Hooves & Stripes: Riding Into Adventure with Big Blue Outside 

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, students saddled up for Big Blue Outside’s Hooves & Stripes horseback riding event at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan. With only ten slots available, the experience offered an intimate and hands-on introduction to horseback riding surrounded by the calm beauty of nature. 

Our instructor, Lauren, brought an instant wave of calm confidence to the group. Waiting nearby were the real stars of the day, two sweet and spirited horses named Minnie and Pearl. Minnie stood steady and composed, while Pearl was full of energy and personality, eager to meet her new riders. 

Lauren kicked things off with a crash course in horse basics: how to hold the reins, guide the horses, and keep your posture strong. Her warmth and patience made even the most nervous first-timers feel ready to take the reins literally. After a few practice runs, riders began taking turns with Minnie and Pearl through a fun obstacle course featuring zigzag cones, turns, and balance challenges. 

The sounds of hooves hitting the dirt mixed with laughter and cheers as students encouraged one another from the sidelines. Every rider found their own rhythm, some cautious at first, others confidently weaving through the zigzags like naturals. Between the autumn breeze, the soft sunlight, and the calm pace of the horses, the morning felt like a perfect reset from campus life. 

When the last ride wrapped up, the group gathered for snacks, photos, and plenty of horse hugs. There was a shared sense of accomplishment in the air, proof that stepping outside your comfort zone can be both grounding and exhilarating. 

Hooves & Stripes captured everything Big Blue Outside stands for: curiosity, connection, and the joy of trying something new. Whether it was the challenge of the course or the calm of the trail, everyone left Camp Widjiwagan with a story, and probably a new favorite horse.