Sunny Stables

05/28/2026

I highly recommend Schaefer Equine! Dave is doing amazing things for several of our horses! His work is truly revolutionary in the equine industry!

*EQUINE INDIRECT RELEASE* What started as a vision is now growing by leaps and bounds across the country. ✨

More and more horse owners are discovering the powerful impact of Equine Indirect Release and the difference it can make in their horses’ comfort, movement, performance, and overall well-being.

From performance horses to retirees, we continue to see horses respond in incredible ways through this unique approach. The demand for EIR continues to grow as owners search for gentle, effective options to help their horses feel and perform their best.

Equine Indirect Release is not a trend or a copy of something else — it is a one-of-a-kind approach created by Dave Schaefer and currently practiced exclusively through Schaefer Equine. Seeing horses across the country benefit from this work has been both humbling and exciting.

05/11/2026

Elizabeth Whitelaw Memorial Scholarship
—Entries are now open—
Due by June 11th
Email to [email protected]

In a paragraph please answer one of the following questions.

~Why do you want to attend horse camp?

~What is your favorite horse camp memory & why? (For those who have attended in the past)

~What is your favorite thing about horse back riding & why?

05/01/2026

🏆 𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐃🏆

Featuring another award recipient from this year’s Averett University Equestrian Banquet! This year, freshman Hannah Meyerhoeffer received the Jane Faulkner Horsemanship Award!

Congratulations Hannah!💙💛

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04/04/2026

Fun clinic today on pole work, mane pulling & hoof care.

03/11/2026

Wow! Camp 1 is now sold out and the other camps are almost full!

**Make sure to get your deposits in asap as your spots are not guaranteed until it is received.**

🌞🐴 Sunny Stables 2026 Horse Camp is HERE! 🐴🌞
Saddle up for an unforgettable summer at Sunny Stables! Our 2026 Horse Camp is perfect for kids who love horses — whether they’re beginners or already confident in the saddle. Campers will enjoy:
✨ Daily riding lessons
✨ Hands-on horse care & grooming
✨ Fun games and barn activities
✨ Horse safety education
✨ Confidence-building experiences
✨ And plenty of horsey memories to last a lifetime!
Spots are limited and fill quickly each year!

📌 A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your camper’s spot. 📌

**Intermediate Camp is available for riders who are confident in cantering and jumping**

Give your child the chance to learn, ride, and grow at Sunny Stables this summer!

📩 Message us today for dates, pricing, and registration details.

02/28/2026

Yes!!

Make Them Carry Their Saddle

A father of a sweet young rider said to me recently that he wished his daughter could just ride more — without having to do the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained something important.

Riding horses isn’t just sitting in a saddle. It’s strength, timing, balance, and awareness. And the truth is, many kids today simply aren’t developing real physical strength unless they are consistently training several times a week.

When a child walks out into the field to catch their horse, they’re doing more than a chore. They’re leaving behind fluorescent lights and screens. They’re breathing fresh air. They’re letting the sun warm their skin. Walking across uneven ground strengthens their legs and core in ways a gym never could.

When they groom their horse — especially when currying — they’re toning their arms and learning to stabilize through their center.

When they carry their saddle, they’re strengthening their arms, chest, and back. It’s functional, meaningful strength.

And beyond the physical benefits, something even deeper happens.

Horses quiet the mind. They reflect our emotions. They feel our heartbeat. They teach presence, empathy, and self-control. After a lesson, riders are physically tired — but mentally calm and centered.

Posting the trot burns calories similar to a slow jog. Riding large, powerful, sometimes unpredictable animals builds resilience and courage. It stretches comfort zones and raises expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

So parents — let them carry their saddles. Let them do the hard parts. Don’t take those moments away from them. In the long run, doing it for them weakens them. To grow as riders, they must grow stronger — physically and mentally.

You can support them by lifting them higher, not by removing the weight that builds them.

I love having you all at the farm and am deeply grateful to share these remarkable animals with you.

— Hannah Campbell Zapletal

02/25/2026

In honor of Elizabeth's 17th birthday, we are reminded how much light her memory continues to bring to others. 🐴🤍

In 2025, The Elizabeth Ann Whitelaw Scholarship once again sent EVERY applicant to Sunny Stables Summer Horse Camp at no cost to their families. Several dedicated young riders experienced camp, friendship, and time in the saddle — and additional lessons were provided to riders needing extra help along the way.

This scholarship is more than camp tuition — it’s confidence, opportunity, and a way to carry on Elizabeth’s deep love for horses and the outdoors.
Thank you to everyone who gives, shares, and supports this mission each year. Your generosity makes these moments possible.

As we begin planning our camps and lessons for 2026, we welcome anyone who would like to partner with us in continuing this special legacy. Every contribution helps another young rider experience the joy Elizabeth loved so much. 💛

https://www.gofundme.com/f/elizabeth-ann-whitelaw-memorial-scholarship-fmp39/cl/o?lang=en_US

02/25/2026

𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖➡️ Hannah Meyerhoeffer

IHSA & IDA | Freshman

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02/19/2026

🌞🐴 Sunny Stables 2026 Horse Camp is HERE! 🐴🌞
Saddle up for an unforgettable summer at Sunny Stables! Our 2026 Horse Camp is perfect for kids who love horses — whether they’re beginners or already confident in the saddle. Campers will enjoy:
✨ Daily riding lessons
✨ Hands-on horse care & grooming
✨ Fun games and barn activities
✨ Horse safety education
✨ Confidence-building experiences
✨ And plenty of horsey memories to last a lifetime!
Spots are limited and fill quickly each year!

📌 A non-refundable deposit is required to hold your camper’s spot. 📌

**Intermediate Camp is available for riders who are confident in cantering and jumping**

Give your child the chance to learn, ride, and grow at Sunny Stables this summer!

📩 Message us today for dates, pricing, and registration details.

02/15/2026

We will be releasing the dates for our 2026 Summer Horse Camps soon! Camps fill very quickly so stay tuned! 🐎 🐴 🌞