Horses and riding programs return to Yellowknife next summer

Horses could be back in Yellowknife in the summer of 2026, thanks to a fundraiser being run by the NT Equestrian Society to bring a pop-up stable to the city.

During the wildfire evacuation of 2023, horses who used to live in Yellowknife were taken to Alberta. They have yet to return to the NWT capital, though their absence has been keenly felt by local equestrians. North Country Stables, owned by the late Tom Pisz, also shut down.

The NT Equestrian Society, a new non-profit, is now endeavouring to bring horses back to Yellowknife via a temporary or “pop-up” stable next summer. The effort is led by coaches Caterina Walsh and Abbey Wilson, both former riding instructors at North Country Stables.

“We’ve been working really hard since the evacuation to try to bring horses back to Yellowknife,” said Walsh.

“That loss was really devastating for our community, especially our youth, volunteers and staff.”

They aim for the pop-up stable to be accessible to Yellowknifers or anyone visiting from other communities. Experienced riders and beginners will each be welcome.

“Just by restoring this access to horses, we’re hoping to revitalize that valued connection that we lost with these animals, provide educational opportunities, different experiences with horses,” Walsh said.

“There’s numerous benefits of horseback riding and just being around these animals – which includes physical fitness, responsibility, leadership skills, and improving mental well-being.”

The plan is to bring four horses up to start so they can run lesson programs, volunteering and community outreach.

The horses themselves – Zalika, Poncho, Solo and Mira – will be coming from Hay River and Alberta.

Solo, the only one of them who has been to Yellowknife before, was previously used in the lesson program at North Country Stables. Walsh describes her as a sweet and “gentle-tempered horse.”

All of the horses come with their own strengths to serve the program, Wilson said, whether that’s as trail horses, beginner lesson horses, or horses for more advanced riders.

Arctic Farmer has donated land at Osprey Meadows, a campground south of Grace Lake, for the pop-up stable. RTL Construction and the City of Yellowknife have both helped to get the land ready for horses.

Now, the NT Equestrian Society is running a raffle to raise money for the infrastructure – including fencing, shelter and equipment – so they can house horses there.

First prize in the raffle is $4,000 cash. Additional prizes include two return tickets from Yellowknife to Edmonton with Canadian North, a boudoir session and massage bundle, and a three-month jiu-jitsu membership. Raffle tickets can be purchased in person at some Yellowknife retailers or by contacting NT Equestrian.

Though the pop-up stable will be seasonal, NT Equestrian hopes to eventually have a more permanent setup.

Asked how it feels to finally be bringing horses back to Yellowknife, both Walsh and Wilson start to tear up.

“It feels good. It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work from a lot of people,” Wilson said.

“We’re just incredibly thankful to the community and for folks stepping up and helping bring this sport and this recreational opportunity to people.”

Even without horses in town for the last few years, Walsh said, so many of their youth riders have kept their passion going for the sport. That includes travelling to Alberta for summer horse camps and fundraising for NT Equestrian.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see how excited they are,” Walsh said, “to work hard together to get horses back here.”