Tani, who was raised in Edmonton, Alberta, started riding as a teenager at the age of 15. As a junior competitor, Tani spent many years showing in Indio, California, and Wellington, Florida, on the two most prominent show jumping circuits in North America. She then attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, while successfully pursuing her competitive goals in the amateur divisions. Upon graduating in 1993, Tani decided to pursue show jumping as a profession.
Tani’s first World Cup Grand Prix was in Monterrey, Mexico, in 1994 where she placed seventh with Starvos. In 1995, Tani had a memorable year - she was named to the Canadian Equestrian Team Short List and was awarded the Firestone Development Scholarship. At the Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament, she placed seventh in the du Maurier International, the richest show jumping event in the world.
Having met her former husband, Dutch Olympic show jumping rider Jan Tops, at Spruce Meadows in 1993, the pair married in 1995. Based in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, Tani gained valuable international experience, earning several Leading Lady Rider titles as well as placing second in both the 1994 Grand Prix of Paris and the 1995 Grand Prix of Zurich with Starvos.
In 1997, Tani gave birth to her first child, Julia, on Christmas Eve. The following year, Tani made her debut on the Canadian Show Jumping Team at the National Horse Show in New York City, having the best Canadian result in the Nations’ Cup.
In 2009, Tani purchased Ranville from fellow Canadian Equestrian Team member, Frankie Chesler. The pair quickly formed a strong partnership, and have enjoyed impressive results in several Grand Prix events, including World Cup qualifiers. Loving Dancer, formerly ridden by Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer, joined the string in 2010, and has also proven to be a strong contender at the grand prix level.
Tani is currently based in Calgary, Alberta, where she operates Zeidler Farm. In addition to competing at the top level of the sport, Tani also runs a breeding program, featuring many of her former grand prix mounts. With Julia now an active competitor in the show jumping ring, mother and daughter share a passion for the sport.
Ranville
1998 chestnut Dutch Warmblood gelding, 17hh by Calvados
Owner: Zeidler Farm Canada, Ltd.
Loving Dancer
1999 grey German-bred gelding by La Zarras
Owner: Zeidler Farm Canada, Ltd.
Classic Lady
1999 grey Swedish Warmblood mare
Owner: Zeidler Farm Canada, Ltd.
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