Sonny On The Rox

07/02/2024

It’s been a fun time in Minnesota with some of our students. They got to compete in a horse show over the weekend and did an awesome job with their trainer Hailey!

06/26/2024

We have officially landed in Minnesota and today was the first day horses were back to work.

With making the haul from Arizona to Minnesota, heat in Arizona, etc. Midori hasn’t been ridden in about 2 weeks.

She has almost killed me, my vet and farrier.

Today was about her 18th ride and the horses are in quarantine, so we could only ride out in the open on the cross country course.

She still didn’t miss a beat, despite being in a new place, the wind blowing and riding out in the open for her first time.

We do currently have some training openings in Arizona and Minnesota.

06/05/2024

The time has come to find Driften Cat Lena her next rider!

2010 AQHA bay roan mare
15.1 hands

She would be a great Junior High/High School rodeo horse as she is not only good at barrels, but loves poles as well! She’s also lots of fun outside the barrel pen and is a solid trail horse. In addition, she is the sweetest horse ever and will be your best friend.

She is cutter reject and has all the fancy buttons and is a powerful horse, which means she needs someone handy.

She is located in Queen Creek, Arizona shipping can be arranged anywhere!

2️⃣x,###

Junior High/High School Rodeo Barrel & Pole horseDriften Cat Lena aka “Wicked”2010 15.1 hand AQHA Bay Roan MareHandy youth needed.Wicked will be your best fr...

06/02/2024

Our gymkhana team 1, finished up their first half of the season Friday. There has been so much growth and learning since it began back in March.

Now all students will be spending the summer with our assistant trainers focusing on horsemanship and reining skills while Hailey will be in Minnesota training horses, instructing and taking some students with her up there!

It is going to be a busy summer, but we’ve got a growing team and are now able to take on more lesson students and horses!

05/15/2024

☀️MINNESOTA SUMMER HORSE EXPERIENCE☀️

We are offering a fun summer opportunity for girls ages 12-16. Think mission/school trip but all centered around horses.

This will be a memorable developmental trip, filled with fun experiences, leadership, responsibility, learning and lots and lots of horseback riding.

The trip will involve:
- taking care of and handling training of their own horse (assigned upon arrival)
- daily lessons and mentorship from Hailey
- trail rides
- offsite training days
- Dressage and jumping lessons from a specialist
- Western pleasure lesson from a specialist
- barrel races
- participating in a horseshow (example show bill attached and pattern descriptions)
- day at the racetrack learning about the racing world
- Fun activities such as Valley Fair, Mall of America, etc.

We are based in Arizona, but this is open to people from all around the United States. There are detailed itineraries, packets and meetings leading up to the trip.

The sessions and dates are:
🐴Session 1: June 20th - July 6th (FULL)
🌳Session 2: July 6th - July 21st (almost full)
🐴 Session 3: July 30th - August 10th
🌳Session 4: August 10th - August 21st

All operations will still be continuing on as normal in Arizona

Message us on Facebook or text us at 602-885-0693 with any questions, details on pricing, itineraries, etc.

04/26/2024

We are offering a summer program on the ranch for kids. It’s the perfect childcare alternative.

We have several older students fundraising for a horse trip to Minnesota and they will be assisting all summer long. It’s going to be a memorable summer with lots of fun, learning and growth, that only time on the ranch can teach.

There will always be someone onsite that is first aid/CPR certified.

This camp is not all riding, but it will include lots of horse time, and fun indoor horse related activities. We do have lessons at 7am, for an additional charge.

For more details and to get signed up, please message or text us.

04/04/2024

Horse Camps are always a huge hit and a great way to start with horses or just grow in your skills.

Our next camp is coming up on April 20th, 2024 from 9am-3pm.

The whole day is spent riding and hanging out with horses. Students learn a lot, from horse safety, handling, tacking up and of course riding.

The cost is $100.

Signup online:
https://www.sonnyotr.com/booking-calendar/day-horse-camp

We are also an ESA vendor and can do payment with that (PM for details).

