What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 8am - 9pm Wednesday 8am - 9pm Thursday 8am - 9pm Friday 8am - 9pm Saturday 8am - 9pm Sunday 8am - 9pm

Tamarak Equestrian

Home
Canada
Saint Catharines, ON
Tamarak Equestrian

An individualized, boutique hunter/jumper show and training program. We are located in St.

We focus on building confident, successful riders and producing top quality hunter ponies that are extremely rideable and competitive at the highest levels. Tamarak Equestrian aims to find talented hunter prospects, polish them, and match them up with the right rider. Catharines, ON, approx 1 hour from both the Toronto and Buffalo airports.

09/16/2024

True story, this was said by another *trainer* when one of my ponies won medal finals. I was honestly a bit confused by this comment, because a) I hadn’t done anything different with this pony than I do with every pony, and b) can’t any pony be an “equitation pony”?

I don’t believe that ponies should get a free pass from having solid flatwork just because they’re for child riders. Every pony I work with learns to extend, collect, leg yield, counter canter, turn on the forehand, turn on the haunches, etc. They all work on trot jumps, rollbacks, halts, etc.

A well rounded and educated pony/horse is the best advantage you can give yourself in ANY class.

There’s nothing unfair about putting the work in 💪

09/13/2024

I spent a lot of years winning ribbons IN the ring, but now I truly LOVE standing at the gate and watching my ponies do the winning.

Be it a small, medium, or large pony, these are 3 of the most important factors I focus on in developing a successful pony.

1. Confidence
2. Rideability
3. Technique

These three are all related and work together to produce a winning result.

09/12/2024

My riders are independent thinkers who can walk into the ring on their own with confidence because of how we train at home.

At Tamarak, we exclusively do private lessons, so every rider learns to execute their own plan without the crutch of watching other riders attempt the track first. My riders then become comfortable with trusting their own decisions.

They’re not thrown off by going first.
They’re not swayed by what other riders think about what they should do.

Why is this important?

Well, this photo is of myself and our namesake, Berylyn Tamarak, having just won medal finals. Do you know why we won? Because I had a trainer who taught me to think for myself.

The line from the counter canter jump to the trot jump was very hard, and while none of us did it exactly right, I went against what the first 2 riders did because I understood the test differently.

They had jumped the jump backwards, and the instructions for the ride off did not specify to do that. I remember my coach telling me to just ride my own plan no matter what the others did. So I rode a different line - I was able to get the counter canter and trot the trot jump in the correct direction.

That decision was what won me the class.

Being comfortable with thinking for yourself and TRUSTING that you are capable of making good decisions of your own is critical in your development as a competitive rider.

09/02/2024

NOW is the time to decide how you want your 2025 to look and feel.

What is the next step in your evolution as a rider and horse person?

Maybe it’s time to make a change.
Maybe it’s time to take a leap.
Maybe it’s time to narrow your focus.

Deep down, you already know what you NEED to do. You just have to take the steps to set it in motion. 🚀

08/31/2024

Congrats to the silver team, who all qualified for playoffs! All of these horses missed at least one show and still made it in some big divisions.

Mickey D and qualified in the small horse division, and Mickey also qualified in the 2’ derby (finishing 3rd overall!) despite having a different rider for it almost every time.

Hey Jude and .eq qualified in the 0.70m jumpers, even though they only did this division a couple times.

And an extra special congrats to Brystal Evergreen for qualifying in every division she did this summer - 2’ open, children’s pony, and 2’ derby. At only 5 years old, she is already quite the superstar! Thanks .farms and for allowing .lennondavey.eq and I to be part of her development.

08/15/2024

If you have ever worked with me over poles or fences, I’m sure you’ve heard me say that “a distance is not something we find, it’s something we create”.

That exact mindset and strategy shift can start changing your jumping experience TODAY.

You don’t have to turn the corner and panic because you don’t see anything.

