https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/up-and-coming-events daily 0.75 2022-08-17 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/up-and-coming-events/show-programs-information-night monthly 0.5 2022-08-17 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/up-and-coming-events/benchmark-summer-schooling-show monthly 0.5 2022-08-17 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/up-and-coming-events/benchmark-stonewood-hunter-derby-and-bbq-meet-greet monthly 0.5 2022-08-17 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/up-and-coming-events/schooling-show monthly 0.5 2020-11-13 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/up-and-coming-events/6wkllw6rx1hwsp6ccd22u7m976g89j monthly 0.5 2020-11-11 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/up-and-coming-events/event-one-4wsg9 monthly 0.5 2020-11-11 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/main daily 1.0 2021-02-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612968043273-2XPDQAALHYP448ENUWQO/GOBK1535.jpg Home - Strong Foundation At Benchmark Equestrian our belief is that a strong foundation is essential to success. TOP DOWN TRAINING PROGRAMS Programs for beginners through to international competitors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612914328504-VK7SFROJKN4X0MLUQQC6/Ira%2B-%2Bcropped.jpg Home - Achievement Our show preparations begin well before you enter the ring and continue well after. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612969178083-485RNDH550YID2NPAKE7/Sassy%2BGrazing.jpg Home - Exclusive The Benchmark training program for horses is second to none. FOR YOU AND YOUR HORSE A wide range of services that can be tailored to fit both horse and rider’s individual needs. https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/contact-us daily 0.75 2020-12-04 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/about daily 0.75 2025-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966936123-DJ36URYYZICHEU8GJ0Y9/Caitey+-+Aisle.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612967769630-AENQMASB3B308H7Q31JH/Sassy%2BJumping.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966907459-YNXAJ2JZCTYL1EMP9VAV/BM-Spring-BegDiv-21.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966875565-NCQPNBV5YM470495EMNR/Sassy+Grazing.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1613218826249-EAGJ4VOS6R54MNKPORLJ/Tessa+%26+Quincy.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1613218873690-BJOQIOYNTNKB5ZZCNG52/Maude+%26+Archie.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1613218904300-MIUHCIVJCUD6OS8WOKUD/Tessa+%26+Lucas.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605063940096-2E88MEYJF7ZQBJ7JF8Y2/Joanna_Solomon_04.jpg About - Joanna Solomon, Owner & Operator Joanna Solomon brings an extensive corporate background having worked in the executive search industry for the majority of her career. She has worked in the not-for profit industry right through to specializing in the financial services industry at the executive level. Her most recent experience was working with RBC Financial Group with the mandate to build their Senior Leadership Recruitment function to eliminate vendor spend at the senior levels of the organization. She has worked with many Fortune 500 companies over the years such as Goldman Sachs. More recently, she has established her own Research Consulting practice – Solomon Integrated Research Consulting – which provides research, candidate development solutions and knowledge management solutions to clients. Her true passion is horses, and her dream has always been to create a world-class academy in the Toronto region. She has been riding horses since she was 10, and is extremely well connected within the Canadian riding circles. Joanna has competed on the Hunter/Jumper “A” Circuit both in Ontario and Wellington Florida receiving numerous awards as a junior and amateur competitor, namely several top ten year-end rankings in core divisions such as adult amateur hunter and ownership of a pre-green level II hunter. She also achieved a top ten placing in the prestigious adult amateur medal final her first year competing as an amateur. Joanna currently owns two horses competing on the internationally acclaimed winter circuit in Wellington, Florida. