On March 1st of this year, a valuable new app for riders was launched by Karin Ronde, a tech-savvy equestrian from Burlington, Ontario. Empower Equine was created for beginners, returning riders, and anyone looking to build confidence and improve their skills. The app helps users track progress, set goals, and connect with the equestrian community. While it aligns with Equestrian Canada’s Learn to Ride program, Empower Equine is designed for anyone, anywhere — and is especially helpful for those without regular access to a coach.
The app includes self-guided rides that can be followed independently or used by coaches with their students. Riders can track their development through eight riding levels by checking off mastered skills and identifying next steps, with or without an instructor. Video tutorials, created by an accredited coach, cover lesson plans, stable management, and best practices for horse care and welfare, with quizzes available to test horse knowledge.
Ronde credits her six-year-old OTTB, Chocolate Run (now named Princeton), as the inspiration behind Empower Equine.