Reaching Strides Equestrian Centre

Abbey

Abbey aka Final Promise is a 15 year old Belgian/Quarter Horse mare. She stands a solid 15.2hh and is being leased by RSEC from her owner Jeremy Donnelly. Abbey has been with us for about 2 years and is one of our most versatile school horses, as she excels at everything from western/english pleasure to hunter.

Abbey is used for beginners to advanced riders; children and adults alike get to enjoy this pleasant, steady, safe mount. Abbey has won many championships in her day as a show mount in every division that she has been entered in. She spent this year in the Bronze Hunter ring and did very well. She tends to have a steady group of fans, both western and english riders, and is known for her even, steady and easy to ride gaits. Abbey loves treats, being groomed, getting clipped and trail rides. She is absolutely terrified of plastic bags, and thinks that they are extremely evil.

Abbey's Gallery

Bart

Bart aka Texas Dice is a 13 year old, blue roan with blanket Appaloosa gelding; he stands at 15.2hh and is one of the most remarkable school horses that we have. Bart has only been with us for about a year, when he was bought from one of our previous students. He's got the typical Appy personality and must have things done his way or he has a bit of an impatient temper tantrum. We use Bart in the school for intermediate beginners and up. With his beautiful markings and great conformation he is one of the most natural hunters that we have come across. He is a master in teaching over fences lessons and goes around a hunter course like he was born for it.

Bart has a very natural carriage and excels at the hunters over fences and under saddle. This year he has shown at the bronze level from the x-rails up to the 3' hunters with championships in every division he has been entered in. Next year's goal is to have him passported and to enter him into the National Gold Hunter/Jumper Circuit at which we are very positive he will wow the judges just like at the lower levels. Bart also has some western schooling, but definitely prefers the other disciplines. We look forward to having a long future with Bart at the stable, and with his many fans he will have an unlimited source of riders that are on his waiting list. Bart has a super personality - he thinks he is a comedian, loves his twin girlfriend Sassy and especially trail rides, hacks and treats!

Bart's Gallery

Baxter

Baxter aka Just Call Me Sir is an 11 year old black and white pinto pony gelding. He stands 12.1hh, is passported and is one of our most versatile ponies. Being small normally comes with speed, a bad attitude and brattiness - well, he's got all of those qualities except for the fast part (but only with experienced riders). Baxter is the most amazing small pony there is, and with his willing demeanour and fantastic, easy way of going he's amazingly versatile, smooth and steady and performs and excels at everything from western to the National Gold Small Pony Hunters.

He does well with all levels of riders, but especially beginners. Baxter is a very naturally cute and balanced pony and is basically what you would call a push-button babysitter. He's been with us since he was 6 and was trained here at RSEC. Baxter is used in beginner, intermediate and advanced lessons, and loves trail rides, treats and attention. He's like a sooky dog; when you're patting someone else in his presence, that is unacceptable! Baxter has won many championships and high point awards and continues to impress us with every new level that he advances into. He has many adoring fans and on top of his schoolmaster career will continue in the gold competitions in the future. Oh, and did we mention he's CUTE!

Baxter's Gallery

Chester

Chester is a 7 year old, 16hh registered Morgan gelding that is the newest addition to our school horse ranks. He came out of a home where he was very scared of people, not due to abuse, but simply due to ignorance which, unfortunately, you see way too often. Chester had been in training at RSEC in previous times and upon returning home went back to his old ways. His owners couldn't catch him or do anything with him after a few months, and he reverted back to not wanting to be near them. RSEC bought Chester from them and now, after a year, he is one of our best schoolies; bomb proof, talented, and will do anything for his riders. It's always amazing to see what simply teaching a horse to trust can do for them. Chester is used for beginner lessons and up, jumps 3' courses, and has so far had two shows under his belt with huge success. We look forward to seeing what his future will bring.

Chester's Gallery

Dreame

Dreame aka Dare To Dream is a 21 year old, 13.1hh black and white pinto pony mare. Dreame is one of our school masters and has been with us for about 7 years. She is the mother to Misty and in her day was every bit as talented and versatile as her princess of a daughter. Dreame is currently used for only beginner riders; with her super personality and very patient, quiet nature she thrives on teaching kids the joy of learning about horses. We naturally also use her in our therapeutic riding program.

Her show career was a great one - she excelled in the hunters and took many a rider to the top with high point and championship awards. Dreame is very versatile and excels in all disciplines including hunter, english and western pleasure. Dreame, like her daughter, thinks she is a queen and no other horse aside from her daughter is worthy of her presence. She loves to be groomed and pampered and will spend a long time rolling in the dirt just so everyone has to spend hours on her grooming.

