Nestled in the heart of the Alberta Foothills is Creekside Farm, a first-class equestrian facility and a true haven for horse enthusiasts. Located just a mile west of Calgary, this farm beautifully blends the serenity of the countryside with easy access to city amenities. Discover more at calgary1.one.
Founding Story: Who is Samara Henriks?
The founder of Creekside Farm is Samara Henriks, a professional with Competition Coach status from Equine Canada. In 2016, she announced the start of her business operations based at Creekside Farm.
Samara Henriks has been riding horses since she was seven years old. Since then, she has continuously strived for excellence in the sport. She initially started with Western riding before venturing into Dressage lessons. Samara eventually transitioned to Show Jumping.
She has competed in Reining, Team Penning, Two-Year-Old Futurity, Dressage, and Show Jumping. Henriks has a deep understanding of training principles, constantly improving her skills through close collaboration with top professionals in the field.
In 2010, Samara Henriks competed in the North American Young Riders’ Championship in Lexington, Kentucky, where she earned a second-place finish. Her career continued with international competitions, including appearances in the International Ring at Spruce Meadows. These events secured her an FEI profile and a Rolex/USEF rating.
The Professionals at Creekside Farm
In addition to Samara Henriks, Creekside Farm benefits from the expertise of other dedicated professionals, namely Jennifer Kirschman and Kimberley Cox.
Jennifer Kirschman has spent her entire life with horses, diligently developing skills in both English and Western disciplines. She has competed up to the Grand Prix level in Dressage and 1.2m in Show Jumping. While riding in Europe, Jennifer honed her abilities for cross-training equestrian athletes. Her successful competitive background serves as a solid foundation for developing sport horses and instructing students.
Kimberley Cox holds a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Bachelor of Education from the University of Calgary. Kimberley’s work is focused on educating and training athletes. She is a member of the Equine Canada National Dressage Committee and the former CEO of the Alberta Dressage Association, as well as a former Calgary Region Volunteer of the Year.
Kimberley believes in the value of sport at all levels and has contributed to the Alberta Equestrian Federation. She participated in the development of the Long-Term Equestrian Development document for the region. Kimberley Cox coaches students across various age groups and stages of development, specializing in the Hunter/Jumper discipline. She emphasizes that classical horse and rider training, including Dressage, is the foundation for success in all equestrian disciplines.
A Tour of Creekside Farm
Imagining Creekside Farm conjures up a picturesque landscape bordering a small valley. A pristine creek runs nearby, flowing into the legendary Fish Creek. Incredible views stretch from every corner of the farm, including stunning vistas of the snow-capped mountains. This location creates an atmosphere of serenity and inspiration.
At Creekside Farm, the passion for equestrian sport and the breeding of high-quality foals from proven European bloodlines is palpable. It is a genuine art form.
Careful selection and meticulous care allow them to develop young horses into future sports stars. The farm’s pride and joy are its magnificent standing stallions:
- Contifax. This stallion combines the best European bloodlines and is known for his power, athleticism, and outstanding jumping abilities. His progeny inherit these qualities, making them excellent sport horses.
- Ikoon is a stallion with an elegant conformation and a superb temperament. He is renowned for his grace, movement, and trainability. Ikoon’s offspring are characterized by high potential in Dressage and other disciplines.
- Regardez. This stallion has a strong build and endurance; he is known for his reliability and stability, with the ability to easily conquer challenging courses. Regardez’s progeny possess robust health and a high level of performance.
The exceptional qualities of Creekside Farm’s stallions are successfully passed down to their offspring, which is particularly vital for sport horse breeding.
Horse Sales
The Creekside Farm website indicates that pregnant mares are available for sale. In this case, the buyer is essentially purchasing an unborn foal, with full knowledge of its lineage and pedigree. Buyers can also choose young horses that show potential for sporting achievements, having already undergone initial training and demonstrated good qualities.
Creekside Farm thus offers horses for buyers with diverse needs and skill levels. Some buyers are interested in the opportunity to raise a champion from the very beginning, while others seek horses that are already competition-ready.
Winston Churchill once noted:
“No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.”
Breeding Excellence
Creekside Farm specializes in breeding healthy and athletic sport horses, available locally for amateur and professional competitions. Stallions Ikoon and Regardez were imported from Europe. Ikoon’s offspring have competed in the World Cup Show Jumping Final, and Regardez’s descendants have won the American Intermediate Three-Day Event Championship.
Creekside Farm maintains a small, consistent herd of broodmares. They are crossed with other talented stallions. For example, the first foal by Ikoon was sold for $60,000 at the CSHA Select Sale in 2012 when he was five years old.
The top seller at the CSHA Select Sale in 2013 was an Ikoon offspring, which sold for $55,000.
In 2016, Contifax was named Hunter Horse of the Year.
Creekside Farm: Weekend and Summer Camps in Calgary
Equestrian camps are also popular among locals. If you are looking for a summer camp option in Calgary, this is definitely one to consider. In these camps, participants learn the art of riding, master the basics of horse care, and discover more about equestrian sports.
The equestrian camp program includes:
- Riding lessons for beginners and experienced riders. Beginners cover the fundamentals of seat, horse control, learning different gaits, and safety rules. Experienced riders refine their technique, prepare for competitions in various disciplines (Dressage or Show Jumping), and learn advanced riding elements.
- Master classes in horse care: feeding, veterinary care (post-training care, first aid basics, prevention), saddling, and unsaddling.
- Horseback riding through scenic trails.
- Other equestrian activities, such as games, competitions, attending horse shows, creative workshops, and more.
Creekside Farm
This is not just an equestrian enterprise; it is a true center of passion for horses and professionalism. Creekside Farm in Calgary combines the tranquility of the countryside with high-level equestrian services. Creekside Farm specializes in breeding foals from proven European bloodlines. It is a place where horses are raised with love and care, which positively reflects on their health, temperament, and athletic qualities.
Creekside Farm is where champions are born. The professionalism of the team and the picturesque location of the farm are the perfect ingredients for this success.