Ridgeline Equestrian

28/07/2024

For the love of all riding school Ponies and Horses

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 🐎❤🐎

02/06/2024

What a soggy one 🌧️ First off property show for all of these horse & rider combinations and I couldn't be more proud of all of them! Smiles all around despite the weather and some very impressive riding from everyone 🤩

10/04/2024

A freshly watered and harrowed arena makes every ride better 🤩

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06/04/2024

First show of the season for my students. You all absolutely blew me away with your performances today. The positivity, sportsmanship, horsemanship, and support of each other was amazing. I am one very proud coach 🤩
A huge thank you to Jill for organizing and hosting, to all the volunteers and parents who helped and kept things running smoothly. What a great start to our summer!!

20/03/2024

Last chance to register tonight! Great way to get the kids out of the house, outside, having fun and learning about horses!
Options for select days instead of the full week available as well 🐴✨
Message if you have any questions!! 🌞

Space still available!! 🐎

Five day camp or pick select days (email or message for details). All levels welcome, our camp offers a blend of fun activities and hands on learning with our equine friends, there is something for everyone! ☀️

Email: [email protected]

09/03/2024

Thankful to be surrounded by some of the best women around 👏🏻🐴

She works two jobs to pay for her horse, while managing a family and kids at home.

She rides 5 horses a day for clients while still having to make time to feed and care for them, 7 days a week.

Shes a working professional during the day, and an adult amateur on evenings and weekends, making her way up the levels.

No matter what the scenario is, women are the most powerful beings, and no one works harder than a horse girl.

05/03/2024

Space still available!! 🐎

Five day camp or pick select days (email or message for details). All levels welcome, our camp offers a blend of fun activities and hands on learning with our equine friends, there is something for everyone! ☀️

Email: [email protected]

26/02/2024

Come join us for a fun spring break camp! Email for information or to register: [email protected]
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19/02/2024

Pat them. Pat them pat them pat them. If your horse even thinks about thinking about how to think about the thing you want him to think about, PAT HIM. Praise every right thing, all of the time.

DO NOT ‘make the right thing easy and make the wrong thing hard’.

JUST MAKE THE RIGHT THING EASY, and forget about any botched efforts or wrong answers. Don’t take it personally if the horse doesn’t get it right first time. He doesn’t speak your language. He doesn’t understand your ambitions. He doesn’t understand conflict through the lens of human interpretation. He just knows how to horse, yet he is willing to learn, adapt and change for YOU. Make sure you do the same for HIM.

Horses are the only animal on the planet willing to try for us and to give us everything they have, for absolutely no return for themselves whatsoever.

If you do not foster the horse’s desire to try, you will lose this most precious gift.

04/02/2024

Hate to be the bearer of bad news... That being said I will enjoy the sunshine while it's here! ☀️

17/01/2024

Snow day!! ❄️
Amazing how well the horses coats insulate them and keep them toasty and warm despite the blizzard conditions outside 🌨️ these are some cosy & happy ponies

07/01/2024

Brrrr! It's about to get cold 🥶
Here are a few tips to keep us all safe during this cold snap. Let's hope it's a short lived as they say it's going to be 🤞🏻
As a reminder, lessons will not run in -5° and below. Lessons during 0° to -4° will be modified to avoid any unnecessary concussive force on our horses legs.
Stay warm and safe everyone!

31/12/2023

🌟 Celebrating the victories, big and small, that made 2023 an incredible journey with my exceptional clients! 🏆🐴
Each achievement is a testament to your hard work and dedication. As we turn the page to 2024, let's channel this momentum into setting powerful goals:

1️⃣ Reflect and Acknowledge: Take a moment to recognize the strides you've made. Whether it's mastering a new jump or fostering a deeper connection with your horse, acknowledge and appreciate those accomplishments.

2️⃣ Define Clear Objectives: Set specific, measurable, and achievable goals. Whether it's improving your dressage score, conquering a challenging pattern, or refining your jumping technique, clarity is key.

3️⃣ Create a Plan: Break down your goals into actionable steps. Develop a training schedule, seek guidance from your coach (me!) and focus on consistent, purposeful practice.

4️⃣ Embrace Challenges: Growth often comes from overcoming challenges. Don't shy away from pushing your boundaries—each hurdle is a chance to become a stronger, more skilled rider.

