Introducing
We are nothing without our incredible team. At Dreamwinds we work hard to practice what we preach and are proud to be part of an exceptional team whose passion and dedication shines through in everything we do.
“Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much” – Helen Keller
Who We Are
We are a passionate bunch that live and breathe our core values to deliver unforgettable experiences to our clients every day. But Team Dreamwinds is much more than that, it is a vast network within our community that never ceases to amaze us with their ongoing support.
Our Facilitators – A dedicated network of Certified EAL Facilitators that are the best in the industry and bring a variety of knowledge and experience. No matter who the client, we understand and can speak their language to provide a valuable and relevant program experience.
Our Horses – Our horses are carefully selected to ensure they are safe and of sound mind and body. We choose horses that are fit and active in another discipline so that they are continuously challenged and engaged both inside and outside of EAL.
Our Partners – We are so fortunate to be partnered with the original founders of the Cartier EAL Facilitator Certification Program. Their program is second to none in the EAL Industry and we are proud to be working together to bring unlimited continuing education opportunities to our graduates. We couldn’t ask for better partners, mentors and friends.
Team Dreamwinds
Tracey Evans
Owner / Master Instructor
Tracey Evans is the Owner/Master EAL Instructor. After nearly 20 years in the corporate world, Tracey made a choice to carve out a new career that included her passion for horses. With a keen understanding of the importance of effective leadership in the development, engagement and performance of a team, she left her successful corporate career in 2012 to bring a unique approach to leadership development and team building to the GTA using horses. After successfully creating a business and enriched new lifestyle, Tracey continued her studies to become a Master EAL Instructor and now helps others pursue their dreams of a fulfilling career with horses through her EAL Facilitator Certification program and business coaching practice around the world. Her unique approach has earned her top box client ratings and wonderful community recognition.
Tracey completed her MBA in Strategic Marketing and enjoyed a successful marketing career in the telecom and financial services industry. Just prior to leaving the corporate world to pursue her passion, Tracey held the senior role of Vice President of Merchant Services Marketing for American Express leading the Merchant Services marketing teams for Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean. Tracey shares 3 step-ˇsons, 4 horses, 3 dogs, 1 cat and a donkey with her husband Dirk in Tryon, North Carolina. It is a busy life, but Tracey would have it no other way as she seeks to inspire others to be confident leaders, to pursue their dreams and live their best life.
Dirk Tews
Owner / Program Partner
As a full-time luxury homebuilder, Dirk has made a career of creating exceptional spaces and Dreamwinds is no exception. His building expertise and eye for detail ensures our facility is first class in our industry. Since building the farm, Dirk has become a keen observer of horse behavior and quick study of our approaches to natural horsemanship and Equine Assisted Learning. With experience managing large projects and leading diverse teams, Dirk brings his leadership expertise and anecdotal experiences to life co-facilitating our corporate teambuilding sessions.
Robin Hnat
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Robin brings extensive experience in sales, business development, and
relationship management to Dreamwinds. As VP of Strategic Partnerships, she is
focused on growing our corporate and sports team programs and
building strong community and organizational partnerships. A lifelong
equestrian, Robin is passionate about the impact horses can have on
leadership, connection, and personal growth.
Jennifer Viitala
Assistant Instructor - Canada
As a Certified Coach with NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association), Jennifer specialized in the instruction of teens with cognitive disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy and ADHD for 6 years. She is a Certified EAL Facilitator and Equine Massage Therapist with a lifetime of experience with horses. She brings an expansive knowledge of how horses relate to both each other and those around them. In 2015 Jenn took on the role of Assistant EAL Instructor to support the Dreamwinds EAL Certification program.
Natalie Lane
Facilitator & Assistant Instructor - USA
We’re excited to welcome Natalie as Assistant Instructor at Dreamwinds.
Natalie brings over 50 years of experience with horses, from rider to accomplished coach and trainer. At just 16, she earned a place on the United States Modern Pentathlon Team and went on to represent the U.S. in national and international competition, shaping her approach to partnership, discipline, and performance.