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/80475714-d9a4-4eff-b999-91b5f9f1171e/BENCHMARK-SILVER4-05805+%281%29+copy.JPG About - Kristen Gerrits, COO Kristen’s passion for horses began at a very young age. She attended a horseback riding camp for the first time at the age and 5, and instantly fell in love with the sport. She returned to camp every week for the rest of the summer and began weekly lessons that fall. Kristen began competing on the A circuit at the age of 9, and showed successfully in the pony hunter divisions up to the Junior Hunter division for years in both Canada and the U.S., including qualifying for the Royal Winter Fair in the Large Pony Hunter Division. Kristen enjoyed competing as a junior and young adult, but her true passion has always been teaching. After working for years as a groom, camp counsellor, barn staff, and many other roles, Kristen began teaching lessons at the age of 18. Kristen has always enjoyed working with students of all ages to develop their skills and work towards their individual goals. She particularly enjoys working with students that would like to take the step from recreational riding to competitive sport. After high school, Kristen studied Psychology at Wilfrid Laurier University and Human Resources at Georgian College. She began as a part-time instructor at Benchmark when we first opened. After about a year, Kristen decided to change career paths and turn her focus solely to the horse industry and joined the team full-time as Benchmark Equestrian’s Riding Lesson Program Director. As Benchmark continued to grow, so did Kristen’s role, and she is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Benchmark Equestrian and Stonewood Equestrian. While Kristen does continue to teach school lessons, she is also our trainer that attends silver series horse shows with clients. Kristen works behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly through client communication, the oversight of our staff, the care of our lesson horses, and planning and implementing the various programs we offer. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605064150632-F9TL4TLU7K1Z43RRBUJM/Christian_Sorensen.jpg About - Christian Sorensen, Consultant Chris Sorensen has been around horses his entire life. He began riding competitively when he was eight years old showing locally in hunters, jumpers and equitation. As a junior, Chris training in both Europe and Canada, during which time he competed for the Ontario team at the North American Young Rider Championships in Bromont, Quebec, where he and his team brought home the gold medal. In 2013, Chris earned his “red jacket” when he was named to the Canadian Show Jumping Team for his first Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows, followed by the Nations Cup in Brazil, where Chris placed 4th in the individual World Cup Grand Prix. In 2014, Chris traveled as the reserve for the Canadian Show Jumping tea at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, and represented Canada at the 2015 FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas. Since then, Chris has relocated his sales and training business to the Netherlands, allowing him greater access to world class competitions and fluidity in the sales of top level sport horses. Though he lives overseas, Chris continues to be an active part of the Canadian equestrian industry as the recently appointed President of Equestrian Canada’s Board of Directors and is one of Canada’s first-ever High Performance 1 level certified coaches. Chris continues to compete on the world stage, showing internationally at the Grand Prix level. https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/riding-academy daily 0.75 2026-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612968636464-4AEG5WSEB9OX8K3SH39X/BM-Spring-BegDiv-21.jpg Riding Academy - Lessons Benchmark Equestrian is pleased to offer riding lessons to all levels of riders. The safety of our students is our top priority. Whether you are a true beginner with no horse experience, or an experienced rider looking for challenging and technical lessons, we have both the coaches and horses available to suit your needs. We offer lessons in a group setting, semi-private and private lessons. Once a prospective student has conducted a trial lesson the Benchmark team will determine the best lesson for that rider to join. * The minimum age for lessons is 4 years old * Please contact us for introductory lesson pricing for children under 5 years old https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612968731716-UWL0KYMQOXX0N208FZIB/BM-Spring-Rookie-52.jpg Riding Academy - Drop-In Lessons Our drop-in lessons program is meant to cater to those individuals who want to take lessons but may have unpredictable and irregular schedules and are unable to commit to the same lesson time every week. Drop-in lessons are available for a variety of levels and provide a relaxed environment for our adult riders. Students can buy packages of lessons in a variety of quantities and may sign up for drop-in lessons scheduled throughout the week up to 24 hours in advance subject to availability. * Packages are valid for six months prior to expiration. * Lesson times may be added to accommodate additional riders and groups. Please give us a call to inquire about day-time group lessons. Weekday Drop-In Lesson Pricing Package of 5 lessons: $430.00 + HST Package of 10 lessons: $815.00 + HST Package of 15 lessons: $1225.00 + HST Package of 20 lessons: $1520.00 + HST https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612965043476-XCH5D71NVFRJA33Y4UVW/BM-Spring-Medal-96.jpg Riding Academy - In-House Schooling Shows Students enrolled in the lesson program have a chance to enter an in-house schooling show to compete against their peers and demonstrate the skills learned in their regular lessons. Students do not require any additional equipment for our in-house schooling shows. It is a casual and fun environment that allows riders to “strut their stuff” for family and friends. A variety of divisions are available from beginner to our more advanced riders and include two jumping rounds and one flat round judged by an external professional. A division fee of $75.00-85.00 + HST, a horse use fee of $25.00 + HST, and an office fee of $5 + HST is charged for each schooling show. