Hopes & Dreams Stables

17/11/2024

5 BOOKS TO READ IN A LIFETIME

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Why: This book offers a practical approach to building good habits and breaking bad ones. Clear’s concept of small changes leading to significant results teaches readers how to harness the power of consistency and growth over time. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to make meaningful, lasting changes.

2. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Why: Sinek explores the power of purpose and how understanding your "why" can transform leadership, motivation, and personal fulfillment. This book encourages readers to focus on their deeper reasons for actions, sparking passion, and commitment in life and work.

3. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Why: Using his own story, Kiyosaki reveals key lessons about wealth and financial independence. This book emphasizes financial literacy, asset-building, and the mindset shifts needed to build wealth, making it an essential read for anyone aiming to master personal finance.

4. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Why: Duhigg delves into the science of habit formation and how habits shape our lives. By understanding and altering our routines, readers can gain control over their choices and environments, leading to a more productive and intentional life.

5. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Why: This classic book is based on interviews with some of the world’s most successful people, unveiling principles for achieving success. It emphasizes the power of desire, persistence, and mental discipline, making it invaluable for anyone aspiring to reach their fullest potential.

29/09/2024

Early morning meeting before the show starts. Just making sure they have everything under control

28/09/2024

Judges in training during the vaulting show

28/09/2024

Hopes & Dreams Stables Vaulters. Ready for competition today and tomorrow

24/09/2024

When you are done your lesson then together you bring Angel back to her pasture.

20/09/2024

MY thoughts on children and riding...

When the child walks in the stable for their first riding lessons, it is the beginning of important life lessons. Unlike other sports in general, the equestrian must learn much more than technique in riding skills or team spirit. Horses are perhaps the ultimate teachers of compassion, patience and humility.

One of the very first rules in my barn is that if a horse drops a load before, during or after a lesson, it is the child who picks up the manure. Mom and dad are not allowed to, regardless how young the child is. Learning to take care of their mount is a lesson in responsibility and housekeeping. It might seem gross to have to pick up the p**p, but know there are worst things in life and this simple task is just as important as all of the other aspects of being in the presence of greatness (the horse.) A lesson is not necessarily measured in minutes, but in tasks completed and how well they are completed. This includes grooming before and after a lesson and tacking up and untacking.

I like to build a foundation of balance, strength, and most importantly, teaching my students to see what the horse sees, feel what it feels and better understand their mounts. Instill an appreciation of this living creature they are sharing a bond with. A horse will also humble you with that first fall off, or a toe tread on. Learning to gather courage and go forward are lessons learned here. We learn to never lay blame, where blame isn’t and be mindful and appreciate the power of this animal and fragile connection we have with horses.

A horse will teach your child many things about life in the real world. Your child will learn to listen, sometimes be fearful but know the importance to get back up, take hold and go forward. They will learn how to control emotion, accept losing without frustration and appreciate winning with renewed confidence. It will all come back to that first rule in my barn when your child walks into the stable for their first riding lesson. “If your horse p**ps, you must scoop” accountability and responsibility. (Just to clarify the picture. The student IS NOT standing on the saddle but on a no slip saddle pad and the purpose of this exercise is for balance, trust and confidence in his/her ability to challenge themselves. Not unlike the sport of vaulting, except the horse is standing still and not in motion.)

02/09/2024

We are excited to host a Jakeman’s fundraiser! All proceeds raised will go towards equipment upgrades, competition expenses and clinics! If you would like to support a specific student, please message them directly or if you’d like to support the club as a whole, just message the page. Orders and payment are due on September 10th. Any questions, just ask! 🙂

27/08/2024

What an awesome weekend!! Thank you to Ontario Equestrian Vaulting Association (OEVA) for hosting another amazing show!!All the vaulting in Ontario has grown so much and it’s exciting to see everyone working together!

Thank you to all of our parents for all your help! We are super proud of all of our vaulters - you all did a great job 🙂 and our horses were great this weekend. To top it off, our Leo came home with the Top Walk Horse of the weekend!

Thank you to all those who stepped in to help us out, boosting our kids and holding our horses!

Results and more pictures to follow!

21/08/2024

We will be here with 16 of our vaulters! Come watch, show your support and see what this exciting sport is all about!

We invite all to Reach Huron this weekend to see many of Ontario Vaulting Clubs perform!
Free admission for spectators

17/08/2024

Earlier this month, we hosted our third riding show of the season! We had 16 riders competing in 5 different classes. The day was full of smiles and laughter!

Thank you to Lise LeBlanc for judging and the helpful training tips and thank you to Brittany Todd Photography for capturing the day!

06/08/2024

Carleigh & Angel had a PINK party at her lesson today! 💕💕

21/07/2024

03/07/2024

Registration deadline for the bootcamp with Averill Saunders and Nicole de Villiers is this Friday, July 5th! We are offering a compulsory bootcamp on the Friday, freestyle bootcamp on the Saturday and private sessions Friday, Saturday and all day Sunday with both clinicians! Don't miss out!

For more information and to register:
https://forms.gle/MtgJDLgJTDteYnsw5

02/07/2024

As promised, here are the professional pictures from our first vaulting show by .photographer! Thank you so much for the great memories!

26/06/2024

We had an amazing weekend attending the first Ontario vaulting show! Thank you to all the organizers, volunteers, parents, and vaulters for making this possible! Everyone had a blast building friendships and performing their routines!

A big thank you to our 4 horses that made the trip with us: Leo, Jubilee, Lucy and Doc! Our horses, Jubilee and Doc, along with our lungers, Annika Steen and Alexandra Mckay are all new to the vaulting world and made a great debut this weekend! Thank you to Alex for making Doc available for training and for the show!

Thank you to Cathleen Nowicka for stepping in with Blue when needed! We truly appreciate the vaulting community!

Here are the results:
Beginner Walk:
Claire (2nd)
Maelynn (4th)
Hailey (5th)
Intermediate Walk:
Miranda (5th)
Rylee (6th)
Sienna (7th)
Advanced Walk:
Nora (6th)
Caleb (7th)
Sarah (12th)
Amy (14th)
Beginner Canter:
Annette (1st)
Bethany (7th)
Jasmine (10th)
Grace (11th)
Intermediate Canter:
Brooke (1st)
Nick (2nd)
Beginner Walk Pairs:
Hailey & Rylee (1st)
Intermediate Walk Pairs:
Miranda & Sienna (2nd)
Advanced Walk Pairs:
Sarah & Nora (3rd)
Beginner Canter Pairs:
Nick & Brooke (1st)
Beginner Barrel Fundamentals:
Maelynn (1st)
Carleigh (3rd)
Beginner Barrel:
Sienna (2nd)
Miranda (5th)
Rylee (6th)
Claire (6th)
Hailey (9th)
Intermediate Barrel:
Sarah (4th)
Amy (4th)
Nora (12th)
Caleb (16th)
Advanced Barrel:
Brooke (4th)
Nick (9th)
Grace (10th)
Bethany (11th)
Annette (12th)
Jasmine (13th)
Beginner Barrel Pairs:
Sienna & Miranda (1st)
Grace & Maelynn (2nd)
Rylee & Hailey (3rd)
Intermediate Barrel Pairs:
Nora & Sarah (7th)
Advanced Barrel Pairs:
Bethany & Brooke (2nd)
Intermediate Barrel Squad:
Bethany, Brooke, Annette, Caleb, Amy & Nick (2nd)

And last, but not least, our horse Leo was Champion Canter Horse!