RRA Lesson Horse Honor Roll
Join us in celebrating the true heroes of our sport! These devoted equines contribute to the development of top riders, the sport, and lifelong equestrians. The hardest working and most impactful equines in our industry are honored here for everything they do! Click here to learn more about where these nominees reside and about other currently Recognized Riding Academies in your area.
Meet our past honorees here.
Zone 1
Layla
Adored by RRA Rising Starr Horse Rescue of Wilton, CT
19 year old Arabian, 6 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apples
If she were a famous person, she would be: Princess Diana
On September 11, 2025, we were honored to have student Debbie St. John be able to ride a horse. Debbie was a victim of 911 and has worked hard for the last 2 years to be able to go from wheelchair to horse. Layla, a Texas kill pen cast-off (rescued in 2019 by RSHR), was her partner. Truly a special day, Debbie said, "It's my best September 11 in 24 years”. Debbie now rides weekly. Debbie and Layla were in the first episode of National Geographic September 2026 mini series, 911 Reunited.
PC: Kelly L Stackpole
FMF December's Chestnut Rain aka Chuck
Adored by RRA Full Moon Farm of Avon, CT
22 year old Welsh cross, 18 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apples
Chuck is the "hony" unicorn we all need in our lives. He has been with us since we purchased him at an auction at 4 years old. He is worth his weight in gold -- and then some! His size and demeanor allow him to teach both kids and smaller adults. Chuck is the camp, birthday party, and pony ride go-to. He is the same horse in and out of the ring - perfect for everything from H/J shows to trail rides to first-ever cross country lessons. Chuck has had many owners and lessees over his nearly two decades at FMF. He is everyone's favorite draw in equitation shows. PC: Full Moon Farm
Street Eatz
Adored by RRA Well-A-Way Academy of Simsbury, CT
4 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: ALL of them!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Mr. Rodgers
This nominee is truly special because of his kind, patient, and dependable nature. He has a calm, steady demeanor that helps riders build confidence and feel safe in the saddle. His smooth, comfortable trot makes him an excellent teacher for riders learning to post, while his willingness and consistency helps students experience their very first canter too. Brave and unflappable, he remains relaxed in all situations, allowing riders to focus on learning rather than worrying. Most importantly, he always puts his riders first, providing a safe and positive experience that helps them grow as equestrians. His reliability, patience, and natural teaching ability make him an invaluable partner for riders of all levels. PC: Gianna Carducci
RSHR Clancy
Adored by RRA Rising Starr Horse Rescue of Wilton, CT
15 year old Irish Draught, 4 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything
If he were a famous person, he would be: Harry Cavill
Clancy is 100% always reliable regardless of whether you are doing your first walk-trot lesson or your first jumper class at Gladstone. PC: Kelly Stackpole
Zone 2
Lucy
Adored by RRA Stony Hill Stables of Amagansett, NY
21 year old Quarter Horse/Paint cross, 15 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything, she loves food!
If she were a famous person, she would be: Meryl Streep
Lucy has been an incredible teacher to so many kiddos. She has, quite possibly, the most comfortable trot in the whole world. She is super safe and we can put tiny kids, adults, and grandparents on her. PC: Surrey Westrupp-Bologna
Zone 3
That'll Be All
Adored by RRA Liberty University Equestrian Center of Rustburg, VA
19 year old American Warmblood, 8 years at Liberty
Favorite Treat: Peppermints after a lesson!
Mason is such a sweet horse! He loves a good curry session before a ride and will become your best friend if you give him a peppermint. He has a way of making students feel comfortable and confident, especially when they are learning something new. Mason is particularly wonderful at teaching students how to canter—he is patient, steady, and helps riders learn to find their balance and rhythm. He truly is the kind of horse who makes students better riders while also giving them confidence along the way. PC: Liberty University Equestrian Center
City Lights
Adored by RRA Liberty University Equestrian Center of Rustburg, VA
22 year old Thoroughbred, Arabian, Clydesdale cross, 7 years at Liberty
Favorite Treat: He's not picky! :)
Willie is a gentle giant. He's incredibly patient, willing, and reliable. He takes such great care of his riders and gives them the confidence to learn and grow at every level. From teaching walk-trot riders to carrying students through jumping lessons, Willie is always dependable and willing to do his job. His smooth, comfortable gaits make him a pleasure to ride, and his consistent, trustworthy nature makes him an incredible teacher for students of all abilities. He is truly the kind of horse every rider can learn from and feel safe with. PC: Liberty University Equestrian Center
Georgia Peach and Gigi
Adored by RRA Chatham Hall of Chatham, VA
28 year old Icelandic/Criollo cross (I swear, we sent her DNA to Texas A&M), 10+ years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything and everything!
