Redwood Stables in Uxbridge a perfect venue for Beach horse riding enthusiasts

By Ahmed Dirie

Beacher and lifelong equestrian Abdulla Ward’s Redwood Stables is the perfect venue for horse riding enthusiasts in the Beach of all ages and levels.

Located less than an hour away from the Beach at 809 Wagg Rd. in Uxbridge, the 13-acre stable represents one of the closest, full-service barns to the Beach with 15 excellent horses, as well as best-in-class staff led by Ward himself.

After some time away from horses due to immigrating to Canada and attending post-secondary school, Ward was able to return to his passion following his family’s purchase of Redwood Stables late last year.

Since then, Ward has worked tirelessly to procure and care for the best horses as well as establish the ideal curriculum for riders of all levels. The courses range from beginners to calm trail rides to dressage, which refers to the execution of precise movements to barely perceptible signals from its rider. But jumping and eventing (a combination of jumping, dressage and cross-country) is where most of his students focus their energy.

“Three of my kids are dreaming of becoming Olympic riders and I could see it happening if they keep it up,” said Ward.

“It’s hard to find equestrian programs for kids that are close. One of the many advantages of living in the Beaches is that you’re closer to downtown; but downtown is not a place where you traditionally find horses and stables. But Redwood is an amazing full-service stable and as convenient as it gets for us eastenders,” said Deborah Wilson, a Beach resident whose daughter rides there four times per week.

As a child, Ward got his start riding in Saudi Arabia thanks to a horse from Riyadh that was gifted from his great uncle. Ward impressed his great uncle and earned his stripes by taming the wild stallion, thus igniting Ward’s love of horses and riding.

Although Ward was thrown in the deep end when he was learning to ride, he takes a decidedly lighter approach with his students.

The courses are suited to the rider and come in private, semi-private and group rides, and the facility offers an indoor ring, an outdoor ring and a cross-country ring”, said Ward.

Wilson can attest to Ward’s credentials and teaching style as she and her daughter followed Ward to his new stable from his prior post in Newmarket.

In addition to Redwood’s seasonal offerings, registration is underway for its summer camp for children aged six to 13 of all riding levels with the promise of a chartered “Beaches” bus should they pass the threshold for signups.

“The summer camp is tailored for kids of all levels but particularly kids who are just starting out and want to learn about horses,” said Ward. “It’s all about horses. So they get an hour lesson, they get to groom and play with the horses, and other activities such as arts and crafts and games all have horse themes.”

Whether its summer camp or year-round lessons, Ward seeks to make horseback riding as accessible and welcoming as possible by running an affordable program welcome to all.

While money may not be the limiting factor at Redwood Stables, both Ward and Wilson acknowledge that there is a time commitment involved in getting riders back and forth. So Ward has instituted numerous amenities to make Redwood as comfortable as possible for riders and parents alike.

“I have built a heated viewing room that is comfortable and warm for the parents,” said Ward. “There’s a treadmill, fireplace and there’s always a pot of coffee brewing. We share laughs and stories and we have pizza days, as well as volunteers coming to work on the weekends that help us out. Saturdays in particular is a busy and fun time in the barn.”

“There’s an office here with strong WiFi if the parents want to work, as well as a bar top where they can put their laptops so that they can work while watching their kids,” continued Ward.

Furthermore, the growth of Redwood Stables has afforded both students and parents more options to make the trip to Uxbridge.

“The good news is that because there’s so many kids coming here from the Beach, carpools are starting to form more often,” said Wilson. “I was just speaking to a mom, and she and I are going to start sharing the drive.”

Most of all there are numerous benefits to horse riding, according to Ward.

Redwood teaches its riders responsibility and humility, as the riders are charged with grooming and cleaning up after their horses. The activity keeps kids engaged with animals, in an outdoor setting and offers an opportunity for children and parents to spend time together.

“Instead of begging us to go to a party or staying in their rooms all day, kids are begging us to bring them here on a Saturday or Sunday,” said Wilson.

“There’s a lot of research that shows that horses are good for your mental health, for depression and even autism,” continued Ward.

“It’s because it’s a live creature and their hearts are gentle. They have this way of making you forget about what is troubling you that heals your heart and your soul.”

Additionally, horse riding is all a full body exercise which Ward promises will work out muscles you didn’t even know you had!

The courses also bring together children and adult riders with like-minded horse-loving peers.

Redwood Stables harkens back to a time in her youth when children would play outside as opposed to spending their days inside and glued to their electronic de- vice of choice, said Wilson.

“When I was a kid, you would go play in mud and stay out late and you could do things that were outdoorsy,” said Wilson. “Kids today don’t have a lot of opportunities to get dirty. My child comes home and is absolutely filthy. Because she’s been mucking stalls and gathering horses and picking hooves. She’s got dirt under your fingernails and smells like a barn and I love that.”

