Equivalent Exchange Equestrian Academy

09/03/2024

A fun day of learning and growing at A Jump Above. There is no way around it, riding is hard and riders constantly have ups and downs. We had a mix of good and bad today but at the end of the day all came out on top. One with a winning round after a summer of hard work and progress. The other with a strong determination to work even harder to reach future goals after recently starting on a journey with a new horse. So proud of these girls for their horsemanship, love of the sport, and just overall positive attitudes they bring to the barn every day.

08/30/2024

This is a super fun event! Hope to see everyone there!

Save the dates! Magic Pumpkin Patch registration opening soon!

08/28/2024

It’s a hot one today. Make sure you remember to water your pig 😉🐷

08/25/2024

We tried a new (to us) event today and it did not disappoint! 5 riders and horses had an amazing time at the Windchase Eventing derby x. The courses were long and inviting with lots of jump options for all levels of horses and riders. Definitely an event we will plan to attend each summer. Thanks a bunch! See you next year!

08/22/2024

Today we say goodbye to the greatest ponies a girl could ask for. Old age has hit them hard and they deserve a life without pain or stress. Peter and Fred have taught so many kids to ride and have had a couple of years now to rest in retirement. If you have any pictures of these ponies please share in the comments. While our riders here didn’t get too much time with them before they retired, I know many of you who follow this page and/or are friends with Louise Theberge have had the opportunity to learn from them. We also want to thank Louise for sharing these special boys with us the last few years.

To the brothers who gave their all, rest in peace boys. You are forever loved.

08/20/2024

We had such as great weekend but hit a little snag yesterday when one of our beloved barn kittens, Lilith, snuck a ride to the show in the tack room of the trailer. Thank goodness our friends were at the trailer and saw her leave to hide in the woods, otherwise we would have had no idea she was with us. After many hours of searching then a few hours of quiet grounds, she finally showed herself yesterday evening and let herself be caught. A HUGE thank you to all of our wonderful parents and riders who stayed around to try to catch her. An EVEN BIGGER thank you to our great friend Jessica who went back at dust to get her and took care of her until we could pick her up. Moral of this story is if you think you hear a cat, it’s probably a cat… check the trailer. As of 7pm tonight, Lilith is safe and sound back at the barn with her siblings. It’s still hard to believe everything that had to fall into place to get her back actually happened. This could have gone a lot differently and we are eternally grateful that she is home again.

08/19/2024

A double fun weekend as we took on another jumper show today at A Jump Above! Our riders cleaned up in the little ring with a 1st place in the 18”, 2nd and 3rd place in 2ft, and another 1st for the 2’3”. We also had another first as one rider moved up to the big ring! A super successful day with some fantastic riders and horses.

08/17/2024

We finally found a day that wasn’t in the triple digits to get back out and xc school. The footing was perfect and we had an awesome time. We had 9 horses and riders, some riders new to xc and some new horse and rider combos. Thank you as always to Win Green for letting us enjoy your amazing facilities. See you next month!

08/04/2024

We took a special trip back to Elysian HIlls today for their final starter trials of the summer. We finally had sound horses and healthy riders and completed the entries from previous shows.

Thank you so much for allowing us to come back and compete! We will see you next year!

08/01/2024

Another fun adventure for these pairs and a great way to cool off on a hot day. Thank you Southern Heritage Farm for always welcoming our riders and sharing your beautiful facilities.

07/24/2024

Another school horse appreciation post. So much love for these ponies!

07/24/2024

We have a ring full of new jumps and a pavilion going in on Thursday. July has been a good month.

07/10/2024

Our local animal controls do not have the facilities or knowledge to care for livestock. They get sent to our sanctuary instead. Please if you can, donate towards Dream’s care. In addition to his poor body condition, he needs all of his vetting, his teeth done, and his feet done.

06/30/2024

Another fantastic day at Win Green! 7 horses and 7 riders took on some tough courses at the Cross Country Equestrian Association’s clinic competition day and we can’t wait for the next one. These events are so much fun and incredibly inviting for all of our riders and horses. Thanks for a great day!

06/26/2024

Every rider needs to read this… then read it again. This sport is hard and the road is long but it can be done with dedication and determination. We can help you get there but you have to want it. More than anything else.

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

📝 Kimberley Reynolds

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

06/15/2024

Starting off the weekend right with a fun (and hot!) off property xc schooling. Some super kids with some super ponies 🐴❤️🐴❤️. Can’t wait to see what these pairs will do next!

06/08/2024

All eeea riders and friends! Join us on Saturday June 15th for a trailering clinic. This will cover finding the right trailer for your horse, types of trailers and hitches, tow vehicles, road safety, loading, what your horse feels while in the trailer, and more! We will provide burgers and drinks. Please bring a side dish to share. This is a fundraiser for the animals at Camp ire Critters Animal Sanctuary and we are asking for a $50 donation per family. To sign up simply click the link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHgaxlQTxDxUVWQAVNsmGaWv94NwJYOVHbbR1cyVZX6HDZMQ/viewform

05/28/2024

Another great show at A Jump Above. We rolled in with three full trailers, competing from ground poles to beginner novice and took home multiple blue ribbons plus many others! Great job ladies and as always, thanks for putting on a great show.

05/26/2024

Thank you Symphony Equestrian, LLC for spending the day with us! We always enjoy your clinics and are looking forward to the next one.

05/23/2024

We love our school horses! We are always trying to find new ways to show our appreciation for these amazing horses who have taught and are teaching so many to ride. Their kindness, patience, and tolerance is unmatched. Here’s to all the incredible school horses! We would not be where we are today without you.

05/18/2024

Another great training day at Win Green’s Cross Country Clinic with 5* Rider Ema Klugman!

05/12/2024

We tried something new today and loved it! We attended a Cross Country Equestrian Association workshop competition at Win Green and can’t wait to do more. It was all inclusive and inviting for all riders and horses. Highly recommended!