MAKING STRIDES EQUESTRIAN would not be possible without these truly amazing friends!
CANDLELIGHT'S FIREFLY "Fly"
Fly is a registered Welsh pony, 13.0 hands, whom has been in our family/ part of our team for almost 16 consecutive years plus 2-3 years before that. We found him through Margaux, to teach little Cathy the ropes in the spring of 2000 when Fly was 13. He started her successfully in crossrails and continued with Cathy through short stirrup. They won many championships together and were an adorable pair! Once little Cathy grew in height, she moved to a large pony and Fly moved to Charleston with Cyndi. Cyndi took great care of him and after a few years of teaching little ones, Fly returned to our family/ team in Athens in the fall of 2006 at age 19. Since returning, he took Taylor successfully into short stirrup, and then he took Samantha up to short stirrup. He has taught numerous beginners since then and has earned his retirement. Fly is celebrating his 36th birthday on May 3rd and he is still happily trotting/ cantering/ bucking/ and rolling while living the easy life.
WENDY'S COMET "Wendy"
Wendy has been in our family for 19 years. She is a registered breeding stock paint, 15.2 hands, and we believe she did have a foal sometime before we purchased her. Wendy celebrated her 29th birthday on May 16 and has done a little bit of everything in her life. Wendy won 7th in the AAHJA 2010 year-end awards in 2'6" hunters and the following year she placed 4th with limited showing. Wendy also went on many trail rides at the state park with us and she was a great companion to Magnum is his old age. Wendy is a very solid, boss mare type that can handle any situation. We call her the Queen of Making Strides Equestrian.
STORMY WEATHER "Thunder"
Thunder is a registered pinto crossed from a Morgan mother.,who is simply a lot of fun. He teaches beginner walk lessons to any ages, but is more of an intermediate ride when it comes to trotting. He has competed at a horse show, and has been off property to trail rides. He is Tonia's main ride but does share himself for lesson use as needed. Thunder will celebrate his 16th birthday on June 14 and has been with us for 6 years.
Thunder is a registered pinto crossed from a Morgan mother.,who is simply a lot of fun. He teaches beginner walk lessons to any ages, but is more of an intermediate ride when it comes to trotting. He has competed at a horse show, and has been off property to trail rides. He is Tonia's main ride but does share himself for lesson use as needed. Thunder will celebrate his 16th birthday on June 14 and has been with us for 6 years.
Full of Surprises "Buster"
Buster is our newest addition that joined our family in late February 2021, and settled into our program amazingly well from the start. Buster is a 14 year old paint gelding that celebrates his birthday on June 27th. He was previously teaching therapeutic riding lessons before joining our family, and now he is ridden by Winnie, used in a few lessons, and goes off property for trail rides and horse shows. Buster has come a long away in his time with us and is still 'full of surprises'. Thankfully, the surprises are usually good ones!.
Buster is our newest addition that joined our family in late February 2021, and settled into our program amazingly well from the start. Buster is a 14 year old paint gelding that celebrates his birthday on June 27th. He was previously teaching therapeutic riding lessons before joining our family, and now he is ridden by Winnie, used in a few lessons, and goes off property for trail rides and horse shows. Buster has come a long away in his time with us and is still 'full of surprises'. Thankfully, the surprises are usually good ones!.
Bobby
Bobby joined our team in November of 2014 by showing up at the barn and deciding to stay. He is a super playful cat, very loving, very curious, and all around fun. He keeps watch over our lower barn from the rafters or even the rooftop! Bobby is around 10 years old and celebrates his birthday on July 2nd.
Bobby joined our team in November of 2014 by showing up at the barn and deciding to stay. He is a super playful cat, very loving, very curious, and all around fun. He keeps watch over our lower barn from the rafters or even the rooftop! Bobby is around 10 years old and celebrates his birthday on July 2nd.
Hunter
Hunter joined us in October 2015 when he was a puppy. He is the leader for Epps Equestrian Security. Hunter is a Fiest which is a squirrel hunting type breed. Hunter has many jobs including: welcoming guests, protecting the estate, chasing squirrels, barking at deer/ racoons/ opossums/foxes, correcting the horses when they misbehave, playing with a squeaky ball all the time, and giving out kisses. He turned 7 years old in July.
Hunter joined us in October 2015 when he was a puppy. He is the leader for Epps Equestrian Security. Hunter is a Fiest which is a squirrel hunting type breed. Hunter has many jobs including: welcoming guests, protecting the estate, chasing squirrels, barking at deer/ racoons/ opossums/foxes, correcting the horses when they misbehave, playing with a squeaky ball all the time, and giving out kisses. He turned 7 years old in July.
