Sisters Ariella, Serena, and Scarlett went from not knowing much at all about horses to becoming full time helpers at South Algonquin Trails, a trail-riding facility in Canada’s Algonquin Provincial Park in South Central Ontario. It all happened very organically, from weekend visits to grandma’s house at the farm, to becoming highly efficient workers that get to play with horses every day.
Pony Connection
In early 2021 the girls’ grandmother, Donna, took a job at South Algonquin Trails as a trail guide and caregiver for the horses, moving into a tiny house on the farm. When the girls came to visit, they would take turns helping her lead the ponies for exercise, and sometimes would hop on their backs. The three sisters immediately felt a connection to the ponies and quickly learned how to help feed, brush, tack up, and eventually ride.
Ariella, now 16, Scarlett, 14, and Serena, 11, all remember being able to spend every weekend on the farm back then.
South Algonquin Trails’ owner, Tammy Donaldson, ran a two-week spring mini pony camp that year, just before the busy summer season started, and the girls helped out.
“When there was something easy, like showing how to brush the ponies, we would help,” says Serena.
They were so helpful that Tammy let them continue throughout the season, helping the campers brush, tack up and assist on trail rides. The staff took them under their wing, teaching them horsemanship and riding skills. When Ariella and Scarlet were old enough, they became official volunteers, and by the age of 15, Ariella was hired as paid staff.
“Going on staff rides is the best part,” they all say in unison with smiles.
A Day in the Life
“We wake up at 7:30 and are out at the barn by 8 a.m.,” says Ariella. “First we look at the schedule board to see which ponies have to come in from the field, then we go get them and tie them in the corral.”
“We get the grooming kits ready but don’t brush the ponies because we have to teach the camp kids how to do it,” says Scarlett.
“We introduce the kids to their ponies,” says Serena. “Every kid in camp has a helper, and we teach them how to groom, then take them to the tack room to get their tack.”
The volunteers and guides help the campers tack up and lead their ponies to the water trough for a drink before heading to the main ring.
“We hold the ponies at the mounting block and help the kids mount up, then we lead them around the ring,” says Ariella.
“Some campers have quite a bit of experience, but there are others that don’t know anything,” says Scarlett. “You can usually tell by how they are dressed and how they approach the ponies.”
The campers get to practice walking, turning, stopping, and how to change direction across the diagonal.
“We let them trot in hand, but if they’re more experienced, they can trot on their own with us beside them, then they learn how to do obstacles,” says Serena.
After a quick snack break back at the barn, the campers get to go on a short trail ride.
“That is the most exciting part for everyone,” says Ariella. “We lead some of them, but the more experienced riders control the reins themselves.”
Perks of the Job
South Algonquin Trails runs various clinics on horse and human first-aid, natural horsemanship, and trail riding safety. The girls are always invited to take part, adding to their wealth of horse knowledge.
Tammy’s daughter Jocelyn, an active competitor in Equine Mounted Games Canada, trained the girls for mounted games competitions.
Last year Ariella and Scarlett were on the intermediate reserve champion team, and Serena’s team took the championships in the novice division.
Ariella competes on Tia, a 22-year-old Pony of the Americas mare. Scarlett has been riding Avery, an 8-year-old Quarter Horse mare, and in 2025 she’ll be moving up to a Welsh-cross mare named Pancake.
Serena games with Darsha, a 24-year-old Polish Arabian mare who’s been Jocelyn’s mount for several years.
Favorite Part
“I like that the staff doesn’t treat me like a child—they treat me like a worker,” says Serena.
“Everyone is always in a good mood because they get to hang around with horses,” says Scarlett. “We work seven days a week, but it doesn’t feel like work because it’s so much fun. I especially like the fast rides after work.”
“I feel close to everyone that I work with, and it feels like we are just one big supportive family,” says Ariella. “It’s not an easy job, but it’s so much fun, and I get paid to do fun things.”
Those fun things include practicing mounted games, going on staff rides, riding bareback, and swimming with the horses. Riding in the Santa parade and going to The Royal Winter Fair in Toronto are added benefits of the job.
What started as a visit to grandma’s house led to full time fun and a wealth of horse knowledge. Who wouldn’t want to hang out at horse camp all summer? This hardworking but lucky trio certainly does!
This article about sisters working at a horse camp appeared in the May/June 2025 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