Dreame's Gallery

Laney

Laney aka Knock Your Socks Off is a 5 year old registered Thoroughbred mare. She is one of the newest additions to the stable and the school horse program. She currently stands just over 16hh and is a real beauty with her long legs and fluid, graceful gaits. Laney has been with us for a little over a month and is doing very well. She had been laid off for quite some time due to her previous owner having lost interest, but all she needed was a little reminder and she is back to where she was at.

We have started her over fences and she very much seems to enjoy that. She is currently being used for advanced riders only as she is still a bit on the green side. She has a super sweet Thoroughbred personality that's to die for. She is extremely lovable, enjoys being groomed and fussed over, and thinks that she is a total diva princess. She had her first show at our RSEC Halloween Schooling Show and came away as the Reserve High Point Green Horse. Future plans for Laney are to do some schooling throughout the winter and to prepare her for the Bronze circuit for the next show season. We look forward to seeing what this little lady can do.

Laney's Gallery

Jake-O

Jake-O aka Dubb Me Jake is a 17 year old skewbald Haflinger/Welsh gelding. He is 13.1hh and probably just as wide. Jake is what we would call a beginner school master and baby sitter. He excels at every discipline and is the perfect beginner pony with his patience, easy way of going and versatility. Jake has won untold numbers of championships and high point awards in his long career, and has taught many a child the joys of horseback riding over the years and is also a part of our therapeutic riding program.

Jake has been with us since he was 3 and was trained here at RSEC. He has been loved by everyone who has ever met him. He loves to eat, to be cuddled and fussed over, and most of all he loves his mommy Patty (Miss Patches). Sadly his mom passed away this past summer at the ripe age of 29 and he's had to go on without her. But with lots of loving care and all the attention that he receives from all of his adoring fans he seems to be doing just fine. Jake is a once in a lifetime pony and practically redefines the words "school master". He is the heart and soul of RSEC and is a true example to all school horses in the world.

Jake's Gallery

Misty

Misty aka Dreame's Silver Mist is our top Hunter/Jumper pony mare at the stable. She is a 13 year old registered Half Arabian grey mare, stands 14hh, is passported and has shown up to the EC National Gold level. She was trained at RSEC and has been with us since she was 4, and she's been a part of the school for about 9 years.

Misty is one of our top school ponies and makes learning how to jump a breeze with her smooth gaits and easy way of going. She teaches riders from beginner to advanced and is very versatile, but her passion lies in the Hunter/Jumper ring. She also excels at hack and even does some western pleasure, as well as barrels and poles. Misty has a very sweet personality; she's a bit of a princess and must have things a certain way. She loves treats and her Mommy 'Dreame' who is her best friend in the world. She tends to be a bit nasty toward the other horses as she doesn't think that they are good enough to be in her precious presence!

Misty's Gallery

Nikita

Nikita aka La Femme Nikita is an 8 year old black and white sabino Paint mare who stands at 14.3hh, is extremely beautiful and has some of the best conformation in the barn. Nikita has been with us since she was 3 and was trained here at RSEC. She has been used in the school for about 4 years and has come a long way from the skinny, nervous filly she was when she first arrived, to one of our top Bronze Hunters. Nikita has a very natural way of going and although she can display some attitude at times, when she puts her mind to business she absolutely excels at her job. She's got fantastic form over fences and does well at the hacks as well.

She has won many ribbons since her show career began, and a few championships are among the mix as well. Nikita is used for intermediate and advanced lessons and is enjoyed by everyone who rides her. Being very sensitive to aids, she is too much for inexperienced riders but this makes her a perfect mount for anyone with experience that is looking for a responsive school horse. Nikita has a very sweet but quiet personality, and although she likes people she is reserved with her emotions. She acts like a bit of a princess at times, but at the same time she seems to let out an awful lot of gas, and enjoys rolling in the dirt, treats (as long as they are very specific kinds), hacking out and jumping lessons.

Nikita's Gallery

Norman

Norman is a 4 year old registered Thoroughbred gelding that currently stands just over 16hh. Norman came off the track, but was never raced as he was much too laid back and leisurely for the speediness required of a TB racehorse. He is a dark bay with no markings at all, and has the sweetest, most playful personality that seems to be a trademark of this amazing breed.

He is currently in training; we have slowly started him under saddle and started to teach him the fact that bending is a possibility. We look forward to seeing what his future as a school and show horse will bring. Norman loves to be groomed and fussed over, playing ball and being rambunctious.

