Home Country
Canada
Based in Victoria, British Columbia, Meghan Rawlins is a respected Canadian equestrian professional, course designer, coach, and trainer. She is the owner and head trainer of Cedar Vista Stables, where she has developed riders and horses across the hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines for more than three decades. ([Cedar Vista Stables][1])
Disciplines
* Hunters
* Jumpers
* Equitation
* Three-Day Eventing (competitive background)
Meghan began riding at the age of two and competed in a wide variety of disciplines throughout her youth, including hunters, jumpers, eventing, western riding, Pony Club, and 4-H. Her diverse riding background continues to influence both her coaching philosophy and her approach to course design. ([Horse Sport][2])
Years Active
Professional Since 1993**
Meghan began her professional equestrian career in 1993 and has spent more than 30 years coaching riders, training horses, judging, and designing courses throughout Canada and the United States. During this time she has earned a reputation for developing confident riders while promoting correct horsemanship and horse welfare. ([Amazon Music][3])
Certifications & FEI Level
* FEI Level 3 Course Designer (earned in 2022)
* Equestrian Canada (EC) Licensed Coach
* EC "S" Senior Course Designer
* USEF "R/S" Hunter & Jumper Course Designer
* EC "r" Judge – Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation & Hacks
* Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) Level 4 Coach
* Standard First Aid & CPR Certified
* Safe Sport Certified ([Horse Sport][2])
Championships & Major Events Designed
Throughout her career, Meghan has designed courses for numerous regional, national, and international competitions. Some of her most notable assignments include:
* Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – Designed the Hunter, Equitation, and Derby courses during the Royal's historic 100th anniversary in 2022 while assisting with the jumper divisions.
* USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championships
* USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
* Gladstone Cup
* Desert International Horse Park Hunter Spectacular
* Multiple FEI-recognized competitions throughout North America. ([Horse Sport][2])
National & International Assignments
Meghan has served as both a course designer and assistant course designer at many prestigious horse shows across Canada and the United States. Her experience includes FEI competitions, national hunter and jumper championships, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair assignments, and major hunter derbies. She has also worked alongside some of the world's leading international course designers while continuing to coach students at top competitions such as Spruce Meadows and Thunderbird Show Park. ([Horse Sport][2])
Signature Course Design Philosophy
Meghan believes great course design should encourage horses and riders to improve throughout a competition rather than simply expose mistakes. Her courses emphasize fairness, rhythm, balance, and confidence while still presenting thoughtful technical challenges appropriate for each level of competition. As both a rider and trainer, she designs with the horse's experience and welfare at the forefront. ([Horse Sport][2])
Favorite Technical Questions
While Meghan has not publicly identified favorite exercises, interviews indicate she enjoys designing questions that test:
* Balance and adjustability
* Accuracy on bending lines
* Rider decision-making
* Straightness and rhythm
* Forward yet careful riding
* Courses that reward correct fundamentals over shortcuts ([Horse Sport][2])
Interviews, Publications & Podcasts
Horse Sport Magazine – Meghan Rawlins: Designing, Learning, Evolving (2023) ([Horse Sport][2])
* The Plaidcast with Piper Klemm – Discussing how riders can better understand course maps and course design. ([Amazon Music][3])
Podcast:
The Plaidcast – Meghan Rawlins by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services
[https://theplaidhorse.com/podcast/] (https://theplaidhorse.com/podcast/) ([Amazon Music][3])
Awards & Honors
* FEI Level 3 Course Designer (2022)
* One of the few FEI Level 3 course designers in North America.
* Selected to design the hunter, equitation, and derby divisions at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair's 100th Anniversary. ([Horse Sport][2])
Mentors
Throughout her career, Meghan has learned from many respected professionals, including:
* Claudia Cojocar
* Peter Holmes
* Guilherme Jorge
* Anthony D'Ambrosio
* Alan Wade
* Michel Vaillancourt (assistant collaboration at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair) ([Horse Sport][2])
One suggestion for a website: instead of listing these sections as plain text, consider displaying them as "Quick Facts" (Home Country, Years Active, FEI Level, Disciplines, Certifications) at the top of the page, followed by the longer sections below. This layout is common on professional equestrian and FEI websites and makes the page much easier for visitors to browse.
[1]: https://www.cedarvistastables.com/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com "About — Cedar Vista Stables"
[2]: https://horsesport.com/magazine/business/meghan-rawlins-designing-and-evolving/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Meghan Rawlins: Designing, Learning, Evolving"
[3]: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c1f39180-44ba-45c7-874f-3feb8e540a12/episodes/928b4719-925e-4aba-aadc-8da0a082e19e/the-plaidcast-meghan-rawlins-by-taylor-harris-insurance-services?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Meghan Rawlins by Taylor, Harris Insurance Services | The Plaidcast Episode on Amazon Music"