You don’t have to count down the strides to that jump and pray for “something to show up”.

When you execute these 3 things correctly, there will be a workable distance there. Best of all, these are things you are a) more than capable of doing, and b) able to work on in your flat rides as well.

Take the pressure off your “eye”, and put the focus on your ride.

08/09/2024

⚠️⚠️ CONTROVERSIAL OPINION ALERT ⚠️⚠️

Trainer confession: I barely ever use draw reins. I’m pretty sure they’re buried somewhere in a box in my tack locker collecting dust. I’ve used pulled them out exactly 3 times in the past 4 years.

So many times I have hunter riders lament to me that they can’t get their horse’s head down in the hack even though they do it really well at home, and my first question is always: do you ride in draw reins a lot at home? And the answer is almost always: yes.

Remember this:
➡️ What makes your life easier in the short term, does not always make your life easier in the long run.
➡️ If you can’t use it in the ring, don’t rely on it in practice.

There are other ways to achieve the same results, and you will be far better off for learning the technique than using the equipment.

07/26/2024

We had a lovely morning at the on Wednesday for Isla’s first horse show! We are so proud of her and can’t wait to go back in August and try our hand at the next division 💪

07/10/2024

What was arguably the most successful year of my junior career was also the season that broke me.

No matter what ribbons I got, it never seemed good enough for the people around me.

No matter how many classes I won or 80’s I scored, I let my inner circle convince me that I was just lucky, not actually good.

Every time I made a mistake, I would tear myself apart. “Your luck is going to run out you know, you can’t keep screwing up. They’re unhappy with you even when you’re winning - you’ll REALLY be in trouble if you keep messing it up.”

And the odd time I actually did feel like I rode well and deserved my ribbons? There were no congratulations. I only did what was expected of me; that doesn’t warrant celebration.

I felt my dreams slipping away.

I felt MYSELF slipping away.

I talked to my mom and we agreed: it was time to make a change. It was HARD - in spite of everything, I still loved the people around me and I had friends I was scared of losing.

But the person I was there? That’s not who I wanted to be.

I wanted to feel GOOD about myself. I wanted to feel safe learning and making mistakes so I could GROW. I wanted to know that I DESERVED the ribbons I got, and that it wasn’t the end of the world if I didn’t get one. I needed to understand that not being perfect didn’t mean I wasn’t TALENTED.

It took some time and stepping stones to find the right “fit” for me, but when I finally did find my people?

✨I became the kind of rider I always knew I could be.✨

07/06/2024

This is just one example of a timeline one of my students has experienced.

But the most critical part of this timeline is that it starts TODAY. It starts when you decide to TAKE ACTION to change your outlook and outcome.

That nagging feeling that your horse could be easier to ride? Lean into it, don’t ignore it.

That little voice in the back of your mind that says ‘wouldn’t it be nice if showing wasn’t so stressful?’ Listen to it.

The fire inside you that says ‘I could be one of those polished riders showing a higher level”? Fan those flames 🔥🔥

The only thing holding you back right now is YOU.

06/28/2024

Someone out there needs to hear this real talk today.

If you really want these things but know you’re on a budget, ask yourself: where can I cut back? What am I willing to go without to make this happen? Can I truly not afford it, or is it that I need to make some tough decisions I don’t want to face?

There are all kinds of ways to get creative about budgeting for your goals. But first you have to decide: how badly do you want it?

06/26/2024

Curious to know more about my pony program? Here are a few of the highlights:

💫 All of the training is done by myself, a professional with experience developing ponies to the highest level. I have juniors available for kid miles if desired, and lessons are of course an option if you have a rider in mind, but unless those things are requested, I will be the one doing ALL of the work with your pony.

💫 I train with the primary focus on rideability. All ponies should be adjustable, supple, have a solid foundation in lateral work, and be able to work in a nice outline. I do this with child riders in mind, so the pony learns to do these things without relying on draw reins/bungees or the nuances of a professional ride.

