Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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Kelly Harbidge

Langley

Summary

Equestrian professional with a diverse range of skills in the horse industry and a desire to always continue to learn and evolve. FEI grooming experience with a high standard of care and passion for teaching others beginning in the industry. Proven ability in horse handling and competition preparation, complemented by strong stable management skills. Passionate about equine fitness and rehabilitation, fostering a collaborative environment to enhance team performance and horse welfare. Driven ambition to coach and be the kind of role model I was inspired by as a young competitor. Hands on experience as a farrier's apprentice, trainer, competitor, FEI groom, breeder, and agent passionate about expanding skills to be a well rounded addition to any equestrian operation in the future.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience

Work History

Freelance FEI Groom

Kara Chad
06.2025 - Current
  • Adapted personal schedule on short notice to work collaboratively with Kara's head groom Will Richards for two weeks when they needed an extra groom.
  • Cared independently for National level horses while the head groom focused on the FEI horses.

Freelance FEI Groom

Vanessa Mannix
05.2023 - Current
  • Worked sporadically as requested during Thunderbird Showpark competitions.
  • Oversaw and was trusted with unloading of horses and their care before the other groom's arrivals.
  • Prepared horses for 2* and 5* showjumping competitions.

Freelance FEI Groom

James Chawke
05.2023 - Current
  • Worked intermittently as requested during competitions at Thunderbird Showpark.
  • Prepared horses for FEI competitions.
  • Continued care independently between the end of the show and when the hauling company could pick them up so other employees could leave.

Property Manager

Brian Harbidge
03.2022 - Current
  • Managed tenant relations, addressing concerns promptly.
  • Oversaw property maintenance schedules, ensuring timely repairs and upkeep of facilities.
  • Coordinated lease agreements, negotiating terms that benefited both tenants and property owner.
  • Worked independently creating my own flexible schedule to balance this and my breeding business.

Owner/Operator

Far West Farms
2011 - Current
  • Acquired young horses internationally to build a basis for a breeding operation specializing in developing hunter/jumper performance horses.
  • Organized flights and import from several countries.
  • Formed international connections with other breeders and investors to work together to fund and develop young horses as a team and individually.
  • Managed daily operation working closely with a team of vets, farriers and other professionals in the industry.
  • Owned and maintained my own barn, problem solved issues as they arose and oversaw contractors.
  • Developed business plan and goals to direct my own horses to the North American Young Jumper Finals on 2 different occasions (2022, 2025)
  • Worked collaboratively with trainers and riders to sell horses all over North America.

Fulltime Showgroom

Nicole Walker
10.2021 - 05.2022
  • Worked efficiently and productively with all team members.
  • Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts and when travelling from Ontario to Florida.
  • Adapted to new situations and continued commitment to learning and improvement.
  • Expanded knowledge on rehabilitation techniques and learned to use treadmill and cold spa therapies under veterinary instruction.
  • Managed time efficiently in order to make sure horses left the stables and reached the showground within deadlines.
  • Operated farm machinery such as tractors to care for the footing of the arena and instruct other team members to do the same.

Farm Manager

Dreamscape Farm
2010 - 2022
  • General care for over thirty horses including pregnant mares, foals, young horses and breeding stallions.
  • Expanded breeding knowledge to use in my own business.
  • Extensive horse husbandry experience halter training young horses, exposing young horses to new situations safely and readying them for the next step in their lives.
  • Having the opportunity to learn from breeders named one of the 50 Top Influencers in the horse industry in Canada by Horse Sport.


Farrier's Apprentice

Chris Bishop
03.2011 - 11.2011
  • Maintained a clean and safe work environment by conducting inventory and organizing the truck after each work day.
  • Participated in industry events like conferences and workshops to network with fellow farriers and learn from leading experts, volunteered for the World Blacksmithing Competition in 2011 to expand contacts and connections.
  • Applied knowledge gained through the Farrier program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University to real world situations.

Education

Certificate - Farrier Studies

Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langley, BC
05-2011

Skills

  • FEI Grooming experience at a 5* level and mentoring young grooms stepping into the industry and an interest in teaching young athletes this standard of care
  • Confident handling any horse, ground work, starting young horses under saddle and specializing in young stallions
  • Competition up to 130m classes, Hunters and Equitation and extensive experience with young horses in Young Horse Development Series classes
  • Stable management and owning and operating a barn
  • Limited experience but interest in coaching with a background of very positive role models as a student and knowledge I would love to share from an array of trainers and clinicians in both Jumpers and some Dressage
  • Background knowledge as a farrier's apprentice with the ability to help clients pick a knowledgeable farrier and identify possible problems
  • International connections to source and find prospects suited to a variety of riders, references available
  • Understanding the importance of a horse's fitness and conditioning, nutrition, injury rehab and preventative therapies

Languages

French
Limited Working

Timeline

Freelance FEI Groom

Kara Chad
06.2025 - Current

Freelance FEI Groom

Vanessa Mannix
05.2023 - Current

Freelance FEI Groom

James Chawke
05.2023 - Current

Property Manager

Brian Harbidge
03.2022 - Current

Fulltime Showgroom

Nicole Walker
10.2021 - 05.2022

Farrier's Apprentice

Chris Bishop
03.2011 - 11.2011

Owner/Operator

Far West Farms
2011 - Current

Farm Manager

Dreamscape Farm
2010 - 2022

Certificate - Farrier Studies

Kwantlen Polytechnic University

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Kelly Harbidge