Christine Steendam, President

Christine got bit by the horse bug when she was 11 years old–although, bit by a certain naughty grey pony is probably closer to reality. Since then, her life has revolved around horses, but it wasn’t until 2019 that her addiction to endurance riding began.

When Christine isn’t riding her own horses, she’s probably riding someone else’s, and there’s no place she’d rather be than spending hours in the saddle. She is honored to serve as a board member and looks forward to continuing her education and development in the sport of endurance.

Andy Dunlop, Vice President

Andy grew up a military brat who has done more hour’s cleaning stalls for the privilege of riding other peoples’ horses than she can count. As an adult she has owned and loved a number of horses of her own, sometimes a few at once, but currently has just one.

An avid trail rider in Birds Hill Park, she was introduced to the sport of endurance about 17 years ago and has never looked back. She feels it is “trail riding with a purpose” and the best bonding activity that can be enjoyed with any horse, in any tack that fits, all while surrounding oneself with the most amazing, supportive, and passionate equine friends in our DRM endurance family.

 

Wendy Nagtegaal, Treasurer

Wendy’s love of horses began when she was about 8 years old. She, along with her best friend Rhea, begged the camp director to take the camp children to Falcon Lake riding stables. It helped that the director was Rhea’s uncle and so they all went.

Wendy picked for herself a beautiful chestnut (yes chestnut) mare and proceeded to experience her first time on a horse. All the boys were asking to go faster and Wendy said “not yet! not yet!” but her quiet voice was not heard and they went faster. Well that 8 year old girl soon forgot her fears and was part of the group asking to go faster after that. From that moment on horses became her passion.

Little did she know at that time that 23 years later she would own her own horses and approx 15 years after that riding endurance. There is still a part of that girl that still says “not yet “ but encouraged on by her daughter, Christine Steendam, Wendy is enjoying the training and sport of Endurance riding very much! Wendy semi-retired in spring of 2020 from bookkeeping and currently enjoys more time with her family, riding, gardening and taking on new projects on her acreage.

Suzanne Regnier-Fakes, Secretary

Suzanne’s love for horses has been a lifelong passion. She received her first horse, Alouette, a green-broke palomino filly, as a gift from her dad when she was just 8 years old. While they had their ups and downs, Suzanne and Alouette shared a special bond. Years later at the age of 48, Suzanne found her “heart horse” in Rocky, a dappled grey Polish Arabian. Sadly, their partnership was cut short when Rocky colicked 2 years later.

Since then, Suzanne tried her luck at horse ownership several times but was unable to make it work. Now she enjoys leasing Rickard, a 17-year-old Tennessee Walker known for his experience in endurance riding. Together, they compete in 25-mile rides. Suzanne is aiming to achieve her goal of completing her first 50-mile competition in 2024 with Rickard.

 

Natascha Klan, Member at Large

Natascha has been surrounding herself with horses ever since she was a small child. Growing up she rode a variety of breeds including warmbloods, Icelandic’s, PRE and quarter horses.

Natascha lives on an acreage in southern Manitoba with her 3 horses, her beloved Labradors and a flock of chickens.

After years of riding and showing in dressage, in 2016 Natascha started to ride in the discipline that’s called working equitation where she went to Alberta to compete in an international working equitation competition with her quarter horse Kramer back in 2019.

Training and riding her Icelandic horses who are known for their 2 extra gaits (tölt and pace) she considered trying endurance riding. While perhaps not as fast as some other breeds out there, to participate in these rides with her icelandics proved to be very enjoyable.

While she started small at 10 miles, she completed her first 25 miles in 2024. Needless to say she was hooked.

Natascha really enjoys being out in nature riding her horse while at the same time trying to achieve a certain time goal and also keeping her horse’s fitness and health in mind.

Natascha believes that this sport is great in many ways for the rider and the horse.

Finally, she found everyone she has met in the sport to be extremely welcoming and supportive.