Our Featured Adult Rider of the Month is Amanda Kirby-Sheppard!

“I have been obsessed with horses for my entire life. They are such powerful creatures, but with the most gentle and generous hearts and unique personalities.” Amanda started riding at the age of 13 and became a Lancer when she was 18 and heading into her first year at university. She rode at Lancers for one year, and then took an extended break from riding while pursuing her education and starting a family.

After a long wait on the waitlist, in November 2022, Amanda was able to join our adult rides! After almost 25 years away, Amanda said that “The Lancers values I was introduced to as a teen still hold true today.”

Amanda's favorite memory at Lancers was a very proud moment and highlight in her riding career was when “I was part of Musical Ride and we performed at the Halifax Exhibition Grounds as the 'opening act' for the RCMP's Musical Ride. I'd never performed anything in front of that many people before and I remember how proud I felt to have been selected to represent Lancers at this big event, and also proud of how hard everyone worked and practiced to get it perfect!”

Amanda has always loved the environment and community at Lancers. “I was a total barn rat, there was always something to do to be able to help out”. Amanda has greatly appreciated the focus of all-around horsemanship at Lancers. She expressed that “equestrian sports are about so much more than just getting on a horse's back and 'doing stuff', and I love how important it was for the riders here to learn how to care for the animals, and the equipment, as well as what they do on their mount in the arena.”

Since returning to Lancers’ Amanda has ridden a handful of horses and so far she is partial to Oliver and Merlin. In her original Lancer days Amanda's favorite horses were Norman, Appy and Phyllis. “[Horses] teach us so many important life lessons about patience and perseverance and self-reflection, friendship and partnership and trust. It really is just the coolest sport, in my opinion.”

We are happy to have Amanda back at Lancers’. She has retained her lancer values from her youth and has brought them back with more life experience and is upholding and building on them still today.