03/08/2024

There are still a couple spots left for our spring break horse camps!

This camp is perfect for any level of rider age 7-14.

It’s a week full of horseback riding with many hours spent in the saddle, lots of horse education and learning overall skills that will help out in life.

Session 1: March 11-15, 2024 from 8:00-3:00pm
Session 2: March 18-22, 2024 from 8:00-3:00pm

Price: $450

Here is a video from our fall break horse camp!

We are located in Queen Creek, Arizona

We had such a fun time with this group of kids. They learned so much throughout their week and progressed so much!Song: Drive Drive DriveArtist: Loving Calib...

02/22/2024

Lost Dutchman Days is here!

Hailey is the 2024 Lost Dutchman Days Rodeo Queen. Come stop by and say hi to her and Ellie!

Sunday at 1:00PM before the rodeo, is the official coronation.

02/09/2024

FEBRUARY 17th!

A lot of kids gets into horses and their parents support them, but don’t really get a chance to learn anything themselves. This clinic will allow parents to learn safety and basic their kid might need help with!

01/17/2024

On Monday, we enjoyed the holiday and took several of our more advanced students on a long trail ride. We are grateful to be able to offer fun experiences for our clients😊

01/17/2024

Over the weekend, Hailey competed for the title of 2024 Lost Dutchman Days Queen and won! It will be a fun year.

01/10/2024

With a new year, comes a new camp schedule.

Attached we have a video from one of our camps, with more details of what they include!

https://youtu.be/MWNIkFXKUoc?si=ZTrgrS3g6kaDK8bo

12/16/2023

Arena/Trail Gelding
DB Royal Rabbit aka “Cash”

2005 15.2 hand AQHA Appendix Gelding

Cash is the perfect horse for someone wanting a horse that they can just go and do whatever with. He’s got a great handle to him. We ride him in a simple o-ring snaffle. He works well in the arena and has carried the flag and also does well with the jumps. He also likes the trails and I have yet to find something that phases him.

Kids can ride him, but I think he’d do better with an adult that wants to have a horse they can love on and spend time with, doing all sorts of things. Cash likes to work and go out and have fun. You can see him light up after a more in depth ride.

Cash gets along with other horses, he’s easy to shoe, stands tied, loads great, easy keeper, etc. this guy is easy and it is important he ends up with the right person/people.

UTD on Farrier, Dental, and Worming

Located in Queen Creek, AZ

5️⃣5️⃣⏹️⏹️

2005 15.2 hand AQHA appendix gelding.Cash is an all around gem. He is solid on the trails, he enjoys working and would be a fun payday horse where you can go...

10/16/2023

We have a couple horse leases available/coming available. There are several horses available, ranging in their ability/specialty. Many of them being good overall arena/trail horses.

Most of the horses are beginner friendly, however we only lease horses out to intermediate level and up. In addition, we can provide lesson packages as well!

Prices vary depending on the situation and we are able to be flexible based on your goals! All leases will be on-site, located on the Queen Creek, San Tan Valley boarder.

10/09/2023

Fall Break Horse Camp session one was such a blast! Here is a little recap video of the week.

Session two runs Monday, October 9th through Friday, October 13th. Thanks to the additional support of our amazing helpers, we are opening a couple slots for single days for the week. Message us for more information!

Otherwise our remaining camps for 2023 will be:
- Winter Weeklong Camp Monday, December 18th through Friday, December 22nd.
- Veterans Day Single Day Camp Friday, November 10th.
- Single Day Camp Saturday, December 9th.

We had such a fun time with this group of kids. They learned so much throughout their week and progressed so much!Song: Drive Drive DriveArtist: Loving Calib...

10/01/2023

🍾S🥂O🥂L🥂D🍾

The Ultimate Husband/Kid/Beginner Horse
Terrys Gypsy Dancer aka “Gypsy”

2005 15.1 hand APHA Mare

Gypsy is the horse many people look for. She’s got a great handle to her. She’s got fancy buttons that can be found by someone that knows what they’re doing. Yet, she doesn’t require those buttons to be used and works great off of a direct or neck rein, which makes her perfect for riders that are learning. With her thick build and height, she can easily handle a grown man, but still has the gentleness to tote around children.

