HEMLOCK

Hemlock was a two-year old gelding donated to the Rescue Program in May 2021. Hemlock was bred to play polo and was set to start his training as a polo mount, however his lack of physical maturity raised concerns about his capacity for the sport. Given his sweet temperament and beautiful movement - and the departure of Ace from our Rescue Program - the stars seemed to be aligned for this lovely colt.

In August 2023 it was time to sell Hemlock, our Happy Horse. During the Southlands Riding Club Autumn Classic show in September, a competitor named Lilly fell in love with Hemlock. And the rest is history - Hemlock found his forever home.

Thank you to Vicki Romanin, who sponsored Hemlock, Carly Saba, Hemlock’s trainer/handler and all of the volunteers who have spent time with Hemlock. Thank you!

SHADY

Shady is a 2014 black gelding who hails from Red Deer, Alberta. Although loved by his humans, they did not feel they had sufficient knowledge to continue his training and were seeking a new home for this sweet boy. He joined the SRC Rescue Program in Spring 2020.

Since we have had him, he has been ridden up the trails, around the track, on the cross-country course, and on the field. Thanks to the amazing work of Robyn Hunt, his trainer, along with the help of one of her students, Shady became a beautiful and strong pony. Robyn’s student did several Dressage and Hunter Jumper shows at the club in order to give him more experience.

In September 2022, Jessica, who teaches at a barn in Richmond, came to the club to meet Shady and see if he could be a good fit for her program. His good temperament, gentle eye, and cute face definitely appealed to Jessica and she decided to add Shady to her string of lesson horses.

CAPTAIN

Captain joined the SRC Rescue Program in the wild summer of 2020! He was rescued from the Tofield Auction in Alberta as a 2 year old and is a 2018 registered Quarter Horse gelding, with a shiny bay coat and a fabulous moustache.

Before riding, Captain gained a solid foundation of groundwork while working with Michelle Young and Katleen Chateau, his handler. In August 2021, Captain was started under saddle by Mia Sheldon in Langley BC. Ever since, Katleen has been patiently working with him.

In late September 2022, thanks to a friend, Maddie saw Captain’s ad and liked him right away. She came from Ladysmith on Vancouver Island to try him and fell in love in an instant. Captain is now living with two donkeys, enjoys long trail rides and may get into cattle sorting. Such a fun life!

TOLEDO

Toledo is a 2018 old Azteca horse (Andalusian/Quarter Horse x). Toledo arrived at SRC in the summer of 2020. The program bought him at the Tofield auction, in Alberta.

During his first year at the club, Alison Martin took care of his training on the ground. In September 2021, Toledo was started under saddle by Mia Shelton in Langley, and then Marta Modzelewska took over his training.

On September 1st of 2022, Sarah came to the club to try Toledo and instantly loved him. An hour later, he was on his way to his forever home! Sarah and Toledo will do trail rides, a bit of hunting and lots of other fun activities.

**From left: Marta, Toledo, Sarah and her rescue dog.**

JIA

Jia “Sweetheart” is a 2017 palomino mare who arrived in Southlands in June of 2020 from the Humanity for Horses Rescue (Salmon Arm location). She was rescued by Humanity for Horses, in November 2019, at the Tofield auction, in Alberta. They had their bidder buy her back from the meat buyer at the auction. She then spent some time in a field in Salmon Arm, before coming to the Southlands Riding Club.

In the summer 2020, as for Ace (see below), she caught the eyes of Carol and Allan during their walk in Southlands. They have been really patient and waited until the next summer to finally become Jia’s forever home. We are so happy that two of our horses will be able to spend the rest of their life together! You can follow her adventure on Instagram @jiatherescuepony

**Jia & Ace reunited thanks to the generosity of Carol and Allan.**

ACE

Ace is a 2016 Appaloosa gelding who arrived in Southlands in March of 2020. Ace had been purchased by his previous owners through auction and was in need of a new home. When he arrived, Ace was severely underweight and his feet were in need of care. Working closely with our Program veterinarian, Dr. Kopala, and farrier, Stephanie Waterhouse, Ace has made great strides and looks healthier by the day.

In the summer 2020, while walking around the neighbourhood, Carol and Allan saw Ace grazing and, in an instant. fell in love with him. They became members of the club in order to follow his adventure and be the first ones to apply when it will be for sale. March 2021, the long-waited moment has arrived: Ace is ready to find his forever home! On April 28th, Ace took the ferry to the Gulf Islands and is now living his dreamed life. We are so happy for him, thanks to Carole and Allan for providing such a bright future to the Happy Appy! You can follow his adventure on Instagram @acethehappyappy

**Ace, peacefully grazing after a few days at his forever home on the Gulf Islands.**

KIOWA

Kiowa is a 2016 buckskin filly. She came from a herd that lived freely and without fences at the north end of Kootenay Lake. Unfortunately, the couple who watched over the herd and ensured they have sufficient food in the winter months was no longer able to do so, and this is how Kiowa came to join our herd.

