Our Featured Staff Member of the Month is Bella Gardin!

Bella started riding at Lancers in 2016 as a junior rider and rode until 2021. This past fall we found ourselves in need of an extra weekday stablehand, and we’re thrilled when Bella said she could make herself available. As many of our junior riders do, Bella began her training as a stablehand when she was 15 years old as her first job, but has had a number of other part time positions since then. Since returning to Lancers Bella says that “Out of all the jobs I've had, lancers is my favorite place to work. I find it so relaxing to just be with the horses throughout the day and it's so fun to watch them during their turnout time. Being with the horses gives my brain a moment to stop thinking about all the drama and worries in my life and I find that lancers is the only place where I can do that.”

As a junior, Bella was a member of the Junior Executive, took part in training shows, and was a spare in the Musical Ride. Bella's favorite horse has always been Ben. He was the first horse she rode at Lancers during a summer camp. Every time she comes into the barn he is the first one she goes to see. One of Bella's first and favorite memories at lancers was with Ben “ The first time I cantered. It was probably the third lesson of the year and I asked Ben for a more forward trot but I moved my leg behind the girth a little too far and he started to canter. At that moment, I realized that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and that he was my favorite horse.”

We love having Bella back at the barn as part of the team. She is a hard worker who really cares for the horses. We thank her for all of the contributions she has made to Lancers and the Horses Of Halifax.