Her work is grounded in natural horsemanship and decades of hands-on experience across multiple disciplines. Natalie has a gift for helping people better understand their horses, guiding them beyond frustration and toward willing, connected partnerships.
She was drawn to Equine-Assisted Learning as a way to extend the impact of horses beyond the riding arena, recognizing their ability to build self-awareness, confidence, trust, and communication.
Natalie chose Dreamwinds for its objective-based, structured curriculum, and now brings her experience and passion into her role, helping participants create meaningful, lasting breakthroughs.
Outside of Dreamwinds, she stays active in eventing, dressage, and fox hunting, and continues to embrace learning through new experiences. For Natalie, it has always been about the journey, and we’re thrilled she’s now part of ours.
Aria Baddorf
Equine & Program Coordinator
Aria keeps our herd strong, supported, and ready for a busy program year, while also playing a key role in the launch and delivery of new and expanding Dreamwinds programs. Aria graduated from Asbury University with a degree in Equine Studies and Business and has a lifetime of horse experience. Her leadership and passion will be instrumental in helping us deliver meaningful, high-quality experiences.
Marietta Stalcup, MBA, PCC
Coach In Residence
We are thrilled to have Marietta Stalcup, MBA, PCC, on the team as our Coach In Residence to support and bring added value to our leadership and team building programs. Marietta is a PCC level Executive Leadership Coach, Co-author of Developing Leaders at All Levels: A Practical Field Guide for Leaders, Facilitators and Coaches, and founder of Evolu Coaching. Marietta’s practice specializes in developing leaders at all levels through practical, experiential, and human-centered approaches. With a 21-year career at Eli Lilly & Company and leadership consulting experience with organizations such as Roche Diagnostics, Integrated Power Services, Sebela Pharmaceutical, IU Health, Reinhardt University, and Butler University’s Lacy School of Business, she brings a rare blend of corporate insight and academic rigor to her coaching work.
Marietta is certified as a Cartier/Dreamwinds EAL consultant, an Advanced DISC Model of Human Behavior expert, and an ICF‑credentialed coach known for helping leaders expand their self-awareness, elevate their influence, and intentionally shape their career and leadership trajectory. Passionate about experiential learning, Marietta integrates equine-assisted leadership principles to help leaders experience breakthrough moments of clarity, confidence, and connection. Her philosophy centers on the belief that “leadership is influence” and that everyone can grow their capacity to lead from wherever they areTM with authenticity, courage, and purpose.
Our Horses
Liv
Meet Liv! This girl is a Canadian Sport Horse and the perfect combination of sweet and sassy! She is eager to please, but likes a clear communicator who knows what they want from their team. She’ll guide you to come together, align on your goals and help you exercise them with confidence. When she is not teaching, Liv is a budding show horse strutting her stuff in the dressage and jumper rings.
Luke
He’s Just Fabuluke! A fitting name for this beautiful boy. Luke is a registered Appendix (3/4 thoroughbred 1/4 quarter horse) with a big heart. He has spent most of his life as a show horse on the western pleasure circuit. He’s found his forever home with us doing EAL and is excelling in Dressage with Tracey. As a teacher he is sweet, gentle and kind. He gives his whole heart for those who put their trust in him but bores easily. An engaging leader is the key to success with this boy!
Simon
Meet Simon! This handsome boy is Dutch Warmblood who left his life in Europe to come to Canada and show the Grand Prix Show Jumping world how it is done. After a successful career in the ribbons, Simon is enjoying a quieter lifestyle and loving his new role as EAL teacher. This boy is all business. He likes to know what’s expected and will work hard to get it just right for the right leader.
Jack
Introducing Jack our sweet Thoroughbred! Jack is a gentle and respectful boy who loves people and is everyone’s friend. He is looking for a confident partner who considers his needs and is gentle and kind like him. With Jack on your team you will learn about connection, empathy, how to trust and be trusted. Jack is also a star in the ring and on the trails. He is a happy go lucky, do anything kind of boy.
