Boarding

Thunderbird Show Stables resides on a pristine 100 acre property.

4 Barns
74 X 240 Indoor Arena
Huge Outdoor Sand Ring
Grass Jumper Ring
Acres of Trails

Training

Thunderbird Show Stables offers full training programs designed to meet your needs from Beginner to Grand Prix.

Inquire today about a program that will fit your needs by emailing laura@thunderbirdshowstables.com.

Our Trainers

Laura Tidball-Balisky

As a child Laura competed on Western Stock Horses but by age 11 switched over to riding English style. At age 16 she made history by being the first Canadian and youngest female ever to win both the ASPCA Maclay Finals at Madison Square Gardens and the AHSA Medal Finals in Pennsylvania. The following year she won Individual and Team Gold at the North American Young Continental Riders Competition.

The next year Laura started competing at the Grand Prix level. Throughout the following years she attained many top finishes at this level competing in North America and Europe. Laura competed for Canada at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, in 1986 at the World Championships, and in 1987 as part of the Gold Medal winning Team at the Pan American Games. During her competitive career she competed at 5 World Cup Finals.

As a coach, Laura has is among only two other coaches who have won and had a student win the AHSA Medal Finals, George Morris and Ronnie Mutch. Laura and her husband Brent have coached numerous winners of the CET Medal Finals at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto, Ontario. This is Canada’s most prestigious event for a rider 21 years and under to win. Many of Laura and Brent’s students have gone on to become professional in the horse industry.

Brent Balisky

Brent was born on May 24, 1962 in Grande Prairie, Alberta Canada.

Brent was very successful as a junior competitor with many championships at the famous Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta.

In 1982 Brent met Laura Tidball and moved to Langley, BC to become partners in their business Thunderbird Equestrian Centre. They would later marry in 1985.

Brent coached Laura through two Olypmic games 1984 and 1988, the World Championships in 1986, and many World Cup finals. They had many wins at the Grand Prix level with several horses they purchased and trained.

Brent has coached many students up to and through the Grand Prix level. He was the Chef d’equipe of the BC Young Riders Team 2002. The team received a Silver medal for their efforts.

Brent continues to compete in the Hunter ring and also at Grand Prix level. He is one of the most successful professionals to ever come out of the Pacific Northwest.

Brent and his wife Laura run a very successful training facility with over 50 horses. Their customers are successful in the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation rings throughout North America.

Laura-Jane Tidball

LJ's foundation was first created as a young rider competing in the EC, McClay, Washington and CET medal classes both locally and back East. In 1994, LJ won the Equine Canada Medal. She was a member of the BC Young Riders Team in 1996 and was competing in the Grand Prix division by the age of 16. In 1996 she competed in Europe and went back to Germany in 2001 to compete.

Upon her return in 2005, LJ put her skills to work for Thunderbird Show Stables. LJ talents are utilized for riding client and sales horses, both at home and away at shows. It is not uncommon to see LJ hop off a Hunter after a Baby Green class and get on a Grand Prix jumper and head down to the jumper ring. LJ possesses both the strength and finess needed to adapt to each horse to bring out their best.

LJ currently competes her own horse, Oxford, in the 1.6m division. With her positive and professional approach to the equestrian sport, LJ is a huge asset to Thunderbird Training Stables.