Tel: 403-638-8529
ABOUT
Carlie (Left)
and Lexie Ringland
Lexie and Carlie turned their dream of running a Lusitano breeding operation into a reality October 2021.
Acquiring their first 3 mares. Two APSL Registered Lusitanos and one Premium rated German Oldenburg (and now more).
They are enjoying the journey and look forward to creating impressive performance driven bloodlines with the ability to compete in the upper echelons of various sport disciplines.
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Carlie Ringland
Carlie grew up with a love for horses right from the start. At 2 and 3 years old she started riding, and her family took her along to local gymkhanas in the lead-in classes. This early introduction to horses instilled a passion to ride and learn all she could about the art of horsemanship. She found her passion for dressage, where she was competitive in FEI Children’s and Juniors under the coaching of Sherry Bresee.
After a break from riding to pursue post-secondary education, the spark was once again ignited with the introduction to the art of classical dressage and Iberian horses. Two years of riding with Tipton Horsemanship, followed by a trip to Portugal and the Golegã Horse Fair, was enough to truly fall in love with the Lusitano Horse and the art of “lightness.”
In Portugal, she rode in lessons under Nuno Cavaco, Pedro Torres, Tomás Alarcão and Manuel Veiga, carrying home a fire of inspiration that has never been forgotten.
Today, Carlie’s horsemanship has grown far beyond riding alone. She is deeply involved in the day-to-day care, development and operation of Ringland Premium Lusitanos, working closely with the horses from the ground up. From breeding and raising young horses to training, handling and caring for the herd, she believes that true horsemanship begins with relationship.
She has a particular appreciation for the energetic connection between horse and human—the subtle communication, awareness and trust that exists beyond what can always be seen. She strives to meet each horse as an individual, listening to what they have to teach rather than approaching them with the belief that there is only one way to do things.
Carlie also personally cares for the hoof health of the horses in the program and continues to learn and evolve in this area, as she does in all aspects of horsemanship. For her, there is no final destination in learning. The horses are her greatest teachers, continually inviting her to become more observant, more adaptable and more connected.
Her approach to breeding and developing Lusitanos is rooted in a deep respect for the horse as a whole being. She is passionate not only about producing beautiful, talented horses, but about raising horses with sound minds, willing temperaments, intelligence and the capacity to form meaningful partnerships with their humans.
At the heart of it all, Carlie’s goal is simple: to continually learn, to honour the horse, and to cultivate the kind of connection that allows both horse and human to become more of who they are meant to be.
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Lexie Ringland
Lexie's love for horses began at a very young age, growing up on a farm and in her family's feed and tack store. Surrounded by animals and farm life, horses naturally became one of her favourite pursuits. What began as a childhood love grew into a lifelong hobby and has continued to evolve into the passion project that is Ringland Premium Lusitanos today.
A trip to Portugal with Tipton Horsemanship solidified her love for the Lusitano breed and sparked a deeper interest in the classical traditions of training and breeding that make the Lusitano so unique. Since then, Lexie has continued to pursue education and hands-on experience within the breed, with a particular interest in dressage, working equitation, and developing horses with lightness, balance, and freedom of movement.
Over the years, she has had the opportunity to learn from many incredible instructors and horsemen. Most notably, she had the privilege of working as a student for Manuel Veiga, gaining invaluable insight into the Lusitano horse and the classical principles that have shaped her approach to training and breeding.
Today, Lexie's role with horses has evolved alongside her life. As a mother to young children, breeder, rider, and lifelong horsewoman, one thing will always remain true: her goal is to bring exceptional Lusitanos to Canada and contribute thoughtfully to the future of the breed. She hopes to preserve the qualities she first fell in love with in Portugal while thoughtfully selecting for correct conformation, athleticism, a willing and kind temperament, and the quality of mind that allows a horse to become a true partner to its owner.
Above all, Lexie hopes to raise horses she can be immensely proud to bring into the world - horses that not only carry the qualities of the Lusitano forward, but enrich and amplify the lives of the people fortunate enough to own them.
Together with her sister Carlie, Lexie is proud to continue building Ringland Premium Lusitanos with the shared goal of increasing the availability of high-quality, well-rounded Lusitanos in Canada.