MoonRise Equestrian

08/26/2026

💛I’m Going to Let Your Child Struggle 💛

When your child comes for lessons with me, I’m going to let them struggle sometimes.

They may have never fastened a buckle on a piece of tack. A saddle might be heavy and awkward. Their lead rope may be a tangled mess. And something that would take me ten seconds might take them five minutes.

I’m not going to immediately step in and do it for them. *Unless its a safety issue.*

Because someday, I want your child to walk into the barn, catch their own horse, tack up, and head out feeling completely confident in their own abilities.

Why?

Because they’re learning that they can do hard things.

So yes, I’ll help when something is beyond a child's physical ability. I’ll encourage, demonstrate, and keep them safe.

But when they *can* do it? I’m going to give them the time to fumble with the buckle. Untangle the rope. Try again. And figure it out.

Parents, I know watching that can be hard. You’ll want to jump in and make it easier.

But sometimes the greatest gift we can give a child is not making the hard thing easier.

It’s standing beside them long enough for them to discover:

“I can do this myself.”

💙 ~Abbie

08/15/2026

Contrary to popular belief, there’s no faking it til you make it. Your horse is going to call you out every single time. Can you listen without being offended?

08/07/2026

Do you ever just sit with your horse and see if they choose to share space with you? Naomi always insists on forehead nuzzles and sharing air when given the chance. ✨ I’ll never take her nuzzles, shared space, or breath for granted.

07/16/2026

I’ll never stop seeing the way the sun shines off the tips of the long grass, extra beautifully, like it does the waves of the sea, while I’m being carried by a horse.

They elevate us… these beings, the horse peoples… ready to carry us in ways of heart and soul, mind and body. Showing up for us in ways we might not realize until long after. Some faraway future place where it finally all makes sense. Long and storied is their history of being there for us. They elevate us, lift us, and meet us… carrying us until we finally notice the way that sun gleams on that grass. Patient until we remember. Walking us back to ourselves.

Carrying us back home to a place we never left, but sometimes need to return to.

———

Photo of Tally the Firefly Horse and I accompanied by Kat and BG on a ride through that sun-tipped grass.

😊🐴🙏

07/15/2026

Congratulations to all of our 2026 NWAHJA Summer Classic Equitation Challenge winners!

And a huge congratulations to every rider who participated in this year’s Equitation Challenge, proudly sponsored by MoonRise Equestrian.

This competition is about so much more than the ribbons. Riders demonstrated horsemanship, knowledge, preparation, and skill through written exams, a practical evaluation, and their performance in the show ring. We are incredibly proud of every competitor who accepted the challenge.

Grab your ribbons at our September Showdown!

07/13/2026

Scheduling only allowed me to be at the Derby this month! That being said I am offering a special for all your photos yesterday.. should we do this more often? 👀 DM me if you’d like to!

07/08/2026

I’ve had Jojo in my training program, part time, for a year and a half. He’s the wildling that ✨broke my knee✨ I stepped off his bolting from the mounting block right into a hole and couldn’t walk right for damn near 6 months. I wasn’t sure if I was going to let him back on my books once I was healed and, to be honest, I was mad at him! I went to the barn on crutches and I swear he apologized to me… I was invited to look in the mirror. I owed him an apology and a promise to not give up on him, rush him or claim he was damaged goods. He broke me physically but he also stripped my ego down to the bone and taught me more than any horse I’ve ever met. Jojo had some major trust issues and baggage from others trying to “break” him- making him reactive, defensive and untrusting of anyone but his person (Hannah!). Part of my promise was to earn his respect, trust, and love while keeping his spirit in tact. A promise kept, some tears shed, a ton of time and patience and some biiigggg lessons later- we’re riding the wildling! I’m so proud of this lil dude, and his Hannah! He is steadily making it to be one of my all time favorites and it’s been an honor to be apart of his healing, retrusting, and training. 💜 He has made it to MoonRise for full training and I cannot wait to see how he progresses now that the foundation is solid and the trust is there. Thanks for trusting me with your heart, Hannah!

07/07/2026

If you feel hot, your horse feels even hotter.

Horses have a much harder time processing heat and humidity than humans. And among horses, foals usually cannot handle as much heat as adult horses. A mare may be fine, but her foal may be getting sick from being out on a hot day.

Horses with heavy muscling or excess fat or in poor condition will also be more susceptible to heat exhaustion. Keep in mind that exercise is a major source of body heat and strenuous work on a hot, humid day can lead to problems in a short period of time for even the best-conditioned horse.

Does this mean you should not ride on a hot and humid day? Not necessarily. It just means you should take precautions and use common sense. And remember: don't push it! If your horse looks tired, it’s time for a drink, a cold bath, and a break in the shade.

07/06/2026

06/29/2026

Really excited to be putting together the written practicum and sponsoring this division! Come put your horsemanship and Eq skills to the test! ⭐️

Ready to put your horsemanship to the test? 🏆

The Equitation Challenge sponsored by MoonRise Equestrian returns to Summer Classic! Open to all Junior and Amateur equitation riders competing at the show.

✨ Four scored phases split into age groups
✨ Champion & Reserve Awards, ribbons to 6th
✨ $30 Entry Fee

Think you’ve got what it takes both in and out of the show ring?

📖 See the Summer Classic Prize List for complete rules, schedule, and entry details.