Echo
Meet Echo! Echo is a handsome Off-The-Track-Thoroughbred adopted through New Vocations’ Pasture Potato program. Echo had a successful racing career with 42 starts that sadly ended with an injury that did not heal well. He needed a soft landing and with his sweet, people loving attitude, we just knew he had to join Team Dreamwinds. We are excited to have him join our programs and see how his teaching style evolves!
Benson
Last but never least…Benson! Bennie is the star of the show and definitely a fan favorite. Not your typical EAL horse, Benson brings forth your patience and negotiating skills. In true donkey style, Benson does what he wants, when he wants! So if you can get him to cooperate, you definitely have some leadership gifts!
Lincoln
Lincoln is the youngest member of the Dreamwinds herd and a dream years in the making. When the timing and circumstances were finally right, we welcomed this gentle baby Clydesdale to our family. With his towering size, kind heart, and unmistakable feathered feet, he’s already winning over everyone he meets. Curious, gentle, and wonderfully goofy, Lincoln has a way of making people smile before they’ve even said hello
Right now, Lincoln’s biggest job is simply being a young horse. Over the next few years, he’ll spend his days learning from our experienced herd, building confidence, exploring the world, and discovering what it means to become an Equine Assisted Learning horse. Every horse develops in their own way, and we’re excited to watch Lincoln grow into the teacher he’s meant to be.
As Lincoln grows, you’ll also see him representing Dreamwinds at community events, where his gentle nature and larger-than-life personality are sure to make him a favourite. We’re excited to share his journey as he learns, matures, and finds his own unique place within the Dreamwinds herd.
Our Legacy
Oliver (1998 - 2020)
Oliver – forever guiding us in spirit (Jan 27, 1998 – Dec 2, 2020) – He was a Thoroughbred Gelding, Tracey’s first horse and the inspiration for Dreamwinds. He was the most gentle guy who sought steady and reliable leadership. He was an ‘old soul’, wise beyond his years and always willing to please. He gave his all and loved to share his wisdom. His passing has left a huge void, but know his legacy will live on in the lives and hearts he touched and in our programs forever.
Jimmy (2007-2023)
Reagan (2004-2023)
A tribute to Reagan! This beautiful grey beauty captured our hearts and those of all she taught! This kind and gentle girl was eager to please and loved her work, but if there were lessons to be learned, she would shoot a knowing look to let you know! We were blessed to have her on the team for only a short time, but she made a huge impact on our clients and left big hoof prints in our hearts.
Our Partners
Gayle Cartier
Founder / Lead Instructor
Gayle is our Founder of the EAL Building Block Curriculum that we teach and have built our business upon. She is the lead facilitator of the Cartier Equine Assisted Learning Program and Instructor of the EAL Facilitator Certification Program offered at Cartier Farms.
Gayle holds a degree in Equine Studies from Humber College, is a Certified Level I English and Level I Western Coach and holds a Level 1 EAGALA Certification.
Gayle knew early in life that horses would play a major role in her career. Feeling passionate about horses since she was a young girl, she always had a desire to teach kids and adults to ride. Her 30 years of coaching experience in jumping and western disciplines allowed her the opportunity to recognize that horses have a gift for creating a positive lifestyle for people involved with them at all levels of interaction. Observing the horses natural ability to teach life skills when combined with facilitation and the effect this had on her students began her journey into Equine Assisted Learning. The 10-year development, testing and research by the Cartier Equine Center, has created an amazing program that the Cartier team is very proud of.
Janice Boucher
Co-Founder / EAL Facilitator
Janice is the program coordinator, and assistant instructor of the Cartier EAL Facilitator Certification Program, she is also a facilitator of the Youth and Leadership Development Equine Assisted Learning programs currently running at Cartier Farms.
Janice began riding horses with her brother Daryl at the early age of eight years old. Over the years Janice has been involved in many different sports, but more specifically Janice excelled in archery. She was the Canadian National Champion and was the first Canadian to win the IOB World Championships in 1995 held in West Virginia, USA. With this drive for excellence she found success with her personal approach of facilitating individuals to understand and excel in equine assisted learning.
Janice is a certified EAL instructor and facilitator, and holds a Level 1 EAGALA certification.