Kuruka Equestrian

☀️🐴 SUMMER CAMP 2026 UPDATE! 🐴☀️

We’ve officially wrapped up 3 weeks of Summer Camp, and what a summer it has been! We’ve loved welcoming so many new campers while also seeing so many familiar faces return for another summer at Kuruka. 💙

The weeks have been packed with fun, learning, and of course, lots of horses! From Tye dyeing and Water Olympics to horse-themed crafts, horse care, practical activities, and riding a different horse every day, our campers have been busy! 🐴🎨💦

Our campers have jumped into learning all about horse care and horsemanship with so much enthusiasm! From grooming and handling to learning new practical skills around the barn, it has been amazing watching everyone get involved, ask questions, and build their confidence. 🐴

Our CITs have also been learning lots about what it takes to be a camp counsellor, helping with lessons, activities, and campers throughout the week. They’ve also been getting plenty of opportunities to develop their own riding and horsemanship skills — riding different horses each day, working on their equitation, learning to lunge a horse for the first time, heading out for ba****ck rides, and even getting the chance to ride in the Derby Field for the first time! 🏇

One of our biggest new additions this year has been bringing our Rookie Rider Program into our regular camp days — and it has been a HUGE hit! We’ve loved watching our newest riders gain confidence, learn new skills, and have fun in the saddle. 💙

And of course, we can’t forget the camp games! 😂 Every single week, campers have become completely obsessed with Capture the Crop and Kick the Cone! We’re pretty sure these may have officially become Kuruka Summer Camp classics. 🏇😂

We can’t believe we only have ONE WEEK OF CAMP LEFT! 😭

📅 August 24–28

We’re looking forward to finishing off the summer with one more week of horses, friends, fun, learning, and plenty of memories! 🐴☀️💙

Here’s to an amazing Summer Camp 2026!

🐴 School Horse Appreciation Spotlight: Teddy

Meet Teddy — shown as Cross Bar Cactus!

✨ 9 years old
✨ 14.0hh Registered Quarter Horse Gelding
✨ Joined Kuruka in February 2022

Teddy came to Kuruka as a green boy and quickly started winning everyone over with his fun personality and level-headed nature. He loves having a job, jumping around a course, and heading off to shows. He has competed up to the Large Pony divisions on both the Trillium and Silver circuits.

What we love most about Teddy is his personality. He’s a fun guy who knows his own mind and always keeps things interesting. If you’ve ridden him over fences, you’ll know Teddy loves to occasionally take a long spot to a jump—just to keep everyone paying attention!

💙 Nicknames: Ted & Teddy Bear

⭐ Fun Fact: He turned into a fully Teddy Bear with his winter coat!

❤️ Special Mention: Teddy is especially loved by his part-boarder, Tenley, who has built a wonderful partnership with him over the years.

Teddy is a much-loved member of the Kuruka family, and we’re lucky to have this fun guy around. Thank you, Teddy, for all the laughs, lessons, and memories you’ve given our riders! 🐴💙

A week late but big congrats to our silver team for another fantastic show weekend at TenSixty for Silver North #3
So proud of my riders and horses 🤗

🐴 School Horse Appreciation Spotlight: Kabooki 🐴

Meet Kabooki — shown as Kabooki KE!

✨ 21 years old
✨ 14.0hh Appaloosa Cross Gelding
✨ Helping riders build confidence with kindness, patience, and a whole lot of personality

Kabooki joined the Kuruka family in March 2023, and it didn’t take long for him to steal everyone’s hearts. Kabooki quickly became one of our trusted beginner horses, helping riders build confidence.

What we love most about Kabooki is his sweet, affectionate personality mixed with his fun “old man” charm. He absolutely loves his people and is always looking for attention. Whether he’s giving out surprise hugs, sneaking in a kiss, flashing his adorable smile, or offering his very own (slightly pathetic!) fist bump, Kabooki has a way of making everyone laugh.

This summer, Kabooki has become one of the favorites at camp. His kind, patient nature makes him a wonderful teacher for new riders, while his goofy personality keeps everyone smiling both in and out of the saddle. He’s also one of the best horses to hop on ba****ck for a relaxing ride.

🍬 Favorite Treats: Mints and Stud Muffins—preferably the real ones! Kabooki is a bit of a fancy gentleman when it comes to snacks.

❄️ Fun Facts: Every winter, Kabooki gets the funniest little snowballs stuck in his ears and loves nothing more than rolling in the snow after a lesson. Armpit scratches are the quickest way to win Kabooki’s heart. He’s also known for giving hugs completely on his own—no one even has to ask!

💙 Nicknames: Bookie

This summer is an especially meaningful one for Kabooki. As many of you know, he has lost the vision in his right eye and is gradually losing vision in his left. Because of this, we’ve made the decision that this will be his final summer teaching lessons and camp.

This fall, Kabooki will begin a well-earned retirement where he’ll enjoy a slower pace of life filled with sunshine, scratches, and plenty of treats.

Thank you, Kabooki, for every hug, every smile, every lesson, and every memory you’ve given us. You’ve touched the hearts of so many riders in your time at Kuruka, and while we’ll miss seeing your sweet face in the lesson program, we couldn’t be happier knowing you’ll be enjoying the retirement you deserve.

School Horse Appreciation Spotlight: Sarge 🐴
Meet Sarge — shown as At Ease!
✨ 23 years old
✨ 13.3hh Paint Gelding
✨ Our favorite walk trot pony

Sarge joined the Kuruka family with an impressive resume already behind him. Throughout his career, he has competed on the Trillium circuit and even spent time showing in Florida, becoming a well-known and well-loved pony long before arriving at Kuruka.

