Our Coaches

Cheryl Anderson

Cheryl began riding as a child in Vancouver, BC in the 1950’s. She competed locally, provincially, nationally and internationally in the equitation, hunter and show jumping disciplines.

After finishing high school, Cheryl attended an international riding school in Ireland culminating in 1961 when she completed her British Horsemanship Exam.

Following her training, Cheryl returned briefly to Vancouver before spending three and a half years at Leecoll Stables (now the Whitemud Riding Academy) in Edmonton. Cheryl then set out on her own in what evolved into the present Blarney Stone Farms.

Cheryl has taught hundreds of riders to compete competitively at all levels. Cheryl has a unique ability to find a horse that is suitable for a particular rider as well as a profound understanding of how a horse thinks and why it reacts to different situations.

Having recently moved into a more supervisory role, Cheryl is deeply committed to the continued prosperity and success of Blarney Stone Farms.

Brittney Toner

(587) 983-6292
[email protected]

I’m sort of a jack of all trades here at Blarney as I manage the facility, teach both the school horse program and the competitive show program. I also do all the training on the young horses and client horses.

I started riding at Blarney in 2001 and worked my way up through the lesson horse program and lease horses. I worked full time at the stable during the summers, and every weekend and holiday during the school year and was able to show a few ponies during those days. In 2008 I became a full time working student at Blarney and that was a tremendous opportunity for me. I started out working barns all day and riding as many different kinds of horses as I could all night. I was given the chance to ride many green and barely broke youngsters and take them from their third or fourth ride ever to their first horse show ever and be successful.

I love riding and training horses, it is my passion and I’m so lucky I get paid to do it everyday!

My other passion is teaching and coaching. There’s no better feeling then watching a student you’ve brought up go into the show ring and have a successful round. Whether it’s in the X-Pole class or the 1.20m, you recognize all the hard work they’ve put in to get where they are now and being a part of that journey is something special.

Lauren Gill

(587) 986-7001
[email protected]

I am so excited to be the newest coach at Blarney Stone! I have always loved horses, ever since my first summer camp almost 18 years ago. I currently own two wonderful horses, Baker and Nemo, who I love with all my heart. I have been showjumping competitively for the last 10 years, and have always loved being in the ring. When I’m not jumping, you can find me riding whatever horses are available, practicing my flatwork. I have a deep-seated love for dressage and flat work, and I hope to pass on that love of the nitty-gritty details to everyone I coach.

I am working towards obtaining my Registered and Licensed Coach Status with Equestrian Canada. I rode at Blarney Stone from 2016 until 2020 under Brittney and Cheri, and left for a few years to pursue opportunities at other show barns. I am so incredibly excited to be back home with my Blarney family, and to ride with Brittney again. I have worked barns at Blarney and other facilities since I was 14, and you can still find me cleaning stalls some mornings! I also work as a groom at horse shows, so if you ever need horse care advice, I usually have pretty decent ideas.

Outside of the barn, I am going into my final year of my Bachelors of Arts at the University of Alberta. I am a Biological Anthropology major and am double minoring in Classics and Geology. I am also pursuing diploma certificates in Archaeology, African Indigenous Studies, Geographic Information Systems, and Science Communications.

I am so incredibly excited to be a part of the coaching staff at Blarney! I am also the person in charge of lots of the other “admin” stuff in the lesson barn, so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about summer camps or the lesson program!

Amber Keen

(587) 983-6292
[email protected]

Hello everyone! I’m excited to formally introduce myself and start teaching more lessons. I’ve been riding at Blarney for around 8 years and been riding for over 10. This year I finished school in Ontario and have an associate diploma in Equine Care and Management from the University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus. If you have any questions about welfare, grooming, nutrition, and even rider conditioning I’d love to chat!

My own personal horses are Keena and Popstar. Popstar is an amazing young mare, who I’m very excited for. I’ve owned Keena for over 7 years and was very fortunate to have her travel across the country with me during school. Together we’ve lived in Ontario, British Colombia for my Co-Op and Alberta. My co-op in British Colombia was very cool and I worked in a facility that was a breeding barn and competition barn. If I’m not teaching, I’m likely riding Keena or Popstar or spending time grooming and cleaning her or tack, otherwise I’m likely reading articles and studies about horses. I’ve been extremely lucky to have lots of valuable experience in a range of disciplines especially from school. My focus has been hunters and jumpers, but I’ve gotten to ride dressage horses, eventing horses, and all the way to pole bending, barrels, and reining horses.

CONTACT US

Blarney Stone Farms
51424C Hwy 60
Spruce Grove AB, T7Y 1C8

(780) 470-0581 phone
(780) 470-0456 fax
[email protected]