About Wildflower

We are here for the kids who just aren't fitting in with other riding programs. We are here for the adults who want to learn to ride for the first time in their retirement. We are here for the riders who want to ride once weekly forever, with no pressure to up their commitment or to own a horse. We are also here to for those who want to buy their first horse and don't know where to start. We are here for the kids who just want to be around the horses but don't want to compete. We are here to teach you solid foundations in horsemanship and riding no matter how far you want to go in the sport. We are here for discovering who you are, struggling through hard things, growing into a new version of yourself, learning something new, and re-learning how to play. We are here to wholeheartedly embrace queerness, neurodiversity, disabilities, and cultural differences. Most importantly, we are a community of horse lovers who want to support each other in all aspects of life.

About Wyld View Ranch

As of July 2025, Wildflower Riding will be operating out of Wyld View Ranch, located just 15 minutes North of Cochrane, Alberta. Wyld View Ranch is a beautiful 40-acre horse ranch where we are building a welcoming community of people who love nature, animals, and supporting each other. Check out their website for their program offerings, such as equine assisted learning, ranch camps, and more.

Wyld View Ranch

Our Team

Owner & Program Director

Hannah Friedenberg

Hannah is passionate about creating inclusive communities where people feel they truly belong. She holds a BA in Global Health and a Masters Diploma in Interdisciplinary Education. She has 15 years experience working with at-risk children and youth in a wide variety of roles in schools, at the YMCA, with children's services, equine assisted psychotherapy programs, and sport programs. As a queer and neurodiverse individual herself, Hannah strives to foster a safe and welcoming space for others to enjoy horses, animals, and nature. Hannah also offers neurodiversity inclusion webinars, workshops, and consulting for sport and education programs.

Hannah is the advanced riding coach at Wildflower. She has been riding for 25 years and coaching for 17. She has competed in hunters, jumpers, eventing, english pleasure, and working equitation. While she enjoys competing sometimes, she does not consider herself a competitive rider or coach.

Program Manager

Adelle Hvidsten

Adelle loves building strong relationships between horses and riders and amongst our community. She has a Diploma in Equine Sciences from Guelph University and is passionate about the health of our horses. Adelle also holds an EAL Certificate from Equine Connections. With 11 years of coaching experience, Adelle has a special talent for working with older adult riders and very young children. While Adelle has spent most of her riding career barrel racing, she has experience riding in multiple disciplines.

Adelle manages the day-to-day activities of Wildflower. She will answer all your questions, schedule your lessons, assign horses, and send your invoices.

Instructor

Kira Koutsoumbis

Kira is passionate about horses and learning. She has a knack for explaining hard concepts and getting kids excited about getting dirty. Kira is currently doing her undergraduate degree at University of Calgary with the goal of going to vet school to become an equine vet. Kira has been coaching beginner riders for 4 years and has recently been leading outdoor learning programs as well. Kira has ridden mostly english, both jumping and dressage. She also loves teaching others the basics of groundwork and horsemanship in her lessons and in clinics.