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612965280764-RQC6W1GBFI0DTOOSLJ2D/Ally%2B%2526%2BMax.jpg Riding Academy - Part Boarding It is not uncommon for riders to fall in love with specific mounts. Though it is essential for a rider’s development to learn to ride different types of horses, here at Benchmark, we understand a rider’s desire to build a relationship with their favorite horse. Students wishing to participate in our part-boarding program secures them a specific horse for two lessons and one additional flat ride per week for two month intervals. * Please contact us for pricing and service details https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/show-program-and-leasing daily 0.75 2022-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966849971-4YLWAJ1O2OPU5TIROB6T/Maude+%26+Archie.jpg Show Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966875565-NCQPNBV5YM470495EMNR/Sassy+Grazing.jpg Show Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966907459-YNXAJ2JZCTYL1EMP9VAV/BM-Spring-BegDiv-21.jpg Show Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966936123-DJ36URYYZICHEU8GJ0Y9/Caitey+-+Aisle.jpg Show Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966959364-PR0KIIQ6CDI1KXR8BP4Q/Chris+-+teaching.jpg Show Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966428118-N4WFLAWDEY3ZDR753UMG/Ella%2B%2526%2BFlicka.jpg Show Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966388359-F3MRQ5QU2ZB4EY5DUDT8/Dylan%2B%2526%2BBoss.jpg Show Program https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966724085-C33SLEE3JLMJ0LA9BLIQ/Jo%2B%2526%2BIra.jpg Show Program At the appropriate time, students may transition out of the riding school and into Benchmark Equestrian’s show program. Students have the choice to lease a horse owned by Benchmark Equestrian that they wish to show on the Ontario “A” circuit that will be boarded and trained out of Benchmark Equestrian. Benchmark Equestrian offers a personalized program for each competition horse and arranges training with our resident “A” circuit trainer. * Please contact us for pricing and service details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612969018825-KRY7BB6QGQJXSSBLYWD1/Sassy%2BJumping.jpg Show Program - Many of Benchmark Equestrian’s lesson horses are show quality and can be taken to both local and ‘A’ Circuit horse shows. Participating in any level of competition is a great way to immerse yourself in the equestrian community and the perfect way to spend you summers outdoors! https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/community daily 0.75 2021-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145637045-HJW8A9M5D87XJSZXRE1Y/2D7A1890.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605147593680-1YQLK0ZSFV1EUER8E2FW/2D7A1812.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605147244897-T2IEJ8QJ2LGNQNGXUDNT/2D7A1898.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605147488119-RB7JA4P5NFW6EJ3O6S57/2D7A2066.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605147276063-NRKGPTOUOHKEVRUVNPSF/2D7A2200.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145640512-RG6R5OVCCYM9J0C3L752/2D7A2618.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145640000-2KDWBFVD1RC6MSOA5BQE/2D7A2630.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145641342-ON4IR3A4RF8MW07E06KP/2D7A2641.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145643206-GVMO6XSM9728ESTDB3W6/image001.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145636471-C9YQEGL26SFCGF8FVBR2/2D7A2206.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145638237-Y38UEJF3Z2587AVK06QI/2D7A2212.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145638628-BGIX7MPW38BBYU4S5YZU/2D7A2475.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145638999-3GQHVNH3ETS1SFTIDEF9/2D7A2479.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605147309328-GQ4PXOUQ8YTWKD4MNG5C/2D7A2508.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1605145639687-M7N7YZ78169GMUZ35LLV/2D7A2585.jpeg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1613218904300-MIUHCIVJCUD6OS8WOKUD/Tessa+%26+Lucas.