💫 I treat every pony like it’s my own - your pony will never be just a number, it will be loved and fussed over here just like it will be by its future kids. I will also listen to your pony and work WITH them - I play with bits, try different riding styles if need be, and patiently work through those big ‘baby pony emotions’ to figure out how your pony goes best and most happily.

Those cup qualifiers will be here before you know it. The sooner we start, the better we show.

06/16/2024

It’s not a coincidence that my riders smile and laugh in the in gate, but still go in to put down a great trip.

It’s because they trust themselves.

I reject the idea of mistakes being something to fear or something to beat yourself up about. Every rider has to make decisions in the ring and you won’t always make the best one, AND THAT’S OKAY. My riders know that I will support them either way. Every decision they make informs the NEXT decision we make, to make us better.

I encourage my riders to think independently. Of course we make a plan before you start your course, but I’m not on the horse with you. If half way around your gut says you need to adjust the plan because of xyz, I won’t be mad. You’re listening to your instincts and your horse, and that’s what good riders do.

I remind my riders that they are not at a horse show by chance; they are here because they are SKILLED. They are here because they have put in the work and they’re READY. They can handle whatever comes their way.

When you trust yourself to make decisions, trust your ability to adapt, and trust your capability, there is no weight on your shoulders when you go in the ring. You are focused, but not burdened. You are ready to execute, but also have fun.

When you ride from a place of trust, you allow yourself to learn and grow freely.

06/14/2024

You know you’re meant for more. And you can have it… as long as you’re bold enough to go after it!

When you go all in on yourself, believing that what you want is achievable - THAT is when you become the rider you KNOW you can be.

The rider who is excited to go to the barn and work on their skills.
The rider whose confidence isn’t shaken by setbacks.
The rider who looks forward to every show as a chance to demonstrate their growth.
The rider who doesn’t rely on ribbons to feel their own greatness.

✨The rider who is checking dreams off their equestrian bucket list✨

And most importantly, the rider who feels fulfilled and satisfied, knowing that every day they are stepping out as their best self.

06/07/2024

The short answer is “yes”. The long answer is “yes, but…”

Obviously we all know that riding is an expensive sport, and money makes chasing our dreams a lot easier. BUT we can still make big things happen for ourselves without an endless budget.

👉 I have never spent more than low 5 figures on a pony prospect - including the ones that have won ribbons at Pony Finals and the Royal, and the one that was CHAMPION at the Royal. In fact, almost all of my green ponies were in the 4 figures when I bought them.

👉 Every horse I’ve bought has been below the mid-5 figure range, including the one I won the junior hunter u/s on at the Royal.

Your goals are achievable when you play the hand you’re dealt to the best of your ability. The big question you need to ask yourself is: are you prepared to do what it takes?

➡️ You may have to make sacrifices - this can take many forms. For me, it was driving 2 hours there and back every time I rode, because that’s how far I had to go to be in the program that I wanted. Sometimes I had to give up trips, time with friends, birthday parties, new gadgets, etc. to either save money or be at a horse show. Sometimes I had to sell a pony that I really didn’t want to part with in order to get a partner that could take me further.

➡️ You may have to adjust your plan/timeline - maybe the best route for you is to bring along a horse/pony and take an extra year or two to get there. Or, on the flip side, maybe it’s your last junior year and we need to get a lease and just go for the gusto. Maybe your budget is better suited to a 3’ horse than a 3’6” horse (at least to start with).

➡️ You may have to work harder than some of the other riders - for me, I had to learn how to deal with a quirky horse who was a completely different ride in the winter than the summer. Maybe for you it’s learning how to braid yourself (which I eventually also did), doing your own day care, prepping your own horse, etc.

If you are willing to go all in to make your dream happen, then we can help you find the way. We’ve done it for myself and for others just like you. We will work with you to get you as far as we can. My goal is to see you reach yours 💫

06/07/2024

There’s still time to join our team at Caledon Gold! What are you waiting for?

