About Penelope

Penelope’s dream of riding horses and being an Olympic equestrian began at age 9, like many young girls. She began riding lessons locally that fall at Southern Cross. All the while, Penelope begged for a pony. Penelope’s commitment to her goals impressed her parents, as she worked on her family farm. Penelope earned a pony named Midas at age 10. With this first success, Penelope was one small step closer to her lofty goal of professional, competitive riding.

Penelope learned quickly as Midas showed her the ropes in her first show season. They showed in the Beginner Flats for the summer of 2020. The 2021 season brought Penelope and her quirky pony Division Championships in the 2’ Jumper Division, along with overall season results both years. Penelope also began to dabble in eventing. She trained with a dressage coach for a year and learned to ride with a focus on biomechanics and promoting soundness.

In the fall of 2021, Penelope participated in a Scott McKay clinic, where Scott spotted Penelope’s “immense natural talent” and recommended that she continue her education by riding new breeds of horses. Penelope began riding Mario, a thoroughbred, in 2022. She and Mario showed together at Trillium shows in the 2’3”-2’6” Hunter Ring that spring. Unfortunately, their time together ended early due to lameness.

Penelope’s family began searching for another temporary equestrian partner. The summer of 2022, Penelope sat on her first warmblood, and Irish Sport horse named Isaiah. Penelope and Isaiah went on to place consistently in the ribbons on the Trillium Circuit in the 0.75m and 0.9m Jumper Divisions, all the while continuing to successfully explore multiple disciplines through combined training.

Penelope concluded her tumultuous 2022 show season with the decision that her heart lay in the Jumper Ring. Her family reached out to Scott McKay and Penelope’s journey towards achieving her goals moved forward another step. Penelope began working with Touchwood, affectionately known as Whiskers, in November of that year.

Penelope’s hard work and dedication paid off as she and Whiskers ventured onto the Gold Circuit (Nationally Ranked) for the outdoor show season of 2023. After just one show at the 0.9m level, Penelope was ready for a greater challenge and moved up to the 1.0m Jumper Division. Penelope and Whiskers began to climb to the top of their division, consistently placing within the top two at both Angelstone in Erin and Caledon Equestrian Park, in Palgrave.

After a mere 5 shows in the Grand Prix Rings at 1.0m, Penelope and Whiskers rode their way into a Division Championship. Penelope accumulated sufficient points through two first place finishes and a fourth over the show week to claim the honour of Division Champion Sunday, September 10, 2023.

At the urging of her coach, Penelope shifted to development for her last show of 2023 and explored the 1.10m Jumper Division. Penelope’s continues to excel into this new level in her training. She is excited to pursue the dreams that are quickly changing from the imaginings of a young girl to the dedicated aspirations of a budding, talented Canadian athlete. Penelope dreams of riding at the Olympics!

Personal Bio

Penelope is a mature, talented young athlete and equestrian. At 13 years old, she is a competitive hip-hop dancer and has danced her whole life. While she enjoys the social elements of dance and performance, her true passion lies with horses.

Penelope enjoys drawing and reading and is a keen observer. Sometimes shy, her sense of humour, creativity, and playfulness shine with her family and close friends. Penelope’s devotion to her priorities is unwavering.

Penelope is committed to equine welfare and to the importance of sportsmanship in all situations. She contributes positively to the communities in which she participates and seeks out opportunities for growth. Penelope is intimately acquainted with the character development that arises through hardship.

Penelope’s ability to embrace challenges as opportunities developed through an unusual childhood. Born with a visible difference, Penelope faced challenges in hearing and the perception of others her whole life. By age 10, Penelope had faced more than a dozen surgeries. During the operating room closures of 2020, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition which resulted in an almost complete loss of her hearing.

Today, Penelope is grateful for the technology of a bone anchored hearing-aid, which gives her excellent hearing, or a ‘superpower’ as Penelope jokes. Penelope chooses to model radical self-acceptance through the courageous act of for-going more surgery for purely cosmetic purposes.

As one can imagine, Penelope has grown into a brave and curious young woman. She enjoys being at home on her family’s farm and working with her pony there. Penelope can often be spotted putting her curiosity and courage to good use as she and her pony fly over jumps bareback or, “Look mom, no hands!”, in her outdoor riding ring.