Our People
PRTRA Staff
Donna Thurngood
Instructors Assistant
Rachel Gough
CanTRA Instructor In Training
Bayllie Pigato
Office Admin
Alia Hill
CanTRA Instructor In Training
Claire Robertson
CanTRA Certified Head Instructor
Milan Jackson
Horse Trainer
Board of Directors
Nicki Lister
President
Cynthia Perrie
Vice President
Roy McIntyre
Treasureer
Carolyn Braun
Secretary
Blair Goble
Director
Darryl Magnus Brown
Director
(Tammy) Aimee Berthiaume
Director
Heather Armstrong
Director
Claire Robertson
Team Bios:
Alia Hill
Alia holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from UBC, along with certifications in the Education Assistant and Community Support Worker program from VIU.
She also brings experience as a fitness instructor, where she developed a strong understanding of movement and body awareness. Currently, Alia is an instructor in training, working toward her CanTRA certification. Having ridden horses in her youth, she is grateful to reconnect with them and be part of a team that fosters growth, connection, and meaningful experiences for others.
Rachel Koopman-Gough
CanTRA Instructor in training
Claire is a Certified CanTRA Instructor and a Provincial Trainer with the Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC, and has completed extensive courses through the NCCP program.
Claire has been riding her entire life and brings a strong foundation of hands-on experience to her teaching. She is passionate about creating an inclusive, supportive environment where every rider feels safe, respected, and able to learn at their own pace. Kindness, patience, and building trust both with riders and horses are at the core of her approach.
She is always looking for opportunities to continue her education, both to grow as an instructor and to deepen her knowledge of horse health and wellbeing to best support the horses she works with.
Milan holds a Diploma in Equitation Science, is a certified Professional Dog Trainer, and a Certified Equestrian Vaulting Association of BC Provincial Trainer.
Milan has been in the saddle for as long as she can remember, and currently serves as Head Horse Trainer at our therapeutic riding program. Her role spans training and exercising the horses, coaching the instructors, mentoring horse handlers, consulting to the barn manager and the board. She is also the assistant coach with the vaulting program.
She has extensive experience across reining, dressage, working equitation, eventing, driving, wrangling, and guiding trail rides. She brings a wealth of knowledge to the arena. As a lifelong learner, Milan continues to take lessons regularly and seeks out every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills.
With over 25 years of horse experience she excels with horsemanship and as a riding coach. She is passionate about humans and horses working together through clarity and kindness. She blends modern science with classical horsemanship, creating a thoughtful and compassionate approach that benefits both horse and rider.