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 15 consecutive years and 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 celebrated his 34th birthday on May 3rd and he is still happily trotting/ cantering/ bucking/ and rolling while living the easy life.
BEN THERE "Ben"
Ben is a Hanoverian cross, 16.2 hands, and has been a part of the Making Strides Equestrian team/family for 17 years. His first Making Strides Equestrian mom, Nancy, rode with Tonia for 16 years. Nancy came to Tonia after attending a summer camp riding program when she was only 10, and quickly progressed up the ranks. After owning 3 ponies, Ben came along at age 12 during the summer of 2004, to teach Nancy the ropes at 3'6" competing at USEF/USHJA shows in the large Junior Hunters. (Before Ben, Nancy competed at Pony Finals 3 years in a row on her large pony.) Ben had an eventing background before she purchased him, which made him a great candidate for 3'6" hunters, jumpers, or equitation. Once Nancy graduated college and started traveling abroad, Ben was passed down to his next mom, long time Making Strides Equestrian student/ team member, Andrea. Andrea owned him for the next 6 years before moving out of state, but decided to let Ben stay with us at Making Strides Equestrian for others to enjoy. Ben will celebrate turning the big 30 on June 15th. Ben has also earned his retirement and is happily enjoying the easy life now.
WENDY'S COMET "Wendy"
Wendy has been in our family for 17 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 27th 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 celebrated his 13th birthday on June 14 and has been with us for 4 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 celebrated his 13th birthday on June 14 and has been with us for 4 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 13 year old paint gelding that will celebrate 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. We are hoping to get him exposed to off property horse shows soon. Buster has come a long away in his first year 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 13 year old paint gelding that will celebrate 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. We are hoping to get him exposed to off property horse shows soon. Buster has come a long away in his first year with us and is still 'full of surprises'. Thankfully, the surprises are usually good ones!.
Elite
Elite joined our family to become the first official Making Strides Equestrian barn cat. Elite showed up as a stray kitten, after Winnie's gymnastic class, outside in the parking lot.in September 2009. She was so tiny and both Tonia & Winnie knew that she needed some love and a wonderful new home. She settled right in at the farm, learning to walk on the rafters and sleep above the office. Later, she would be found sleeping in the horses' hay (as they ate!). Elite is a great hunter, she once made friends with a fox, she spectates riding lessons, plays with lizards, and enjoys babysitting the horses as they graze. When Making Strides Equestrian moved to it's current location in 2018, Elite became extra spoiled and moved into the house with us. Elite will celebrate her 13th birthday on July 20th.
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 9 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 9 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 6 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 6 years old in July.
