On a rural stretch of No. 3 Road, south of Steveston Highway in Richmond, lies one of the province's equine hotbeds where Monica Houweling has been chasing and realizing her dream for the last seven years.
The 18-year-old from Ladner has made daily visits to Centre Line Stables part of her life as she has developed into one of the country's top up-and-coming dressage competitors, working under her longtime coach Karen Pavicic.
"I just love coming out here and doing my thing," smiled Houweling after a lesson last week in Centre Line's indoor arena onboard Stentano, her 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding. "Karen knows me and knows just how to push me too. She is really talented and has really brought me along."
Houweling's measurement for success the past four years has come in the way of earning the opportunity to represent Canada at the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Kentucky. After reaching the podium a year ago in the team competition, Houweling's goal was to contend in individual events in what was her final competition at the Junior (18 and under) level.
She fulfilled her expectations and then some, winning silver in the freestyle round and bronze in the individual test. Her division featured 43 competitors from throughout North America.
Houweling took the momentum into the recent B.C. Dressage Championships where she made her debut at the Young Riders level (21 and under) and came away with gold.
With one more regional event on her 2011 schedule, she is in a favourable position moving ahead and trying to earn her way back to Kentucky in the new year.
"I wanted to see where I was at and thought we would just go in and test it," she said. "We ended up on top but there is still lots of work to do. I will now be focused on training and settling (Stentano) into the new level.
"My scores were good enough to (get me back to Kentucky). But I only want to go back if I am going to be competitive too."
With her mom having a passion for horses, Houweling and her two sisters, were in introduced to riding at a young age. For Monica, it quickly developed into more than just a weekend pastime.
She began by taking basic riding lessons at a local barn and made rapid progress. By the time she first hooked-up with Pavicic, Houweling's parents had purchased her a pony. She would go on to another mount, before Stenato was imported from Holland in 2006. It took about a year before a great enough bond was developed for Houweling to become the FEI Children's Champion.
Describing her sport as combination of figure skating and gymnastics, with judges' scoring based on how well movements are executed, Houweling says there is no real "peak" age in dressage and it's more about experience and continued progress to perhaps one day reach the grand prix level.
"The time frame is really just moving forward," she said. "You can go as long as your body can take it but horses can go lame at anytime. A big part of it too is the mental game. You can get yourself there but the horse has to as well. They are unpredictable and that's why it's so important getting to know him.
"This is my dream and who knows where it its taking me to."
