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About Our Staff

Samantha Humphreys

 

Head Trainer / Coach

Owner of DSH, Co-owner of Wolf Hollow Ranch

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Samantha and Smart Gone N Dun It (Trigger) enjoying some obstacles at a clinic.

      Samantha is a graduate of the nationally aclaimed Olds College Equine Science program. She has majored in Western Horsemanship and Western Coaching. She holds an Instructor of Beginners certification through Equine Canada, possesses all the Equine Canada Learn to Ride Western levels 1 through 4 as well as the general component of the Equine Canada Basic Training program. She has also spent some time interning with a very well known and highly respected reining trainer and coach (JP Forget) and is always taking clinics and courses to advance her skills and experience. Her education and her personal experiences have given her the knowledge and the skill to be able to confidently begin her own training program.

She first entered the industry at age 12 when she began taking western riding lessons. Like everyone else before her, it only took that first ride to be hooked for life. Growing up in a family that tended to crops and cattle, it wasn't that far of a step to channel her love for farming towards horses. By age 17, she was a competitive force at events all over Ontario on several different mounts.

By 2012, she had taken several high point champion titles at various show clubs and individual shows through out south western Ontario with a total of three different mounts. Some of these titles include: Jr. Western Pleasure, Jr Trail, Jr Showmanship, Jr Horsemanship, Open English Pleasure, Open English Equitation, Open Hunter Hack, Reserve Green Jumper, as well as three All Around Jr Western Champion (accumulative points for Western Pleasure, Trail, Showmanship and Horsemanship) and one All Around Open English Champion (accumulative English Pleasure, English Equitation, and Hunter Hack).

 

Samantha is a firm believer that slow and steady training allows the horse to progress with confidence through their education. Obstacles and sacking out are a huge part of her training program which stem from her love of Trail and obstacle course events. She strongly believes in introducing skills to horses in a working environment to give the horse a sense of purpose through their movements. Her passion is creating calm, willing partners out of the horses that are sent her way, in order to create horses the whole family can enjoy, or that are ready for the show pen, whatever your ambitions may be. Through her experiences, she has handled a wide range of breeds, temperaments and training levels from completely unhandled to finished horses. She is a passionate, dedicated and professional individual. She strongly believes that it takes more to run a successful training operation than just being a good hand with the horses. She possesses the skill and ability to maintain strong client relations, and is able to care for the horse on a superior level when it comes to the horse's nutrition, health and well being and is able to create a lasting impression with her impeccable grooming skills.

 

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On August 22nd 2015, Samantha took home 3rd place at the Rocking Heart Ranch 60 day Colt Starting Competition, out of 11 other talented trainers from across western Canada on her mount Mr Blue Lynx, who sold at the sale for the second highest sale price ($4200). For more information regarding this competition, its results or for video on Lynx, please view DSH's Youtube channel (link at the bottom of the page).

Despite her vast knowledge of horses she already has at a young age, she still strives to improve her skills and knowledge by attending clinics, courses and auditing with other trainers in various disciplines when she can.

 

Some of her other accomplishments include:

  • 2022 - accepted the nomination for PRESIDENT of the Alberta Pinto Association. Remains on the Canadian Pinto Association board as a director as well.

  • 2021 - achieved Registered Coach Status upgrade with Equine Canada

  • 2021 - raised/trained another Wolf Hollow Ranch prospect to a GRAND CHAMPION Yearling title at the National Pinto show

  • 2019 - nominated and accepted role as a Canadian Pinto Association director (still on board at present)

  • 2018 - raised/trained a Wolf Hollow Ranch prospect to a Reserve Grand Champion Yearling title at the National show for Pinto

  • 2018 - Samantha's first training article is published in the Spring 2018 issue of Alberta Bits (pages 21 through to 25)

  • 2018 Macgregor Quarter Horses Colt Starting Challenge participant

  • 2017 Rocking Heart Ranch Colt Starting Challenge participant (60day challenge)

  • 2015 Rocking Heart Ranch Colt Starting Challenge 3rd place (60day challenge)

  • 2014 Equine Canada Instructor of Beginners certification

  • 2014 Equine Canada Western Rider Level Evaluator certification (Western Learn to Ride levels 1-4)

  • 2014 Equine Canada Basic Training/Western Intermediate program Certification

  • Certified in Human First Aid

  • Graduate of Olds College Equine Science program - dean's honors list - Western Horsemanship major AND Equestrian Coaching Major

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Her personal disciplines of interest (though of course, she will train for just about anything):

  • Mounted Archery

  • Extreme Cowboy Challenges

  • Ranch Riding, Ranch Pleasure, Ranch Trail

  • APHA performance

  • APHA breeding, with a particular interest in genetics

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Perry Penman

Perry and "Dawn" (HPH This Chicks Rare), one of our future

APHA performance horses and broodmares.

 

Boarding Manager

Co-owner of Wolf Hollow Ranch

Perry grew up next to the James River on a beautiful forested ranch. While growing up, he spent time in 4H where he earned many awards. His passion for animals and the farm started young and a four legged friend was never far away, whether it was one of their many cats, dogs, cows or horses.

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Perry believes that the best way to train an animal is to gain its trust and that if you treat them with respect, that they will respect you as well. With that trust, even if they are afraid, they trust in you to keep them safe and guide them through their fears. This results in a more calm and confident animal.

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Perry and Samantha met in a rather unexpected way and have been working on building the dream they have created together. A dream that involves a fully functional, all needs met type of equine facility. They have also started on the beginnings of the "Wolf Hollow Performance Horses" breeding program which will specialize in breeding quality performance horses with the training to match, with the bonus of colour and temperament. The true "all-around" package.

