Alicia Gadban developed her interest and passion for horses at a young age. From beginner ponies to Grand Prix mounts, she has accomplished a lot in the 17 years that she has been pursuing equestrian sport. From her early pony club days, she has expanded her knowledge of horse care and training through many successes and internships.
In 2009, shortly after the purchase of the horse that moved her off ponies, Alicia’s father invested in a farm just outside of Vancouver to continue living the equine dream. Naming this farm aptly after her new purchase and soon to be junior hunter, Imperial Stables has blossomed into one of the finest hunter/jumper barns in the area under the careful management of Alicia and her father.
Moving through the junior hunter and equitation ranks quickly, Alicia finished off the 2011 season with many championships in the junior hunter and equitation rings with Imperial. At the end of this season, she purchased her second horse, Pia, to take her further in the equitation ring. It was with this mare that she qualified for regional CET finals and national Jump Canada finals in the 2012 season. Soaring through regionals, Alicia was well on her way to the CET finals at the Royal Horse Show in Toronto in the winter of 2012. The Royal Horse Show saw Alicia 6th nationally in the CET and 8th in the Jump Canada Medal.
At the end of 2012, Alicia purchased her third horse, Ryanna. This mare would see Alicia all the way up to her first Grand Prix, but not without success in the hunter rings first. Alicia continued her education with Justine Annandale of Sperabo Stables up until the spring of 2014, when she was invited to a working student position at OZ Incorporated. Jeff and Shelley Campf have a long reputation in both rings and it was with this opportunity that Alicia spent a year in Portland, Oregon learning from some of the best in this sport. In that year, Alicia rode in her first Grand Prix, gained invaluable insight into the business side of equestrian sport, and rode to top placing’s in all rings. Her 10 weeks spent at the HITS Thermal Desert Horse Park with Cerafina gave her invaluable insight and consistency in the Grand Prix ring. It was with this mare that she really proved herself to be a strong, competitive rider.
After her time at OZ, Alicia returned home for a year to mange the farm full time and welcome the two newest additions to her string, a filly and a colt out of her Ryanna mare, who she looks forward to developing in the future. In the spring of 2016, Alicia went to England for 3 months where she trained with Olympic gold medallist Peter Charles. Soaking up all the knowledge Peter had to offer, she came back with a fresh perspective and a well rounded education on the European system.