She’s the ultimate beginner horse. However, when I say beginner safe, that is with the assumption that a trainer is assisting. Gypsy likes to work and she is very responsive. She is SAFE with absolutely no spook, buck, rear, bolt, bite, kick or anything else you can think of.

Gypsy has been used mostly as a trail horse over the last 5 years. Over the last month, we’ve decided to test her in new things and nothing has phased her. She’s been used in lessons with kids and adults of all levels. She’s done some gymkhana patterns and really enjoyed it and has shown potential. We’ve swung a rope on her and she didn’t bat an eye. The video clips showing her gates, were taken when we hauled her offsite by herself for the first time. I’m going to claim it… u n i c o r n.

Plus, she is an absolute sweetheart. She loves human attention and has the kindest eye.

Gypsy gets along with other horses, she’s easy to shoe, stands tied, loads/hauls great, easy keeper, etc. needless to say, this girl is special and it is important she ends up with the right person/people. I know she’s going to make for someone’s once in a lifetime horse.

UTD on Farrier, Dental, and Worming

Located in Queen Creek, AZ

9️⃣5️⃣⏹️⏹️

https://youtu.be/-9ZHsTM0RVg?si=1Uhq2Tn2LAeTBADM

08/28/2023

✨Hauling AZ to MN and back✨

Queen Creek, Arizona to Minneapolis, Minnesota departing 8/29

Route/Stops:
📍Queen Creek, AZ to Fort Collins, CO (FULL)
📍Fort Collins, CO to Iowa City, IA
📍Iowa City, IA to Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, Minnesota to Queen Creek, Arizona departing 9/11

Route/Stops:
📍Minneapolis, MN to Oklahoma City, OK
📍Oklahoma City, OK to Albuquerque, NM
📍Albuquerque, NM to Queen Creek, AZ

Let me know if you have any horses needing to be hauled close to/along this route! Fill rates available.

08/23/2023

With the school year started, everyone is probably already eagerly looking forward to the next big break which is fall break.

For fall break 2023, we are offering two weeklong horse camp sessions:

Session 1: Oct. 2-6, 2023
Session 2: Oct. 9-13, 2023

Time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Location: Queen Creek, AZ
Ages: 7-13
All skill levels

Booking is done online at the link below.
We are also an ESA vendor, if you are using ESA funds, contact us directly for booking.

If your kiddo can’t wait to get started, we also offer lessons and can get them started immediately. Please contact us directly to inquire about lessons.

Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon!

Booking:
https://www.sonnyotr.com/booking-calendar/weeklong-horse-camp?referral=service_list_widget

06/13/2023

Well said!

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.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

02/10/2023

We would like to officially introduce Katelyn. She has been on our team for a couple months now, so we figured it was time.

Katelyn grew up on a ranch in Montana riding reiners and ranch horses for as long as she can remember. She has been training her own horses since she was 12 and has been trimming feet since about that age as well. She started participating in 4H at 9 years old showing horses and sheep as well as taking woodworking and photography projects.

She then went on to Northwest College in Powell Wyoming to get her AAS degrees in Equine Training and Photographic Communications. She worked her way through college as a work study for the Equine Center, helping set up for classes, overseeing the students riding outside of class, and maintaining and cleaning the facilities. She spent last winter as the Barn Manager for a therapy center doing Hippotherapy and taking care of the horses.

She will basically be acting as Hailey 2.0. Which means she will be instructing lessons, helping with camps, training horses, selling horses and all other things we do. We are excited to welcome her to the team and the skills she brings.

With that being said, stay tuned for the new things coming soon!

01/23/2023

Nice cool weather means we can rock our new jackets😍

12/25/2022

M•E•R•R•Y🎄C•H•R•I•S•T•M•A•S

"From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other." - Emily Matthews

12/05/2022

✨EXTRA SLOTS ADDED✨
🎄the opportunity for a unique holiday card
🎁 family photo sessions with horses
📸 professional photographer & social media/modeling expert there to assist
💰There are additional add-ons available to customize the experience for you and your family

Space is limited, sign up now!
https://www.sonnyotr.com/service-page/seasonal-photo-session

Helping horses find their purpose and people their passion.

