Poplar Ridge Equestrian

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Poplar Ridge Equestrian

We are a training barn specializing in a foundation of natural horsemanship and dressage.

Every horse and rider is started with this foundation at PRE, which sets them up for success in whatever journey life takes them on.

27/02/2024

When someone loves your golden child as much as you have…. We can’t be happier that Hank has found his person to spend give him all the love so we had to make it official. thank you for loving my bestest boy. 🥰🥰

22/09/2022

Better late than never!
We played at TIEC over the weekend and the ponies were all rockstars!
I rode Joey for Paula Fleming Spinale (who had to sit this one out for surgery) who surprised everyone and was a champ… literally. Scoring 74-75 in all of his tests, he definitely impressed the judges.
Christine and Lucky tried their ‘luck’ at first level and did not disappoint, scoring 60s for their first trip and then went back in to dominate their training test for their highest score ever. These two are starting to figure out the square!
I also rode Jade down centerline again, and even though she was so sure the people, the stands (well everything) was going to eat her, we had a successful weekend! Even with tension and bobbles we scored 67-70s and learned a lot about riding our tests despite the silliness. (She’s really making me ride ‘smarter’. )

Thank you to my boss of a wife for being my
Biggest fan and being the best on the ground to help me through the weekend. Thanks Monocot Farm for pushing me and helping me become better. And of course thank you to my awesome clients for playing in the sandbox with me and being just awesome. 🥰

Lots of great scores and fun trips showing off our fancy ponies. 🤩🥳🥇

05/09/2022

Wow. What a show! This crew could not have had any better of a weekend!
Christine and Lucky had their best tests to date, winning BOTH of their training level tests with their highest scores ever and received super comments from judge!
AJ got to go back down centerline, this time piloting Sarah’s Luna (their first time together) and received great compliments and two scores in the mid 60s in training level.
I rode Paula’s sassy Joey in his first level debut and he came out winning both his classes, including a high score of 70%! (Paula was the best groom while sitting on the sidelines for this show😉)
Jade also played in the square, working on our relaxation and accuracy. Even with some tension, we still managed respectable 66 and 68% in our second level tests- including a 9 for our medium trot down centerline! (I think the judge had a crush on this fancy mare 😍)

Looking forward to all these guys strutting their stuff at the next recognized show. Thanks Foothills Riding Club for another great show!

16/07/2022

Well that was an awesome show. This crew went to the fabulous Foothills Riding Club show and had an awesome time.
Sara Gibbens took her Luna for their first outing together and Sarahs first show in OVER 10 years. And their debut did not disappoint. Everyone was super excited to see this duo and can’t wait to watch them develop.
Jesseca Ballard took our resident Cranky Hanky to their first dressage show. Hank hasn’t been to a show since 2019 and showed everyone why we love him so much. A 66 in Intro C is pretty fabulous for this 20yo OTTB!
And the star of the weekend is Paula and her fancy boy Joey. A true ‘teenage boy’, Joey had some sass about working in the square. Paula rose to the occasion and set the bo**er straight, improving her second test and showing off the glimmers of the fanciness that they have to offer.

20/03/2022

Joined the crowd at FRC yesterday and the day did not disappoint! Everyone had a good time and the hard work was evident!
Jade got more comfortable in the show ring with and enjoyed showing everyone just how fancy she is. 😍
Paula Fleming Spinale tried out her first show with her new partner Joey and he really showed up! Even with a tack issue (his bridle came apart in the beginning of his test) he went on like a champ until the judge figured it out and stopped them. It was a lovely test up to and after fixing the bridle.
Christine and lucky put forth their best rides yet and are more than ready for show season.
I took baby Nova for her first outing, yes I chose a horse show. 🤪 and she did not disappoint. One of the most level headed, willing babies I’ve ever worked with. Even with the scary cover, she kept it together enough to keep going. Even got an 8 for her free walk! Super excited to develop this one. 🥰
And Omen earned many compliments being so well behaved the entire day but said coaching and calling out 5 tests was very exhausting. 😂

08/03/2022

How much fun our weekend with Susan Shelton was!!! Everyone came to the clinic ready to learn and left with so many new tools in the tool box! It was a first for everyone in so many different ways and we could not be more excited for all of these partnerships. Thanks ladies for all your help with a fabulous clinic! 🎉🍾🥰🤗

23/12/2021

When your horse sheds her entire frog on both feet….