If she were a famous person, she would be: Liza Minelli
Gigi is a saint. Totally bombproof. Has an adorable jump and is always a winner in IEA. Now that she's gotten older she can only do the crossrails, but she still loves to jump. Her favorite rides are out in the field or on a hunter pace. PC: Ally Doyon
Pixie aka Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
Adored by RRA Fountain Greene Farm of Wake, VA
20 year old Welsh cross, 4 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots and Minty Muffins
If she were a famous person, she would be: Julie Andrews
Pixie is a starter pony. She is a small and she has a little motor, so the kids learn to post. She is willing to go out and trot around with the tiniest beginners. Pixie is best at teaching youngsters to sit quietly and use their aids. She is not too patient if she is kicked hard. Pixie is the short stirrup specialist on the flat for small riders. PC: Emily Johnston
Dreamy aka Dream Come Blue
Adored by RRA Fountain Greene Farm of Wake, VA
19 year old Welsh cross, 2 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Peppermints
If she were a famous person, she would be: Miranda Priestly (Devil Wears Prada)
Dreamy is a special pony because she brings years of good riding and training to the job. She is never careless and gives her best effort each time out. She also knows when to over-ride and make an executive decision for the best of the team. Dreamy is best at teaching students to jump correctly. She knows pace and track and can make a short or long distance work safely. Dreamy pilots the kids through their first show jumping experiences with success. PC: Hannah Jones Photography
Zone 4
Tyson
Adored by RRA Haig Point Equestrian of Hilton Head, SC
18 year old Percheron X Standardbred cross, 2 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Nerds Gummy Clusters
If he were a famous person, he would be: Steve Harvey
Tyson is a gentle giant with an impressive résumé. Despite being one of the biggest horses in the barn, he has a special way of making people feel comfortable around him right away. Before becoming a beloved lesson horse, Tyson worked as an Amish buggy horse and even spent time pulling carriages in Savannah, GA. These days, Tyson enjoys a different pace of life. He is a wonderful teacher for both adults and children in the arena. His patient, steady, and forgiving nature makes him especially well-suited for nervous or inexperienced riders as they learn to find their balance, build confidence, and master the trot. Tyson also has just enough personality, and sense of humor, to teach his students how to communicate clearly and become more effective riders. He takes care of his beginners without doing absolutely everything for them, which is the mark of a truly special lesson horse. Tyson is equally happy to mosey down the trails, where he will confidently carry a first-time rider around the Island, and he still occasionally puts his previous experience to work pulling our Cinderella carriage for weddings. Whether he’s teaching a brand new student, wandering the trails, or pulling a bride and groom on their special day, Tyson reminds us exactly why great horses are truly worth their weight in gold. PC: Haig Point Equestrian
Prada
Adored by RRA Providence Equestrian Center of Bonita Springs, FL
27 year old Rheinland-Pfalz-Saar, 10 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apple sauce, strawberries, and watermelon
If she were a famous person, she would be: Judi Dench
Mature, wise, the kindest, gentlest soul, and always trustworthy, Prada gives her all quietly and selflessly. From daily riding lessons, IEA to ISHA, schooling rings to World Equestrian Center, Prada teaches students they can be confident and effective riders. PC: Providence Equestrian Center
Harry aka Fleur-de-Lis
Adored by RRA Hidden Oaks Show Jumpers Of North Georgia of Suwanee, GA
35 year old Quarter Horse, 20 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apples and carrots
Harry has been the most dependable pony for 20 years. He has taken children from learning to ride to jumping at horse shows. He has been the best pony to learn to canter on. I don’t know what I would do without him! PC: Hidden Oaks Show Jumpers
No Gus No Glory
Adored by RRA Cornerstone Farm South of Naples, FL
26 year old OTTB, 19 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Minty Muffins
If he were a famous person, he would be: Forest Gump
Gus is the rock of our lesson program. He does it all - from bareback rides to tiny tots learning to trot, almost every student learned to canter on him! He used to show the 2'6" with our academy students but is happy at short stirrups and crossrails now. He is always a happy camper, never fussy and has the PERFECT metronome trot and canter! He made a horribly SLOW Thoroughbred on the track - because he loves to be the steady eddy - you can ALWAYS depend on GUS! PC: Michelle Unglaub
Zone 5
Riddle aka Riddle Me This
Adored by RRA Alpine Ridge Farms of Sparta, MI
31 year old Thoroughbred, 10 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Good old peppermints
If he were a famous person, he would be: Winnie the Pooh
Riddle turned 31 this year! He loves to teach walk, trot, and canter. Riddle loves his job and he loves the attention. He's such a cuddle bug. PC: Rebecca Bradley
Zone 7
Chloe aka My Four Leaf Clover
Adored by RRA Victory Stables Equestrian Academy of Martindale, TX
16 year old pony, 6 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Pumpkin Spice Kelcies
If she were a famous person, she would be: Serena Williams
Chloe is the kind of pony that enters the ring as if it were a grand stage built for her. A true diva, she wouldn't dream of being caught up in the geldings' foolishness. But beneath the glamour is the heart of a fierce competitor that can quicky transform from princess pony to jumping queen. She carries her rider with bravery and loyalty, and if her rider makes a mistake, she will try her best to fix it for them. Chloe is the perfect pony - a little bit princess, a little bit warrior, and completely devoted to her rider. She'll steal hearts, win ribbons, and make every ride feel like the best one yet! PC: Shay Pfeiffer
Zone 8
Riley
Adored by RRA Aurum Equestrian of Parker, CO
19 years old, 6 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apples
If he were a famous person, he would be: Robert Duvall
Riley is rock steady. He is the most perfect horse to put new or timid riders on because he will do everything he can to stay under them. He has the most perfect sloooooow western jog and lope for fearful riders trying to trot and canter for the first time. He is voice trained so we can help them, too. Riley still has all of his buttons for the more experienced riders. He has solid lateral work, goes English and western, and can still work a cow too (he was a team roping horse in his younger years). I trust Riley to never ever put a foot wrong! In this photo, Riley is granting a special needs man his dream of riding a horse! PC: Aurum Equestrian
Zone 10
Echo
Adored by RRA Elvenstar of Moorpark, CA
31 year old pony, 25 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apples and carrots but mostly having her withers scratched!
If she were a famous person, she would be: Dolly Parton, kind but has her own opinions at times.
Echo is the best for teaching kids to canter. She is smooth and stays on such a good rhythm. At 31 she doesn't really canter much anymore, but she is a saint and does the Mommy and Me classes. She is such a kind older "grandma" to all the
beginners! She is one of the favorite ponies to ride and great for Halloween costumes!! PC: Kaycee Bischoff
Are you a current RRA? Click here to nominate a special horse to the 2026 RRA Lesson Horse Honor Roll.
Not an RRA? Click here to learn more and apply!