Sarge is one of the most trusted teachers in our lesson program. He's often the very first horse a brand-new rider will ever sit on, patiently helping them build confidence and fall in love with riding. From leading riders through their first Walk-Trot classes to helping riders jump their first jump.

What we love most about Sarge is his dependable nature and incredible ability to adapt to each rider. He has a way of making beginners feel safe while still teaching more experienced riders new skills. His years of experience and kind heart have made him one of the most valuable members of the Kuruka family and a summer camp favourite!

Favorite Treats: Just about anything! Sarge is definitely food motivated and is always happy to accept a snack.

Nickname: Sargey Boy

Over the years, Sarge has helped so many riders take their very first steps in the equestrian world. Those first rides, first ribbons, first horse shows, and first moments of confidence often begin with him

Thank you, Sarge, for patiently teaching generations of riders and showing them just how much fun horses can be. Your kindness, experience, and steady personality have made an unforgettable impact on so many people, and we're incredibly lucky to have you as part of the Kuruka family.

🐴 School Horse Appreciation Spotlight: Otis

Meet Otis — shown as Golden Boy KE!

✨ 14 years old
✨ 14.0hh Registered Welsh Cross Gelding
✨ Helping riders of all ages build confidence, from their first rides to the show ring

Otis joined the Kuruka family in 2022. It didn’t take long for everyone to fall in love with him, and over the past few years he has become one of the most versatile and dependable members of our lesson program.

Since joining Kuruka, Otis has successfully competed from the Cross Rail divisions all the way up to the 0.75m Jumpers on both the Trillium and Silver circuits. His willingness to learn and kind nature have helped him excel both at home and in the show ring.

What we love most about Otis is how much he enjoys having a job. He’s a horse who really appreciates clear communication from his rider and loves working with people who are eager to learn alongside him. Whether he’s introducing a child to riding, teaching a rider how to lunge for the very first time, or stepping into the show ring.

This year, Otis was the superstar of our first week of summer camp, quickly becoming a favorite among campers. His calm personality and his ability to really tune into whoever is on his back, has also made him one of our trusted Rookie Rider horses, helping many young riders build confidence on horseback.

🍎 Favorite Treats: Just about anything! Otis isn’t picky when it comes to snacks.

💛 Favorite Scratch: Right behind his ears—especially after he’s had braids in for a day or two!

❄️ Fun Facts: Every winter, Otis transforms into the fluffiest horse in the barn. His thick winter coat makes him look like a big, round teddy bear! He also knows how to “fist bump”, and it’s one of his favorite tricks to show off.

🎀 Nickname: The Barbie Horse! If you’ve seen him in the jumper ring, you’ve probably spotted him proudly rocking his signature pink saddle pad.

Over the years, Otis has had many dedicated part-boarders who have loved him dearly, and it’s easy to see why. His unique personality, willingness to learn, and kind heart make him a horse that leaves a lasting impression on everyone who gets to know him.

❤️ Thank you, Otis, for everything you do. From first lessons to horse shows, you’ve become a valued member of the Kuruka family, and we can’t wait to watch you continue to grow and inspire riders for years to come.

Feel free to share your Otis pictures below! 👇

What a great day! I am so lucky to have such a great barn family. We had a very productive and fun annual "Clean Up" Day fixing shelters, cleaning blankets and organizing/tidying the barn.
Thank you so much to all that came out today to help out 🤗🧹🧽

School Horse Appreciation Spotlight: Sheldon 🐴

Meet Sheldon — registered as String Theory!

✨ 19 years old
✨ 15.3hh Thoroughbred Gelding
✨ Helping riders advance both at home and in the show ring

Sheldon joined the Kuruka family in September 2015 as a greener horse with plenty of talent and potential. It didn't take long before he found his place in the show ring, where he quickly began cleaning up on the Trillium circuit.

Throughout his career, Sheldon has successfully competed in the 2'3" through 2'9" Hunter divisions, earning countless ribbons and becoming both a rider and judge favorite. His beautiful hunter movement, auto changes, and consistency in the ring have made him an exceptional teacher for riders looking to take the next step in their riding journey.

Today, Sheldon is a valued member of our lease and lesson program, helping more advanced riders refine their skills and gain confidence. His talent and generous nature make him a fantastic candidate for rider development, whether at home or in the show ring.

This year, Sheldon is enjoying a well-deserved break from showing while continuing to teach our riders. He will also be available for lease or part-board beginning this September, making him a wonderful opportunity for someone looking to partner with an experienced show horse.

🍬 Favorite Treats: Any treats that earn him a snack—and if you have one, he'll be sure to let you know!

😂 Funny Quirk: Sheldon is famous for flashing his adorable smile while standing in the cross ties, especially when he thinks treats might be coming his way.

💙 Nicknames: Shelly Bean, Shelly

Over the years, Sheldon has had many riders who have loved and leased him, and it's easy to see why. Whether he's helping a rider perfect their equitation, teaching the feel of a quality hunter round, or quietly taking care of his person, Sheldon always gives his whole heart.

Thank you, Sheldon, for the years of ribbons, memories, and unforgettable partnerships. Your talent, kindness, and willingness to teach have helped so many riders grow, and we're incredibly grateful to have you as part of the Kuruka family. Feel free to share your Sheldon stories or pictures in the comments below!

Interested in getting to know Sheldon even better? He'll be available for lease or part-board this September!

We cant forget about our little Teen Ranch Show Team who also had a fantastic show weekend!