06/05/2024

You’re teetering on the edge of jumping in.
Of going after what you desire.
Of aiming as high as you dare.
Here’s your sign to take the plunge 🌊

06/01/2024

Significant discount offered! Let’s get your pony ready to impress in the under saddle. DM for more info.

05/30/2024

Today’s shout out goes to .eq. Some bad luck at the farrier meant that she didn’t get to show at Silver 2 this past week. Naturally, she was very disappointed. But what I LOVED was how she handled it. She let herself feel her feelings, then picked herself up and looked ahead to what’s NEXT. At the end of the day, after looking through her options, she asked me if we could do a gold show to make up for the missed silver. She took this setback as an opportunity to go BIGGER. Now THAT is what I’m talking about 👏👏

05/29/2024

Riding is an emotional sport, there’s no denying that. We experience many highs and lows, even if we don’t often like to post about the lows. But winning riders and professionals have lows too - myself included.

I know what it’s like to be on that rollercoaster; you have big dreams, you feel like you’re on your way, and then you hit a wall. Frustration, disappointment, and - if you’re like me - tears. I get it. I have cried over my ponies and cried with my students in both the good and the bad (sometimes when they don’t even know it).

But here’s what I know: progress doesn’t always feel good, it doesn’t always look how you thought it would, and sometimes it’s real slow. As long as you are putting in the work, you are progressing. Taking a step back might just be preparing you to take two steps forward. When you keep showing up, and you refuse to let a setback define you, WE GET THROUGH IT.

We face our disappointment without giving up hope.

We feel our frustration, but keep moving forward.

We get upset, but we’re still determined.

And when that self-doubt creeps up, we’re going to double down on your ability and your future. A low is just your ‘right now’, not your ‘forever’. Let’s feel it, climb out of it, and KEEP ON GOING 💪

05/28/2024

This pair also won the derby on Sunday with a score of 100! But that’s not what I’m most proud of. I want to give a big shoutout to Avery - I’ve never seen you so happy and relaxed and at peace with your riding at the shows as you have been these past 2 weeks. You’ve come so far since the small pony kid I first met. The road hadn’t been easy for you, but you never gave up and you used those challenges to make yourself better. I couldn’t be more proud of you, and you deserve all the success ❤️

05/27/2024

Avery and Mickey D were champion of the small horse division at Silver Central 2, winning both o/f and third in the hack. Big thanks to for sponsoring this new division.
📸 .ca

05/22/2024

POV: You’re at the horse show, and it’s almost time. You’re putting your jacket on, tacking up, and you can feel the anxiety building 😬

I lived this for most of my show career, until I decided I didn’t want feel that way anymore. Then, I consulted a score of professionals (mentors, therapists, psychology professors, etc.) to learn how to tear down that way of operating.

If you want to release your show anxiety, here is a quick crash course in a process that I use as a coach and rider. Like everything, it takes practice to master, but over time it will build your resilience.

➡️ STEP 1: You need to GET SPECIFIC. Take a moment to deep dive into yourself and ask, what is the main thing I’m ACTUALLY anxious about? Am I worried about making a mistake? Am I feeling like I’m not ready for this division? Do I feel like I’m going to be in trouble if I don’t do well?

➡️ STEP 2: Assess the veracity of this thing. Is it unequivocally true? Is it actually likely to happen to happen that way? If it does happen, what tools do you have in your skill set to help you handle it?

➡️ STEP 3: Rewrite your self talk in a way that serves you. For example, let’s say you’re worried about chipping to a jump because you don’t want everyone to think you’re a bad rider. Your reframe could be: “I’m just going to focus on keeping a consistent rhythm to each jump, because I know that helps set me up for success. And if I do make a mistake, IT’S OKAY, because mistakes happen to everyone (even Olympic riders!). A mistake doesn’t define me, and it doesn’t undo all of the things I do well.”

