Elke Kofahl’s Equine History

Elke Kofahl started riding in 1974 in Germany on Icelandics. After those first years learning the basics she was introduced to Warmbloods through Dressage and Jumping. For several years she rode with a number of different coaches in Germany and Austria as well as taking additional courses and attending special dressage/jumping camps in Europe and the US.

Between 1982 and 1987 Elke worked closely with a dressage judge, introducing her to the techniques of teaching students from beginners to advanced riders. Those experiences were the starting point for her love to teach. She also worked at a trotter breeding facility learning horse & barn management, equine health & care and the basics of breeding practises.

Those years also included on-going participation in workshops and courses, including successful testing for the “Bronze und Silber Jugend Reitabzeichen” (Formerly a test given to young riders to test their theoretical knowledge about horses, the riding of a dressage test and the riding of a jumping course). After receiving this test Elke was able to show her clients horses at local shows.

From 1988 to 1994 Elke rode with several coaches in Germany and Switzerland and kept taking additional courses to improve her riding and training of young horses. Elke worked closely with a number of instructors to learn more about the teaching aspect and took on more students. She also worked as a barn manager and head coach at a small private barn and got her “Bronze Reitabzeichen” in 1993.

1994 was a year of change, when the opportunity to fulfill her dream of moving to Canada materialized. With two young children, a dog and 9 horses she made her way to a new life across the Atlantic. The family bought a farm in Cape Breton and started breeding Westfalian Warmbloods as well as opening a small riding school. During those nearly 19 years of running her own stable, she also gave several dressage and jumping clinics in Alberta, judged some dressage shows (Pony Club Provincials AB), trained young horses and retrained problems horses.

All those years of learning and having the opportunity to work with and observe so many different coaches, gave Elke the knowledge and understanding to developed her COMTACT program. These workshops are meant to be an addition to any equine program you are already enrolled in, with only one goal: for theĀ benefit of the horse and rider.