thoroughbreds hoping to become a jockey. With weight being an issue and the lack of a good sound horse Jon gave up his hope of racing horses at the track and thought of some other way to be around horses.
In 2005, Jon moved to Australia for a year. He dabbled in kite surfing and scuba diving, but found a deepened love for horses when he worked on a 7,500 acre cattle station. There is a story floating around that he was told to go check fences…and pack for three days! It would take that long to ride the stretch of fence he was supposed to check. Needless to say, the facility he now resides at has benefited from this extensive knowledge of fencing. |
Between 2006 – 2007, Jon trained and became a Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) coach: Level II Western & Level I English. He continues his training under Wendy Nelson, who specializes in performance horses, and he is pursuing his designations with the Canadian Equestrian Federation.
In October 2007, Jon discovered his true source of favor, his wife Carmen, whom he met and married at River’s Edge Camp.
In late 2007, Jon began working in Delacour, AB with Ron Anderson, a successful cutting trainer and North American wide horse event announcer. Jon continued working with Ron through to the summer of ’09, advancing his skills and techniques as both rider and trainer. It was during this time that Jon actively began teaching students, and finally moved out on his own as the Head Equine Coordinator at River’s Edge Camp and Conference Centre in Water Valley, AB. Here he runs his lessons, colt starting expertise, horsemanship clinics, and trail rides.
This past year, Jon was invited to compete in the Canadian Trainer’s Championship, held in Innisfail, AB. He was invited again for 2010, and will compete.
One of the most exciting events in Jon’s life to date, more than deep-sea diving, kite surfing, or chasing down a Brumby, has been the recent birth of his daughter, Lyla.
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