Norman's Gallery

Sable

Sable aka Colour Me Sable is a 17 year old beautiful red bay Haflinger/Standardbred gelding. Sable stands a solid 15.1hh and has been with us for about 6 years. He was a rescue as he had the reputation of being the untrainable horse with his pushy attitude and very misunderstood demeanour. Sable came to us through his owner, David Hayne and has been leased and trained by RSEC since his arrival. Once we got through that rough jock-type exterior he became one of our most sought after schoolies.

Sable has been shown both english and western and excels in the low hunter ring where he has many championships and high point awards. Sable has had a full show and lesson career and teaches riders from advanced beginners and up. Quite the comedian, he loves to make faces and be lazy when you let him (and boy can he be lazy) but once he moves out he resembles a big fancy warmblood and holds his own. He is a fantastic school horse for riders that are learning to go over fences and for advanced riders looking to work on their equitation. Sable makes you work hard and is probably one of the best workout and exercise horses that we have. With his humorous personality, goofy attitude and kind demeanour he is well favored and has many fans - especially his daddy, David.

Sable's Gallery

Sassy

Sassy aka Joker's Sassy Lady is a 24 year old registered Appaloosa mare. She stands at 13.3 1/2 hh and is a beautiful blue roan with blanket, just like her boyfriend Bart. Sassy has been with us since she was 5 and was shown as a youth horse when we were kids ourselves. She taught me and my sister to ride as we were training her and she had countless championships and high point awards even before we started to use her in the school. We have been using her in the school since she was 15 and she is used for beginners right through to advanced.

Her abilities are endless as she has succeeded in instructing and showing with riders in every discipline and has excelled at everything. She has done western, english, gymkhana, hunter/jumper, dressage, etc. She is one of the favorites around the stable because of her versatility and even tempered personality. At her ripe age of 24 she is still going strong and, although she is now retired from her jumping career, still partakes and excels in everything else. Sassy is a high class priss and no matter how experienced the rider on her back, she always carries herself like a dressage champion. Sassy loves to be groomed, snuck out for some extra grass on the lawn, treats and most of all hacks and trail rides.

Sassy's Gallery

Shadow

Shadow aka Crimson Shadow is another homebred, 4 year old gelding. He currently stands at 14.1hh and has a beautiful red bay coat. He is the second-born son of our stallion Crimson Santana and has just gone into training this fall. He is currently on the top of our training list and is coming along great. Shadow is half Paint and half Morab; his mother is Flirt, one of our school horses that was sold last year. He seems to have the perfect mix of both his sire and dam's best qualities.

He's got a very pleasant personality that definitely comes from his daddy's side of the gene pool. He has super conformation and is very athletic, again just like his daddy. You can definitely see his mom's side in his movement, with his awesome engagement abilities and his fantastic extended trot. Shadow is currently not being used in the school until his training is completed. He is starting to work over fences and will be brought into the lesson program by the coming spring. We look forward to seeing the amazing things this young large pony will accomplish. Shadow loves to be ridden, brushed and given treats. He is not a fan of bridling yet, and really hates being locked up in a stall.

Shadow's Gallery

Simba

Simba is one of our newest additions. Only 5 and already standing at 16.2hh, he is an Appaloosa/Belgian with an incredibly amazing personality. Simba is now doing walk, trot and canter and learning to jump. He's an incredibly loving and personable little boy and loves to be fussed over, groomed, given treats, and just plain being cute as all cute can be.

Simba's Gallery

Tinkerbelle

Tinkerbelle ("Tink") aka Fairy Dust is a 12 year old grey 12.1hh Welsh pony mare. She is extremely adorable and loves to receive kisses. Tink is our number one driving school pony, and absolutely loves her job. She originally came to us as a rescue; she was neglected and abused in her former life, before the people that we bought her from. She originally came to us for training as she was very untrusting and aggressive towards people. Instead of the usual flight mode that most horses go into when abused, she decided to fight and became a very hostile, unhappy pony.

She has been with us now for about 5 years, and after realizing that she was not fond of being under saddle we tried her with the cart and she just loved it. Driving lessons have been her job ever since. She is amazing, listens to voice commands easily and is just a happy-go-lucky pony when she is hooked to the cart. It totally changed her outlook on life and she really enjoys her job to the fullest. Tink loves treats, kisses, the cart, and now also loves to be pampered and fussed over.

