Our Featured Horse of the Month is Ava!

Ava, also known as Ava Jane, is Lancers’ newest addition, having joined the herd in October. Now that we are featuring Ava, all of the current Lancer horses will have been featured at least once! Many are probably ready for a second feature since so much can happen in a short period of time.

Ava came to us through one of our co-purchase arrangements. While we do not take new boarders at Lancers, with this arrangement members have the opportunity to purchase a horse with Lancers that might be better suited toward their personal riding goals. The horses’ costs are shared with Lancers, and they become a part of the lesson program, while the co-purchaser enjoys the same use of the horse that our part-leasers do. Over time, each horse that is co-purchased with Lancers will become a full-time Lancer horse. This arrangement gives riders the opportunity to progress their skills beyond what many school horses can offer, and it allows Lancers to own some higher quality horses. We see it as a win-win situation and are grateful to have had a few families take the plunge, and get a taste of horse ownership.

Ava is a pretty special mare. She’s a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood by Heartbreaker, bred here in the Maritimes at Coveside stables. She is small but mighty. She stands 15.2hh, and is very athletic. She came to us with a solid show career in the jumper ring, and we are very excited to see her riders learn a thing or two from her experience. In fact, it’s safe to say they have already learned a lot from her - we just haven’t had the chance to take her to a show yet due to Coronavirus cancellations.

Most horses take about a week to adjust to city life when they move to Lancers, but Ava seemed to fit in right away! Her first ride in the city happened alongside a Wonderers’ soccer game, and we had some fire trucks go by as well as a helicopter landing at the hospital (all things Lancer horses are accustomed to) - A potential recipe for disaster - and Ava just casually took it all in as if giving us her approval.

At first glance, it’s hard not to notice how beautiful Ava is, but once you get to know her it’s hard not to think of her as a bit of a goof. We are so glad to have Ava as part of the team and look forward to many good times with her.