Meet Our Crew

The team at CCO can wrangle, ride, guide, conduct first aid, set up camp, break camp, drive big trucks, cook campfire meals and make conversation with just about anyone! Personable, competent and well-trained in all things to do with horses and backcountry travel, our team is likely to be the most interesting people you will have the pleasure to meet when you ride with Copper Cayuse Outfitters.

A woman riding a horse through a shallow rocky stream in a forested mountain area with pine trees and blue sky in the background.

Shelby

Growing up as a small-town Ontario farm girl, horses have always been a part of Shelby’s life since a young age. Since relocating to Vancouver for work as a Registered Nurse, Shelby missed the comforts of farm life and western riding. After joining CCO on a 3-day overnight trip, we couldn't get rid of her! Shelby believes the best memories are made outdoors, out of service, on horseback.

An elderly man with a white beard and cowboy hat riding a dark horse in a lush outdoor setting.

Brian

Brian has been playing with horses seriously for over 20 years. He worked on a cattle ranch for 8 years before moving to Pemberton. He was hired to help train some colts for CCO 7 years ago, but now does everything from guiding to fixing fences.

A woman in a brown jacket and knit hat smiling and looking at a large brown horse with a black mane, in an outdoor farm setting with trees and a fence in the background.

Gabby

Since the age of 4, riding and being around horses has been Gabby’s greatest joy in life. She began her equestrian career competing in eventing, progressed to become a riding coach for kids and adults in Australia, and is now a wrangler at Copper Cayuse Outfitters. Gabby gravitates to the quirky horses, loves everything outdoors, and has a laidback attitude.

A young woman riding a horse along a river with lush green trees and snow-capped mountains in the background on a bright sunny day.

Olivia

Born and raised in Whistler, B.C., Olivia considers herself lucky to work alongside her talented co-workers at Copper Cayuse. In her spare time, she enjoys skiing (obviously) and doing pretty much anything outside. She currently attends the Smith School of Business in Kingston, Ontario, and is going into her fourth year in the fall. Beyond her time at CCO, Olivia plans on pursuing a career in business after graduating with a degree in commerce.

Woman wearing a white cowboy hat, pink striped shirt, and jeans standing next to a brown horse in a wooded outdoor setting.

Linnaea

Linnaea has been riding her entire life and her very first job was working at a barn. She is a certified riding instructor who has tried a little of everything; show jumping, vaulting, dressage, teaching therapeutic riding and most fun of all… backcountry guiding! When she’s not in the saddle you can find her hiking, surfing, mountain biking or studying biomedical sciences at university. Let’s ride!

A woman wearing a black jacket and gloves standing next to a gray horse with a plaid blanket in a snowy outdoor setting.

Seren

Seren has grown up with horses and has had her current horse for the last 9 years. She started her equestrian career on an eventing and stud yard in Wales, UK. Seren loves anything outdoors and after studying at University she decided to move to Canada to pursue a more outdoor lifestyle and is excited to start backcountry guiding.

Person wearing a black cowboy hat and gray jacket riding a black horse over rocky terrain in a forested mountainous area with cloudy sky.

Jaimee

Originally from Vancouver, BC, Jaimee has called the mountains her home for as long as she can remember! She began riding at a young age and is now merging her love of horsemanship with her passion for animal care to pursue a career in animal welfare. Returning for her 3rd season at CCO, she can’t wait to share the joys of backcountry riding with new (and returning!) riders. 

Person riding a horse through a field of purple and yellow flowers with mountains in the background.

Gabbie

Following a career in research and academia, Gabbie is now living her best life as a seasoned wrangler/horse trek guide. Having guided worldwide over the past 2 years, Gabbie is very much looking forward to coming back to CCO for the 2024 season!

A woman riding a dapple gray horse in a grassy field with snow-capped mountains in the background, under a partly cloudy sky.

Michelle

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Michelle moved to BC in 2018 and is now a permanent resident of Canada. She has been guiding for CCO since 2019 and loves spending time with horses and guiding through nature. In her free time, she’s working on her small leather business - Maybe you’ll see her wearing her products or selling them at the Whistler farmers market!

Person riding a horse across a crosswalk in a forested area, with another horse and rider in the background and a sign indicating 'Horse' in English and French.

Lauren

Lauren has been riding since before she could walk and has a passion for horses and the outdoors. She moved here from Copenhagen, Denmark in 2019 to Pursue a degree at UBC at be close to the mountains, and found a love for western riding along the way. .

A woman wearing a cowboy hat and white clothing, sitting on the ground and smiling, with a black horse nearby in a wooded area with a wooden fence and trees in the background.

Jayden

Jayden, a dedicated show jumper with over 12 years of competitive experience, intertwines her passion for horses with a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Victoria. Hailing from the Sea to Sky Corridor, she combines her love for the environment with a desire to connect with others through horse riding, and exploring the stunning landscapes of British Columbia at CCO in her inaugural season.

Person riding a horse on a rocky hill with colorful mountains and a cloudy sky in the background.

Leandra

Originally from Switzerland, Leandra was lucky enough to grow up having her own horse. She came to Canada in 2013 and spent the summers as a horseback guide in and around the South Chilcotin Mountains. In 2020 she moved to Pemberton and joined the CCO team. She loves the outdoors, has great knowledge about edible plants and has a big appreciation for Canadian wildlife.

A woman with sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat riding a white horse in a park, with trees, mountains, and a baseball field in the background on a sunny day.

Milly

Originally from Australia, Milly has spent the last 12 months working as a wrangler in New Zealand and Canada. She first learned to ride on a family cattle station in remote Australia when she was 8 years old, and her love of horses hasn’t stopped since. After working as a trail guide throughout her Physiology degree in Australia, she has taken a break to swap the clinic for the mountains.

A woman in western attire, including a brown cowboy hat, blue bandana, and leather chaps, smiling next to a white horse with a black bridle, inside a stable or barn.

Steph

Without any precedent in her family, Steph has always loved horses. They have always been in her life by choice of her own. In 2018, Steph came to Canada as a seasonal wrangler and hasn't left. She has guided in New Zealand, Canada, Argentina,  and Chile. She’s developed a knack for driving drafts and racing Arabians, and in February 2024, completed the 500km Gaucho Derby in Patagonia.

A woman wearing a cowboy hat and red shirt riding a paint horse through a lush forest with tall trees and ferns.

Ginger

Ginger is a returning wrangler with a powerful bond to horses. Ginger has been riding since a young age and holds great appreciation for horses' kinship and wisdom. When she’s not guiding, Ginger can be found practicing yoga, mountain biking or hiking. She continues to update her knowledge of natural horsemanship as well as the studies of Traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.

A woman riding a brown and white horse outdoors in a wooded area, smiling at the camera with trees in the background.

Bess

Bess has been riding horses from a young age starting off galloping in the Portuguese mountains. Overtime she has been lucky enough to experience a wide range of disciplines around the globe, but discovered a love staring horses under saddle. Taking a break from Scotlands rainy weather, Bess ran away to Canada to experience western riding in the beautiful surrounding of Pemberton. When she isn’t riding Bess can be found playing Volleyball, swimming in lakes or hiking mountains.

A woman riding a horse in a shallow river surrounded by trees in a forest.

Nicola

Growing up visiting her grandparents' farm in Australia, Nicola developed a deep appreciation for horses as a child. Seeing horseback as the best possible way to see a country and culture led her to ride across the world from Chile to Kyrgyzstan. While riding is a passion, her true love lies in training the young horses that arrive each winter. Working with Brian, she helps start colts in their progression to eventually become sturdy guest horses. In the Summer, she can be found capturing precious memories from horseback.