17/12/2021

Paula found her unicorn! Thank you and for letting us meet this gem (and all the wonderful training of course! After only being here for a week, he’s already settled into life at PRE and learning his job well. He’s taking great of Paula letting her learn the ropes and is proving himself a true gentleman. So glad to have this guy in our barn!

02/11/2021

Well that was fun.
We showed at Tryon this past weekend amidst all the chaos of the Washington show and came away with some good rides, fun times and lots of homework. 😉
Congrats goes to Alison who earned both her 1st level scores towards her bronze medal this weekend! Maui and Alison have an incredible partnership and it does our hearts happy to watch him try so hard for her every time down centerline. The future is bright!
Christine and the famous Lucky joined us Saturday, really showing off that hard work pays off. They ended the day with a deserved 66 from a tough judge!
AJ brought her new mare Jade for their first show. Jade wasn’t quite sure what to make of all the chaos at the show and had some tension issues that didn’t showcase their true teamwork. But only 2m into the partnership… these two are doing pretty good together and are going to make a dynamite team.
Ashley and Rachel made their first trips down centerline at first level and ended the weekend with a 69. Having never been to such a venue before, Rachel slowly settled into her work and started to show the power that she’s going to have one day.

Thanks to everyone for all the extra help this weekend, especially Paula and Darcie during the craziness at the show!

09/10/2021

5 days of rain. A couple hours of sunshine and a drag later.

19/07/2021

Saturday we took a trip to FENCE for the FRC schooling show. What a wonderful day we had across the board.
Alison and Maui are continuing to improve with every trip down centerline, ending the day with a solid 67. It brings us such joy to see him flourishing and so loved. Their journey is going to be one to follow. ☺️
Jesseca took Sarah’s Luna down centerline. Not only was it Lunas first show ever, Jess made her debut in dressage as well. She won her first class with a solid 69 and had a blast the entire day, even while Luna was having baby moments. We may be convincing Jesseca to switch over to the dark side 😏
Eva also brought Marty for their first show together. Marty hasn’t been down centerline in almost 2 years, which he made very clear. While he was pretty sure his new found love with Luna was not one to be broken up, Eva was able to pilot him around their tests, earning solid scores and winning one of the biggest classes of the day with a 69.
Super proud of everyone showing up. 💪🥇
Thanks Foothills Riding Club for a great show like always.

24/06/2021

I have to brag on our crew. We went to Tryon International Equestrian Center this past weekend for a recognized show.
AJ and her mare are a new partnership, so first trip down centerline. Not only did they both show up- AJ earned a qualifying score for regionals (70.3!) AND secured another score for her bronze medal! This pair received many compliments and Rosie’s potential was noted by everyone. ☺️
Christine and Lucky. After three months of boot camp, these two were finally ready for their first recognized show. The little gypsy that proved himself… They improved their scores dramatically From first to the last day, finishing up the weekend with a 68% and earning a qualifying score for regionals! Lucky also tried out the first level test with Ashley, scoring a 67% and winning many fans through the weekend. 🙌🏻
Poptart. Oh what a mare. She keeps me On my toes. Our scores were solid 70s, with our highest being a 75%. She Held her own her first time in the first level tests. AND she is qualified for regionals! Proving to be a DQ most definitely 😉.

These horses and riders showed up this weekend; we can’t wait for the next show.
There’s so much that goes into helping our horses be the best they can be. All of these guys are barefoot, grain-free and moving wonderfully thanks to proper nutrition, bodywork and saddle fit (thanks Stay Fit Equine, LLC!)
Saddlery Dresch for each of these horses has been a game changer; I’ll only work my horses in dresch from now on. Thanks for making such a superior product!

