How STAND School Helps Student-Athlete Ride Toward Her Goals

At STAND School, learning extends far beyond four walls. For Grade 11 student Emily, learning thrives in the barn, the dance studio, and everywhere in between.

Emily is an online student at STAND School, an innovative online/hybrid program offered by Strathcona-Tweedsmuir School, designed to provide flexibility for students pursuing demanding extracurricular goals. For Emily, that means balancing a full academic workload with a schedule packed with equestrian competitions and competitive dance training.

Where it all began

Emily has been riding horses since she was three years old. What began as childhood lessons has evolved into a family-run operation: Freedom Stables, located just outside Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Together with her parents and three sisters, Emily helps care for, train, and compete on a roster of seven horses. They travel across Canada and the U.S. for competitions, while managing their own private facility focused on holistic horse care and high-performance sport.

“We believe our brand is like a puzzle,” says Emily, referring to Freedom Stables’ logo and guiding philosophy. “No single piece tells the full story—but without every piece, the puzzle isn’t complete.”

Fitting school into a passionate life

Emily has a lot on her plate, but with STAND, she’s figured out a routine where school and riding actually work together.

“I’m not tied to being in a classroom from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm,” she explains. “I can ride early in the morning, then do schoolwork in the afternoon or evening. STAND fits into my life, not the other way around.”

This flexibility has allowed her to attend major events in California and BC, participate in youth retreats, and even travel abroad to Europe to source new horses, without falling behind in her studies. Teachers are responsive across time zones and schedules, and the STAND community encourages collaboration, communication, and student-directed pacing.

Discipline in sport and school

Of course, flexibility doesn’t mean it’s easy. Emily admits that shifting to an independent learning model came with its challenges, especially as a highly social person.

“Self-motivation, time management, and discipline were things I had to really grow into,” she reflects. “But STAND pushed me to become stronger, more self-aware, and more accountable.”

That same sense of discipline carries into her equestrian training, where she balances demanding jumping routines, gymnastic work, and flat rides alongside rest and recovery for her horses. Even in the off-season, her days are structured with purpose.

As if her equestrian life wasn’t full enough, Emily also trains as a competitive dancer, attending classes four nights a week and competing throughout the spring season. She mentors younger dancers, teaches classes, and uses the studio as a place to express her creativity.

Advice to fellow student-athletes

To students thinking about joining STAND, Emily has this advice: “Make sure you understand your own motivation and discipline. If you’re ready for that responsibility, STAND will give you the freedom to succeed on your own terms.”

Learn more about STAND School at standschool.ca.