Freya Streng (Head trainer)
I grew up in the Netherlands, where it is very expensive to own a horse. The only way to ride was taking lessons at the nearby dressage stable, which I would do twice a week, starting at the age of 6. Growing up riding English teaches you a lot of body control which I still use riding my western horses. It also teaches you how to sit out a bucking pony without a horn to hold onto ;).
When I turned 16, I started leasing a horse and riding horses for other people. I would spend more time at the riding school than at home. As in any barn, word travels fast and pretty soon I was riding the green broke horses for the stable owners.
When I was 18 I left Europe to travel around Canada for a year. My first job was at Twin Oaks, a jumping stable in Richmond. Home to the retired coach of the Canadian Olympic jumping team! I was lucky enough to get additional lessons in jumping there.
When I started my second job, in Alberta this time, I got introduced to the world of western horse riding and never looked back (well kind of). I helped doing groundwork at a local breeder and rode green broke horses. Through a good friend I got started on barrels and ended up owning my first horse. This fiery (he had a way of jumping fences) little colt was the first horse I broke in.
I returned to Holland where I worked with Dutch Warmbloods. After a year, I obtained a position with Quest Quarter horses and relocated back to Alberta. Here I managed sales as well as exercised the break ins and trained the yearlings. During the summer I broke in several horses. It is such a rewarding job, I just can not get enough of it.
I just recently returned from a trip to New Zealand and Australia, where I spent 4 months training and working under Donna Logan Racing in New Zealand. I then moved on to working at Wyena Ranch in the Australian outback, training horses through mustering cattle and working in the cut out yard.
Sandstone ranch is the newest page in my horse adventure book and I look forward to making you and your horse part of the journey!
Orin Sand (owner/trainer)
Working with horses has always been a passion of mine. I grew up on a farm and have had horses around right from the beginning. I spend 30+ years in the oilfield all the while maintaining a bison/ elk operation along with my small herd of horses.
When you and your horse work together it is such a rewarding feeling. There are so many good horsemen out there and what great mentors they can be for those who want to learn. About 5 years ago I took up the sport of mounted shooting. Currently I am a class 3. I compete 5 - 7 times a year, in that time I have won 3 overalls, 2015 men's overall with True Grit Mounted Shooting and showcased shooting rifle against the world champion during the Ponoka Stampede. Besides that I take yearly trips to the mountains, which goes hand in hand with the rugged trail riding I do at home. When I train a horse, I like them to be all-round experienced rather than have an one track mind. Therefore I challenge my horse and myself to keep pushing boundaries in the search for new experiences and continue to learn. Be it jumping logs or going through a challenge course, I strongly believe this builds trust and strengthens your bond.
I am looking forward to working with my good friend Freya Streng on making horses into willing partners that we can trust and enjoy. Hopefully yours will be one of them!
I grew up in the Netherlands, where it is very expensive to own a horse. The only way to ride was taking lessons at the nearby dressage stable, which I would do twice a week, starting at the age of 6. Growing up riding English teaches you a lot of body control which I still use riding my western horses. It also teaches you how to sit out a bucking pony without a horn to hold onto ;).
When I turned 16, I started leasing a horse and riding horses for other people. I would spend more time at the riding school than at home. As in any barn, word travels fast and pretty soon I was riding the green broke horses for the stable owners.
When I was 18 I left Europe to travel around Canada for a year. My first job was at Twin Oaks, a jumping stable in Richmond. Home to the retired coach of the Canadian Olympic jumping team! I was lucky enough to get additional lessons in jumping there.
When I started my second job, in Alberta this time, I got introduced to the world of western horse riding and never looked back (well kind of). I helped doing groundwork at a local breeder and rode green broke horses. Through a good friend I got started on barrels and ended up owning my first horse. This fiery (he had a way of jumping fences) little colt was the first horse I broke in.
I returned to Holland where I worked with Dutch Warmbloods. After a year, I obtained a position with Quest Quarter horses and relocated back to Alberta. Here I managed sales as well as exercised the break ins and trained the yearlings. During the summer I broke in several horses. It is such a rewarding job, I just can not get enough of it.
I just recently returned from a trip to New Zealand and Australia, where I spent 4 months training and working under Donna Logan Racing in New Zealand. I then moved on to working at Wyena Ranch in the Australian outback, training horses through mustering cattle and working in the cut out yard.
Sandstone ranch is the newest page in my horse adventure book and I look forward to making you and your horse part of the journey!
Orin Sand (owner/trainer)
Working with horses has always been a passion of mine. I grew up on a farm and have had horses around right from the beginning. I spend 30+ years in the oilfield all the while maintaining a bison/ elk operation along with my small herd of horses.
When you and your horse work together it is such a rewarding feeling. There are so many good horsemen out there and what great mentors they can be for those who want to learn. About 5 years ago I took up the sport of mounted shooting. Currently I am a class 3. I compete 5 - 7 times a year, in that time I have won 3 overalls, 2015 men's overall with True Grit Mounted Shooting and showcased shooting rifle against the world champion during the Ponoka Stampede. Besides that I take yearly trips to the mountains, which goes hand in hand with the rugged trail riding I do at home. When I train a horse, I like them to be all-round experienced rather than have an one track mind. Therefore I challenge my horse and myself to keep pushing boundaries in the search for new experiences and continue to learn. Be it jumping logs or going through a challenge course, I strongly believe this builds trust and strengthens your bond.
I am looking forward to working with my good friend Freya Streng on making horses into willing partners that we can trust and enjoy. Hopefully yours will be one of them!