30/05/2021

Saturday was the first show of the season for all these guys and everyone bright their A game!
Christine Lafrance Just My Luck went down centerline, winning his first level debut with Ashley and showed off with Christine in their tests.
Maui Jim and Alison had their try as a new partnership and improved from test to test. (Even though Maui said he reeally needed his friend to play with him 🙃)
Poptart made a comeback after a hiatus from showing all winter, bringing her fancieness and winning a big class with the highest score (73) of the day.
Looking forward to show season with everyone this year. 💪
As always, thanks to Foothills Riding Club for putting on a great show!

26/04/2021

This may not seem like much but it’s a BIG deal. This is super pony’s first canter since we went down centerline for PSG in September, only to be diagnosed with a chronic suspensory injury (yes he’s that stoic). Rehab has been long and tedious. Stressful. Hard. Makes you want to quit. But if you stick with the program... you get there. We still have a couple more months to go but we should be back in the show ring before we know it. 💪🙌🏻❤️

16/02/2021

When Junie is finally reunited with the herd.... Hank is determined that no one has his donkey. 😂 Just appreciate horses being horses on this disgusting kind of day. 😍😍

30/01/2021

May not seem like much but so many Exciting games things happening in this video! Kando has been a work in progress since he got here in December. We’ve had quite a bit to work through and still have some ways to go but him offering to stretch and relax is a huge accomplishment! Even more is Margaux having such a great ride on her boy... best one since they got here! These are the moments that make what i do worth it. ☺️

13/01/2021

When it’s an absolutely gorgeous day in January... can’t help but go out for a trail ride. (Also... these selfies are extremely hard to take). Thanks for a lovely ride ladies! And thank you for loaning your Lunacorn! Kando was pretty sure he needed to lead the entire time and Luna was not having it. 😂

31/12/2020

Maui Jim is good at so many things. We think his favorite gig though, is to take care of his riders. He’s just so willing and smart enough to figure out just how much care his rider needs.
He’s going to make someone a great partner one day. 🤩😍

17/12/2020

Anything this kid can’t do?! We found Jim’s calling.... he marched out onto the XC field and schooled like he’d done it his whole life. Maui Jim won his first CT at the starter level. Next time- it’s beginner novice all three events. 😉☺️
XC
https://youtu.be/Uyo1Ah-lbZM
SJ
https://youtu.be/GH1SczNdkkU

05/11/2020

First time all across the board at TIEC this past weekend. Poptart made her dressage debut, ending the weekend with a 74. Maui Jim went down centerline with each of us, earning solid 60s and hanging with the fancy warmbloods all weekend. All the hard work at home showed and these ponies showed up. Fancy-pants Poptart is going to make one heck of a DQ pony one day. Jim truly is the partner that everyone craves.

02/10/2020

30 day difference. Swipe ➡️ to see the change. Magic? Nah. Healthy gut with dynamite equine. Unlimited hay in the stall or grass in t/o. 1 cup of TC oats and Grand Meadows Premium. That’s it. Oh, and some really good workouts. 😉

21/09/2020

Listen to your horse.

1 week ago ben and I made our debut at PSG. We started out strong... knowing we were going in with some weaknesses but a ‘it’s now or never’.

We finished our show weekend not in the way I was hoping. He kept a ‘will try attitude’ but the work was challenging. We got it done in the warm up but putting the pieces together down centerline- it fell apart.

As rider and trainer, I expected this. I knew the PSG ring was a big deal and was going to pose the biggest challenges to date. But we’ve been training our butts off so we were ready to give a go. The weaknesses we had going in- I chalked it up to being hard work. Some days, he had an attitude about the ‘hard’ stuff, other days he just flat out wouldn’t. Horses right?

In the back of my head, something was bugging me. This wasn’t ben. He was sound but something wasn’t right. I started him on previcox. I injected his hocks again. Little things that definitely helped.... but still. Something wasn’t 💯.