5️⃣ Cultivate a Supportive Community: Surround yourself with fellow riders who share your passion. A supportive community can provide encouragement, share insights, and make the journey even more rewarding. I feel very fortunate to be a part of Hillside Equine barn, we really do have the best barn family!

Here's to a fantastic 2024 filled with new achievements, growth, and the joy of pursuing our equestrian dreams together! 🌈🐎✨

15/12/2023

Taking full advantage of these sunny days to stretch our legs. What a December we are having! 🤩

03/11/2023

Mother nature making up for the day long downpour with this sunset 😍

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween! 🎃 The girls had some great costumes for their group lesson with my 'pacman ghost' pole course

29/09/2023

A good reminder for us all 👇🏻

Hey horse girl…
It’s okay if you have to take a rest.
It’s okay if you had the longest day ever, you’re running on 5 cups of coffee, you’re sitting in traffic, you’re at your wits end and trying to get to the barn before the sun goes down…. And you start to think maybe you should just go straight home instead.

It’s okay if you are getting over an illness, or an injury, you’re having a bad pain day, or your mental health isn’t in the best spot and you’re thinking… I don’t want to go to the barn today.

It’s okay if you have had a full day at work, chasing kids and adults, completing school projects, work projects, and your horses are with you at home and the barn chores get done but not much else.

Your barn can be your favorite place, and you can still need a 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒚.

Your horse doesn’t want to see you rushed, in a bad mood, sick or weak, or hurting and stumbling. Your horse wants to see you healthy, happy, and ready to give him or her all of your attention.

You don’t need to be everything to everybody every second of every day.

If your body is telling you to rest, listen to it… every day looks different 🖤

27/09/2023

Ariel soaking up the last of the sunshine 🥰 🌞

23/09/2023

So proud of these two at their show debut! They have been working very hard this summer on their partnership and had a fabulous outing.
I am so impressed by your horsemanship, sportsmanship, and confidence you showed today!
Thank you to Windsum for putting on a great show

21/08/2023

These are Equine Canada's recommendations regarding equine exercise with poor air quality. Chilliwack is currently at 11+!! As much as we all find it disappointing not being able to ride/have our lessons it's important we put our equine friends' health first.
I will be assessing day by day this week and will be texting parents & students what the plan will be for lessons.
When the air quality is too poor to ride it's a great opportunity to work on your groundwork, build your bond with your horse, practice wrapping and first aid skills (if you're comfortable being outside!)
Or, if it's too gross to be outside, watch educational videos to learn new skills (like Tristan Tucker or Amelia Newcomb), research a discipline you don't know much about, or read a horse related book.
Stay safe out there!

08/08/2023

I could do this every day 🤩

02/08/2023

Olaf is digging blackberry season 🤤

02/08/2023

Whether I'm training at shows, at home, in the trot up and of course in competitions, there is never a day I don't have my hat on. Supported by Charles Owen for so many years now, for me this is the leading brand in its field and I'm very proud to be their ambassador. Safety first..always.

Kismet is captured here in training CHIO Aachen by Equestrian Worldwide - EQWO.net

21/07/2023

What dreams are made of 🤩🤩🤩

None of this would have been possible without my barn family:
(and RJ) for the encouragement, trailering, prepping, pony wrangling, and coordinating
for the incredible groom and braid job
for lending us her absolute rockstar pony 🤩
My dad for being so keen and willing to do this
And the whole barn for telling me I wasn't crazy for wanting to ride into my wedding.
I am beyond proud of both Ariel and Jessie for being absolute stars 🤩
Big thank you to .d.sawyer for these pictures.

15/07/2023

Amazing!! It's never too late to start!

13/07/2023

Did you hug your pony today?

02/06/2023

May 2021 ---> May 2023
Talk about glow up! 🤩

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09/05/2023

Two days out of the arena learning a different discipline, taking a day off and then having the best arena ride yet 🤩
Never underestimate the power of cross training!

01/05/2023

Show day!! 🦄
What a great day! A first show for some with several amazing rides and some very well behaved ponies 🤩 very proud of everyone.
So thankful to be a part of such a supportive group of people you have created Jill!

19/04/2023

A good reminder! Your progress won't necessarily look like anyone else's and that's totally fine