Euchee Meadows Equestrian

As many know our thoughts on cell phone and how they disengage us for being *in the moment* this proves our point!

THIS is why we have a no cell phone policy for riders at the barn and at competitions- safety, being present, staying focused, and absorbing your time with your horse and team.

In an age where most middle schoolers live glued to their screens, 13-year-old Harlow Bottarini stands out for what she doesn’t have—a phone. While nearly everyone in her class scrolls through apps and guards their Snapchat streaks, Harlow spends her free time in the barn, grooming her pony, playing games with friends, and inventing new ways to stay creative.

Her family’s decision to hold off on giving her a phone has shaped not only her childhood, but also her horsemanship. And in a sport where patience, focus, and connection matter more than ever, it’s proving to be an unexpected advantage.

“I don’t have a phone,” Harlow explained. “So many people are like, ‘No, don’t take my phone away, I don’t want to ruin my streak!’ And I’m over here going… what’s a streak?”

Her mom noted that the choice came after seeing the impact phones had on her older teenage sons. “With Harlow, we wanted something different,” she said. “She’s super creative, and I didn’t want that stifled by a screen.”

Without the distraction of a phone, Harlow invests her energy into creative projects and caring for her ponies. She grooms, hand grazes, and handles much of the day-to-day bonding herself. “During summers, everyone else would be on their phones, and I’d be the only one grooming my pony and out on the grass,” she said.

Those moments, seemingly small, are what deepen the bond between horse and rider. Harlow believes that connection is a foundation for success: “The three special skills are bond, love, and trust. You’ve got to have patience too. That’s what helps your partner learn to trust you.”

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/09/22/no-phone-no-problem-raising-pony-kids-without-screens/

This! All TN schools needs to get on board.

𝗡𝗖 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺

The horse community raved about the welcome news from AQHA this year regarding an initiative providing a pathway for requesting excused school absences for eligible Texas students competing at AQHA-approved events. ICYMI: 🔽
https://www.aqha.com/-/game-changing-partnership-opens-new-doors-for-texas-youth-competing-at-aqha-events

Following on its heels, hopefully in a new trend that’s here to stay, Raleigh News & Observer reported on September 4, 2026, in an Education article that North Carolina lawmakers will be making it easier to miss school if a student works on a farm or rides a horse.

The NC article link is on our website: http://www.equinechronicle.com/nc-lawmakers-mandate-excused-absences-for-students-who-ride-or-work-on-a-farm/

Our huntseat and dressage teams still have space for High School riders

Interscholastic Equestrian Association – IEA Interscholastic Equestrian Assocation Membership for the 2026-2027 IEA 25th Anniversary Season is now OPEN for Teams, Coaches, Riders, and Adult Contributing Members.

Euchee/Bay View alumni rising in the therapeutic riding industry! Congrats Megan Moser (and we miss you and Ready!)

🎉Welcome Megan to the STAR Family as Programs Assistant!

Megan served the summer of 2026 as an intern before taking on the full-time position with the programs staff. She has a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from UTK and an associates degree in Science from Chattanooga State Community College. Megan has been riding horses most of her life, and she has experience competing in a variety of disciplines, including Western, Dressage, and English. In her free time, she enjoys riding her horse, Ready, or paddle boarding.

Megan is currently working on obtaining her CTRI through PATH Intl. and is part of our Instructor In Training program. Make sure to say hi if you see her in classes or out in the barn. Welcome Megan! We're so glad to have her on the team!

If they can’t walk and steer, they can’t trot and steer.
If they can’t balance at the trot, they aren’t ready to canter.
If they can’t go catch their own horse, groom it, tack it up and take responsibility for it, how are they supposed to lead that horse from the saddle?

Going faster does not equal getting better. Strapping your kid to a horse and sending them into the arena isn’t making them better, it’s setting them up to get hurt.

You might think watching your kid walk circles isn’t exciting. You might think they should be cantering, jumping “doing more.”

But sometimes they’re simply not ready.

And respectfully — that’s why you hired an instructor. Because knowing how and when to progress a rider is our job.

We aren’t holding your kid back. We’re building the foundation that keeps them safe and makes them GOOD.

- Author Unknown

School is starting back, and Euchee Meadows is open for new and returning students! Get signed up now, as space fills up quickly.

Open to riders ages 6 years through adult

*** SOLD***

* Rocky* Gelding paint pony cross. Measures 14 hands. Not registered. Vet aged him mid teens approx 16. Up to date on shots, coggins & teeth. Forward mover, cute huntseat or jumper pony. Not suited for small child, but would make a great horse for young intermediate rider teen. Has been used in lesson programs in his past. Gets along great in herd- has been kept with mares. Currently barefoot. Located in Decatur until August 1st. Priced at lower 4 carrots, starting with a 2! DM for riding/handling videos. Serious inquiries only

Don't miss out this cutie!