10/16/2026
Rider & Club Spotlight: Simone Williams and Queenswood Stables
Originally featured in the CADORA Inc. Fall 2026 e-blast. Thank you to Ann Brouwer for the interview. Reprinted with permission of CADORA Inc.
What brought you to your latest role, and how long have you been involved with dressage?
I currently oversee the operations of Queenswood Stables, working alongside Margaret Williams and Oswaldo Lazzuri, while coaching riders and training horses.
I began competing in dressage as a Junior, progressed through the Young Rider ranks, and rode my first Grand Prix at the age of 21. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of representing Canada at numerous international competitions, including a top-ten finish at the Pan American Games.
Today, I enjoy developing both horses and riders through the levels, helping each partnership achieve their full potential and accomplish their goals.
What are your own riding aspirations?
I enjoy developing both young horses and horses progressing toward the Grand Prix level while helping riders achieve their own goals, whether that’s learning to ride for the first time or competing at the highest levels of the sport.
My current focus is my top horse, Herdeiro Santana. Our goal is to consistently produce powerful, accurate, and harmonious Grand Prix tests while continuing to develop as a partnership. Every horse teaches you something, and that journey of continual learning is what keeps the sport exciting for me.
Why is your facility so successful?
I believe our success comes from our people. We have an incredible team of coaches, trainers, riders, parents, staff, and volunteers who genuinely support one another.
We offer beginner lessons, schoolmaster lessons, and coaching for riders with their own horses. Our riders come from many different backgrounds and age groups, creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels included.
Beyond lessons, we believe in building a community. Throughout the year we host dressage practice days, schooling, Silver and Gold competitions, dressage, working equitation and jumping clinics, trail rides, hunter paces, endurance rides, bonfires, pool parties, brunches, and social dinners. There’s always something happening that brings people together.
What activities do you have planned for 2026 and 2027?
This fall we have three major competitions planned: the Bromont CDI, the Canadian National Championships, and our own Queenswood Fall Dressage Festival.
We also enjoy hauling out to new locations for trail rides and off-property schooling. As the weather cools, we begin our fall and winter clinic series along with our popular weekday brunches. December finishes with our annual Christmas party, where we look back at the year’s highlights through photos and celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.
Looking ahead to 2027, we’ll continue our clinic series, test practice days, trail rides, off-property schooling, working equitation and jumping events, as well as four schooling, Silver, Western Dressage, and Gold competitions. We also continue working toward qualifying riders for both the North American Youth Championships and the Canadian National Championships.
How does your volunteering system work?
We welcome volunteers and also offer a working student program. Over the years, we’ve had working students join us from across Canada as well as several other countries. It has become a wonderful opportunity for riders to gain valuable experience while becoming part of our barn family.
We have also welcomed many high school co-op students, as well as college and university students completing placements as part of their academic programs. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience in horse care, coaching, and stable management while learning in a supportive environment.
Any helpful ideas for CADORA clubs across the country?
I believe creating events that bring people together is incredibly important. The Ottawa Area Dressage Group does an outstanding job of offering clinics and educational opportunities that appeal to riders and coaches at every level of our dressage community.
Each spring, they host their Educate Your Eye clinic at Queenswood Stables, attracting more than 100 participants. It is both an educational and social event that brings our community together, encourages learning, and strengthens the connections between riders, coaches, and enthusiasts.
Ottawa is fortunate to have many talented riders, knowledgeable coaches, and excellent dressage facilities. What truly makes our region special, however, is the supportive atmosphere within our dressage community.
I believe CADORA chapters play an important role by organizing educational clinics, demonstrations, and community events that provide valuable learning opportunities while fostering collaboration and camaraderie among riders and coaches. These events not only help individuals improve their skills but also strengthen the dressage community.
What does your social media communication look like?
To be honest, we don’t spend a great deal of time on social media because we’re usually busy doing the very activities we’re posting about.
We use social media to share updates from competitions, clinics, and other major events, but one of our most effective communication tools is actually a large event board in the barn. It keeps everyone informed about upcoming activities, clinics, competitions, and important dates, helping our riders stay connected and engaged.
What are your favourite moments running a dressage facility?
The most rewarding part is simply watching people enjoy their horses and seeing our horses happy, whether they’re being ridden, learning something new, or peacefully grazing in the fields. Seeing both horses and riders thrive and enjoy their time together is what makes it all worthwhile.
Do you have an awards system?
We present awards at our competitions to recognize riders’ accomplishments and celebrate their progress throughout the season.
What age groups are involved with your facility?
We have riders of every age. Our programs begin with pony rides for our youngest horse enthusiasts, and we’ve also had riders compete successfully in the Century Club. It’s incredibly rewarding to see people enjoying horses at every stage of life and proving that it’s never too early, or too late, to discover a passion for riding.
Do you have rider success stories to share?
We have been fortunate to have many riders represent Canada and win medals at the North American Youth Championships.
One of my most memorable experiences came when I had the opportunity to coach my daughter. That year, the Canadian Young Rider Team won the silver medal, and Kiara, riding Fortissimo, also earned the individual silver medal. It was an incredibly special moment, both as a coach and as a parent.
In fact, I’m writing these answers while attending this year’s North American Youth Championships. Yesterday, Isla Grant helped Canada win the FEI Children’s Team Gold Medal, and today she finished fifth individually. We couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishments.
The North American Youth Championships are an incredible experience for riders aged 11 to 25. Beyond the competition, there are dance parties, scavenger hunts, golf cart parades, mechanical bull riding, inflatables, and many other activities that help young riders build friendships that often last a lifetime.
Although it is one of the highest levels of youth competition in North America, it is also one of the most welcoming and enjoyable events. Riders have the opportunity to represent Canada as part of a team while creating lifelong memories.
With the return of the Canadian National Championships, our riders also enjoy seeing where they rank nationally and having the opportunity to compete against the country’s best horse-and-rider combinations.
Perhaps what makes me proudest, however, is the long-term development of our horses and riders. Over the years, we have helped many partnerships progress from their first dressage tests all the way to the Grand Prix level. Watching horses and riders learn, grow, and achieve their goals together is what makes this sport so rewarding.
Phtographs: Isla Grant on Wonder with her gold medal; Isla with her teammates on the podium (Annabelle Gauthier on Northwind Marrakesh and Estella Gosniak on Impact); Simone with Herdeiro Santana; Kiara Williams-Brown with her silver medal, 2024.
