My name is Indigo Johnson and I am 24. I have a passion for horses and teaching. I thoroughly enjoyed teaching riding lesson from May through October over the last two years. This was not just a learning experience for my students, this was a huge learning experience for me!
I am looking forward to learning even more this year. I am so thankful for the opportunity that Laurie has given me to teach out of her facility!
I started riding western at the age of seven. Four years later, my parents and I bought my first horse! Ruby was four at the time. I still own Ruby today and over the last 13 years we have had many opportunities to learn and grow together.
Ruby and I participated in local barrel races and gymkhanas in our early years together before joining a horse 4-H Club when I was 14. The main focus of our 4-H lessons (which we took twice a week for four years) was western pleasure and horsemanship. In my four years of 4-H I learned great leadership and communication skills as well as having the opportunity to teach lessons to some of our younger members during my final two years of 4-H. I have continued to be a part of the 4-H Club and have been invited back to judge their Club Achievement Day. I am currently a horse division representative for the BC Agricultural Expo that takes place at the end of September of each year.
I am most comfortable teaching beginners and intermediates in western disciplines. With my students I like to do everything start to finish; catching the horse, brushing, saddling, mounting, riding, dismounting, unsaddling, brushing and putting the horse away. This gives the rider the opportunity to get to know the horse on the ground, not just as a mount. This start to finish tactic sets the rider up to be able to safely and responsibly handle a horse. In the saddle, I strive for a proper seat, and hand position while giving correct cues to the horse so that both horse and rider have the opportunity to learn and perform at their best. Safety and confidence are key aspects of my lesson program.
In the last year I have started the process of becoming a certified instructor through Horse Council BC. So far, I have completed Rider Level 1-4. This included a written theory exam, an oral theory exam and a riding exam for each level. In the near future, I plan to pursue all the requirements to become a Certified Instructor. I have just completed my first year in the TRU Bachelor of Education Program as I plan to pressure a career as an Elementary School Teacher.
I am confident in my ability to instil safety, responsibility and awareness in students during their introductory horse experience while enjoying a fun learning environment.
At the Haughton ranch there is a variety of horses that will be matched with students so that both the horse and rider have the opportunity to learn and succeed. Your mount may change over the course of the year. This could be due to a mismatch in personality or maybe you've outgrown the horse you're on!!
Freckles joined the string of lesson horses last summer. She is small but quick on her feet! Freckles wasn't sure what to think of all the activity at the ranch to begin with but she found her stride here. She turned out to be the perfect step up horse for beginners who are building their confidence and skills.
Mouse is a beautiful 17 year old Quarter Horse. She has become a staple in our lesson program. With so much to teach new riders she makes sure everyone rides to their full potential. In her younger years, she competed as a penning and cutting horse. Mouse has a lovely in your pocket personality and a sweet face making her a favourite with students.
Kate had her turn to shine last summer! She was a favourite for students learning more advanced skills. She is a powerhouse and was just a little bit too much horse for newer riders, but led many of my intermediate riders through serpentines, leg yielding, lope departures and reverse arcs. Kate is 9 years old this year. She has been ridden by a young boy in cow sorting competitions for the last 2 years. Before that she was a cutting horse. Kate is 15.1 hands high but don’t let her height scare you away, she is a gentle giant!
At only 6 years old Mighty has proved herself as a lesson horse over the last two years. Don't let her sweet face foul you, Mighty is handful but the older student the I put on her rode her extremely well. She is turning into a well rounded horse with the ability to compete as well as be a lessons horse. She has a bright future ahead of her!
Join me this summer in beautiful Knutsford BC for introductory riding lessons in a fun and educational environment 🐴
