Jill Giese

Although Jill found her heart horse Dreamcatcher later in life, at a very young age it was clear that animals were her life. An avid 4-H member, Jill spent her childhood riding around her family’s farm in Okotoks, Alberta. Taking a hiatus from riding to focus on school, Jill received her Law degree from the University of Western Ontario. Practicing in Ontario, New York, Chicago and then London, England, Jill completed her intended journey and hung up her wig for a tophat in 1996.

Based in England for two decades, Jill would become good friends with Lynne Crowden (breeder of World Champion Farouche) who introduced her to the Hanoverian breed, and her dressage coach Carl Hester (Olympian and UK dressage champion). .Carl became a mare-lover when he trained and competed Jill’s star Elite Hanoverian Auction purchase, Dreamcatcher. This big-hearted lady loved to show off her super-star paces winning innumerable top honours including Young Horse National Dressage Horse Champion, Potential International Dressage Horse Champion, Champion Warmblood, Champion Hanoverian Mare (U.K. Breed Society). Jill continued her competition record, winning at Medium level in the UK, winning in Canada and ultimately at Grand Prix level in the United States.

Jill knew that Dreamcatcher was special and didn’t want the mare’s legacy to stop at trophies and awards. It was then she found a way to produce Dreamcatcher’s foals by a then unconventional way- Embryo Transfer. Dreamcatcher’s famous “triples” sired by World Breeding Champion DiMaggio, were some of the first equine Embryo Transfers done in the world. Three of Dreamcatcher’s embryos were placed in surrogate mares, allowing the premium mare to keep training and competing while producing top progeny. The triplets Dreammaster DMV, Dreammaker DMV, and Dreaming DMV, went on to become award winning athletes and produce their own progeny, passing on Dreamcatcher’s ride-ability, temperament, and flamboyant paces.

Upon returning to Canada, Jill turned her focus on training the next generation of riders and horses. From children to adults, Jill teaches with classic principles to focus on a harmonious horse and rider partnership. During the early days of the riding school, Jill could be found at all hours in the barn with the children, teaching them about stable management, horse husbandry, and of course- how to coordinate their outfit and horse. As Kirsten and Nicole have grown up and developed as coaches themselves, Jill has taken a step back from teaching the young children but still enjoys training John and coaching selected athletes.

Since Dreamcatcher’s passing in 2016, Jill hasn’t found her next “heart horse”, but she has enjoyed forming dance partnerships with Lancelot DMV (Dreamcatcher’s son), and D-trix DMV (Dreamcatcher’s grandson out of Dreaming DMV).

Want to know more about Jill and Dreamcatcher? We have a few articles we think you’d like:

• Aria of Hope

• The Dream of Dreamcatcher Meadows

• Dreams can come true with Embryo Transfer

• John and Jill’s Pas de Deux