LaFleur Stables · Verona, Wisconsin

Every Ride,
A Little Braver

The riding journey of Evelyn Olson

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At eight years old, Evelyn Olson climbed onto a horse at LaFleur Stables on Meadow Road and found something she'd never let go of. Eight horses, hundreds of lessons, and one very special bond with a chestnut named Joey later — she's still showing up twice a week, rain or shine, getting a little braver with every ride.

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Years at LaFleur
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Years Riding
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Horses & Counting
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Lessons a Week

From First Steps
to Full Canter

Evelyn's very first time on a horse at summer camp

The Spark

Five years old, and her grandparents signed her up for a horse experience at LaFleur. She was tiny. The horse was enormous. The grin was instant. Something clicked that day on Meadow Road that would change everything.

Evelyn feeding a horse in the barn at LaFleur

Meeting Knight & April

At eight, Evelyn started real lessons at LaFleur. Her first horses were Knight and April — patient, steady, and kind. She learned to groom, to lead, to listen. Before you ride, you have to earn the trust. Both are gone now, but they gave her the foundation.

Evelyn smiling with her horse at LaFleur

More Than Lessons

Somewhere along the way, it stopped being just about the riding. It became about the quiet moments — leaning in, smiling, being close. She rode Tiffany and James, but they were too easy. She was ready for more.

Evelyn riding confidently in the indoor arena

Walk, Trot, Canter

The posting trot became natural. Then came the canter — that three-beat rhythm that changes everything. She stopped looking down at the horse and started looking where she wanted to go. Her first show that November brought home ribbons and the biggest smile we'd ever seen.

Evelyn laughing with her horse

Joey

In January 2025, Evelyn leased Joey — a chestnut with a big personality and a bigger heart. For ten months, he was hers. She groomed him, she rode him, she loved him. When he was sold in October, it broke her heart. But Joey taught her what it means to truly have a horse of your own.

Evelyn trotting confidently outdoors in spring 2025

Stronger Than Ever

After Joey, she didn't stop. She got back on — Johnny, Stella, Roxy, Tiffany. Twice a week, every week. Walk, trot, canter, solid at all three gaits. The little girl who once needed helpers to climb up now rides with real skill and quiet confidence.

Evelyn standing with her horse

Look How Far She's Come

From a five-year-old at summer camp to a twelve-year-old who has ridden eight different horses, competed in her first show, leased her own horse, said goodbye, and kept going. This isn't just about riding. It's about showing up, sticking with it, and getting a little braver every single time.

Every Horse Taught Her Something

Knight
In Memory
Knight
2021–2022 · First Horse
Dark, steady, and patient. Knight was one of Evelyn's first lesson horses — the one who taught her that big doesn't mean scary.
April
In Memory
April
2021–2022 · Gentle Soul
April and Knight were a pair. Gentle and forgiving, April gave Evelyn the confidence to try things she wasn't sure she could do.
Tiffany
Tiffany
2022–Present · Tough Mare
Big, slow, and stubborn — Tiffany is a tough mare who doesn't do anything she doesn't want to. Riding her taught Evelyn that sometimes you have to earn every single step.
Flynn
Flynn
Show Horse · The Real Deal
Flynn was the horse of a lifetime to sit on. A great big acclaimed show horse — beautiful, powerful, and smooth as silk. Evelyn got to ride him for a while, and it showed her what a truly elite horse feels like.
James
2022–2023 · Too Easy
Smaller than Tiffany, reliable and calm. James was good for learning, but Evelyn was ready for a challenge.
Joey
Joey ♥
Jan–Oct 2025 · Her Horse
A chestnut with personality. Joey was the one — Evelyn leased him for ten months and he became hers in every way that matters. When he was sold, she was heartbroken. But what they built together made her the rider she is today.
Current horses
Johnny, Stella, Roxy
2025–Present · The New Chapter
After Joey, Evelyn got back on. She now rotates between Johnny, Stella, Roxy, and Tiffany — each one different, each one teaching her something new. Twice a week, every week.

Watch Her Ride

Eight horses. Hundreds of lessons. One heartbreak when Joey was sold. And she got back on the next week. That's not just riding. That's who she is.
A Proud Dad