Ascend Equestrian

01/09/2025

This 👏🏼 it’s unbelievable how many people either aren’t aware of what red ribbons mean, don’t pay attention to them, or choose to totally disregard regard them.

Trainers, do better and be sure teach your riders what this means. Riders, do better and be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and give these horses space. It’s in the best interest of all horses and riders in the ring 💙

12/26/2024

All of the Ascend horses were so good this year that Santa came to visit and feed them all apples, spread Christmas cheer, and ensure all were happy and healthy 🎁 Happy Holidays to all of our barn family, fuzzy four legged family members, and friends 🕎🎄



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12/24/2024

Scenes from our holiday ride last night! Thank you for everyone who came out to enjoy a last fun ride before our holiday break 🌟



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12/24/2024

Kicking off the holidays off right with a Holiday Ride and potluck with our barn fam 🌟



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12/22/2024

Our IEA Team had a great show last weekend co-hosting with Willowbrooke. Great times, great ribbons, and great friendships 🌟



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12/21/2024

“Spirit Week” continues at Ascend and everyone is joining in on the fun! Love our barn family and how much fun we have together 🌟



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12/18/2024

STALLS AVAILABLE!

We just sold a horse and made the decision to retire one so you know what that means- Ascend Equestrian has 2 stall openings coming available in January!

Top training & care, full service board, well-maintained facility, full set of show jumps inside & out in our spacious arenas, and all the perks of a top show barn! Regular show schedule plus in house clinics, schooling shows, and events. Training 7 days/ week with 3 full time trainers on staff to ensure all lessons and training rides continue while the head trainer is at shows.

Knowledgeable top trainers, exceptional care, and a fun and positive barn family. Beginner riders through advanced riders. Green broke through made horses. Riders 6yo and up with a large adult program. Text Sarah at 248-321-8092 to see how we can help you and your horse Ascend at Ascend!



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12/18/2024

A few of my top tips for parents of riders. ☺️

2025 Mental skills workshops for riders, teams, barns, organizations, parents and trainers all booking now. Please be in touch, I would love to help you create success and build teamwork! 💫✨

www.TonyaJohnston.com

12/18/2024

“Holiday Spirit” week is in full swing at Ascend 🎄



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12/14/2024

EDIT: SOLD!!

AMAZING 3’+ HUNTER/ EQ HORSE 🌟 Pacific aka “Bruno”- Imported WB 2014 Gelding. Shown 3’ Greens and Children’s Hunters this past season with the scope and step for more. Winner in the Children’s Hunters and Children’s Medal in his last show at WEC and marched around HJAM Medal Finals in the Sanctuary like an old pro. Kick ride, will take a joke all day, comfortable canter, big step, and always jumps amazing.

Client needs the horse off of their payroll ASAP! Selling cheap due to an imperfect x ray (will release x ray). Was asking $50k but will consider ALL OFFERS. Videos below 👇🏼

Located in Oakland, MI.
USEF #: 5475625

Text Sarah at 248-321-8092 for info.

Children’s Hunters WEC: https://youtu.be/we57Woyqx0o?si=BzeHabTtT7tgb7nw

3’ Greens WEC: https://youtu.be/m2uYGvyM_1g?si=8fUq1f3sTT06M3fF

3’ USHJA TCHS: https://youtu.be/AUXXCNQ8s_A?si=d9vJCb5aqlp8lQNr

Children’s Hunters Waterloo: https://youtu.be/hNSa6iZX9j0?si=PrUqbr33tYg3HZTM

Children’s Hunters HJAM, Ring 1: https://youtu.be/sfBM15BphyE?si=I4GA0Q0HubFI7YVU

Children’s Hunters HJAM, Ring 2: https://youtu.be/nlI3JWQIF2k?feature=shared

12/14/2024

Ascend Equestrian has two amazing show horses and teachers available for 1/2 or 1/4 lease 🌟

All part leases are all-inclusive meaning that lessons are included and there are no costs outside of the lease unless attending shows.

¼ leases include two jumping lessons per week. ½ leases include two jumping lesson and one group flat lesson per week. Lessee has option to add an additional jumping lesson or private flat lesson for an additional fee.

“Game Time” aka “Mike”- ¼ lease 🌟 AMAZING .9M AND UNDER JUMPER FOR THE RIDER LOOKING TO WIN!

