Dressage Pioneer Sheila Skene – A Grand Prix Person

Dressage pioneer Sheila Skene’s lifelong dedication helped shape the sport in Canada through riding, judging, mentoring, and volunteer leadership.

Updated:

March 12, 2026

By Monique Noble

To describe the qualities of dressage in romantic terms is to speak of patience made visible, strength softened by grace, and discipline guided by empathy. In this artful discipline, every step is a promise kept, every transition a whispered conversation, and every moment a reflection of harmony and partnership born from time, devotion, and love — qualities that become unmistakably evident when speaking with Sheila Skene, who so beautifully embodies them all.

When Sheila Skene discovered dressage in Canada shortly after emigrating from England, it was a match made in heaven. She fell deeply in love with the discipline, and with such commitment that she became determined not only to thrive in dressage herself, but to help dressage thrive as well. Thus began the love of a lifetime that would help shape the sport and inspire its community even to this day.

Bitten by the horse bug early in life, at 17 years of age Skene was running a small riding stable in Devon, England. Her adventurous athletic spirit came naturally. Skene’s father, a professional golfer, was offered a job in Victoria, BC, prompting the family to move to Canada when Skene was in her early twenties. A small announcement in the local paper mentioned the newcomers and their young daughter’s love of riding. A golf club member who owned a show jumping stable took notice and offered her a job. Skene jumped at the opportunity. Her new employers, the Carpenter family, may have been surprised to learn that the tall, polite, and perfectly turned-out young English woman they hired was also experienced with high-strung horses, having raced steeplechase horses in England.

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Always smiling, Skene has been an enduring and endearing figure, both inside the ring as a competitor and outside the ring as volunteer, judge, and dressage cheerleader. Photo courtesy of Sheila Skene

While working for the Carpenters, Skene was invited to meet Canadian dressage legend Inez Fisher-Credo, who had recently represented Canada in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Fisher-Credo and her chestnut mare, Gordina, danced through a dressage test, and while barely a hoofprint was left by their lightness in the arena, the mark they left on the heart of an enchanted young horsewoman was indelible. Skene fondly remembers that day.

“I was spellbound at this very first introduction to dressage and knew then that I’d do my best to learn more about it. My riding background in England had been hunting, point-to-points, steeplechasing, some casual showing of ponies, and gymkhana and much riding out, but dressage was unknown to me — until then. It was a few years before I was able to pursue lessons with Margot Parker, who at that time used to bring Inez to her farm to regularly offer clinics, which I was privileged to ride in.”

Having ridden many powerful mounts in her life, Skene understood the incredible amount of skill and discipline that it would take to learn the intricacies of dressage and look so polished and effortless in the riding arena. The studied control and captivating grace of dressage spoke to her deeply — she no longer wanted to just ride her horses; she wanted to dance with them.

Though horses were always a constant in Skene’s life, other paths also presented themselves. After a brief return to the UK and some personal journeys stretching as far away as Africa, she returned to Victoria in 1976. Shortly after returning, Skene discovered the newly minted Victoria-Saanich branch of the Canadian Dressage Owners and Riders Association (CADORA) and immediately joined the new club, thrilled to be part of a like-minded group of horsemen and women.

Dressage, with its ancient roots in horsemanship and the military, was becoming a civilian pursuit. While it was first included in the Olympic Games in 1912, it was not until 1952 that non-military riders and women were allowed to compete. By 1976, dressage in North America was gaining momentum. The Montreal Olympic Games brought unprecedented attention: the American team consisting of three women riders won bronze, and the Canadian team consisting of three women riders (Christilot Hanson-Boylen, Lorraine Stubbs, and Barbara Stracey) placed fifth. It was a media frenzy bringing Canadian dressage a huge influx of supporters, riders, and opportunities, and an exciting time to be part of a dressage club.

By 1977, Skene was an active member of the club, helping where needed in every area from memberships to shows and fundraisers, while also pursuing her dream of becoming a more knowledgeable dressage rider. Skene’s unwavering commitment to dressage both in and out of the saddle shaped her into a commanding, magnetic figure whether competing in the arena or influencing the sport beyond it.

