Serendipity Equestrian

This was definitely what it was like growing up in pony club 🤣🤣🤣 sadly, this would now warrant a report to Safe Sport because someone's feelings world be hurt 🙄 Tserin Dipity Erika Dales

𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐬 If you grew up riding in the ‘90s or early 2000s, particularly under the keen eyes of a Pony Club instructor, you’ll know exactly the sort I mean. These weren’t the “gentle encouragement and positive reinforcement” types you hear about today. No, they were built from tougher stock. Rain didn’t cancel lessons; it just meant you’d better not forget your gloves. And sympathy? That was reserved for the pony if you bounced on its back or let it drift onto the forehand. They taught more than just riding. They drilled in discipline, turnout, respect for the animal and above all, accountability. Stirrups had to be even. Boots had to shine. If your tack wasn’t clean enough to eat off, you were sent back to start again. They didn’t yell, not always, but their disappointment cut deeper than any raised voice. Looking back, many of us owe those instructors more than we ever said at the time. They expected high standards because they knew what horses deserved and they gave us a sense of pride in doing things properly. You weren’t just learning to ride; you were learning to care, to try again, to stand up straight even when your legs were jelly after too many no-stirrup canters. It wasn’t always easy. It wasn’t always fun. But it was formative. And when we teach now or watch the next generation come through the ropes it’s worth remembering those who taught us. Mud on your boots didn’t matter. But a lazy leg or untidy line did. Because back then, riding wasn’t about likes or rosettes. It was about learning to ride well, look after your pony, and not make excuses. And maybe, just maybe, we could do with a little more of that again.

I think every single one of my students over the years can attest to this 🤣🤣🤣

It’s not the last time until your trainer says it’s the last time🥵😍 A more eq-y ride this time from Air Kronos🥰 Not gonna lie, can’t wait for the start of @princetonshowjumping season🤩 #torirides #hunterjumper #younghorsetraining

I am rich!!!!

How a horsewoman knows she is rich:

I am rich. I have $15 in my checking account and a golden mare in the barn.

I am rich. I have a car that mostly works and enough gas to get to the barn every day this week.

I am rich. I have boxes of pasta and generic sauce in my pantry and enough hay to feed my horse through the winter.

I am rich. I have enough old coats and sweaters to layer up and stay warm while I do barn chores.

I am rich. I vacation by camping with my horses and going to cheer on my horse riding friends at horse shows. Sometimes I even play too, and spend $1000 to bring home a fifty cent ribbon that I will treasure more than a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower.

I am rich. I have tools: duct tape and baling twine and the know how to fix just about anything with these tools.

I am rich. I find joy in making my own things, making do, and making right. I have a 20 year old saddle, a 35 year old body, and the wonder and joy of a 6 year old child learning that a horse can give her wings.

I am rich.

My wealth is not measured in dollar signs but in horsey snorts and nickers. My riches aren't spent on electronics and fancy clothes but are shared with my human and four footed friends.

Next time someone finds out that I have a horse and says, " You must be rich to afford that" I will smile, and agree.

-Suzanne Waldrop

📸 Photos by Furey

I am SUPER proud of my first ever attempt at writing a Blog. For this blog, I focused on the impact of the forecasted drought conditions in 2024 and the impact on everyone's mental health with a focus on farmers, first responders, and residents of Okotoks because that is where Active Balance Health Centre is located 💕 Check it out:
https://activebalancehealth.ca/mental-health-in-times-of-drought/

PS - I hate the picture of me but at least it's not the only picture and, an added bonus is Ariella's notorious hair makes an appearance 🤣

Mental Health in Times of Drought - Active Balance Health Centre Every time we turn on the news, we hear about Alberta's drought. Drought affects more than our neighbouring farmers and ranchers. It also affects more than how green (or in reality - how brown) our lawns are going to be this summer. Believe it or not, drought can directly affect our mental health. A...

A fun day schooling X-Country!!!

This was 100% Qwiggley for me 💕

He'll find you

Who knew horses have a color preference for buckets!!

Water bucket colour preferences in horses There is a general agreement that horses have dichromatic colour vision with similar capabilities to those of human beings with red-green colour deficiencies. However, whether colour perception has an impact on equine preference for drinking water and how pronounced the colour stimulus might be for....

I swear this is every horse on our property!