‘Getting the horses back was very emotional for everyone’

Organizers who brought horses back to Yellowknife this summer after several years’ absence say their programming “went spectacularly.”

NT Equestrian, formed two years ago, brought four horses from Hay River to Yellowknife for the summer. The territorial capital hadn’t had horses available to ride since 2023’s wildfire-related evacuation.

Riding lessons were available and the wait list at one point grew to more than 100 people, instructor Caterina Walsh told Cabin Radio.

“It was so nice to see our equestrian community have a space to come back together with actual horses on the ground,” Walsh said.

“There were lots of strong emotions,” said NT Equestrian board member Léone Grosjean.

“For lots of people, horses means more than just going to the barn, riding horses and coming home. It was an activity to do in Yellowknife for years, it was part of the Yellowknife culture, so I think getting the horses back was very emotional for everyone.”

Grosjean said the program was “pretty much not happening” until a deal was signed at the start of June to use land at North Country Stables for the summer. Lessons began in the first week of July and ran until mid-September thanks to five volunteer instructors, three of whom had coached when the stables last had horses under the oversight of the late Tom Pisz.

A farrier from Alberta was flown in twice with the help of sponsors to trim the horses’ hooves.

A “big majority” of riders were beginners, Grosjean said.

The horses have since departed the city again. Events organized while they were in Yellowknife included programming to support evacuees from Fort Simpson when a wildfire threatened the village, as well as sessions with members of the Northern Mosaic Network and Special Olympics team.

Tessa Stewart, 15, has been riding for about five years. She describes horses as “such a big part of my life” until she found herself in a city without any.

“It was so nice to be back in the saddle and just ride through the summer,” Stewart said.

Grosjean and Walsh paid tribute to the volunteers and businesses who helped the program get off the ground. Grosjean noted some people had no interest in riding and came simply to feel good about feeding the horses some carrots.

“We learned how motivated our community is to get horses here,” she said.

“The passion of the equestrian community in Yellowknife drove this program. We had volunteers coming morning, lunch, evenings every day to make sure they had food, make sure they had water, make sure they were feeling great … it was incredible.”

Walsh said membership increased across the summer, meaning more hands able to help if and when the program returns.

“We’re in the process of fundraising, writing grants and securing a property so we’re able to do this again,” Walsh said.

Stewart urged anyone who missed out this summer to be ready for the program’s return.

“They have so much personality and character, and each one is so different,” she said of the horses.

“So I would say, learn about the horse and go see them. Don’t be scared of them. They’re usually really nice.”