A talented rider, Skene progressed through the levels of dressage, ultimately competing in Prix St. Georges, the first rung of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) levels. The FEI is the international governing body for equestrian sport and is the highest authority for equestrian events, governing thousands of competitions annually, including the World Equestrian Games and Olympic/Paralympic Games. Competing at this level of dressage requires an outstanding standard of riding precision, skill, and communication with the horse.

Skene was a joy to watch in the arena. She is shown participating in the 2012 Stephen Clark Clinic in Victoria, BC, with Larusso, her 17hh gelding lovingly called “Riley.” Photo courtesy of Sheila Skene

Skene still speaks of her experience with palpable enthusiasm, “It's really difficult to get to that level. To actually understand collection and really be able to truly move with the horse to those very high-level movements. It’s a whole different world of skill levels once you get to experience the requirements of the FEI tests.”

With a knowing laugh, she says, “You think you can already ride well until you start to learn the more advanced movements and then realize you’re as naive as when you first started because it’s such a different experience — the sophistication of it.”

It is hard to imagine someone as accomplished as Skene being intimidated by sophistication — she personifies it. Her innate ability to keep calm and carry on in any environment has been an invaluable asset to dressage in Canada. Over the past five decades, she has helped encourage and guide the exponential growth of dressage in Canada through volunteering, organizing, sponsorship, judging, and mentoring.

Skene has held numerous positions in the Victoria-Saanich branch of CADORA, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2026, and has also contributed nationally by compiling, reviewing, and updating dressage rules for Equestrian Canada (EC) for many years.

Skene (far left) fondly remembers the horses and the great people she met through dressage. She is pictured with other Victoria-Saanich CADORA members at a Capital City Classic show held in the early 2000s at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Photo courtesy Sheila Skene

When Skene realized that physical challenges meant she could no longer do her horse justice in the arena, she felt deeply grateful to be able to continue contributing to the sport by maintaining her EC Senior Dressage Judge license. She is a respected and much-loved judge, and her enduring dedication to dressage — even in “retirement” — has made her a cherished presence and a guiding force for riders at every stage of their development.

Though she may no longer be active in the saddle, Skene remains a steadfast presence at events. Fellow longstanding Victoria-Saanich CADORA board member Heather Cormie offers high praise, “I don’t think you could work with a better person, more giving, kinder, or more generous. She’s a tremendous diplomat for all the clubs and the organizations she has worked with. There has not been one dinner that Sheila has not been involved in coming to… because of just who she is, her diplomacy, her earnest wanting to learn and never stop learning. Whether she’s riding or not, she is their heart and soul.”

Her impact has been formally recognized, most recently being named EC’s Volunteer of the Year in 2021, with National Rules Committee Appreciation 2014-2023, and being honoured with EC’s Lifetime Achievement award in 2024. Skene remains characteristically self-effacing, “Oh, I have to say I’ve been totally overwhelmed with all the credits I’ve got this year. It’s like, where does all this come from? I've just been doing what I like to do.”

And yet, it is not only about what she has done — it is how she has done it and how she has made others feel along the way. The affection of the community is unmistakable.

“Sheila was my favourite judge at the Lower Vancouver Island Horse Club shows when I was young. Our horse community is better because of her dedication and love of horses.”

“Sheila, you have a beautiful soul inside and out. You’re one of my mentors. Your kind words of wisdom I carry with me all the time. Hugs to you and [husband] Mike. You’re a big inspiration to the dressage community.”

“Sheila, we all love you so much! You have always been what ‘dressage’ means to me... so classy, but with a fun side as well.”

“One of our community’s most loved and respected dressage pioneers. Such wise and encouraging words. Thank you so much for your lifetime commitment to the sport of dressage in Victoria and Saanich and beyond.”

When asked for one of her favourite dressage memories Skene summed it up best, “Golly. That’s a whole lifetime...”

In dressage, grand prix signifies the highest level of excellence, demanding peak athleticism, partnership, harmony, and expertise. Skene may not have performed at this level of dressage within the competition arena, but in the Canadian horse community she has certainly reached a grand prix level of dedication, volunteerism, and commitment to equestrian sport. For a lifetime of selfless dedication to dressage and the horse community, we recognize Skene as a true Horse Community Hero.

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Main Photo: Skene’s dedication to the equine industry and dressage over her lifetime has helped many dreams come true and fortified Canadian equestrian sport as it strides toward an exciting and vibrant future. Photo: Nunn Other Photography