Tara Metzner, 40, is one of Canada’s most successful professionals in the competitive world of show hunters in the United States. With her wins against the sport’s top names at prestigious shows including Devon, the Hampton Classic, and the Capital Challenge, it is surprising to learn that as a junior rider growing up in Vancouver, BC, she was unsure that a role as a professional rider and trainer was possible.
In the early years of her career, Tara displayed humility and dedication in her role as a working student with Laura and Brent Balisky out of Thunderbird Show Stables in Langley, BC. “We didn’t have a ton of money growing up and I certainly didn’t have all the horses,” she recalls. “I was allowed to do five shows a year and one in the US. I wasn’t a super natural talent and really had to work hard to understand things like ‘track’ and ‘rhythm,’ but I wanted to win, so I worked hard! I would ride anything I was allowed to get on, and I would watch all the lessons and read every book I could get my hands on.
“What I learned from Brent and Laura was how to be a hard worker. Laura is an expert at barn management and Brent is still one of my favourite and most passionate teachers. My time at Thunderbird was invaluable.”