Hood River Equestrian | Riding Tours| Training

07/12/2026

If you’re out there full throttle it’s not if but when. Ride smart.

This weekend was a reminder that no matter how experienced you are, horses are still 1,200-pound animals with minds of their own.

One of our trainers, Maddie, took a hard fall at Firecracker jackpot. It wasn’t because of a lack of talent from horse or rider, nor from ground conditions. It was simply one of those unpredictable moments that can happen to any of us. That’s the reality of this sport. We can do everything right and still find ourselves in situations we never expected.

That’s also why our advanced trainer, Payton, has worn a helmet every time she’s competed since the day she started. Even now, you’ll still see her in the competition arena with a helmet on and with no plans to stop. Experience doesn’t make you invincible. If anything, it teaches you to respect the risks that come with the sport we love.

Wearing a helmet doesn’t mean you’re not confident. It doesn’t make you less capable. It means you understand the risks and value the chance to ride another day.

You only get one brain. Protect it.

If this weekend reminds even one rider to put on a helmet before they swing a leg over, then it’s a conversation worth having. Ride hard, chase your goals, trust your horse, and never let pride stand in the way of protecting yourself. At the end of the day, no run is worth a life-changing injury.

EDIT: Wanted to add, Maddie and Rumor are okay! Sore, bruised, but back to work. Both are gritty girls!! We are so lucky to have them.
Also, reminder this is NO ONE’s fault! The ground was great all weekend. This team just had a freak accident!

Another EDIT: Since so many people think this is AI, I’m tagging the PHENOMENAL photographer that took this picture Andrew Jungkunz! I should have done that from the get go, but I didn’t think this would get so much traction.

07/03/2026

Teaching them this stage takes preparation and patience. There’s no short cut.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲
Did you know a reined cow horse only has 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 to show in the two-rein?

When a horse turns 6, they begin the transition out of two-handed equipment and into the bridle. The two-rein helps guide that next step, pairing the bridle bit with a bosalito as the horse learns to carry themselves one-handed.

The rider holds two sets of reins: the closed rawhide romal attached to the bridle, and the thin mecate rein connected to the bosalito.

It’s a short but 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 chapter in the journey to becoming a finished bridle horse. We're excited to cheer on our Two Rein & Two Rein Spectacular competitors in Tulsa at the NRCHA Hackamore Classic!

01/05/2026

Here’s a thought-

Here's your incredibly important blanketing season reminder courtesy of the horse doctors at Miamitown Equine Veterinary Services:

"When securing blankets, make sure that the snaps/clips are facing inward, toward the horse! If they are facing out, they can easily become stuck on something, like the hay net in the picture."

01/14/2025

Julie is full of good advice and understanding of horses true nature. True nature = natural way of being. So ya, natural horsemanship no matter the situation.

01/13/2025

When People ask me why I don’t have ponies in my riding school.

10/26/2024

TTT- Things Take Time

10/15/2024

I’m cleaning out the garage!!
Horse TACK & Yard sale, Sat. 10/19 9AM Hood River.
Quality leather eng/western/Dressage bridles, girths, pads, bits, reins, leathers, show halters & headstalls. Sheets, blankets, brushes, wraps.
Spurs, helmets, etc..
— Household stuff too —
Scanner, new air oven, chairs, curtains, like new mattress, new crockpot, a/c unit. Flooring & more.
2952 Eugene Street.