🌟 Bookmark this to refer back to at your next horse show 🌟

05/22/2024

If you’re wondering why I do what I do, this is it. The real, raw, honest TRUTH.

- You deserve to have fun.
- You deserve to feel good about yourself and your riding.
- You deserve a safe space to learn and make mistakes without fear of consequences.
- You deserve to progress and feel successful.
- Your feelings and your experiences MATTER.

✨ I have 2 stalls available right now for riders who are ready to step into the best version of themselves ✨

If you want to finally put yourself first, shoot me a DM.

04/17/2024

How you feel about yourself is far more important than what others think of you.

04/03/2024

Some of my favourite memories have nothing to do with ribbons or prizes ❤️

03/30/2024

Mickey went on a little field trip with yesterday and was a perfect gentleman! We are so lucky to have him for our program. Thanks for the ride and .ca for snapping some great pics of our boy ❤️

03/23/2024

✨ Current show plans ✨

(subject to change based on numbers)

03/18/2024

Change your perspective and you can change your outcome!

03/09/2024

Believe you can achieve!

Address

2835 Oille Street
Saint Catharines, ON
L2R6P7

Opening Hours

Tuesday	8am - 9pm
Wednesday	8am - 9pm
Thursday	8am - 9pm
Friday	8am - 9pm
Saturday	8am - 9pm
Sunday	8am - 9pm

Website

https://www.tamarakequestrian.com/info

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tamarak Equestrian posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Tamarak Equestrian:

Videos

The beautiful Riviera finishing 7th under saddle in a big and very impressive group of 3 year olds at the LG Cup Qualifier. Thank you (and congrats!) to @summershaikh and @andrews.equestrian for giving me the ride on Vie this weekend ❤️

When you accidentally turn the jumper into a hunter pony 🙊

When this pony first came to me, he went in a very tight, upright frame and needed constant management or he would rush. Ears back, tail swishing nonstop, very tense. This video is just under 3 months after he came. I never once rode him in draw reins, bungees, a chambon, etc. And only near the end did I switch him out of a plain snaffle. A consistent and predictable hand with suppleness and balance work will teach your horse to truly relax and move into soft contact. My favourite comment I got about this guy from someone in my barn was “wow, he looks like he enjoys being ridden now”. It won’t happen overnight, and every horse learns at its own pace. This pony is only one example of several horses/ponies that I’ve done this with, each on its own timeline. You absolutely CAN achieve the carriage you want without going out and buying a bunch of fancy tack.

We had some technical difficulties with the live today, so here’s a brief summary of the key points for each question. 1. What is the care like at Tamarak? 2. What kind of riders do we accommodate? 3. What is our show schedule? If you have any further questions, shoot me a DM. Currently 2 stalls available for July ✌️

The difference a year (or even just a few months!) can make is truly incredible. This pony was a whole lot of patience, sweat, and tears, but boy was he ever worth it. He went from tripping over canter poles, kicking flower boxes, and being terrified in the ring to jumping around at the Royal in a year. We kept showing up, we kept putting in the work, and so did he. TEAM WORK truly is what makes the dream works! Are you ready to challenge yourselves and see how far you can go?

From one of the lowest points in my riding career to one of the highest highs in less than a year. This is how I took my biggest setback and used it as an opportunity to pivot and aim higher.

Have questions for me? Something you’d like my help working through? This one is for 🫵 YOU! I’m offering a 15 minute, 1:1 zoom call to discuss a topic of your choice. Dealing with performance anxiety? Having a problem with your green pony? This is your opportunity to get a personalized walk through for whatever element you think is holding you back. The catch? There’s only 1 spot available! The first person to DM me this emoji 🦄 will claim it. If you missed out this time but would like me to make this a regular offer you can subscribe to, let me know! *Note: if you are a junior, you will need to have a parent/guardian present for the call, per safe sport regulations ✌️

What is Tamarak Equestrian really about?

