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
Adored by RRA Seahorse Stables of Belfast, ME
12 year old Gypsy Vanner/Draft Cross, 7 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything!
If she were a famous person, she would be: Meryl Streep
Cricket does everything from leadline through 2'3". She is the most reasonable being I know; infinitely patient with a quiet and safe way of teaching her students to pay attention. Cricket has been known to snack on a lovely decorative if her off-lead students forget to steer. A John Lyons quote really captures her perfectly. "There are only two emotions that belong in the saddle: one is a sense of humor and the other is patience." I believe that is true for lesson horses as well! PC: Hilary Turner
Adored by RRA Rising Starr Horse Rescue of Wilton, CT
14 year old Belgium Warmblood, 4 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Ryan Reynolds
Lion can teach an advanced beginner or go jump a 1.20m course. He was a USHJA Zone Reserve Champion in the Child/Adult Division, is an IEA horse, and a regular love bug! PC: Natalia
Adored by RRA Well-A-Way Farm of Simsbury, CT
21 year old Warmblood, 10 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Soaked alfalfa cubes
If he were a famous person, he would be: Tom Cruise
Isaac's melodic canter is the best for helping our students learn how to jump courses. Be careful though because he likes the long spot- hang on and go with him! He loves to win ribbons in the short stirrup at local shows, go outside all day with his
friends, and show his riders how it's done! We are so lucky to have him be part of the WAWF family! PC: The Cross Family
Zone 2
Adored by RRA Stony Hill Stables of Amagansett, NY
20 year old palomino pony, 15 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Everything
If she were a famous person, she would be: Marilyn Monroe
Winner of multiple Hampton Classic Lead Line classes, Darla is pretty as can be. Miss Darla is the first pony most kids sit on. To know her is to love her. PC: Stony Hill Stables
Adored by RRA Stony Hill Stables of Amagansett, NY
25 year old Appaloosa, 12 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Everything
If he were a famous person, he would be: Santa Claus
Polka has been a staple of Stony Hill for decades. If you learned how to ride at Stony Hill, Polka was your first trot, first canter, and first jump. He was your first horse crush. Thousands of kids have ridden Polka, and he's been loved by everyone. PC: Amanda Rodriguez
Zone 3
Adored by RRA Chatham Hall of Chatham, VA
28 year old Connemara/Welsh, 17 year giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Human flesh
If she were a famous person, she would be: Cruella de Vil
Kachina is the longest resident at Chatham Hall. She has shown in the 3ft Hunters and Jumpers and is now teaching beginners to jump their first courses. Kachina works on her own schedule, but when she likes you she is a star! We call her Kachina Marie because she's so special she deserves 2 names! She is definitely a diva, but she's allowed to be since she's so perfect under saddle. She stills throws automatic lead changes on course at almost 30 years old! PC: Chatham Hall
Adored by RRA Clairvaux of Leesburg, VA
18 year old Dutch Warmblood, 1 year giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Oatmeal Cream Pies
If he were a famous person, he would be: Based on our barn wide vote, Breit is like Adam Sandler. They are both relaxed and fun but work hard at their jobs. They would both prefer that everyone maintain the chill environment in which they thrive.
Breit only recently made the transition to school horse, and he has charmed everyone in the process with his sweet personality, food-focus, and adorable face. For example, he handily won the vote for this award, despite being our newest lesson horse and having some very stiff competition. In the year that he’s had his new job, Breit has had to figure out a variety of riders, how to handle all kinds of distances to jumps, some less than perfect canter transitions, summer camp, and even Halloween costumes. He has not only figured out all of these new skills, but he kept his fun and relaxed personality while learning on the job. His riders describe that Breit has built their confidence overall, specifically with accuracy in their transitions and finding distances to their jumps. In his short time as our school horse, Breit has helped all levels of riders learn at home and find success at local shows. We are so lucky that his owner has chosen to share him with us and that we get to learn from him. PC: Kathryn Blum
Adored by RRA Full Moon Farm of Finksburg, MD
20 year old Percheron Thoroughbred cross, 6 years giving lessons
If she were a famous person, she would be: Zoe Saldana- a strong, fierce leader in her industry
Zena is our most reliable, consistent, steady Eddie, all-around lesson mount. She takes care of our summer camp kids, eases beginner adult riders’ anxiety as they learn to ride, loves to teach low-level eventing to her partners, and is the boss mare of her field. Zena is one in a million and Full Moon Farm is lucky to have her! PC: Christine Hryzak
Zone 4
Adored by RRA Winterview Farm of Flora, MS
26 year old Connemara Pony, 18+ years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Peppermint
If he were a famous person, he would be: John Mulaney
Sweet Pea is the best at teaching riders how to steer! He also has a very smooth trot which makes him great for teaching the sitting trot and is a favorite for bareback. Since his shoulders don’t move very much at the trot, we use him to really test riders on their ability to see their diagonal. With his unique coloring (blue roan), he stands out in the ring which has led him to many victories with our riders. He is also often horse of the day and a favorite for IEA. PC: Winterview Farm
Adored by RRA Lucky Fox Farm of Wartrace, TN
15 year old APHA, 7 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything peppermint