Tinkerbelle's Gallery

Honey

Honey aka Sweeter Than Honey is a 2.5 year old Mini/Welsh filly that currently stands at 9.1hh. Her mommy was our old 10.1hh school pony mare Peaches. Honey will be going into training this spring to become one of our new driving ponies for our school. Honey is extremely adorable, with a super sweet and innocent look on her face at all times. She does have a bit of a bratty side, which should be quite entertaining during her training.

She was named after her mom's best friend - a rescued Appaloosa mare with a heart of gold that was with us for about 2 years before she gave up the fight and had to be put to sleep. Honey loves treats, attention, her best friend Tira, and especially sneaking out of the gate and running around the driveway. We look forward to adding her to our school string and are very excited to get her started.

Honey's Gallery

Robbie

Robbie aka Doc's Bold Ruler is an 8 year old buckskin Thoroughbred/Appaloosa cross gelding. He stands at 15.2 1/2hh and has super conformation and looks to die for, which he most definitely knows and is not too shy to show off. Robbie was bought from Earth Arc Horse Rescue as a 5 year old. He was extremely underweight and malnourished but it was easy to see the beauty he would have with a little TLC.

Robbie is Nadine's personal competition horse. They are working their way up to the golds and she will be doing her Coach G evaluation with him. Robbie currently is working on jumping at 2'9" and is doing a fantastic job. He competed in the low hunters at the bronze level in 2009 and did very well. He is always a star with his fine looks and beautiful way of going. Robbie is extremely athletic, can move his body in ways that are almost unnatural for a horse and jumps over fences like it's absolutely nothing to him.

Robbie was gelded late at the age of 5 and sometimes is a little friendly and gets excited with the ladies. He is very fussy and only eats stud muffins, carrots and apples for treats. He used to love apple chunks but now that they are extruded wants nothing to do with them. He can be a little feisty at times, but as long as you handle him with a firm, loving hand, he's a perfect gentleman. He's the love of Nadine's life and she looks forward to many competition years with him.

Robbie's Gallery

Tira

Tira aka Tiramisu is a 1.5 year old double registered CSHA and Canadian Warmblood Association filly. Tira has been with us since February 2009 when we bought her as a 9 month old. She is a flashy chestnut with beautiful conformation and a quiet, kind demeanor that will make her a fantastic edition to our school and show string.

Tira was 14hh when we bought her and now stands already a very tall and leggy 16.1hh. Tira's sire is a 16.3hh imported Rheinlander stallion and her dam is a 17hh Thoroughbred mare. Tira should reach every bit of her momma's height, and we can not wait to start this remarkable filly and see what she will accomplish in her show career. Tira loves to be groomed - it's her absolute favourite thing in the world. She loves her grain and her best friend Honey who she absolutely adores and can not live without.

Tira's Gallery

Abby

Abby aka Talk to me Tardee is an 18 year old, 15.1hh, gorgeous chestnut registered Quarter Horse mare. Abby was a very big part of our school for about 7 years.

She is trained english and western, and did hunter, reining, english and western pleasure, halter, and more. There are many RSEC students who learned to ride and show on Abby.

She has been retired since 2007 due to some navicular problems, but she is happily living out her golden years as a companion horse for Cindy Cotie's Wrangler in Monastery.

Sandy

Sandy aka Just a Touch of Class is a 17 year old, 12.2hh chestnut Welsh gelding. Sandy was a very large part of our school and show string for 8 years of his life. Sandy is one of the most amazing hunter/jumper ponies that we have ever had the pleasure of owning, and seeing, period. He was able to jump over 3'9" fences easier and with better form than most horses four times his size.

He is greatly missed in the school and show ring, as he was so admired by many. Some people would come to shows just to see him perform. He is now retired from riding and his show career, as he has developed COPD in his senior years, but is happily functioning as a companion to Caitlyn Mah's Candy at her home in Clydesdale, still as feisty as ever.

Sandy's Gallery

Sheza

Sheza aka Sheza Kings Lady is a 28 year old, 15hh sorrel registered Quarter Horse mare. Sheza was the childhood show horse of RSEC's owner Nadine Bollig and spent some of her later years of life as a school master teaching riders from beginners and up. Sheza is trained english and western and did some jumping as well.

She spent the past 5 years in a semi-retirement home with Jeannie Kaiser of Port Bickerton, who enjoyed many lessons and trail rides with her. She came back home this summer and lost her long-time companion, Prince, who was a ripe 34 years old. She is now permanently retired, spends her days with her son Pride, and is the lead mare in that herd of eight horses.

Sheza celebrated her 28th birthday on June 2nd, 2010!

Sheza's Gallery