 

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Perry is currently assisting in the development of DSH's young horse development program and works closely with Samantha to help provide horses with the best start possible. He too attends clinics and courses when he can to continue to improve his skills and knowledge base.

As of May 2019, Perry was nominated and accepted his

role as a director with the Canadian Pinto Horse Association.

He continues his role as of 2022 as a director with Canadian Pinto 

and has also accepted the position of Secretary with the Alberta 

Pinto Association. 

 

Some of his 4H accomplishments include:

  • 1st and 3rd place training awards (cattle)

  • 2nd in grooming (cattle)

  • 1st in multispecies judging

  • an award for overall efficiency.

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Right - Perry and Belle at an Obstacle clinic September 2018.

Show Record

Our complete show record can be seen below. For a PER horse show record, please see under the Wolf Hollow Horses tab and each horse's individual page to see what OUR horses have accomplished. Client owned horse show records will be below as well, and are also posted to our Facebook page after each show.

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Smart Gone N Dun It (Trigger)

Multiple champion, reserve champion and 3rd place finishes in EXCA events

4th overall high point Green Horse 2019

4th at XWR Finals 2019 Green Horse

 

WH Midnight Traveler (Thunder)

2018 show record includes (from a total of 3 shows):

Money earner in Canadian Pinto Yearling Halter Stakes class all genders

Champion CND Pinto Yearling/2yr old Stallions - Alberta Pinto

Reserve Grand Champion Yearling Stallion - Canadian Pinto Nationals

Reserve Champion Yearling Stallion - Canadian Pinto Nationals

Reserve Champion Yearling Stallion - Alberta Pinto

Reserve Champion CND Pinto All Ages In Hand Trail - Alberta Pinto

3rd Open In Hand Trail All Ages - Alberta Pinto

3rd All Gender Yearling Halter Grand Champion Class - Canadian Pinto Nationals

3rd Open All Ages In Hand Trail - Canadian Pinto Nationals

3rd CND Pinto Tobiano Colour class - Alberta Pinto

3rd CND Pinto All Ages In Hand Trail - Alberta Pinto

4th Open Yearling Longeline - Alberta Pinto

4th All Genders Yearling Halter Stakes - Canadian Pinto Nationals

4th Open Tobiano Colour class - APHC

5th Open Stallions any age - Alberta Pinto

6th Open Tobiano Colour class - Alberta Pinto

8th APHC Signature Series Yearling In Hand Trail Futurity

Qualified for APHA World Show 

 

2019 show record (1 show)

Reserve Grand Champion Open 2yr old Stallions

Reserve Grand Champion Pinto 2yr old Stallions

 

2020 Virtual shows (1 show)

CANADA WIDE Virtual show 

1st Novice Walk/Jog Horsemanship 

2nd Novice Walk/Jog Western Pleasure 

3rd Novice Walk/Trot English Equitation  

3rd Novice Freestyle Trail (design your own pattern) 

4th Novice Walk/Trot English Pleasure

 

BD Salty Amaretto (Gracie)

2023 Alberta Pinto Spring Show

RESERVE CHAMPION Open Tobiano Colour

RESERVE CHAMPION Canadian Pinto Tobiano Colour

3rd in the Combined Canadian Pinto 2,3 and 4yr old Mares

3rd in Canadian Pinto All Ages In Hand Trail (in a large class)

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2022 Canadian Pinto Nationals

CHAMPION Open Tobiano Colour

CHAMPION Canadian Pinto Tobiano Colour

3rd in the Combined Canadian Pinto 2, 3 and 4yr old Mares

Gracie has now earned a Certificate of Ability in Tobiano colour - massing a total of 32 points over 4 shows. She is 1 single performance point away from her combined ROM Halter/Performance. 

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2022 Alberta Pinto Spring Show 

CHAMPION Open Tobiano Colour

CHAMPION Canadian Pinto Tobiano Colour

CHAMPION Open In Hand Trail - ALL AGES

RESERVE CHAMPION Canadian Pinto In Hand Trail - ALL AGES

RESERVE CHAMPION Canadian Pinto combined yearling, 2yr and 3yr old Halter Fillies

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2021 Canadian Pinto Nationals - her debut show

Grand Champion Alberta Pinto Yearling Fillies

Grand Champion Canadian Nationals Pinto Yearling Fillies

CHAMPION Canadian Pinto Nationals, Open Tobiano Colour (under Alberta Pinto Judge)

CHAMPION Canadian Pinto Nationals, Pinto Tobiano Colour (under Alberta Pinto Judge)

RESERVE CHAMPION Canadian Pinto Nationals, Open Mares under 4yrs old (Alberta Pinto Judge)

4th Canadian Pinto Nationals, Open Mares under 4yrs old (Canadian Pinto Judge)

Gracie is also a money earner now!

Alberta Pinto - Combined Show - August 2021

CHAMPION Yearling Fillies

3rd Canadian Pinto In Hand Trail - ALL AGES

5th Open In Hand Trail - ALL AGES

 

 

Coos Ms Rodeo Drive (Chanel)

2022 Canadian Pinto NATIONALS

Reserve Grand Champion Tobiano Color (beat only by our own BD Salty Amaretto)

Honorable mention (7th) in a big class of Open Mares over 5yrs old with only 2 weeks of fitting

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SLR MasterLock Red (Maise) - shown by novice student

4th Canadian Pinto Halter Mares - all ages combined class

4th Canadian Pinto All Ages In Hand Trail 

6th Canadian Pinto Tobiano Colour 

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