Long faces around horse riding school as it prepares to close after 50 years
An established horse riding school in Centre Wellington is hanging up the saddle after five decades in business.
Judith Johnson created the Travis Hall Equestrian Centre with her late husband Dave in 1974.
The 80-year-old says it’s time to retire considering much of the responsibility has been on her daughter Cindy since 2020, after Dave died. And since Judith is not nearly as mobile as she used to be, she says she can’t help much.
“I would like to stay here, but there’s too much land. Somebody should be able to use it,” said Judith.
Local cash croppers have bought the property and will be farming it for hay. That means 40 horses, seven of which are owned by the family and the rest are boarders, will be riding off from Travis Hall on May 1.
“I can’t do it,” said Cindy, through tears. “This isn’t just a farm. This is our whole life.”
Cindy has taken on the role of manager and has dozens of dedicated riders who she coaches.
The riders say it has been tough to come to terms with too.
“I’m probably going to miss the bond with the horses the most because the bond that you make with the horses is so strong,” said Hope, one of the riders.
For young riders like Destinee, there’s an extra hurdle as she tries to focus on an upcoming competition.
“It’s my first show,” she said. “So kind of just going into the beginner ring, practicing transitions, striding between jumps.”
Grandparents of riders even showed up to Travis Hall on Friday to express how much the business means to them.
“Just the compassion here is amazing, not only for the horses but safety for the kids,” said Cheryl Garnhum, Hope’s grandmother.
Even for parents like Sherri Kamnatnick, who didn’t know much about horses until her daughter expressed interest, this is a big loss.
“It’s going to suck when this place closes because I think it’s going to be really hard to find something that even compares to this,” said Kamnatnick.
But Cindy says – hold your horses. She will continue to freelance coach.
“A lot of my students are placed at areas where I will be going in to coach. I’m not leaving my kids. A lot of them, they are me,” said Cindy.
Judith just wants all clients, past and present, to continue to listen to horses because of how much they can help you grow.
“They become stable people in more than one way,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Here's what 'the hinge' move is, how to do it correctly
When you're picking something up from the floor or bending over to tie your shoe laces, you're performing "the hinge move," according to movement trainers.
Tips to make a house or apartment safe and accessible for older adults living at home
Here's a summary of tips from the U.S. National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.