Winter 2024/2025 Issue

Page 6 Winter 2024/2025 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN By Alicia Stephens Martin While most kids are still in bed, four-year-old Isla Mae and her sister, eight-year-old Ayla Lyn, are cleaning stalls before school. However, that is not the end of a day’s work. After school, the two sisters perform numerous farm chores and outdoor activi- ties instead of watching television or using electronics. To some this may seem too demanding at such a young age. But both children agree that the least favorite part of their day is going to bed. Neither of the girls realize they are building priceless family bonds, fused together by the heartbeat of a horse. Nor do they realize their family values are a format for success. But Isla and Ayla appear to flourish and savor every minute. Raising a child in today’s world takes commitment, pa- tience, hard work, and lots of love—the same qualities required of a skilled horseman. Shannon Knapp—founder of Horse Sense of the Carolinas, Inc., an inter- nationally recognized leader in Equine assisted psychotherapy and learning—has been dedi- cated to supporting the industry for over thirty years. She states, “Horses are incredible teachers of forgiveness, acceptance, and un- conditional love.” For Jason and Jason and Crystal Charles: A Love of Horses Connects Their Family Crystal of northern York County, PA, horses are teachers and do indeed bind their family together. When Jason was breaking horses at the onset of his career for River Valley Ranch, he proba- bly never dreamed of meeting the love of his life. Early in his career, Jason was employed at the Christian-based ranch located in Maryland. The facility was started in 1952 as a cowboy summer camp and now serves 20,000 youths annually, enriching lives with activ- ities including horseback riding. Jason assumed the responsi- bility of breaking mustangs and horses for the program, where he later learned the art of horseshoe- ing. He continued to grow his career, working at facilities like Evergreen Farm, owned by the late Terry Helder and his wife Peg. Jason specialized in young horses. Since then, he has started hundreds of horses under saddle, finished Western, and competes in reining and trail. Jason’s Tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian! (Continued on page 25) Ayla, age 8, and Isla, age 4, at the Charles family farm in northern York County, PA, which specializes in reining and western versatil- ity. Their mom, Crystal, describes the girls as “talented riders with dreams of being horse trainers like their dad.” Photo credit: Jamie Wilkins, Capture All Moments Photography