Kiowa is as sure footed as they come and has a great mind to match. She has taken well to the natural horsemanship Deb Bell has been teaching her and is a keen learner. “She is just the sweetest and smartest little thing and I just love her to bits” says Deb. While Deb was on maternity leave, Alison Martin assumed training of this mare and her skills as a dressage pony began to shine.

Kiowa found her family - and most importantly a child of her own - and in late June 2020 headed off to the Burnaby Horse Centre where she will continue her training as an all-around pony. We are thrilled for her new owners and wish to thank Elyssa and Greg - Club members - who sponsored Kiowa for the last several months of her time at Southlands Riding Club.

DENVER

Denver arrived in Southlands in June 2019 after spending three years at the Second Change Cheekye Ranch in Squamish. He was part of the Mt. Currie rescue effort in the Spring of 2017. Denver was trained by Robyn Hunt and her students, and quickly became very popular when it was time to put him up for sale.

In the summer of 2020, Denver caught the eye of SRC member Bridget Martin, who felt he would be a great fit for “someone in her program”. That someone turned out to be our past SRC president, Whitney Santos. Bridget and Whitney, together with SRC member and past vice-president Tina Berthaudin, spent June and July riding and training Denver. He was purchased by Whitney in July 2020. Denver then moved to Straight-Up Stables on Celtic, where he was pampered and loved by the boarders and trainers. Bridget took him in several dressage shows, out to Campbell Valley Park for a day and taught Whitney and Tina in countless lessons. Denver will spend the winter and spring with Nancy and Amanda Brook at Wildwood Paddocks in Lumby. He will return to Southlands in the spring, for more time with “Team Denver”.

CALYPSO (“CALI”)

Calypso is a 2012, 16HH Thoroughbred/Paint mare. She arrived at our Rescue & Rehabilitation Program in November of 2017 after a year of care under the watchful eye of the BC SPCA. Although wary of people at first, over the course of her time at the Club – and under the guidance of trainers Meghan Parlee, Rachel Green and then our own Katleen Chateau – she gained confidence and trust in people, and developed into a beautiful riding horse. Rachel and Katleen rode her in a number of our hunter-jumper and dressage events with great success.

In December 2019, Pippa Emrick MacPhee - one of our Club instructors -purchased Cali to add to her growing string of lesson horses. Since this time, Cali has proven to be an excellent school horse; Cali has a few leasers, does beginner lessons, carries Pippa's father on the Sunday-morning road ride, and has proven her worth as a trail horse too!

We could not be happier to be able to see this special mare around Southlands on a daily basis and for her to have found such a loving and purpose-filled life.

**Cali and Pippa after a lovely trail ride.**

SRC APOLLO (aka “CRU”)

Cru was our favourite surprise of 2019 and the first foal ever born into the SRC Rescue Program! His mother - Luminous (aka Lumi) - was a gorgeous 2013 grey mare, rescued in 2018 from a herd-dispersal situation in Alberta and now owing by Amanda Brook, who was her trainer in the program.

Cru is still based in Southlands and has been bought by Janne Potter in November 2019. We feel so fortunate to be able to watch him growing up!

**Cru having fun in the grass field at his new home.**

LUMINOUS (“LUMI”)

Lumi arrived at the Club in December 2018 from Calgary, Alberta. Former Club instructor, Amanda Brook, took on the role of Lumi’s trainer and along with her mother, Nancy Brook, brought the mare along under saddle until - in May of 2019 - we discovered that she was in foal (much to everyone's surprise)!

Lumi gave birth in the spring of 2019 at a foaling facility in Abbotsford. Mother and foal returned to Southlands later in the summer staying in a spacious paddock at Nancy and Amanda's barn just across the street from the Club (formerly known as Wildwood Paddock). In late 2019, the Brook family decided to write a new chapter in their life and purchased their dream facility in Lumby, BC. Amanda and her mom decided they could not leave Lumi behind and purchased her just before their departure (this was the second horse Amanda trained for the Program... and the second horse she purchased from the Program too!).

**Lumi and Amanda enjoying the beginning of the 2020 Spring in their new place.**

FOSTER

Foster is a 2013 black/bay Quarter Horse/Paint/Arabian gelding standing 14.3hh. He arrived at the end of October 2015 very wary of both horses and people. He was rescued, after careful negotiation, from the truck of a meat buyer at an auction in Kamloops.

Under the careful training of Club Instructor, Marta Modzelewska, Foster blossomed from a barely halter-broke colt into a beautiful riding horse able to compete in both dressage and jumping. One of Marta’s students, Sophie Drysdale, began helping Marta with Foster’s training; riding him in lessons and schooling shows, and helping with his day-to-day care. It became apparent that the two were meant to be together. They developed a trust and bond that this gelding so needed and deserved; Foster had found a girl of his own!

