Who's behind Matter's ?
A little about Sophie....
I'm Sophie Couture Coach\Owner at Matter's equine.I started to coach 13 years ago in Quebec and eventually decided to move and start up my program in Alberta. I learned from some of the best horse trainers in the world. I spent winters in Texas, Oklahoma, trained my first horse in 2016 for the BFA world championship in Oklahoma. I also worked for multiple world champions and Olympic riders. I've learned from all of them to become a better rider and coach. I still train and keep my knowledge up to date with the most recent techniques in training. I do it so I can share and provide the best up to date teaching possible. My best reward as a coach is to see my students progress in the sport and achieve their goals. Not only I'm a coach but I'm also a competitor in Barrel racing and Skijoring.
Here's some of my most recent accomplishments :
2024 Big bang finalist out of 2000 runs.
2024 Alberta barrel racing association finalist with 2 different horses
2024 FCA rodeo top 10 average year end
2023 Skijor Canada Sprint and Relay Champion
2023 4th place Didsbury rodeo 2023
2023 Big Bang Barrel race 3D average champion out of 2000 runs.
2022 Calgary Stampede qualifier semi finalist
2022 3rd place Dam Barrel racing out of 300+ competitors
2022 3rd place Western classic out of 300+ competitors
Meet the Coach – Jorja
Hello, I’m Jorja ! Horses and ranch life have always been a part of me. I grew up on the Matador Community Pasture in Saskatchewan, where I had the privilege of being raised with horses and cattle. That upbringing gave me the unique opportunity to work with horses and colts of all abilities, and it’s where my lifelong passion for the equine industry truly began.
My roots run deep in agriculture and community. I spent 13 years in 4-H, competing in the Beef Project and developing skills that still shape who I am today, livestock management, leadership, and public speaking. More importantly, 4-H taught me the value of being a role model and supporting others, lessons I carry into everything I do at Matter’s Equine.
Over the years, I’ve had the joy of volunteering in mentorship programs, giving youth the chance to experience life on a ranch. Teaching them how to care for livestock and showing them the benefits of being in nature has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Watching young people grow in confidence while connecting with animals is something I truly believe in.
Before moving to Alberta, I worked in the healthcare industry, which gave me valuable insight into care, patience, and the importance of helping others. Yet, my true passion was always with horses. After spending a winter riding Cutting Horses in Arizona, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to build my career in the equine world.
Now, Alberta has become home. I feel right where I’m meant to be teaching, coaching, and sharing my passion for horses. I’m a teacher at heart, and nothing excites me more than watching riders and students grow and becoming more confident, more capable, and better than they were yesterday.
At Matter’s Equine, my goal is to create a welcoming environment where riders of all ages and abilities can learn, improve, and fall in love with horses. Whether through lessons, mentorship, or simply being part of the equine community, I’m here to guide, encourage, and share the knowledge that has been passed down to me throughout my life.
