Our Featured Adult Rider for the Month is Lindsay Ireland
We are patiently waiting for the day when we can welcome all of our members and volunteers back into the Lancers barn! Before that day comes, we are excited to celebrate Lindsay Ireland as our featured adult rider of the month!
Lindsay joined Lancers in the fall of 2019. She had been on our membership waitlist since before moving to Halifax and the timing of a spot becoming available for her worked out perfectly with her 50th birthday. She calls Lancers a birthday present to herself!
Lindsay has been riding sporadically throughout most of her life. She tells us, “The first time I was on horseback was when I was about two years old because my parents had two horses on their property outside of Toronto. I wouldn't call it riding, but I lit up whenever I saw horses from day one!” She continued riding as a child and teenager during the summers and tried to keep up with it as an adult, even getting the chance to participate in a musical ride at a county fair!
Now as an adult member at Lancers, Lindsay rides in a lesson each week! Lindsay had only been a Lancer for just over six months before COVID 19 closed Halifax so she has yet to have the chance to participate in as many Lancers activities as she would like. She has big plans to take advantage once our operations are back to normal, including volunteering with our Therapeutic Riding Program.
So far, Lindsay’s favourite thing about Lancers is the people. She explains, “I love the camaraderie of the barn. I look forward to seeing my fellow Wednesday night A3 riders and checking the list to see who I, and everyone else, is riding that night.” She also enjoys being able to ride outside when the weather is nicer. For her first autumn at Lancers, she enjoyed lessons in the outdoor arena until late November!
When asked about her favourite Lancer horse she says “it's not easy to choose a favourite horse at the Lancers. They are all unique and lovable in their own way. I really enjoy riding Candy, but putting her bit in can be a challenge :) Sadie is also lots of fun to ride.”
According to Lindsay, Lancers has had a big impact on her life, both physically and mentally. She explains, “I have MS and as an adult, I've learned that riding is very beneficial to my health. It's an exercise that nurtures my spirit as well as my physical strength. When I was diagnosed 19 years ago, I never thought I'd be riding at this stage in my life. Riding encourages me to continue to be hopeful for the future and keep doing the things that bring me happiness.”
That approach to life is infectious and Lindsay is such a bright and joyful person to have in the barn. She brings lots of happiness and laughter to her riding group on Wednesday nights. She is also very determined and open to learning and building her skills as a rider and we look forward to having her return to lessons again!
Lindsay hopes to keep up her riding, including learning to jump, when Lancers reopens! While away from the barn, she has been spending time with her son and husband and enjoying the slower pace of life. She has also just finished writing a memoir! Congratulations to Lindsay on finishing her book; we hope to read it someday!
