CANDLELIGHT'S FIREFLY "Fly"
Fly was a 36 year old registered Welsh pony, 13.0 hands, whom had been a huge part of our family/ part of our team for over half of his life. 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, including Winnie!, and has earned his retirement. Fly is celebrated his 36th birthday on May 3rd and was happily trotting/ cantering/ bucking/ and rolling while living the easy life.
Fly had a short but super severe colic episode the evening of July 5th 2023 which flew him over the rainbow bridge.
Fly had a short but super severe colic episode the evening of July 5th 2023 which flew him over the rainbow bridge.
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.
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 is the reason that Making Strides Equestrian exists. He passed away peacefully 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 is the reason that Making Strides Equestrian exists. He passed away peacefully 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 Making Strides Equestrian 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 our 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 across the rainbow bridge 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 across the rainbow bridge 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.
BEN THERE "Ben"
Ben was a Hanoverian cross, 16.2 hands, and had been a part of the Making Strides Equestrian team/family for almost 19 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 celebrated turning the big 30 on June 15th, 2022. Ben had also earned his retirement and was happily enjoying the easy life.
Ben jumped over the rainbow bridge the morning of February 1st, 2023 after many hours of fighting a gas colic.
Ben jumped over the rainbow bridge the morning of February 1st, 2023 after many hours of fighting a gas colic.
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 2022.
November
November showed up at the Beaverdam 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. .
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.