Cairns Ranch-Equestrian Division

11/29/2025

🌟It takes an iron will and a soft heart🌟

Some horse trainers and coaches who stay in this business for the long haul aren’t just tough—they’re forged from grit, passion, and an iron will to make a difference. They’re the ones who spend their nights replaying training rides in their minds, planning new approaches, and searching for the tiny adjustments that might unlock a horse’s understanding or help a rider finally “get it.”

There is no switch that turns their brain off. Caring this deeply costs something.

Because the truth is: this industry is not kind. It demands far more than it gives. It asks for early mornings, late nights, emotional energy, and physical sacrifice—and it seldom repays that effort with money. Most days, the real paycheck isn’t financial at all. It’s the quiet triumph of a horse trusting again, a once-frustrated rider smiling ear to ear, or a breakthrough that took months to earn. Those moments don’t pay the bills, but they keep devoted trainers in the saddle.

The long haulers are a different breed. They give up evenings out, weekends off, family gatherings, sick days, and holidays—because horses don’t understand calendars, and progress doesn’t pause. They learn to balance burnout with responsibility, passion with pressure. They learn to protect what’s left of their time and energy. They learn to say no—sometimes to clients, sometimes to opportunities, sometimes to the version of themselves that would give everything away.

Over time, they become both tougher and softer—tough enough to withstand the weight of the job, soft enough to still care deeply. They guard their heart because they’ve poured it into countless horses and riders who may never fully understand the sacrifice behind their success.

Here’s to those who stay. Those who hold the line through exhaustion, doubt, and the quiet moments no one sees. Those who keep showing up with sweat on their brow, patience in their pocket, and hope in their hands.

You’re the backbone of this industry—not because you make a living in it, but because you give a life to it. 🐴💛

Photo of my problem child horse. We have been together 28 years. He was a dream come true and a headache all at the same time. He was terrified of his own shadow and took years to get confident in the show atmosphere. He went on to help my son learn to ride his first changes. Today he still graces my pastures but he is slower and no longer worried about anything except whether or not I have the right flavor cookies in my pocket

11/16/2025

A great equestrian coach leaves a legacy far beyond the arena. Their true gift isn’t just what they teach riders or horses — it’s how they shape the next generation of coaches. 🌟🐎

The best coaches understand that their knowledge is meant to be shared, not guarded. They mentor with intention, guiding others to find their own voice, their own style, and their own confidence. They teach not just what to do, but why it matters. They cultivate patience, empathy, and horsemanship that can be passed down through countless hands and hearts.

And as the years pass, there is a special kind of joy only an aging coach knows — the joy of watching a former student step into their own power, spread their wings, and take flight. It’s seeing their lessons echoed in another’s teaching, watching their student shine in moments where they once needed guidance, and feeling a quiet pride in knowing that the flame they lit now burns brightly in someone else. It is one of the greatest rewards a coach can receive.

Great coaches?
They create leaders. They build teachers. They plant seeds of wisdom that keep growing long after they’ve stepped back.

Their legacy is the coach who teaches because they were once taught with care.
The rider who becomes a mentor because someone believed in them.
The horses who continue to benefit from knowledge carried forward.

Here’s to the coaches who don’t just build riders — they build the future of our sport by mentoring the next generation to take the reins. 🤍🏇

10/03/2025

I’ve got plans for each of my horses, but right now I’m just loving where we are. 🐴✨ The little wins—a soft transition, a ride that feels balanced, a quiet moment in the barn—are what make it all worth it.

Progress will come, but I don’t feel in a rush. For now, I’m just grateful to enjoy the rides, the lessons, and the time I get to spend with them. 💛

♥️ Love these two red heads ♥️

08/16/2025

For all my Alberta friends, Krystl Raven is the very best saddle fitter out there.

Looking to do a day of fitting in Wainwright area. Please contact me if you’re interested. Looking at either August 27 or 29th. Travel fee split between all clients seen on the trip.

08/16/2025

Branding Day Comicals 🐂💩

Every branding day comes with a little dirt, a lot of cows, and usually a dash of chaos… but this year, I managed to supply the comedy act too.

We were moving the herd across a field thick with grass and alfalfa into the branding trap when I decided to show off a little hustle. I stepped off my horse to get to the gate next thing I know, my spur hooks onto the pull tab of my other boot, hog-tying myself mid-stride. One second I was running like a ranch hand, the next I was eating dirt like a rookie. 🤦‍♀️

And not just any dirt, mind you. Nope—straight into the freshest, cow-patty-flavored patch Mother Nature could serve up. 💩 Olympic-level face-plant. Gold medal performance.

My husband and sons? Let’s just say they’ll be telling the tale for years, because apparently watching Mom yard-dart herself into cow p**p is peak entertainment. 🤷‍♀️😂

So while the rest of the crew came home bragging about roping calves, I came home fertilized, humbled, and officially crowned the slapstick queen of branding day.

Moral of the story: ranch life will always keep you grounded… sometimes face-first. 🌾🐄 sometimes with a boot in need of repair 👢

07/26/2025

🌟 Want a better horse? Start by letting him feel successful. 🌟

Every ride is a conversation. When you focus on what your horse can do—no matter how small—you build confidence, trust, and willingness. You show him, “I see you. I believe in you.” And that’s where partnership begins.

But if you spend every ride digging into what he can’t do, guess what happens? He starts to worry. He feels like he’s always failing. That tension turns into anxiety, which often gets labeled as “disobedience.” It’s not that he doesn’t want to try—it’s that he’s bracing for disappointment.

Progress comes from success stacked on success—not pressure stacked on frustration.

As riders, we can park our emotions at the barn door. We can choose patience, clarity, and calm. But your horse doesn’t get that choice—he feels everything in real time. Your #1 job in the saddle is to make sure he feels confident, understood, and successful.

Yes, growth takes challenge. But the best training makes the hard things feel easy, because the horse is already confident in himself and in you.

So today, find something he can do and build on it. Let him walk away from the ride feeling proud. That’s how you make a better horse—and a true partner. 🐴❤️

07/21/2025

This past weekend marked Rhiannon’s Tango, Bugger’s, third level debut, and I couldn’t be prouder. Despite his modest stature, this horse has shown an extraordinary heart and a keen mind. With ample opportunity for further development, his respectable score of 65.27 in his first third level appearance is impressive. Moreover, he was declared the champion at second level. I do have to thank our entire team here because 8 months ago I didn’t think I would ever compete on him again.

07/21/2025

Rhiannon's Francesco made a stellar debut in town, showcasing remarkable poise and confidence throughout. He proved to be a truly delightful companion. We successfully completed a couple of intro and training level tests, earning impressive scores ranging from 65.000 to 70.250. This training level test yielded a score of 68.000, a truly outstanding achievement considering this young horse has only had 90 rides. I am thrilled with this performance and excited for his bright future. Breeder of this fine fellow is Lesley Rhys-Williams