11/15/2022

NOW ✨OFFERING✨
🎄the opportunity for a unique holiday card
🎁 family photo sessions with horses
📸 professional photographer & social media/modeling expert there to assist
💰There are additional add-ons available to customize the experience for you and your family.

We can’t bring the snow, but we can really dress up this desert landscape.

Space is limited, sign up now!
https://www.sonnyotr.com/service-page/seasonal-photo-session

Helping horses find their purpose and people their passion. Sonny on the Rox, does all things horses.

10/05/2022

Big things have been in the works here at Sonny on the Rox. We were excited to be asked to help with the launch of this exciting new program!

FC Arizona

06/29/2022

Yesterday we lost the horse that started it all.

Roxy unexpectedly, yet peacefully passed away a week after her 29th birthday.

Roxy, was Hailey’s first horse and played an integral part in the horse knowledge Hailey has today. She sparked the passion Hailey has for horses along with many other people’s. She will never be forgotten and her legacy will always live on with Sonny on the Rox.

Hailey wrote more information on her personal Facebook, which is available for the public to see.

06/09/2022

I’ve been working with my personal horses slowly, but here is another training update on Midori.

Loading - as to be expected, this was a major feat. After about 30 minutes of real work (I am not counting the 30 minutes chasing her around the property) this is where we got. I tested it out the next day and it stuck.

Worming - this is how she almost killed me, before. I tried to worm her and she reared up and came | | this close to landing on me. We eventually got it done, but it took a lot of sweat. Now, worming her a couple months later, and this is how it went.

Leading - as I’ve stressed before, I am big on having the horse work with me without a lead on. Midori is by far my best horse when it comes to that.

Working from the right - she has always been weird on her right side. One day I remembered the saying “anything you can do on the left, you should be able to do on the right”. I never needed to really think about it until Midori. That first night, just trying to get her to lead on the right side resulted in a major melt down. I’ve gotten real good at handling her melt downs, and so after about 20 minutes, we were walking on the right side almost as good as the left. Now we’re starting to develop that without a lead.

This horse has been the most difficult horse I’ve ever worked with. Yet, I also see her being one of the greatest horses I’ll own. It’s been amazing seeing the love this horse has developed for me. To make it even more special, she’s totally a mamas girl, because she still will not trust anyone else. If I have someone hold her, she keeps her eyes on me the whole time.

05/27/2022

First time for Tito riding ba****ck, why not just take the bridle off as well?

05/25/2022

I sure am blessed with some amazing horses.

Would you believe me if I told you just a couple days ago I could barely get this horse to walk forward when leading her?

Today was our second time heading to the round pen. Last time we worked in the round pen it didn’t go so well… that was about 2 weeks ago.

Since then, I have been focusing on spending time with her, grooming her, attempting to walk her forward to get her to our brushing spot. Finally, the other night we tried a new way of “talking to” to get her to walk forward. Not a problem after that.

Finally, I was ready to take her to the round pen. Now, this horse doesn’t have much of a background. She’s 6 years old, had a baby and has sat around in the pasture, for the most part. Yet, something told me she was ready. So, we decided to give the saddle a go. She was great about it. Probably only her second time lunging ever and she willing listened and learned and we got her to work a walk, trot, lope - all with a saddle on.

Again, I just got a feeling I couldn’t stop there, so I decided to see what we could do without a line keeping her close. Well, this video shows those results. We spent about 5 minutes doing this and this was a small chunk filmed in the middle of that time. I did have a treat handy for this part, but we continued on without a treat and she still worked the same way.

Stay tuned for another post explaining what I’m aiming for and why I find this so important.

Note - she does have an occasional off step. She’s pretty tender footed and will be getting shoes, however, farrier etiquette is another thing we’ve been working on.