August 2026 Newsletter

2026 Newsletters
Written By Maggie Clancy

Hi Strides families!

Between lessons, events, and everything else happening at the barn, we have lots to share!

Illustrated newsletter header graphic with the word AUGUST centered in brown text, framed by bright yellow sunflowers, green leaves, and small butterflies on a cream background.

A Great Day With Our Strides Families

Our Back-to-School Barn Bash was such a fun way to get everyone together before the fall season really gets going.

We had school-themed crafts, raffle prizes (including a $25 Starbucks gift card), snacks and refreshments, and plenty of time for riders and families to hang out and meet some of the newer faces in our Strides community.

We love getting to see everyone outside of the regular lesson schedule and to gather as a community!

Children and families participating in school-themed crafts around red-covered tables set up inside a covered barn space during the Back-to-School Barn Bash.

Proud of Our IEA Riders

Our IEA riders had a fantastic first show! We were so proud to see everyone step up, support one another, and take on new challenges throughout the day.

For Mira, it was her very first IEA competition, and she came home with an impressive 3rd-place finish! Juno also rode her heart out and earned 2nd place, while Sawyer had an outstanding first time competing in Varsity Open, taking 2nd over fences and 4th on the flat.

We also had some great results from Mackenzie with 5th place, Leila with 4th and 5th, Summer with 3rd and 4th, Katie with 4th, and Elizabeth with 4th.

And while not every ride resulted in a ribbon, every rider had something to be proud of. Ellie, in particular, handled some difficult horses with grace and determination and never gave up.

One of our IEA parents, whose daughter was competing for the first time, shared:

"Hey everyone, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for getting Mira (and me!) over the hump today at her very first competition. It truly took a village, and I felt every bit of it.

Elyse and Maggie, you two were absolute lifesavers.

Mira came home glowing! We're so lucky to be part of this team & community "

We couldn't have said it better. The ribbons were exciting, but one of our favorite parts of the day was seeing how supportive the girls were of each other and how much the parents stepped in to help throughout the day.

We're so proud of every rider who showed up, tried something new, handled the challenges, and cheered on their teammates. That team spirit is one of the best parts of IEA.

Group photo of the Strides IEA riding team and trainer posing together inside a covered arena with their show ribbons around their necks after their first competition.

Have You Joined Our Webinar Yet?

We hear this one all the time from parents:

"My child is really interested in horses, but I have no idea where to start."

Maybe your child has been asking to ride, watching horse videos, or talking about horses nonstop. And as a parent, you may have a lot of questions before signing up for lessons.

What does a first lesson actually look like?
What will my child be doing at the barn?
Will they be comfortable around the horses?
And how do I know if horseback riding is the right fit?

That's exactly why we're hosting a free live webinar.

Beyond the Saddle: What to Expect When Your Child Starts Horseback Riding

We'll walk you through the Strides experience and give you a better idea of what your child can expect when they start riding.

We'll cover:

  • What a first riding experience actually looks like

  • What children do when they arrive at the barn

  • How they get to know and work with their horse

  • What to look for when choosing a riding program

  • How to tell if horseback riding might be a good fit for your child

Live sessions begin September 8
12 PM & 7 PM Pacific

If horseback riding has been on your child's mind lately, this is a great way to learn more before taking that first step.

We'd love to have you join us!

Reserve your free spot

Bring Some Summer at Strides Fun to Fall!

We don't have to wait until summer for more time at the barn!

We're hosting a few Single-Day Horse Camps this fall in Petaluma, and we'd love to have your child join us. These Saturday camps are a full day of riding, horses, horsemanship, and hands-on activities.

Riders will have the opportunity to ride, groom and care for the horses, work on their riding skills, and enjoy a full day at the barn with their friends.

Single-Day Horse Camp
Select Saturdays this fall
10 AM–3 PM
$135

Spots are limited for each camp, so if your child would love some extra horse time this fall, grab a spot!

A Little Extra Riding This Fall

Is there one particular skill your rider has been working toward?

We're offering a Skill Builder Bundle for current riders who want to add a little more to their riding without committing to a second weekly lesson.

The bundle includes three 1-hour private lessons for $450, all taught by our instructor Bella. The lessons can focus on a specific skill or challenge, such as posting trot, canter transitions, jumping, overall position, or whatever your rider and instructor decide would be most helpful.

The bundle must be purchased now, and the three lessons can be scheduled throughout September and October on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.

We're limiting this opportunity to 20 riders so we can make sure we have room to accommodate the lessons.

Ready to give your rider some extra time in the saddle? Reserve your Skill Builder Bundle now!

Maggie Clancy
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July 2026 Newsletter