Royal Empire Equestrian

11/23/2023

07/11/2022

When our horses are so understanding and smarter than we are.

06/24/2022

Kirby’s Farewell
Everyone please bare with me as I write this much well deserved amazing send off of one of the great ones! Kirby came to into the barn’s life about 6 years ago, he was given to us by some amazing friends of mine that wanted him to continue to share his knowledge of riding and teach many more young and old how to ride, love and trust. In his pre-barn life, he was from what I hear an amazing show horse, anyone who rode him knew right off that he was very smart and was very forgiving for the unknowing ones. Kirby’s barn life was full of fun and adventures, everyone had their own opinion of what they thought of him and how important he was. But there was one little (and I use that word lightly) girl, Ava Grace, who instantly fell in love with Kirby from her very first lesson 6 years ago. Now Ava Grace knew he was the barn’s horse and for everyone to get lessons on she still always had a special place in her heart for him. Now jump ahead 2 years, Ava was at point in her riding ability to move up to a more experience horse, there was an opportunity for Ava to get her own horse, she had 2 options, a younger, faster, stronger horse, or the old, reliable, grumpy, one. Well for anyone who knows, knows she picked old grump KIRBY! Ava was so happy; she finally had her very own HEART HORSE. Her and Kirby had great times, he definitely was a pal and great confidence building for her, they enjoyed trail rides, swims in the pond, grooming, and many many Tik Tok’s, LOL. Not only did Kirby teach Ava how to become a better horseman, but he also taught her how to be a teacher, and how to share her life’s enjoyments with others. Going on with Kirby’s barn family, Ava shared him with kids & adults with mental & physical disabilities to our military & first responders with PTSD, Kirby has met and touched so many people in his life. He truly will be missed and like all the great ones, will never be replaced!
Horses teach us, to lift up each other, they give us confidence and help us achieve our dreams! They become our best friend. They give us their hearts and in turn, we give them ours! In fact, the only bad part of owning and loving horses is when we have to say good-bye to them. However as true and good Horsemen, God gave us the commandment and put us in charge of their life and care, and to make that final un-selfish act of “letting go.” He told us to not think in these terms of letting go, but rather in the turn of giving that final gift of ease and comfort to a soul that is burdened by the confines of a body that no long can work like He has created him to be. As I sum up this final farewell, please feel free to drop your own pictures and memories of Kirby and encouraging words for Ava, I have added a poem below that is for us true Horsemen that God as called to be the overseer’s of one of most beloved creatures.
Don’t cry for the Horse, that life has been set free a million white horses forever to be. Don’t cry for the Horse, now in God’s hands, as they dance, and they prance. To a Heavenly Band they were our to borrow, but never to keep, as they close their eyes forever to sleep spirits unbound. On silver wings they fly, a million white horses against the blue sky. Look up into Heaven you’ll see them above. The horse we lost, the horse we loved, their mane and tail flowing. They gallop through time, they we never yours they were never mine. Don’t cry for the Horse, they will be back someday, when our time comes, they will show us the way. If your quite enough your hear that sweet nicker close to your ear, telling you they know you loved them and they are waiting at Heaven’s Gates for you.- Brenda Riley-Seymore.

06/05/2022

Cuttin & Ruttin Summer Clinic Part 2

Down The Alley Horse Training

Photography: Darian Miranda

06/05/2022

Cuttin & Ruttin Summer Clinic Part 1

Down The Alley Horse Training

Photography: Darian Miranda

05/20/2022

Did you know?

Male horses have about 40 teeth whereas females (mares) only have about 36.

Kirby here is a giant sweetheart that loves retirement life and beginner riding with the younger riders at the barn.

05/08/2022

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms who dedicate their time to support us crazy horse girls, and all the moms who children have 4 legs and fur!

04/14/2022

TikTok - trends start here. On a device or on the web, viewers can watch and discover millions of personalized short videos. Download the app to get started.

03/31/2022

Did You Know?

There are 205 bones in the skeleton of a horse, which is one fewer than the skeleton of a human.

03/28/2022

Much training and learning goes into each horse here at Royal Empire Equestrian Center. This is just one of the many horses that train and continue to learn in the round pen as well as other areas of the center.

Round pens are used for close training with horse such as a training commands for a horse or a beginner rider.

03/19/2022

This past weekend we had the pleasure of hosting a mounted unit training. Horses and their riders completed many possible challenges that could be seen at a fair or parade from baby strollers, loud sounds, streamers, and even bubbles! These trainings go on throughout the year to help keep horses and their riders ready for whatever may come their way at events around Lake County.

11/27/2021

Although this is true for good horses in general, if you’ve ever watched natural wild horses, you understand why mares are the way they are. Give birth to a foal and immediately have to defend it from prey, mares usually have big ears which allows them to hear prey coming, raised senses in general because not only do they have to fend for themselves but also a foal who is not capable of just running away. Mares are often ready to stay to fight if needed, stand their ground.
“There’s something different about the way a good mare connects with her rider. It’s special. Like an unspoken agreement. Once a mare chooses you as her person, it’s like she has an instinct to protect you, to fight for you. It’s almost as if she takes ownership of you.
I believe the good mares have a deep sense of intuition. They can read your mind. They know what you’re thinking even before you do. The good mares I know breathe fire in the face of challenge and then somehow, miraculously, know to quiet themselves when a timid child is plopped on their back for a pony ride.
They are clever, cunning and calculated, which can be your greatest enemy or your saving grace. The good mares I know do not tolerate egotistical riding. They do not tolerate force. They demand tact, finesse and emotional control. But once you have won a mare’s heart, you have won all of her. In exchange for your best—and nothing less—she will give you everything.”
Written by: Lindsay Paulsen

11/25/2021

All the Ponies here at Royal Empire would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving they all have enjoyed their carrots and apples!

11/11/2021

From all of us here at Royal Empire & Horses serving Heroes, we would like to take a minute and THANK all of our Veterans! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

10/13/2021

Reese is here to say she enjoys her honey treatment

09/24/2021

This fun and competitive event offers participants the opportunity to trail ride with friends while competing for prizes.

09/18/2021

09/11/2021

On this night...20 years ago 246 people went to sleep in preparation for their morning flights.
2,606 people went to sleep in preparation for work in the morning.
343 firefighters went to sleep in preparation for their morning shift.
60 police officers went to sleep in preparation for morning patrol.
8 paramedics went to sleep in preparation for the morning shift.
None of them saw past 10:00am Sept 11, 2001. 😭🇺🇸🙏😭🇺🇸🙏😭🇺🇸🙏😭🇺🇸🙏
In one single moment life may never be the same. As you live and enjoy the breaths you take today and tonight before you go to sleep in preparation for your life tomorrow, kiss the ones you love, snuggle a little tighter, and never take one second of your life for granted.

09/09/2021