Mike is the perfect “been there done that” horse for the rider looking to learn the ropes of the jumper ring. The last 3 years, Mike has been HJAM Year- End Champion 1.0m adult jumper and HJAM Circuit Champion 1.0m junior/ adult jumper. Mike was also HJAM Overall Year-End Champion 1.0m junior/ adult jumper in 2024 in the first year of HJAM giving this special award. While Mike still has plenty of scope, we are looking to step him down to the .9m ring to preserve him as he ages. 

Mike is approximately 16.1hh and is as sweet as he is competitive. He is a kick ride with ZERO spook or stop- the type of horse you can hop on after a week off and he goes around like he was ridden yesterday! 

Asking $1450/ month. 

“Little Gentleman” aka “LG”- ½ or ¼ lease 🌟 FABULOUS WALK/TROT THROUGH 2’6” TEACHER!

LG has done it all from walk/ trot lesson through showing competitively up to 2’6” on the A circuit. Lots of show miles and successes including Champion/ Reserve Champion at A shows and 3rd in the Non-pro Derby at Waterloo Hunt. 

15.2hh gelding who is as sweet and safe as the day is long with ZERO funny business. A great confidence builder for a rider new to the sport or just getting back into it! Good flying change and has some of the more advanced “buttons” while still being beginner friendly. 

Asking $1150/ month for ½ lease or $1000/ month for ¼ lease. 

Text Sarah for info at 248-321-8092.

Horses are located at Ascend Equestrian in Oakland Township, MI 48363.

12/13/2024

A good read for all of our riding school riders 💙

A small stab in the heart is what you feel when you put up the day's riding list and you see riders sinking heavily in their shoulders when reading which horse they are assigned for the lesson. A small stab in the heart for that horse that for an hour will carry around a rider who has already decided that he does not like his horse. A small stab in the heart for the horse that did not choose the rider himself but still does his best, lesson after lesson.

Riding is a privilege and something you have chosen to do. If you chose to ride at a riding school, your instructor assumes that you actually want to learn how to ride. The instructor's highest wish is that you get good at it.

Often there is a plan and a thought as to why you are assigned to that exact horse. Before you mount up next time, ask yourself "what can this horse teach me today?" All horses have something to give, a feeling or a new tool in the box.

The art is actually in being able to get a lazy horse to move forward, to get an uncertain horse to gain confidence, a naughty horse to focus or a tense horse to be released. It takes work. If you think a horse is boring, it's more likely that you don't ride the horse as well as you think! It's not easy to be confronted with your own shortcomings, but it is in that very situation that you get the chance to truly grow as a rider.

The excuse that "it's not my kind of horse" is actually a really bad excuse. A good rider can ride any kind of horse. A good rider has trained many hours on different types of horses to become a good rider. A good rider can find and manage the gold nuggets in every horse.

If we absolutely want to ride, it is our duty to strive to do it as best as possible, even if it's only for fun. We owe it to every horse that carries us upon it's back.

Copied and shared with love for all of our horses, ponies and riders 🐎❤🐎

12/08/2024

We had a GREAT time at the Scott Alder clinic today- already excited for tomorrow 🌟



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12/07/2024

Course is all set and ready for day 1 of the Scott Alder Clinic tomorrow 🌟



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12/06/2024

Ascend Equestrian is excited to to host Scott Alder for a clinic this weekend for the third year in a row! Scott always brings a great perspective and makes the sessions as fun as they are educational. Feel free to come join in on the fun- auditors are always welcome 🌟



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11/27/2024

Gymnastics work continues at Ascend! Putting in the work to improve horse & rider form with a bounce, short 1, short 1, and short 2 💪🏼



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11/14/2024

Congratulations to Susan Hallinan’s One Step Ahead on an amazing first show season. “Rogers” was Reserve Champion Baby Green Hunters, 3rd 5yo Young Hunters, and 4th with his lessee Evelyn in the 2’6” Intermediate Hunters. Pictured is also Amy Diez with the 5yo Young Hunter Championship. Way to dominate the 5yo Young Hunters ladies 🌟



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11/14/2024

Congratulations to Sophia & her Night Rider on an amazing 2024 season, stepping up to the Low Children’s and earning Reserve Champion Low Children’s Hunters, Reserve Champion Low Children’s Medal, 4th Low Child Eq Flat, and 6th Intermediate 2’6” Eq Flat 🌟



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