Ascend Equestrian Center

12/24/2024

Merry Christmas from our herd to yours! 🎅🏼🎄✨

11/01/2024

We are excited to be back at Stable View. I’m not going to lie it was very weird not packing any breeches 😭

09/22/2024

We had a great show at Stable View!!! All our horses and riders won at least one class, and left with tricolors! Including Hocki winning the derby! We had a lot of fun, and the horses were amazing! Happy for our barn family 🩵🍾Lianna Reis Danielle Chanice Jody Shover

04/23/2024

Ascend Equestrian is pleased to announce that we are moving locations! Our new farm boasts more acreage, trails, and multiple arenas and grass fields for riding! Convenient location off of 540 in Raleigh NC! 💙🩵💛

04/08/2024

aka Tito takes home his first tri-color! Reserve Champion in the WTC division. 🖤🤍🖤

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Ascend Equine Crew! 🎉🎄🍾🕎

12/19/2023

😂🤣😂 oops

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11/20/2023

We love having Sammy around our barn. She is kind, considerate, and a great horsewoman. Way to go Sammy! We love you! 🩵🎉 Anjana Bhuta Wills Lisa Dye Katie Schaaf

Riding With Tics by Sammy Wills

Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes me to make uncontrollable noises and movements. Sometimes these noises and movements can affect my everyday life, including horseback riding.

I often will get confusing looks, smirks, or even laughs when I enter school. Every time I jerk my arms or make a weird sound I bring myself unwanted attention. It’s very stressful waiting for the next moment someone will hear you ‘tic’ and decide to retort back with loud snickers as they walk away.

Even then, that is not my everyday problem. Each day I face having to fight my tics to do simple tasks like type on the computer, write math problems, rest, and even horseback ride.

Thankfully I have learned to manage my tics so they are not as seen, but even if you don’t see them, that doesn’t mean I’m not still suppressing them. When I feel my anxiety bubble up or I am in a high pressure situation I work harder to suppress my tics. Because Tourette Syndrome either wanes or waxes as you age, with not a lot of knowledge of which one at which time, sometimes controlling the tics is easy, sometimes they are uncontrollable.

The problem is, tics feel like a jolting shock running through you, with the only way to stop it is to tic. If you suppress all those shocks long enough it gets too much to hold and you end up ticing more. Which is why IEA has been such a great tool for me in managing my tics. Having to focus on forming a quick and respectful bond with my draw on the spot allows for me to train myself to quiet my tics. I need to be focused and be as clear to the horse as possible. I can’t accidentally give the wrong cue or cluck at the wrong time or we both might get confused.

Beyond the arena, the IEA community itself has been wonderful, kind, and caring towards asking insightful questions and treating me equally. Whenever my tics are noticeable, whether it be a group lesson or at a show, riders always ask respectful questions and seem genuinely interested in how I combat Tourette Syndrome.

I want anyone facing difficulties beyond their control to know that there are people out there who care and will respect you. People will be there to stick up for you and learn in any way they can. Some days are harder than others but I have never doubted for a second that my coaches, team, and the IEA community have my back.

We can always learn more, including myself. That’s what is so great about diversity, it gives us an outlet to people’s lives we may not experience on our own. And in doing so we create a more understanding and accommodating community that is there for each and every person.

highlights riders stories on how IEA has impacted their lives from across the Nation.

Want to submit a story or learn more? Email [email protected].

08/07/2023

Good Luck to Gabby and her pony Uber as they head to Pony Finals 2023!!! We hope you have the best time and a safe trip!🍀🩵🎉 Heidi Lamoriello Sammartino Katie Schaaf Lisa Dye

07/27/2023

Baby Peach 🍑! Aka Queen’s Gambit, our large green pony, is coming along nicely. Available for borrow

07/20/2023

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07/01/2023

was a star this week 🤩🩵 came out very fresh after some time off! NCHJA Annual Horse Show