Posts from October 2012

by Lori Albrough

In my last article, I talked to Alice MacGillivray about how she went from horse newbie to successfully participating in riding a scored USDF Training Level test with her Fjord mare, Bocina. One factor that stood out for me in talking to Alice, was the role that the support and encouragement of her Gabriola Horse Group community played in helping Alice get to that point.

In today’s individual-oriented culture, it’s easy to look at someone’s accomplishment and marvel at what they were able to achieve. But the truth is, if you get a chance to take a look behind the scenes of that success, you will most often find a group of people.

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by Lori Albrough

Alice MacGillivray’s story is one that so many people can relate to. After riding a bit as a teenager, Alice’s love of horses and riding got set aside for other priorities: education, family/children, and career. Many years later, Alice’s horse dream came back to the forefront, and she prepared to move to the country and buy her first horse. Fascinated with the Fjord breed, Alice did extensive research, then took the plunge and purchased a nine year old Fjord mare, Bocina, from my Bluebird Lane farm. Around the same time, she started taking riding lessons, her first time back on a horse in decades.

Bocina arrived at Alice’s west coast island home in the spring of 2011, and Alice set about building a relationship with her, learning to become both a horseman and a rider. With dedication, the guidance of two coaches, and the support of the Gabriola Horse Group, Alice has progressed from beginner rider to achieving a huge milestone…

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