Elite
Elite joined our family in the summer of 2009 to become the first official Making Strides Equestrian barn cat. Elite showed up as a tiny stray kitten after Winnie's gymnastic class, outside in the parking lot. She was so so tiny, that both Tonia & Winnie knew that she deserved some love and a wonderful new home. Elite settled right in at the farm, learning to walk on the rafters and sleep above the office. She could be found sleeping in the horses' hay (as they ate!), hanging out in the arena teaching lessons with Tonia, babysitting toddler Winnie in the office while Tonia did horse chores, or babysitting ponies in the pasture. Elite was a superb hunter from an early age and loved playing with skinks, she once made friends with a fox and they played a game of chase back and forth thru the woods, and would come running from afar to the sound of her treats. Once Making Strides Equestrian re-located to it's current location in 2018, Elite became extra spoiled and moved into the house with us. She deserved every minute of her new life, and enjoyed sleeping on furniture or snuggling in the bed with Winnie, playing with cat toys and blanket games, having heat and A/C along with some table scraps from Mr.Tommy. Elite passed a few weeks before celebrating her 13th birthday on July 20th.
LUCKY
Lucky was the Epps' family dog which meant he had to double as a barn dog. Winnie & I adopted him from Animal Control in a cold February in 2013. He was a mix of some sort, with a long body and short little legs. He was up in his age when we got him, but we wanted to make his remaining years special. He seemed old and slow, but he would disappear quickly if we took our eyes off of him. He was a wonderful addition to our family and taught Winnie the responsibility of dog ownership.
Lucky was able to travel to Heaven on February 7th, 2015. We really loved him and our 2 years that we spent together. He was a wonderful friend.
Lucky was the Epps' family dog which meant he had to double as a barn dog. Winnie & I adopted him from Animal Control in a cold February in 2013. He was a mix of some sort, with a long body and short little legs. He was up in his age when we got him, but we wanted to make his remaining years special. He seemed old and slow, but he would disappear quickly if we took our eyes off of him. He was a wonderful addition to our family and taught Winnie the responsibility of dog ownership.
Lucky was able to travel to Heaven on February 7th, 2015. We really loved him and our 2 years that we spent together. He was a wonderful friend.
EASY HIGH STRIDE "Copper"
Copper was a registered Quarter Horse, 15.2 hands, a Making Strides Equestrian equine for 13 years. He did a little bit of everything in his years with me, from teaching lessons to horse shows to novice fox hunts, trail riding, standing around at a festival as a display horse, being the first pick for bareback because of his unbelievably smooth trot, a companion to Fly at horse shows, a good friend to Magnum, to even letting Winnie practice vaulting on him. He was spunky yet super kind hearted and truly loved. And I believe he held the same love for us. He was very special.
Copper made his journey to heaven at the age of 22 at the UGA vet school on January 2, 2016 after a day long fight with colic.
Copper made his journey to heaven at the age of 22 at the UGA vet school on January 2, 2016 after a day long fight with colic.
November
November showed up at the farm in November of 2010. He was a fabulous hunter and enjoyed getting love from everyone. He also enjoyed babysitting the horses as they grazed, as well as watching the lessons. November had beautiful eyes and a strong purr.
November passed away on May 28, 2016. .
November passed away on May 28, 2016. .
PRELUDE MAGNOLIA "Magnum"
Magnum was Tonia's first horse, he was a registered Quarter Horse, 15.2 hands. She bought him right after he turned 4 in April 1983, from Wes Echols and family out of McDonough, GA. Tonia & Magnum spent 34 wonderful years together. Years of accomplishments, lots of love, secret sharing, some tears, some rowdiness, companionship, lots of skittles, apples, carrots, moving to college together, and living outside her front door.
Magnum & Tonia were very successful in Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage, and Equitation. Eventing was always a little off because he wanted to play in the water obstacles rather than continue through them. Magnum was just the best there ever was and will always be remembered in so many stories in his 38 years.
Magnum passed away at Tonia's house on the morning of August 19, 2017 due to old age and most likely a cancerous tumor in his jaw.
Magnum & Tonia were very successful in Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage, and Equitation. Eventing was always a little off because he wanted to play in the water obstacles rather than continue through them. Magnum was just the best there ever was and will always be remembered in so many stories in his 38 years.
Magnum passed away at Tonia's house on the morning of August 19, 2017 due to old age and most likely a cancerous tumor in his jaw.
GOLDEN IMAGE "Immy"
Immy was a welsh/ Quarter Horse, 14.1 hands mare that had been part of our family for 14 years. We gained her from a friend, Debbie, who had been using her for her 4 year old daughter. We needed Immy for the lesson and showing program, she was outstanding at teaching beginners from 1 year old until they reached 90 lbs. She taught walk/ trot/ canter with ease and competed in beginner horse shows. Before we had her, Immy was a successful 3' pony and even competed at the National Pony Finals. Immy would have celebrated her 32nd birthday on May 5th, 2019. She had been enjoying retirement at our lovely farm for the last few years. She was a joy in so many ways and we are filled with great memories.
Immy was laid to rest due to complications of old age on March 28, 2019.
Immy was laid to rest due to complications of old age on March 28, 2019.
CAPED CRUSADER
"Batman"
Batman was chosen as Winnie's first horse. She had her share of ponies, but this was the first horse. Batman shared only 1 and a half years with us, but he leaves a huge impression as well as a huge void with us. Winnie did a tremendous amount of his training in that short time and he did play in the lesson program from time to time. Batman joined our team in early August 2019, he was a paint gelding and previously had been a barrel horse before learning the English ropes with us. Batman celebrated his 12th birthday on March 11.
Tragically, Batman crossed the rainbow bridge on the morning of Friday, March 26, 2021, due to complications of a lightning strike.
"Batman"
Batman was chosen as Winnie's first horse. She had her share of ponies, but this was the first horse. Batman shared only 1 and a half years with us, but he leaves a huge impression as well as a huge void with us. Winnie did a tremendous amount of his training in that short time and he did play in the lesson program from time to time. Batman joined our team in early August 2019, he was a paint gelding and previously had been a barrel horse before learning the English ropes with us. Batman celebrated his 12th birthday on March 11.
Tragically, Batman crossed the rainbow bridge on the morning of Friday, March 26, 2021, due to complications of a lightning strike.
SIMPLY SPENCER "Spencer"
Spencer was a Making Strides Equestrian client for 5 years before he joined our family for good. He was our most solid lesson horse and had been with us for around 15 years. Originally Jillian brought him to Athens from California, but after a short stay she decided to return to California. Instead of having Spencer make the long haul back across country again, Jillian's sister, Laurel, decided to keep Spencer. Now Laurel has moved back to California and we all knew that Spencer belonged with us. He was able to teach a wide range of riders from first timers to jumping students. Spencer would have celebrated his 20th birthday on April 15, and we couldn't have gotten where we are today without him. He was worth his weight in gold and then some. .
Spencer was able to join his buddies in heaven the evening of March 26, 2021 after a day long battle with lightning strike issues. He was spoiled and surrounded with love until his last breath.
Spencer was able to join his buddies in heaven the evening of March 26, 2021 after a day long battle with lightning strike issues. He was spoiled and surrounded with love until his last breath.
