Harley

Many of the SOTRA volunteers and riders know Harley as the goofy and lovable big grey horse who is so skilled at bringing smiles to our faces. His antics are ever changing and a constant source of entertainment in the barn when getting ready for lessons. Harley can be counted on to be pawing at his door, demanding attention in the form of a raspberry on his nose!

However Harley was not always a SOTRA horse. He came from humble beginnings, but was not destined to stay humble for long. When Joan purchased Harley for Anya, he was not the educated schoolmaster he now is; Anya and Harley spent many hours together in the sandbox learning from one another and developing their relationship that would take them to the top.

Harley and Anya quickly struck up a winning partnership that their competitors learned to fear.  In his first season competing in Three Day Eventing Harley won the Provincial Championship at Pre-Entry.  The next year he won the Pre-Training Championship, he was on his way to the top!  In the two years following Harley and his travel mate and companion Eliza became rivals at the Training Level. Harley and Eliza juggled first and second place on many occasions, but at the end of the year Harley graciously allowed Eliza to win the Championship and proudly stood with his Reserve Championship ribbon around his neck. Harley also helped his rider to win the Hi-Point rider award in 2008.

Harley could always be relied on to give 110% when he was competing, and after a minor injury was retired to helping riders with disabilities learn to ride.  His attitude has carried over into his new job as a Therapeutic Horse and he has made Anya and Joan so proud to watch him patiently teach his new riders while making everything fun!  He truly loves his job and the carrots and apples he gets at the end of his lessons! Harley has become an irreplaceable part of SOTRA and will continue to help his riders learn.