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612969160344-N740WFY1PY386UYYM0K1/Sassy+Grazing.jpg Community https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612965280764-RQC6W1GBFI0DTOOSLJ2D/Ally%2B%2526%2BMax.jpg Community https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/services daily 0.75 2021-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612967032960-VG0DHA8QEC75V1CE40G5/Chris%2Bjumping.jpg Services - Consulting Services Transitioning out of a riding school and into a full competition program can be confusing. Often, it is required that students move to a different barn or different trainers if they want to take their riding career to the next level. At Benchmark, we offer in-house consulting services to ensure a seamless transition. Before any transition is made, a team is assembled to consult with our customers on budget, expectations, goals, and timing to ensure our students are set up for success. Transparency is essential to making the right decision. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612967183113-WJ9Y9KIB49HSGT4ZFJ1B/Chris%2B-%2Bteaching.jpg Services - Clinics The Benchmark Equestrian team has developed deep relationships with many equestrian professionals across geographies and disciplines, allowing our customers access to regular clinics with a variety of focuses to both strengthen their existing skill sets with an intensified session, or exposure to a new discipline they may have yet to try. Clinics include sessions focused on hunter, jumper, equitation, dressage, polo, barrel racing, roping, among others. Clinic prices may vary and pricing will be made available prior to each individual clinic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612967769630-AENQMASB3B308H7Q31JH/Sassy%2BJumping.jpg Services - Purchasing and Leasing Horses are for sale or lease for a variety of reasons: the owner is off to college, the rider has outgrown the horse, or the rider wishes to change showing divisions are among the most common. All of our horses are hand-picked by our team to meet individual rider’s needs. Let Benchmark’s professionals help you with the purchase or lease of your horse. They have years of experience in matching riders with their perfect equine partners. Our mission is to make sure that your buying, leasing, and owning experience is enjoyable and fulfilling and that you end up with your perfect equine partner. If you are interested in purchasing or leasing a horse, please contact us to discuss the options available to you. Ask for more details and to find out which horses are available for lease. Benchmark Equestrian has worked to acquire a high-quality string of experienced lease horses. On an annual basis, the Benchmark team assists riders in transitioning from our extended lesson program and matching them to the best suited lease horse that will continue their development and set them up for success in the ring. Prior to signing an annual lease, all goals, financial parameters, and time commitment are discussed. Riders in our lease program show on the ‘A’ Circuit with our in-house trainers to allow for a seamless transition from the riding school to a more competitive program. Once a rider is ready to purchase their own horse, the Benchmark team works to source the ideal match. Our team will also help match these new horse and rider combinations with the ‘A’ Circuit trainer in our network that best suits their needs and goals. https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/forms-and-waivers daily 0.75 2021-02-16 https://www.benchmarkequestrian.ca/test daily 0.75 2021-03-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966849971-4YLWAJ1O2OPU5TIROB6T/Maude+%26+Archie.jpg Test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966875565-NCQPNBV5YM470495EMNR/Sassy+Grazing.jpg Test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966907459-YNXAJ2JZCTYL1EMP9VAV/BM-Spring-BegDiv-21.jpg Test stella https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966936123-DJ36URYYZICHEU8GJ0Y9/Caitey+-+Aisle.jpg Test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966959364-PR0KIIQ6CDI1KXR8BP4Q/Chris+-+teaching.jpg Test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966428118-N4WFLAWDEY3ZDR753UMG/Ella%2B%2526%2BFlicka.jpg Test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966388359-F3MRQ5QU2ZB4EY5DUDT8/Dylan%2B%2526%2BBoss.jpg Test https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612966724085-C33SLEE3JLMJ0LA9BLIQ/Jo%2B%2526%2BIra.jpg Test At the appropriate time, students may transition out of the riding school and into Benchmark Equestrian’s show program. Students have the choice to lease a horse owned by Benchmark Equestrian that they wish to show on the Ontario “A” circuit that will be boarded and trained out of Benchmark Equestrian. Benchmark Equestrian offers a personalized program for each competition horse and arranges training with our resident “A” circuit trainer. * Please contact us for pricing and service details https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f727bee1939f8485e9a5c4f/1612969018825-KRY7BB6QGQJXSSBLYWD1/Sassy%2BJumping.jpg Test - Many of Benchmark Equestrian’s lesson horses are show quality and can be taken to both local and ‘A’ Circuit horse shows. Participating in any level of competition is a great way to immerse yourself in the equestrian community and the perfect way to spend you summers outdoors!