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 3
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
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
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
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 8
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
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!
