Three Sister Act

A trio of sisters help out at a pony camp in Canada.

- ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY SHAWN HAMILTON

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.