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 he was 13. He started her successfully in crossrails and continued through short stirrup. They won many championships together and were an adorable pair! Once little Cathy grew up, 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 still used occasionally for grooming lessons, but no more riding, even though he is still happily trotting & cantering around his paddock at meal time. Fly celebrated his 34th birthday on May 3rd.
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 3'6" at USEF shows in Junior Hunters. Before this, 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 29 on June 15th.
WENDY'S COMET "Wendy"
Wendy has been in our family for almost 20 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 4th in AAHJA year-end awards 2'6" hunters with limited showing in 2011. She also won 7th in the AAHJA year-end awards in 2010. Wendy decided she wanted an early retirement from riding, so she is simply enjoying life. We call her the Queen of Making Strides Equestrian.
STORMY WEATHER "Thunder"
Thunder is a Morgan/ Pinto,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 previously 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 celebrates his 13th birthday on June 14 and has been with us for 4 years.
Thunder is a Morgan/ Pinto,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 previously 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 celebrates his 13th birthday on June 14 and has been with us for 4 years.
Full of Surprises "Buster"
Buster is our newest addition and settled into our program amazingly well from the start. Buster is a 12 year old paint gelding that will celebrate his birthday on June 27th. He was teaching therapeutic riding before joining our family, and now he is ridden by Winnie, used in a few lessons, and goes off property for trail rides. Buster also stepped into the job of being pasture mates with Wendy, who was getting a little lonely all by herself.
Buster is our newest addition and settled into our program amazingly well from the start. Buster is a 12 year old paint gelding that will celebrate his birthday on June 27th. He was teaching therapeutic riding before joining our family, and now he is ridden by Winnie, used in a few lessons, and goes off property for trail rides. Buster also stepped into the job of being pasture mates with Wendy, who was getting a little lonely all by herself.
Elite
Elite joined our family as our first barn cat. She showed up as a kitten, outside Georgia Elite Gymnastics, in September of 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. She is a great hunter and enjoys babysitting the horses as they graze, as well as watching the lessons in the arena. Since she is now 11 years old, she is getting spoiled and spending the nights inside our house. Elite will turn 12 this summer on July 20th.
Bobby
Bobby joined our team in November of 2014. 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 roof! He is around 8 years old and celebrates his birthday on July 2nd.
Bobby joined our team in November of 2014. 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 roof! He is around 8 years old and celebrates his birthday on July 2nd.
Hunter
Hunter joined us in October 2015. He is the official mascot for Epps Equestrian Security. He doubles as family member slash barn dog. He turned 5 years old in July and his breed is a Fiest.
Hunter joined us in October 2015. He is the official mascot for Epps Equestrian Security. He doubles as family member slash barn dog. He turned 5 years old in July and his breed is a Fiest.
