Donna McInnis has been involved in the equine industry for
over 23 years. As a very young girl,
Donna determined that horses would be an integral part of her life and her
dreams have become reality. Donna’s
entry into the horse world began at a local riding stable through a YMCA
course. She was also a dedicated member
of 4-H and the Horse Project was soon the highlight of her 4-H
participation.
Donna’s interest was piqued by the thought of becoming a
horse trainer. She was invited by a
well known horse promoter to take on the task of backing and schooling horses
that were being brought in for sale.
This was a very successful undertaking for Donna and noticed by other
equine establishments who were soon soliciting her to do training for
them. As well, Donna would often follow
through on the sale of a horse by giving lessons to the purchaser. She was quickly building a reputation for
producing well trained horses and knowledgeable riders. It was during this time that Donna acquired
her Equine Canada, Level I English and Western Coaching certification.
The Nova Scotia Agricultural College in Truro contacted
Donna offering her a position as instructor in the Horse Program being offered
through the college. As well as
coaching, she would be teaching all aspects of stable management and equine
care. While at NSAC, Donna started to
ponder the prospect of owning and operating her own equestrian facility and in
n 1992 the barn doors to Double D Equestrian in Fenwick, Nova Scotia, were
opened for business.
From the humble beginnings of three school horses and three
students, her equine facility soon blossomed and grew. Within a very short time, Donna found it
necessary to find more horses for the ever growing number of clients wishing to
learn about horsemanship in a safe and caring environment. Her students were soon following the local
show circuit and more often than not were in the top placings in classes they
entered.
Donna association with well known Western riders and
trainers such as: Herbie Best, breeder
of world class quarter horses, Don Adams, well-regarded western rider and
trainer, and Mona Lewis and Jim Durling, respected western trainers
specializing in the reining discipline, enabled her to draw from their vast
wealth of horse knowledge. In the world
of English riding her contacts with coaches, clinicians and trainers that
included Susan Fraser, Level III Dressage coach, Allison Gallagher and Cindy
Matheson, Prix St. George riders, and Libby McMullen, Canada’s only Olympic
dressage judge, gave her the opportunity to expand her dressage interests. Donna was involved in the developing stages
of the Young Riders Clinics with Albrecht Heidemann, a member of the Gold medal winning German Young Rider Team
for several years and also a student of dressage master, Conrad
Schumacher. Donna has also participated
in clinics by recognized jumping coaches, Jen Hamilton, Deanna and Valerie
Phalen, as well as Jo Young, international eventing coach.
As Donna’s business grew, so did her interest in dressage. She found a young palomino mare, Jessie, and
began the journey of bringing along a horse from the ground up. Donna began showing in national dressage
shows with Jessie and in 19 ??? was New Brunswick’s Basic 4 Champion. She encouraged her students to follow along
with her and due to her influence, has students aspiring to the FEI Junior and
Young Rider levels in dressage.
Donna is now in partnership with Donald Arsenault at D and D
Stables in Cape Pele, New Brunswick.
