MEET THE COACHES

Meet the coaches of sprout meadows

Sprout Meadows is a family-run equestrian facility, proudly owned and operated by Chris and Trish Cowland. Our focus is on building confident, happy riders through a strong foundation rooted in horse welfare, safety, and enjoyment. Located just minutes from downtown Courtenay, our family farm offers a relaxed, welcoming environment where riders of all ages can learn, grow, and develop a genuine connection with horses.

At Sprout Meadows, our programs are centered around grassroots riding lessons that emphasize correct basics, horsemanship, and fun. We are proud to have multiple Equine Canada certified and registered coaches, including competition-specialized coaches for riders who are ready to move up into horse ownership and competitive goals. This allows us to support riders at every stage of their journey, from first rides to higher-level training and showing.

Trish Cowland
Equine Canada Competition Coach

Trish’s love of horses began at an early age and was nurtured when she received her first riding lessons at age 12. Since then, she has dedicated her life to horsemanship and equestrian sport.
She has a passion for starting and backing young horses as well as working with horses that need a restart or additional training. Trish incorporates natural horsemanship techniques, emphasizing pressure and release to build trust and responsiveness in each horse.
After taking a few years off to focus on her career, Trish returned to riding and began competing. She continues to expand her skills by attending clinics and training opportunities, growing as both a rider and an Equine Canada certified coach.

Chris Cowland

Chris’s passion for animals led him to riding at the age of 12 with coach Judy Cummings in Victoria, BC. Over the years, this passion evolved into a deep understanding of horses, grounded in the belief that happy, relaxed horses produce consistent, peak performance.
Chris has competed extensively across British Columbia and at Spruce Meadows, successfully showing in the Grand Prix rings at 1.40m–1.50m. During his competitive career, he received guidance from top German riders and coaches, including Ian Miller, and trained with Alex Wortmann, a German F.N. certified dressage coach, and Hartmut Gutzmann at Parkland Meadows in Alberta.
He has attended numerous clinics with leading clinicians such as Michel Vaillencourt, Judy Gullelis to name a few, continually expanding his knowledge and skills.
While his heart is in the jumper ring, Chris has a strong foundation in dressage and believes that all great jumpers begin with solid dressage fundamentals.

Breanne Derhak

Breanne began riding at age 9 and quickly fell in love with horses and the sport. She received her first horse at age 11 and competed in local Hunter/Jumper shows before discovering Eventing at 14, where she fell in love with dressage and cross-country jumping. Over the years, Breanne won multiple championships in Manitoba in both Hunter/Jumper and Eventing circuits.
At 16, she earned the Captain deKenyeres Dressage Scholarship, allowing her to train and compete with a top coach. She was also active in her local Pony Club, where she began coaching stable management and riding lessons to younger riders. Breanne has experience riding and showing a variety of horses and ponies, combining skill with patience and horsemanship.
After pursuing a degree in Biology and Education, Breanne spent several years teaching high school Math and Science and raising a family. Her passion for riding returned when her daughter began riding at Sprout Meadows, and she now combines her love for horses with a dedication to teaching students, helping them develop confidence, skills, and a lifelong appreciation for horses.

Taylor Ryan

Taylor teaches beginner to intermediate riders, helping them build confidence and skills in a fun, positive environment. She is a patient and encouraging instructor who prioritizes the well-being and happiness of the horses while inspiring riders to progress at their own pace.
Originally from Newmarket, Ontario, Taylor’s riding journey began at age 7 at Whitchurch Riding Academy. She gained experience in dressage, hunter/jumper, eventing, and Pony Club competitions, with a special passion for the jumper ring, including a first-place finish at the 2010 championships.
With 22 years of riding experience and 13 years of coaching, Taylor has taught across Ontario and Alberta, including three years as a wrangler at the Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation, where she learned Western and trail riding skills.
Since moving to Vancouver Island in 2019 with her fiancé Alex and their dog Brodie, Taylor has been sharing her knowledge and love of riding at Sprout Meadows, helping riders of all ages enjoy and succeed in the sport.

Dallen Ferrie

Dallen is one of Sprout Meadows’ Beginner Rider Instructors, focusing on horsemanship and foundational skills in our Tiny Tot and Learn to Ride classes. She also teaches beginner Western classes for riders interested in exploring that discipline.
Raised with a pony in her backyard, Dallen’s love for horses began at a young age. She took lessons at various stables in the Victoria area and spent countless hours on trail rides with her mother. At 13, she purchased her first project horse, a 6-month-old rescue foal, which taught her the value of patience, strong horsemanship, and mastering the basics—principles she continues to instill in her students.
After focusing on raising her family, Dallen has returned to riding, enjoying trail rides around Seal Bay Park and rebuilding her skills through lessons at Sprout Meadows. Her experience, passion, and gentle approach make her a supportive and inspiring instructor for young and beginner riders.