Janice Posnikoff RHD Director

I got to see Totilas at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010. It was beyond amazing. At the time I was a wannabe Dressage Queen through and through but this….being there and seeing one of the best dressage horses of all time was sublime. 

I have been told that I live a very charmed life and in many ways I agree-not because of luck alone, but because of a profound sense of gratitude. that being by the Universe itself…not so man)

Regardless I have always felt lucky, honoured and gifted throughout my life. From being from a really small town in MB, Canada, to becoming a vet, to getting to live 20 years as a sport horse vet in sunny Orange County, CA to being part owner of a really cool little problem pony named Nico that my bestie Dory took to Grand Prix. I feel that I’ve lived and I am riding the train to retirement.

But nothing could have prepared me for that fateful night when Kim and I were foaling out her mare and she looked at me and said “you know Gaudi is for sale?”

The chain of events that followed were surreal. I will never forget the day that I agonized about pushing the send button on my phone to Scott Tolman sealing the deal. I sat in our office surrounded by two of my core team saying “do it”, while the other two sat on the fence and my pre vet student saying, “do it” It was the look in her eye that made me grin and push that button.

I am so glad I did.

Gaudi is simply amazing and it is such an honour to be his human.

Throughout my entire equine vet career I have met so many amazing horses and horse owners. Many of the really special horses were geldings. So often I would say to myself these are the type we want in the world.

Now I get my chance to represent and help share a wonderful horse that makes wonder horses. To help make those horses that are good enough for a pro but can be ridden by an amateur. For all my wonderful dressage friends.

What I have been told by Scot Tolman, the man who imported Gaudi to North America from The Netherlands and who has expertly represented him, is that Gaudi cools out any mare he breeds to. From what I can see that is exactly true. I am in love with the Gaudi babies in our area and hear repeatedly how wonderful they are.

When we all watched Gaudi float across the paddock on the day he arrived I said to my friends “every late night, every holiday spent working, every colic, every emergency, every favour done for anyone has just come back to me in spades because at this moment” Gaudi is big time karma for me and I so appreciate this opportunity.

I jumped into the dressage rabbit hole a long time ago. Now I have landed in Wonderland.

Come Join us…..

Janice

AKA

Gaudi’s #1 fan

Oh ya, and lastly…I’ve been a horse vet for over 30 years. WCVM class of ’94, love dressage, from a small town and live in the most amazing place. Love my job (Own Okanagan Equine Vet Services) love our people we work for and not to toot my own horn, but I do a real decent job on lacerations…..and take a really mean x-ray!

Daniel Pescatore Alves is an Equine Veterinarian from Brazil who has dedicated his career to Equine Reproduction. He completed a two-year specialization in Equine Reproduction from the University of Jaguariuna and spent  ten years practicing in Brazil before moving his family to Canada.

In 2024 he joined Okanagan Equine Veterinary Services as their lead Reproduction technician. He is currently working towards obtaining his veterinary license in Canada.

Daniel serves as the primary handler of Gaudi for semen collection and preparation-both fresh and frozen-and collaborates closely with breeders and veterinarians to achieve successful live foals. 

He looks forward to supporting breeders throughout the busy breeding season with his expertise and care.

Kim’s journey with horses began in her early 20’s when she accepted a position with a stable in Bermuda in 1989. It was in Bermuda that she caught the dressage bug but, in her heart, breeding was what she wanted to do and in 2011 Westwind Sport Horses was founded. In 2012 her first foal was born.  That first foal Saxony (Sir Gregory x Artenstolz) is one of her foundation broodmares today. In 2020 Saxony produced a lovely filly by Gaudi and in 2025 that mare was the top FEI 5-year-old in Canada. In 2024 Kim's prgram produced a stunning colt by Gaudi out of her Rampal Mare Divine ISF. That colt will now be a part of the RHD family, and we look forward to seeing him produced. Her excitement for Janice’s vision and her love for Gaudi and what he produces is why Kim has agreed to join RHD. 

Kim continues to produce exceptional foals in her small breeding program, and they can be found all-over North America with both Pro riders and amateurs alike. Some even landed in a jumper barn much to the horror of her dressage breeder’s heart.

We welcome her knowledge of the dressage breeding industry and look forward to having her help our customers on their breeding journey with Gaudi.