by Julie Smith
Operating since the early 1970s, Duke Ranches is one of Edmonton’s longest standing stables. It was established and continues to be operated by Fred Duke, a lifelong horseman and common fixture on the Alberta cutting circuit.
Since 1993, Cheryl Kazemir has played a large role in training and instructing at the stable. As Fred’s stepdaughter, Cheryl learned to ride under Fred’s coaching and led a successful junior jumping career throughout the 80s. Today, Cheryl and Fred run a full service lesson, boarding, and training stable.
The stable offers a 45-stall heated barn – great in those cold Edmonton winters! – large indoor and outdoor arenas, pasture turnout and small individual pens, the highest quality feed, and an excellent location within the city limits.
Duke Ranches is also notable for its excellent staff, who are on-site caring for the horses 24 hours a day. As Fred says, “We have really good help here, they’ve been here for years and years and they do a really good job.”
Duke Ranches is unique because it focuses on both the English and Western riding disciplines, particularly hunter/jumper and cutting. “The mix of both disciplines really provides a positive group atmosphere,” Cheryl notes.
This mix of disciplines stems, in part, from Duke’s background and training philosophy. He believes that the basic training for any type of horse should be from a Western approach, with an emphasis on groundwork.
Besides boarding, Duke Ranches accepts horses for training. Cheryl and Fred train all types, from unbroke colts to seasoned horses, Western to English. Each horse is on a training program to suit its and its owner’s needs.
“We have a very good success rate,” says Cheryl. “When a horse goes into full training with us, it’s not unusual to see it several months later winning on the show circuit.”
Lessons are the largest part of the business, with Cheryl alone sometimes teaching up to 200 lessons a month. Kim Lansdell is the newest member of the staff and instructs many of the Western lessons.
Duke Ranches has 17 lesson horses, which ensures each student will get a horse suitable to their riding ability. The lesson horses are all pastured together to ensure that they work well together in the ring, and are noted for being exceptionally calm and happy.
There is always a lot going on at Duke Ranches. The stable typically attends about 15 shows a year, and during the summer months Duke Ranches holds a series of riding camps geared towards all levels and ages of riders.
The riding camps have been running for the past 20 years. Another long-standing event at the stable are the in-house horse shows that are held every year and geared towards all clients, both the students and the boarders.
Duke Ranches is also hosting a working student this year. Whitney Taylor, 26, is from Ontario and works and rides at the stable in exchange for lessons and a great learning experience.
Fred invites anyone interested in Duke Ranches to drop by the stable.
People interested in boarding and/or training, can phone Fred Duke at (780) 499-DUKE, or for lessons and general inquiries, contact Cheryl at (780) 940-4591. You can also visit their website at www. dukeranches.com