If she were a famous person, she would be: Cher
Charlie is an extra special mare. She will carry any rider from walk/trot and then do a 3' course. She is the confidence booster for almost any rider over fences. Fun fact, Charlie was taught not to paw, so to beg for treats she holds up her front leg! PC: Andrew Ryback Photography
Adored by RRA Cornerstone Farm South of Naples, FL
29 year old Welsh Pony, 20 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Minty Horse Muffins
If she were a famous person, she would be: Oprah Winfrey
Ebony is the MOST dependable pony I have ever had in my program. She has competed with almost every student in our barn in both local and rated competitions. Her name is on almost every perpetual trophy from leadline to children's ponies, equitation, and medal finals. Ebony has the steadiest trot on the longe line for even the tiniest beginner and is still able to do her PERFECT flying changes even to this day at 29 years young! She is great on the trails, will jump anything, and loves bareback games on camp days. Ebony is a once in a lifetime girl! PC: Leslie Terry
Zone 5
Adored by RRA Jump 4 It of Lake Villa, IL
Aged Quarter Horse, 15+ years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Bananas
If she were a famous person, she would be: A queen
Annie has spent most of her life teaching all ages of riders how to learn to ride. Anyone can see how much she loves her job and you can't help but fall in love with her! PC: Jump 4 It
Zone 6
Adored by RRA Trident Farm of Deerfield, WI
10 year old Thoroughbred, 5 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Peppermints
If he were a famous person, he would be: Kevin Hart
Rooster is wonderfully kind and forgiving. He makes you do your job though! You know you're correct in your aids because he is doing what you're asking. If you're not riding correctly, Rooster doesn't feel like he has to do it for you. He's an
excellent teacher! PC: Catherine Manakas
Zone 7
Adored by RRA Victory Stables Equestrian Academy of Martindale, TX
19 year old Mustang, 5 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Grass!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Davy Crockett
Simba has been a lesson horse, show horse, and a favorite IEA draw for several years. Simba was part of a round up in Nevada when he was just a colt and we refer to him as the mighty mustang! He is bold, will always take care of his rider, and doesn’t have a naughty bone in him. He loves to teach students how to jump and will always get to the other side. Simba is happy to stand in the barn to be brushed and loved on, or lead to his favorite thing - a bite of grass! PC: Cory Valenzuela
Adored by RRA Sunny Fox Farms of Wimberly, TX
22 year old Mecklenburg, 10+ years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything you put in his way
If she were a famous person, she would be: Buzz Lightyear!
Buzz has the kindest heart and has taken many riders to their wins. He was a star NCEA horse after competing in the junior hunters in years prior. He is now a beloved teacher at Sunny Fox for our littlest learners up to our IHSA team. Buzz will come up to you first in the pasture, he loves snuggles and is a favorite in and out of the saddle. Fun fact, last year Buzz had EOTRH surgery requiring all front incisors to be removed. He suffered no side effects, and we LOVE that his tongue now hangs out about 24/7! Everyone loves Buzz! PC: Katherine Deichmann
Adored by RRA Hunters Gate Stables of Princeton, TX
27 year old Welsh Pony, 15 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots
If she were a famous person, she would be: Bettie White
Catfish has a great way of teaching everyone to ride correctly. She is forgiving enough that the true beginner can ride her, but can challenge more experienced riders to do things correctly. She enjoys winning and puts her best hoof forward at shows! PC: Lisa Sampson
Zone 8
Adored by RRA Aurum Equestrian of Parker, CO
9 year old Haflinger, 5 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Literally anything! But kisses and scratches are his favorite
If he were a famous person, he would be: Tom Harding - short, stocky and stout, and a great athlete too!
Cobalt teaches everyone how to have a correct and effective leg. He will go nowhere until you use your leg correctly and once you do, he knows all the tricks to second level dressage, jumps up to 3'6, and goes cross country too. Cobalt teaches very first lessons and plods along like an old western horse. With his smooth canter, he is perfect for first canters too. He was one of our original lesson horses and started teaching at the ripe old age of 4! PC: Skiul8r
Zone 10
Adored by RRA BTH Equestrians of Sloughhouse, CA
18 year old German Oldenburg, 2+ years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything you give her, but she is partial to Stud Muffins
If she were a famous person, she would be: Gillian Anderson-incredibly sophisticated and somehow still hilarious!
Here at BTH we love all of our lesson horses, but Lady is a special creature. She is forgiving and kind beyond measure. From happily cantering around with a small child on her back, to showing off her old equitation skills to adults learning how to ride pole courses - this lovely moose does her very best to instill confidence in everyone. We are deeply grateful to have Lady Luck on our side. PC: Ally Edward’s Photography
Adored by RRA BTH Equestrians of Sloughhouse, CA
30 year old Canadian Sport Horse, 20 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots
If she were a famous person, she would be: Margaret Thatcher
Millie is every little girl's best friend. She is so patient, prim and proper during grooming, and helps my tiny tots learn how to pick out feet. Millie has recently been teaching a 3 year old to groom and ride, and watching her lead Millie out from the pasture is so sweet. Millie will slow down to match her pace, and nuzzle her so gently. We all love Millie sooo much! PC: Gale De Rosa