Ward has taken the close knit and family-friendly atmosphere famous in the Beach to Uxbridge and hopes to serve as a bridge for those in the city searching for a horse riding outlet for themselves or their children.

Ward arrived in the Beach in 2014 to the Ramona building on Hubbard and Glen Manor and immediately embedded himself in the community. “I got to know my neighbours quickly and we’ve got a nice little community going on in the Beaches,” said Ward. “I always wonder why anyone would live anywhere else.”

Ward now splits his time between the Beach and Uxbridge, but definitely tries to bring the vibe of the Beach to his stable.

“Whenever a new student comes in, we say ‘welcome home’ because this is a home for my students,” said Ward. “And not only are the students welcome, their families are welcome as well.”

To learn more about Redwood Stables please visit their website at www.redwoodstables.ca/

Please go to https://docs. google.com/forms/d/e/1FAI pQLSdB3TpVRxIY3sDGzv2 bK6-FOrr5RhE4YdRLrLxP7SwHm5F4uw/viewform to register for Redwood’s summer camp.

By Chris Roberts

As the days grow longer and warmer, it’s time to start thinking about getting your home ready for the summer season.

As an interior designer, I know that a few simple changes can transform your home into a refreshing oasis that’s perfect for enjoying the sunshine and warmth. Here are some tips on how to get your home ready for summer entertaining.

1.) Bring in the Light: Summer is all about natural light, so make sure to let it in! Start by cleaning your windows to allow as much sunlight as possible to filter into your home. Consider swapping out heavy drapes for lighter curtains or sheer blinds that will allow light to filter through while still providing privacy. Cleaning your windows and all window treatments will keep your house cleaner once you open things up and let the fresh air in.

2.) Create an Outdoor Oasis: Take advantage of the warm weather by creating an inviting outdoor space. Whether you have a backyard, balcony, or patio, make it an extension of your home by adding comfortable seating, outdoor rugs, and plenty of greenery. Invest in outdoor furniture that is durable and weather-resistant, so you can enjoy it throughout the summer season. Consider adding a firepit/fire table for the cooler nights so you can enjoy the outdoors for longer.

3.) Lighten Up Your Fabrics: Swap out heavy fabrics like velvet and wool for lighter ones like cotton and linen. Opt for light and breezy curtains, throws, and cushion covers that will help your home feel fresher. Consider changing your bedding to lighter materials and colors for a fresh and summery feel in your bedroom.

4.) Declutter and Refresh: Summer is a great time to declutter and refresh your home. Store away heavy winter decor and accessories and bring out lighter, summery pieces. Consider rearranging your furniture to change things up a bit. Donate or sell items that you no longer need or use to create more space and give your home a renewed and rejuvenated look.

5.) Add Natural Elements:

Incorporating natural elements into your home can create a soothing and calming atmosphere that evokes the spirit of summer. Consider adding potted plants, fresh flowers, or even a small indoor herb garden to bring the outdoors in.

Woven baskets, linen table runners and Jute rugs can be added for texture and interest.

Outside, be sure to get some large planters and create container gardens – vary the heights of planters and the plant materials. Tall grasses/plants add visual interest and can serve to section off areas and create an intimate environment.

6.) Get Your Air Conditioning Ready: With summer comes the need for air conditioning. Make sure to clean or replace your air filters and check your air conditioning unit to ensure it’s in good working condition.

Consider getting a professional tune-up to ensure optimal performance during the hot months ahead.

7.) Consider building a covered structure, or covering an existing deck or patio area. It extends the outdoor season, keeps things clean and dry and creates a more inviting and cozy atmosphere.

If this isn’t possible, add height to your outdoor spaces to create drama –stringing lights across a patio works well to create a contained space.

8.) Create a Refreshment Station: Set up a beverage station indoors and out and stock up on a variety of re- freshing drinks like iced tea, lemonade, or infused water. Add a stylish bar cart or a tray with glasses, pitchers, and garnishes for a functional and stylish setup or install a more permanent outdoor bar so you can entertain outdoors. Choose durable, weather resistant materials and if possible, run electrical and water supply so it’s fully functional. Add in some bar stools and this will become the hub of your outdoor space.

9.) Just like inside your home, create “Zones” for your outdoor spaces. Lounge areas with more comfortable seating (maybe even an outdoor projector for movie nights!), dining area with seating and table and lighting above, garden spaces to add green and life to the area.

10.) Consider Outdoor Lighting: Summer evenings are perfect for outdoor gatherings and dining al fresco. Consider adding outdoor lighting, such as string lights and lanterns and update your outdoor light fixtures to a more stylish option. Adding up lighting to trees can add a beautiful, dramatic nighttime vibe.

Our summer season is short, so plan ahead and get things ready now so that when the warm weather is here you can sit back and enjoy it!

-- Local resident Christine Roberts is an Interior Designer and Stylist. Reach her at 416-873-3982; www. christinerobertsdesign.ca; on Instagram at @christinerobertsdesign

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