WAWOTA - Amelia Young is a 21-year-old woman who is fulfilling her dream and passion for horses.
Born in Grand Prairie, Alta., her family soon moved to Saskatoon, where she grew up.
She always loved horses like so many young girls, and her parents, Tara and Jamie Young, decided they would enroll her in riding lessons.
Under the watchful eye of Karen Wisser, at the age of five, she began English riding.
Wisser would not only be Young’s instructor, but would become her mentor and inspiration.
“She was an amazing coach and I owe her for the many things I learned,” said Young.
From the age of 10-18, Young entered the show world of jumping and became a competitive rider.
Although she mainly rides in English, Young enjoys hitting the trails in the comfort of a western saddle, as her grandma also used to ride western.
In 2014, Young moved to Vancouver, and she continued to ride under the coaching of Rachel Wassman for the next four years.
During this time, she had her faithful horse, Double Digit, a Canadian sport horse who is now 15 years old, by her side.
In 2021, Young decided she needed a change, returned to Saskatchewan and moved to Carlyle where her sister Jordan Mullis lives.
Now a young adult, she wanted to make her dream come true and became a coach.
Young has taken coaching courses through Equestrian Canada. There are 10 levels to complete, and she has finished Level 6.
Roxanne Appeal is the owner of Appeal Hungry Horse Ranch, and this is where Young plans to do her lessons.
Young Spirit Equestrian began in July and she does her lessons at the Appeal Ranch, located west of Wawota.
Young said it works great there, as she can use the horses from Appeal, as they have several. This way the horses get exercised.
Her lesson program is usually for kids and safety is the number 1 priority.
Young matches up the young riders with the appropriate horse through their level of knowledge and skills. Appeal has several horses that are safe for beginners.
Students begin with the basics, such as grooming, care and feeding, as well as the proper way to tack up a horse, which tack is used and how to care for the gear.
Young would like children to have the opportunity to ride a horse through lessons like she did. She feels it is a wonderful gift to be around these amazing animals.
Horses can offer stress relief and are a great way for kids to break out of their shells.
Through this all, Young’s parents, sister and best friend Morgan Currie have supported her, and Young is truly thankful for all they have done.
