About VifArgent Horsemanship

Helping horse lovers build a safe, confident, and joyful partnership with their horse, naturally

The horse sound in mind and body, naturally!

VifArgent Horsemanship helps horse owners care for, handle, and ride their horses in ways that respect the true nature of the horse. Since 2001, its founder, Geneviève Benoit, has been educating, motivating, and empowering horse lovers who want to build a strong partnership with their horse.

Geneviève Benoit‘s mission is to share a level of horsemanship that puts the horse’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being first, for the benefit of horses and the people who love them.

What we do

En français et en anglais!

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Meet Geneviève

Geneviève Benoit has been in your shoes as a learner. Through intensive study, direct contact with some of the best mentors in the industry, and years in the field, she has gained an in-depth understanding of horses and natural horsemanship. She knows how to help you accelerate your learning, on the ground and in the saddle.

Geneviève at a Glance

• Over 50 years with horses as a rider, groom, competitor, breeder, instructor, and coach
• Certified Equestrian Canada Coach (hunter/jumper) since 1996
• First Licensed Parelli Instructor in Quebec (2005), after becoming the first Quebec rider to reach Parelli Level 3 (now Level 4) in 2003
• Official Coach, International Society of Rider Biomechanics (2014)
• Licensed Equine First Aid Instructor, Equi-Health Canada (2026)
• Studied with Pat and Linda Parelli, Karen Rohlf (Dressage Naturally), Kalley Krickeberg (Balanced Horse Training), Walter Zettl (classical dressage), Jack Brainard, Colleen Kelly (Rider Biomechanics), Lauren Barwick (Paralympic gold and silver medallist, Beijing 2008), Eddo Hoekstra (classical dressage), among others

Geneviève continues to learn from carefully selected mentors who put the horse’s well-being first.

My Story

I have been passionate about horses since I was a child. Growing up in the city, in a family with no interest in horses, I had to earn my own money before I could start riding lessons at 12. Before that, I seized every chance to be near a horse.

In 1976, I worked with horses at the Montreal Olympic Games, where my trainer, Michel Vaillancourt, won a silver medal in show jumping. For close to 30 years, show jumping and some dressage were my world, as a rider, competitor, groom, breeder, trainer, and certified coach. Meanwhile, a 20-year career in business and technology paid the bills.

In 1999, I went looking for a way to “fix” a trailer-loading problem with my show horse. What I found was natural horsemanship. It was the beginning of a life-changing journey.

I have since taught clinics and workshops across Canada and specialized in the pre-saddle training of foals and young horses, dressage, jumping, rider biomechanics, and natural horse management. Today, I teach relationship-based horsemanship independently.

How Good Do You Want to Be With Horses?

Get in touch and start your journey. I look forward to getting to know you and your horse!