Well we pushed through, we kept training and we got more and more ready for our psg debut. The question marks were still there going in- my biggest ones; will we have our changes? Will he listen? Will I do my part? I forgot about the even bigger one going in- will he be able to do the ‘hard work’ 4 days in a row?

Ben tried his heart out for me the first day but checked out after the second. Tried again the third but still major floofs (a lot of rider error too).

I decided to investigate bens soundness. I owed it to him. Turns out, my champion of a pony (20yo mind you) attempted 3 days at the FEI level with an active injury to the high suspensory origin in his left hind. Fiber disruption and edema. Y’all, my horse had damage to his suspensory and still tried at PSG level.

We were supposed to finish my medal this season. We had huge goals. Well, really I did. Ben just likes to eat, sleep and put his business suit on once in a while. But I listened to my horse. I did right by him as much as it broke my heart. I owed him that. Mind you- I could have done more to ‘make him feel better’ and give me one more go next month. I could have kept pushing anyways... but I didn’t. I chose to listen to my horse.

So instead, my fancy pony is in a ba****ck pad doing tack walks for the next 30days and then slow rehab from There. But hey- he’s going to come Back even stronger and better than he was before and next year- were gunna kill it. 💪🤩
Moral of this story- listen to your horses. You owe them that. ❤️

01/09/2020

No words needed.

09/07/2020

We started making big changes in 2019 to the business to benefit our personal lives. Well, in May we made the biggest one yet! 🥂🎊🙌🏻

20/05/2020

‘Always can have more bend’ ‘That bend is a bo**er’ (actual conversation between and I about this particular half pass) 😉

01/05/2020

Brembo’s first zoomies. You’re welcome 😍

29/01/2020

Freeze Frame, aka Rigley, made his show debut this weekend in Aiken. Despite the temp drops, being at a new place and being alone- he went into the ring like he’s done it his entire life. So proud of this guy and how far he’s come. We’ve had him since he was 2, started him on all the basics with natural horsemanship..... and he begins his first show season with a bang. Each ride he got better, placed higher and just surpassed my expectations.
Bringing Rigley along from the start has been an eye opening experience and we’re so grateful to have been able to do so. So much fun. Can not wait to see how his career unfolds with his next person.

(Have a young horse you need started or trained- holler!😉)

First show, first course. Open warm up, 5/16
https://youtu.be/wlZV8zvHw6s
Free work
https://youtu.be/U43aj0vUz_o
Schooling at home
https://youtu.be/5vACDMVmzHQ
Rigley with a kid
https://youtu.be/6V37SkVpQ1U

16/01/2020

This 4 year old is coming along! After a short vacation, he’s picked right up and going even better. Rigley is heading to his first show next weekend. Super excited for the progress of this one!

04/01/2020

This made our night. Harvey has been killing it down in Florida with his kid. They debuted their first puddle jumpers a couple of weeks ago. Tonight, John and Harvey got a lesson with Quenten Judge, the owner of Double H farms...HH AZUR 😱😱
It’s amazing to watch this badass of a pony take such good care of his kid.

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When your horse sheds her entire frog on both feet…. #healthybarefoothorse #barefoothorse

When Junie is finally reunited with the herd.... Hank is determined that no one has his donkey. 😂 Just appreciate horses being horses on this disgusting kind of day. 😍😍 #herdlife #horsesofinstagram #donkeysofinstagram

May not seem like much but so many Exciting games things happening in this video! @margauxmoments Kando has been a work in progress since he got here in December. We’ve had quite a bit to work through and still have some ways to go but him offering to stretch and relax is a huge accomplishment! Even more is Margaux having such a great ride on her boy... best one since they got here! These are the moments that make what i do worth it. ☺️ #ottbsofinstagram #learninghowtobeagoodcitizen #horsesofinstagram #ottbhunter #ottb

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Horses. Laugh. Love.

Here at PRE, we’ve cultivated a unique program that focuses on more than just winning the ribbons. We have created a family where everyone works towards one big goal: to be the best person they can be. Our horses are a tool in that journey- with students learning how to not only become good riders, but good horseman too. Its a privilege to watch our students grow as both with the horses and in life.