In November of 2018, Sophie and her family purchased Foster from the SRC Rescue & Rehabilitation Program. We are so happy for Sophie and Foster, and excited to get to watch this team develop and progress right here at the Club for years to come!

**Sophie and Foster at the 2020 1&3/4 Phase.**

CEDAR

Cedar is a 2012 16.0hh Appendix gelding who arrived in Southlands in April of 2017. He came to us through another rescue program in the province with little known about his history.

In only a few months time, Cedar showed a willingness to learn and a love of humans. Under the guidance of SRC coach, Amanda Brook, he was destined for success. Amanda and her mother, another longtime Southlands member and local trainer/coach, spent countless hours working with Cedar. He was back in September of 2017 and Amanda then continued training him under saddle.

Cedar was such a special boy with a wonderfully kind and intelligent personality that Amanda couldn't let him go - she is now his proud new owner and we are so happy and excited to see where they will go together in the future!

Stay tuned for Amanda and Cedar's future endeavors!

PAISLEY

Paisley - a 14.2hh Quarter Horse mare - arrived in Southlands in November of 2016. As a yearling, Paisley was sent to auction as a part of a forced herd-dispersal sale where she was purchased by a kind family who saved her from a meat buyer. She remained with this caring family until - due to a change of circumstances - she was offered for sale.

Under the guidance and training of SRC instructor Claudia Zurmuhle, Paisley proved herself to be an eager and capable 'student'. Paisley quickly gained comfort with her new surroundings, and her willing attitude meant she was soon spotted trying a variety of activities around the Flats, from leading road walks and trail rides to participating in drill team.

The stars aligned for Paisley when a student of Claudia's - and former Club and community member - found herself looking for a new horse to add to her herd with an eye to being a mount for her growing daughters. We could not have imagined a better home for Paisley than with the Fogarty family - and we are so excited that Paisley will continue her training with Claudia even after she departs the Club.

SWAGGER

Swagger was purchased as a 5-year-old Pinto pony gelding standing approximately 13.3hh. When Swagger arrived in October 2015, he was halter trained but had no under-saddle experience. SRC instructor, Robyn Hunt, has worked with him almost daily, first in the lunge ring and then starting him under saddle. Swagger is now able to be ridden anywhere on or off the Club grounds with confidence, including the cross country field.

Although diagnosed with having the early stages of navicular in his front left hoof in early fall of 2017, his life continues to improve as he is now living with his former Program paddock mate and "bestie", Valentine. Jenna, his new 'mom' will ensure that Swagger has a life filled with love, care and purpose. A very happy ending for this sweet boy and we thank everyone who was instrumental in facilitating this for him!

VALENTINE

We purchased Valentine just before 14 February 2016, hence her name. She is a sweet, dark bay mare, approximately 13.3hh. She came to us from Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, where she was at a meat auction. She arrived on February 28th - very furry, skinny, dirty, with bad feet and rather frightened. We do not know much about her history.

Valentine progressed quickly under trainer Robyn Hunt's guidance. Her transformation from a frightened, skinny, scruffy little mare with bad feet to a curious, friendly, gentle and kind riding horse has been truly amazing. And in April of 2017 she found her "forever home" with Jenna - a volunteer with the Rescue Program who formed a special bond with this mare. Valentine is thriving in her new home with lots of space to run, graze and just be a horse with her stable mates, including a sweet mini named Penelope.

**Elyssa and Missy Blue - Happy together!**

MISS SAINTLY BLUE

"Missy" was donated by Kimberley St. Pierre with her funds from Telus “Dollars for Doers” for her SRC volunteer hours. She was purchased by the Club as a 6-year-old blue roan Paint Appendix mare, about 15hh.

Missy Blue was saved from a bid against the meat buyer at the Armstrong Auction in September of 2015. At the Armstrong Auction, horses stand in small, box stall sized pens all day as people view them. Miss Blue was in a stall for the day with four weanlings, one of which was her own foal. She allowed all the foals to drink from her throughout the day. She then watched as all the foals were taken from her with other buyers, including her own foal who was abruptly weaned from her that day. She was then taken to a nearby ranch to await transport to the lower mainland to get a better chance at a good, caring home.

When she came to Southlands, she had only been halter trained and had minimal handling. She did not like having her legs touched or picked up for hoof care and was sensitive around her hind end. Kind and gentle work by Robyn and then Kaya, who took on her training, saw Missy take to lungeing, walking around the grounds in hand, and being ridden. Kaya introduced Missy Blue to being ridden in the various rings at the Club and even did an SRC Percent Day dressage test with Miss Blue.

Missy Blue has a loving home in Southlands with Elyssa Kaufman and Greg Kakish at Shannon Stables. Elyssa and Greg provided her with the best home and family a horse could hope for - and we love that we can continue to see this beautiful mare.