With show season rapidly approaching, let’s remember the truth about showing (that isn’t talked about enough)… At a show, you are judged on a tiny snippet of riding time. On one set of jumps. And in the hunters/equitation, your results are usually based on only one person’s opinion. Do you really think that is the most accurate representation of your ability? 🚫 Ribbons (usually) just tell us who rode the best round at that given moment on that given day - not getting one doesn’t mean that you’re not also a great rider. If you focus on personal wins instead of ribbon wins, you will be in a better headspace to keep growing and improving. #mindset #mindsetmatters #mindsetcoach #selfimprovement #progressnotperfection #equestrian #pony #ponyhunter #welsh

When I introduce the idea of a positive mindset, I often hear “so I’m just supposed to be happy all the time?” 🚫 That is NOT what having a positive mindset means. Having a positive mindset doesn’t mean we ignore our mistakes or negative feelings, it means that we choose to reframe them and think about them differently. You can still have your moments of sadness and disappointment, we just don’t stay in those feelings and dwell on it. #mindset #positivemindset #mindsetcoach #mindsetmatters #equestrian #warmblood #selfimprovement #selflove

I know what you’re thinking - 10 mover, 10 jumper, and stunning to look at it. But those things can be flexible depending on budget, and to an extent, can be improved upon. The top 3 things I personally look for when I’m shopping for a hunter are… ⭐️ Suitability - what rider am I shopping for? Obviously the experience level, athleticism, and energy level of the horse/pony I’m looking for is going to vary based on the rider’s age, level, and goals. Ex. the freak mover and jumper that will win the 4’ with a pro is not necessarily the right horse for a timid novice adult on a budget. ⭐️ “It Factor” - I like the one that trots in the ring and commands attention; not necessarily because it’s trot is an 11/10, but because of its presence. ⭐️ Personality - I LOVE a horse/pony with personality. You spend 2 minutes in the show ring, and countless hours outside the ring. I don’t want a robot, I want a horse that’s going to keep me smiling, laughing, and having a good time! #equestrian #horseshopping #coach #advice #hunter #horses #ponies

Beginner to advanced, the number 1 thing I tell all my students is: I never want you to feel like you can’t say no. If you don’t feel comfortable doing something, tell me. We’ll talk about it and figure out a way forward. I’m here to HELP you, not judge you. #coaching #equestrian #learningtoride #pony #empoweringathletes #youcansayno

🙈🙈🙈 #ponies #threemusketeers #troublemakers

3 phrases I don’t love hearing in the schooling ring 1️⃣ “Fix it” 2️⃣ “Don’t let him/her do that” 3️⃣ “You know better than that” None of these phrases offer constructive advice. Yes it can be frustrating as a trainer to have to repeat corrections, or think of new ways to say the same thing, but our riders need us to build them up before they go in the ring. Let’s try to remember that we were all that junior/am once ❤️ #equestrian #coach #coaching #horseshowing #advice #mindset

One of the most important factors is strategy. ➡️ Know your when to be seen, and when not to be seen ➡️ Know your horse’s best gait and how to showcase it ➡️ Keep an eye on the judge ➡️ Be aware of what is happening around you You can maximize your potential with your execution. #hottip #hunter #hacking #equestrian #coach

Your journey may not look like what you see from other riders, but that’s okay. Your path is YOURS, not theirs. #selflove #selfworth #selfconfidence #mindsetmatters

Your journey may not look like what you see from other riders/trainers, but that’s okay. Your path is YOURS, not theirs. #mindsetmatters #selflove #selfworth #selfconfidence #nocomparisons

Learn from your mistakes, but don’t dwell on them! YOU have the power to decide what defines your show day, and that determines how you walk away feeling about it. #confidence #confidencecoach #mindsetmatters #mindsetcoach #equestrian #successhabits