Geneviève Benoit is a former Parelli 3-Star Instructor who not only has been in your shoes as a learner, but has also gained an in-depth understanding of horses and natural horsemanship through intensive study, extensive direct contact with some of the best mentors in the industry and years of experience in the field; a coach with vast experience in handling and riding horses who knows how to best help you accelerate your learning on the ground and in the saddle.
Geneviève’s Biography
On the Bromont Cross-Country Course
The owner of VifArgent, Geneviève Benoit, has been an active horsewoman for 50 years, as a rider, groom, competitor, breeder, instructor and coach. She officially worked at the 1976 Summer Olympics supporting the Pentathlon equestrian teams. Certified as a Coach (Hunter/Jumper) by Equine Canada since 1996, she began studying the Parelli program in 1999. In 2003, she was the first Quebec rider to achieve Parelli Level 3 (now considered Level 4), and became in 2005 the first Licensed Parelli Instructor in Quebec. She has now resigned from Parelli but continues to share the principles of natural horsemanship with her students.
Geneviève has spent over 90 weeks training at both Parelli ranches since 2003, 38 of which directly under Pat himself, more than a majority of Canadian instructors. She graduated Pat’s Mastery Program and returns to the Florida ranch on a yearly basis to upgrade her horsemanship and teaching skills.
During her stays, she had the privilege of auditing clinics by Craig Johnson (Reining World Champion), Luis Lucio (Olympic medallist in dressage) and Walter Zettl (dressage master). In recent years she has studied with Linda Parelli, Colleen Kelly (Rider Biomechanics), Walter Zettl, Jack Brainard, Karen Rohlf (Dressage Naturally) and Lauren Barwick (Silver and Gold Medallist in Beijing 2008, Paralympics Games).
Geneviève continues to advance her horsemanship education with carefully selected mentors who are in line with the principles of good horsemanship and putting the horse first.
In June 2014, she passed the exams and became an Official Coach with the International Society of Rider Biomechanics.
Studying with Kalley Krickeberg
Here is her story…
“I have been passionate about horses since I was a child. Growing up in the city and in a family that had absolutely no horse interest, I had to wait until I could earn a bit of money before I could start to learn to ride at the age of 12. Before that, I seized every possible opportunity to be near a horse and to learn about them. In 1976, I had the opportunity to work with horses at the Montreal Olympic Games, and my trainer Michel Vaillancourt won a Silver medal in show jumping. Show jumping and some dressage is what I did for close to 30 years, as a rider, competitor, groom, breeder, trainer, and certified Canadian coach. During most of that time, in order to earn a living, I pursued a successful career in business and technology, which lasted 20 years.
I got involved in Parelli Natural Horse.Man.Ship in 1999, because I was looking for a way to ‘fix’ my show horse. At the time, I had no idea there could be a natural vs. a normal way with horses! It was the start of a life changing journey. In 2003, I had my first opportunity to study directly with Pat Parelli and he awarded me my green string. I was the first Quebec rider to officially achieve Level 3 and have recently become the first and only Level 4 Graduate from the province! Followed 9 months of intensive study of Level 4 with Pat and Linda in Florida and Colorado, and I became in 2005 the first Licensed Parelli Instructor in Quebec.
Graduation Ceremony with Pat Parelli, 2003
Since my initial trip to the Parelli ranch, I have spent over 90 weeks training at the Parelli ranch, of which 38 weeks were with Pat himself. I have returned annually to the ranch to upgrade my skills and to keep up with the growth of the program. In 2009, I was invited to ride with Pat. I received personal coaching from Pat and Linda on my own horse, got to play and ride some of Pat’s best horses and spent several days learning about cowmanship with the master himself. Pat invited me to join his Mastery Program. I spent another 19 weeks studying in the program at the Parelli ranch in 2010.
I travel to teach clinics and workshops all over Canada. Along with instructing, I have pursued specializations in the pre-saddle training of foals and young horses, dressage, jumping, rider biomechanics and Doma Vaquera.”
How good do you want to be with horses? Contact me and get started on your journey. I look forward to getting to know you and your horse!
Geneviève Benoit