Trainer Robyn Schmidt (left) and owner Cassandra Long (right) opened Timbercreek Stables 10 years ago in Magnolia. The business is a horse boarding and competitive training facility.[/caption]“There wasn’t anybody I would have put my child with prior to that anyway,” Long said. “I knew if [AnnaKate] really was going to [ride horses], I needed to do it the right way.”
As a result, Long recruited Schmidt as a trainer and selected property on the outskirts of Magnolia.
Timbercreek Stables offers horse boarding, and hunter and jumper training services. Although Long owns the business,
Schmidt trains a class of about 12-15 students, age 6 and older, to ride competitively.
“They compete at all different levels,” Schmidt said. “Hunter [riding] is judged on style, and jumper [riding] is for speed.”
On average, students attend two horse shows a month, competing in various categories and in all weather conditions, Schmidt said.
“The horse show season in Texas is all year,” she said. “A love for horses always makes you a certain type of person. It’s not something that is for the faint of heart. We ride in the heat, [and] we ride in the cold.”
In addition to preparing for competitions, students also learn horsemanship—taking care of a horse before, during and after riding it. By caring for an animal, students learn responsibility, time management and communication skills, Schmidt said.
“They learn to be a better member of society,” Schmidt said. “I like to say I’ve given the universe a kid that’s more responsible, driven and compassionate.”
Long said seeking to win a ribbon is about more than riding a horse well.
“There [are] a lot of life lessons to it,” Long said. “All [people] see is the fluff side of things [of getting] to ride a horse, compete and win ribbons. They don’t see what it takes to get there.”
Timbercreek Stables
2700 Superior Road, Magnolia
281-691-2483
www.timbercreek-stables.com
Hours: Call for appointment
