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THIS IS MY STORY
Esmee Ingham grew up in West Vancouver and her passion for horses began at an early age on her aunt’s farm in Pemberton. At age five, her mother admits, “she didn’t want to do anything other than ride.” Esmee recalls fondly of her first horse Dusty, who was given to her and her cousin on Christmas morning when she was seven years old. He was an old roper that took great care of the little girls for many years. A few minutes down the road from her aunt’s farm she was introduced to Dressage at Dreamcatcher Meadows. Dusty had begun his retirement so, her uncle kindly offered his roping horse, Buzz. Esmee competed with him at Training and First Level for two years.
Through a family connection, Ingham was given the wonderful opportunity to train with Wendy Christoff in Ladner. Riding her schoolmaster, Caboose, a 17.3hh Canadian Sport Horse at the age of fourteen, so began the introduction to the world of warmbloods. In September 2008, Esmee’s family purchased Norseman “Normy”, a 1996 Swedish Warmblood, trained and shown by Joni Lynn Peters. Normy was the perfect schoolmaster to take Esmee’s riding to the next level and the International ring. It was a dream come true as Esmee attributes her riding successes, opportunities & acceleration of skills to this once-in-a-lifetime horse. As their relationship grew, they became a successful team. Esmee, her mother and coach, Wendy Christoff, have travelled many miles competing together. Esmee did the California circuit with Normy as both an FEI Junior & FEI Young Rider while training for the North American Junior Young Rider Championships in 2010 & 2011.
In 2011, Ingham and Normy stepped into the Small Tour division and competed at Prix St. Georges and Intermediare I. From her past accolades and the scores Esmee received at the Pacific Regional Championships, she was selected to be one of two members on the Canadian Team competing at the Sydney CDI*3 Invitational in the spring of 2012. Upon her return, she continued to ride Normy, but his soundness just wasn’t quite right. It was decided that Esmee would give him time off, and so she moved him to the family farm in Pemberton where he could recover in the lush fields and enjoy the company of cattle and other horses.
Devastated to have their career together cut short, Esmee felt as though she was lucky to still have him in her life and began the process of creating a new life for the two of them. Esmee continued her education at Capilano University, work in West Vancouver as a Special Education Assistant, taught lessons in Pemberton & rode as many horses as she could for the next two years.
In the winter of 2013, Esmee was craving an adventure and packed her belongings for a two-month cycling journey – which became the journey of a lifetime. Cycling from Costa Rica to Guatemala with a friend, Esmee was pushed out of her comfort zone and spent two months camping in jungles & on beaches, sleeping in hammocks and clocking serious mileage on mountainous terrain. Not wanting the journey to end, Esmee sold her bike and met up with her cousin Ashley to take off backpacking through Belize & Mexico for another month.
Back in the homeland, Esmee moved to Pemberton to be with Normy and began work at the beautiful Riverlands Equestrian Facility & local coffee shop. With a slow progression from a walk program into a trot and eventually canter rehab out on the trails, Esmee and Normy were enjoying the new laid-back lifestyle together.
Since Normy’s rehab program had progressed so well, Ingham made contact with a number of people to see if anyone was interested in leasing him. One of Canada’s top Para-Equestrian riders, Ashley Gowanlock & coach Andrea Taylor took him on to train with the hopes of making the 2016 Rio Olympics. From September until the next spring, Ashley & Normy formed a quick bond and were a fantastic duo. Normy again proved himself to be an outstanding schoolmaster. Unfortunately, Normy’s soundness was not capable of withstanding the training, so Esmee moved him to Christoff’s barn.
In the early months of 2015, Esmee moved to Christoff’s barn to work & ride. Esmee worked for Christoff all summer & fall as a groom and rider. A fortunate string of events and one clinic later, a huge life change was in Esmee’s midst. The ability to become an Italian citizen (through her paternal Grandmother), got her thinking… she had always wanted to go to Europe and learn from the best, however the timing was never quite right.
Bert Rutten – one of Esmee’s long time clinicians – came in September of ’15 and his clinic also acted as a sort of “job interview.” It was then decided that she would travel with Christoff in October to have a look at her potential new home before making the life-changing decision. A short trip and it was a done deal. Esmee returned to start work at Dressuurstal Rutten on November 1st.
It was a huge adjustment, but a decision she had no regrets about. Esmee has felt a huge improvement in all areas of her abilities as a rider and all-round horse person since joining the team at Dressuurstal Rutten.
Throughout her years at Dressuurstal Rutten, a numerous amount of amazing horses have continued to be a part of Esmee’s life. From varying qualities of horses, she has been able to gain hundreds of hours of experience creating bonds and striving to bring out the best in each horse. She is thrilled to be back home and reconnecting with the Dressage community in BC.
2019
Officially a grand prix rider, earning 67+% in her first test in Europe Earned over 70% in PSG with a mare she has ridden since the horse was three
2018
Third place in Z1 at the Provincial Championships
2015
Rising Stars Youth Dressage: Alumni Champion
2012
Sydney CDI 3* Derby: Team Silver with Team Canada
2011
NAYC: Team Silver Medal Rising Stars Youth Dressage Challenge: Overall Reserve Champion of the entire show, Team Gold Medal, FEI Freestyle Champion and High Score, FEI Freestyle Champion and High Score Pacific Regional Championship: Reserve Champion in the Small Tour (PSG and I1)
2010
NAYC: Team Gold Medal, Bronze Freestyle Medal, Fifth place Individual Test Canadian National Champion for the FEI Junior Technical and Freestyle divisions Dressage Canada Eight Award for receiving nine “8” marks on rider position
2009
NAYC: Team Gold Medal, Bronze Freestyle Medal, Fifth place Individual Test Canadian National Champion for the FEI Junior Technical and Freestyle divisions Dressage Canada Eight Award for receiving nine “8” marks on rider position
2008
BC Summer Games: Individual Silver Medal, Team Bronze Medal
