Author: Samantha Wolf

What a way to open the season! Our Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) riders competed in their first show of the year alongside the Hill Creek team, and they came home with an armful of ribbons.

Congratulations to our Upper School riders, who were named Reserve Champion Team. A big thank-you to Hill Creek Stables for hosting a great show, and to all of our team members and parents who pitched in as horsemen all day long.

The team is back at it for show #2. Follow along on our Facebook page for results, and visit our IEA page to learn about riding with the team.

If there’s one thing everyone at Areion can agree on, it’s that Lauren is just about as sweet as they come! Her lessons never really end when she gets off, because she always sticks around to make sure her horse gets some extra attention before heading home.

Lauren’s best friend at the barn was our sweet Koda. Koda was the best horse, and seeing how much Lauren loved him made their partnership even more meaningful. She was always so patient and gentle with him, and she rode him beautifully. They were such a special pair, and we know Koda will always have a special place in her heart, just like he does in ours.

Lauren is always listening, asking questions, and making sure she’s doing everything she can to take the best care of the horses. We love how much thought and care she puts into everything she does, and how seriously she takes looking after her horses.

Lauren is such a pleasure to teach, and it’s been so fun watching her grow as a rider while never losing that extra-soft spot she has for every horse she meets. We love sweet Lauren!

That’s a wrap on Nico’s first green year! He finished the season with his first finals and his first time showing indoors, and he handled all of it like a pro.

Nico placed 9th in the A section, 9th in the B section, and 12th in the Combined Classic. He got every lead, never touched a rail, and was a perfect gentleman the whole way through. He makes 2’6″ look like 18 inches.

Thank you to Steve Koke for always being the best sidekick and to Josephine Herlong for being the best right hand ever. And congratulations to all of our horse friends who showed this season!