Kids love hanging out at Equestrian Center

Some kids enjoy video games, while others enjoy bike riding, hiking, sports, and a whole myriad hobbies. And then there are the unique ones who would rather spend their time with their horses than doing most anything else.

Three 11-year-old Canyon Lake girls are in that horse group.

On a slow Sunday afternoon at the Canyon Lake Equestrian Center, these three and oftentimes many others, can be found taking care of the horses there. This past Sunday, they and spent their day playing with, walking, brushing and talking to these horse buddies of theirs.

Taylor Schoessow, Isabella Peperizzi and Lilly Freeshmeier, all 11 years old, met up Sunday with long-time equestrian center volunteer Donna Kuptke to hang out with the horses there.

Taylor said she spends as much time as she can with the horses at “The Barn.” She takes lessons twice a week then stays after her lessons to feed and clean her horse friends.

Hanging out at the Canyon Lake Equestrian Center on a Sunday afternoon can include washing down the horses…or each other. Many of those who train and ride at the center spend their free time helping out there and hanging out with the horses. Photo by Donna Kupke.

Young Taylor has been riding in Canyon Lake for about a year now and trains with Equestrian Center Trainer Michelle Stubbs and horse Bugsy. Taylor said she can be found around the barn for an average of 10 hours a week.

Isabella visited the barn with her mom Elizabeth for a little one-on-one time with horse Deja. Isabella has been riding in Canyon Lake for almost two years and says she just loves to ride. Isabella said she enjoys handling Deja and, with a little help from her mom, getting the horse ready to ride.

Lilly has her very own horse, Donny. She said she not only enjoys time with him, she also loves barn life and helping with the other horses.

Isabella Peperizzi enjoys playing with Deja

These three girls spent their Sunday at what the locals lovingly call “The Barn.” They cleaned stalls and brushed, walked and spent quality time with the horses.

The girls said they have a passion for horses and love these magnificent animals.

“Either horses are a part of you or they’re not,” Donna said. “These girls have a true passion for barn life.”

Donna said she grew up around horses and loves interacting with them.

“The young ladies and young gentlemen who are a part of the equestrian center all love riding and helping with the care of the horses,” Donna said. “From the moment they are introduced to The Barn, they learn how to be around horses for not only their own safety, but for the safety of the horses. When you’re around them, you need to respect them.”

 Taylor Schoessow enjoys feeding Bugsy

There are many tasks the young ladies who train at the Canyon Lake Equestrian Center volunteer to perform in their free time. Cleaning up the stalls is one that Lilly Freesmeier, jumped in to do Sunday at “The Barn.”

Donna Kupke, upper right, volunteers at the center and enjoys having the youngsters around on their free time to help with the various tasks and to simply hang out with the horses. Photos by Dawn Rankins