Hampton woman has made a career out of riding horses.

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Most little girls dream of having a pony, but few get the chance to have their own equine companion, let alone make horses and riding their full-time job. For 29-year-old Denielle Gallagher, this dream has become reality.

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Denielle Gallagher is pictured here with her mount, Gallaway’s Abrikos from the Palm Beach CDI (March 2008) where they competed at Grand Prix level. Gallaway’s Abrikos is a 17-year-old black Russian stallion.

Growing up in Hampton, New Brunswick, Gallagher started riding at a young age and was brought up through the Canadian Pony Club system, where she reached her C2 level. Now this CPC alumna has turned to dressage, where she's quickly becoming recognized for her talent and skill as one of Canada's top riders.

"When I was younger I started in pony club," explains Gallagher. "We did all the rallies and I also competed in eventing. I always liked dressage, but didn't know much about it, so I was happy to gallop around a [cross-country] course and I always used the dressage as a warm up for my jumping."

Dressage, often referred to as "horse ballet", wasn't always Gallagher's chosen discipline.

"Eventing was my main focus, I was aiming to be a competitive three-day rider," Gallagher comments. "When I started working with Ashley Holzer, I was very impressed by the sheer power of her animals. She always had me get on and start to warm up [the horses] for her and she would very subtly correct my position. As time went on her demands would change and more and more I was developing a dressage seat."

Now living in New York, Gallagher has been working under Ashley Holzer, member of the Canadian Dressage Team for Beijing in 2008, for the past five years.

Gallagher started out as a groom for Holtzer and accompanied her to Athens in 2004, and to the World Equestrian Games, which were held in Germany in 2006.

"I have gained so much experience travelling all over the world at international competitions," says Gallagher. "Going to Greece for the Olympics - that was amazing!"

But the role of groom isn't the destiny for this dedicated equestrian, Gallagher has been competing at the Grand Prix level for dressage during the 2007-08 season in Florida. Highlights for Gallagher this year have been many, as she has been very successful in the show ring and competed in her first kur, a freestyle dressage pattern set to music.

"I would say coming in 10th in my first CDI Grandprix [competition] out of 41 horses, was one of the major highlights of this season. I was up against many top riders and feel honoured to be alongside them." Working with Holzer has added to the knowledge that Gallagher has been building since she was a child.

"Ashley has really helped me to develop a good work ethic, to be honest and to always try to do what is best for the horses," admits Gallagher. "I have to say my parents have always strived for that as well."

Gallaway Ridge Stables is Gallagher's business, and she has two up and coming mounts that she will be showing in the near future; Gallaway's Abrikos and Gallaway's De Miro, who Gallagher has big plans for.

"Gallaway's De Miro is a very special boy," comments Gallagher about the eight-year-old black Oldenburg Gelding. "I am trying to keep his training going and get him in the Grand Prix ring." Gallagher earned her FEI Olympic Certificate of Capability this past season, and has been ranked sixth in Canada for the 2008 Olympic trials. But with a baby on the way, the Olympics will have to wait for Gallagher until 2012.

"My goals are to ride and educate myself to the maximum. Being with Ashley gives me the opportunity to do that. I can't wait to represent my country."