Lesson horses bring a connection to each rider or driver they meet, teaching them in the cross ties, in a lesson or a moment. They work together in partnership with coaches, acting as equine trainers in their own right.

This month we have selected to feature two older schoolies, one sadly no longer with us, to honour the work, the care and the role that lesson horses play in our sport. We hope you will share in celebrating these two gentle souls and all the horses that give so much in lessons and programs across Canada everyday. 

Grandpa ChesterHorses of the Month: Chester and Travolta - The Grandfathers of Schoolies

Chester is a 15hh breeding stock paint gelding foaled in 1995. He was a reining horse until he was 5 years old and purchased as a rope horse. Chester headed / heeled, break-away roped and hazed (for steer wrestling) at high school rodeos and jackpots. He retired from his roping career and was gifted to Brenda Clemens at Beaver Creek Ranch and Horse Centre, a working cattle ranch and training facility in the Qu’Appelle Valley, just outside of Regina, Saskatchewan.

At 28 years young, ‘Grandpa Chester’ is a special horse that has been there, done it all. “I am blessed to have him in my lesson and EAL program,” said Clemens. “He has a soft gentle eye and is so smooth to ride, it will be a very sad day when he is no longer with us!”

Beaver Creek is run by Clemens in partnership with her husband Barry in Lumsden, SK. Together they raise and train horses, manage their 100-head cow/calf herd and offer Leadership Development programs including Equine Assisted Learning as well as riding lessons.

Clemens is an EC Licenced Coach with over 40 years of training and coaching experience. She is NCCP English and Western certified and holds EAGALA Level II, EAL Specialist and Level I Parelli certifications.

“Chester is such a delight working with our Equine Assisted Learning groups,” Clemens explained. “At his age we continue to value every day we can share his good nature with students!” Just like their programs, everyone believes that Grandpa Chester is a one of a kind. 

Travolta aka Super THorses of the Month: Chester and Travolta - The Grandfathers of Schoolies

Travolta was a long-time resident of Willow Grove Stable, in the beautiful foothills of southern Alberta, teaching riders of all ages and levels. He was a part of so many lives providing a neck to hug, a shoulder to cry on, and an ear to listen.

Travolta (Desperately x Follow the Drum) was a 15.3 hh chestnut thoroughbred. A descendent of Northern Dancer, he was foaled in 2003 and raced two years as a three- and four-year-old, with a total of 21 starts. His race name was Crimson Chief but became Travolta, after he took on his role in the lesson program alongside Willow Grove’s owner, trainer and head coach Trish Mrakawa.

An EC Licenced Coach who is Canadian Pony Club “A” and NCCP High Performance 1 certified, Mrakawa has a background in hunters, jumpers and eventing and has been riding and teaching professionally since 1982.

Mrakawa admits that he was named after John Travolta, but over his time at Willow Grove, gained several nicknames including Johnny and Super T. “Travolta willingly took a beginner rider learning to post the trot to jump their first jump,” she shared. “His competitive side came out at horse shows, winning in both hunter and jumper competitions.”

Travolta was happy whenever his riders come with cuddles and treats, but his competitive nature and thoroughbred spirit helped give them confidence in return. “Take Travolta cross country, and he would tell you to just hang on. WE GOT THIS!!!” Mrakawa explained. “He loved to gallop and jump with so much enthusiasm that he could get lost in the fun, but he always let you know that he had you.”

Super T was known as one of the barn’s most valuable lesson horses, teaching riders their skills with patience and heart. “If he could have yelled “Weee” he would have,” she continued. “While sometimes he made his riders’ hearts race, he was always your safest friend.”

This amazing horse who would have turned 20 on March 27, 2023, gave years of dedication and service and love to so many. “Sadly, we lost Travolta last year,” shared Mrakawa. “But his legacy lives on in the hearts of so many and the riders he helped develop. He was an amazing teacher of all things. Thank you Super T for all that you did for riders of all levels and all ages.”