News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Children and adults have a unique opportunity in Williams Lake to learn from an equine instructor who believes that what people can learn from a horse goes far beyond neck reining and tack options. Holli Smith from ‘Blue Star Equine Adventures’ offers beginning riding lessons and therapeutic riding lessons for kids and adults---letting you see firsthand how knowing a horse can change your life.

(Holli, pictured here with 'Echo', offers customized lessons at Eagleview Equestrian Centre)

Blue Star Equine Adventures offers lessons for adults and kids that are flexible and custom-designed for optimal service. “We have beginner and therapeutic horseback lessons, sometimes as camps for groups or for individuals,” said owner/operator Holli Smith. “We can also do the Equine Canada ‘Learn to Ride’ program.”

With Blue Star you can improve your riding skills or learn them from the beginning. You can learn ‘groundwork’ and horse care, and ride either in a large covered arena or outdoors. Holli said that it’s all about flexibility and making the adventure fit individual customer needs.

“Some kids and adults do better with individual lessons and some enjoy a group setting, for example, and we tailor it to their needs,” Holli explained. “I have a ‘hug a horse’ program for people who can’t ride, either because they have physical limitations or because they’re scared to be on a horse. This gives them the opportunity to spend time with a horse—something that is healing, therapeutic and life-changing.”

Holli went through the self-employment program at Community Futures to get Blue Star Equine Adventures off the ground. The business may be new, but Holli’s family horse experience goes back several generations.    

“My grandparents had a big ranch near Alexis Creek where I lived when I was little and I still have family in ranching,” she explained, adding that she realized that she was ‘in love with horses’ when her own daughter started riding.

“When my daughter was five years old she started riding at Eagleview and I started riding with her,” Holli continued. “I became fascinated by the healing power of horses and read everything I could get my hands on. I was always interested in psychology and healing and began working toward certification in the field.” 

She said she mentored locally with Lori Rankin, and then went to Kelowna for nearly a year at a therapeutic horse farm where she worked as a horse manager and therapeutic riding instructor. “I love this work and am constantly amazed by it,” she said. “Everything is a lesson when it comes to horses.” 

She said that she also teaches three-hour group lessons for home schooled kids that are part riding and part classroom.

The name of her business comes from two of her horses, ‘Blue’ and ‘Star.’

“Horses are a huge mystery. They are so careful with kids with disabilities--they have something so unique and special to give all of us,” she explained. “Horses bring out the best in people. You get to be truly genuine: you can’t lie to a horse. It’s very freeing to both kids and adults. If you’re scared, they know it whether you do or not. They love us even though we’re flawed.

“Animals are sometimes better for people than people: they’re completely accepting.” 

She said that another great satisfaction for her is teaching horse camps where she has time to share the history of horses—how much they mean in terms of our civilization and how crucial they are to our past and our present.

“My goal for people is for them to have fun, feel safe and know that they’re free to be themselves. This is a great atmosphere to ask questions, make changes and learn positive new skills,” she noted.

“Everything about Blue Star Equine Adventures is flexible and customized to meet your needs, your schedule and your lifestyle. I want you to fall in love with horses and feel that these lessons are all about you and your health and happiness,” she said. “We’re here to help you learn from a horse.”

For more information visit www.bluestarequine.com and to find out about Holli’s customized gift certificates phone 250-392-0805.

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