2023 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.
Zone 1
Adored by RRA Cavalier Farm of Roxbury, CT
19 year old KWPN Dutch warmblood, 8 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Bananas
If he were a famous person, he would be: Adam Sandler
Sly is very special to us because he is versatile, patient and loves his job. He goes on hunter paces, IEA shows, will jump around a Hunter course or do a Dressage test. He is excellent for summer camp activities such as learning how to clip, bathe, trail ride, and bareback rides. Sly teaches our students how to keep a horse straight and forward and helps riders understand how to ride leg to hand. PC: Cheryl LeMoine
Adored by RRA Well-A-Way Farm of Simsbury, CT
20+ year old horse, 10 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Molasses treats or apples
If he were a famous person, he would be: Kevin Hart or Groucho Marx
Monkey is one of a kind! He is best friends with Rufus, our 2022 Honor Roll nominee. He is our go-to guy for everyone's first ever ride because he is safe, comfortable, and adorable! Monkey challenges his students to become more confident, stronger riders. He is so patient and kind. We are so lucky to have him in our program as he’s gotten so many young riders started on their journey! PC: Well-A-Way Farm
Zone 2
Adored by RRA L&B Farms of Hershey, PA
30 year old draft cross, 17 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Soft molasses treats
If he were a famous person, he would be: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Aztec is a big Eeyore. He has floppy ears and lips and keeps his head low for kisses and treats. He has been called a "BIG COMFY COUCH" by many students, tall and small. Earlier in life, he was the best at teaching walk, trot, canter, and beginning jumping. These days, he is best at teaching the smallest riders how to stop, steer, mount, walk, learn posting trot, and beginning the canter transition. PC: Cindy Gilbert
Zone 3
Adored by RRA Fountain Greene Farm of Wake, VA
25 year old Welsh/Thoroughbred cross, 8 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apples
If he were a famous person, he would be: Tom Hanks. He can play whatever role that is needed during a session from leader to follower.
The students of Fountain Greene nominate Rocky as our special school pony worthy of an award. He is wise and honest. Retired from his show career, he is happy and willing to walk and trot around the ring. Rocky is never naughty like other ponies we will not mention. He never takes advantage of a beginner. He knows his leads and even once in a while throws in a flying change. What he is best at is teaching kids to use their eyes. Wherever they look, that’s where Rocky goes. If a person looks down he quietly comes to a stop. If the rider looks at the center of a pole he will trot directly over the center. He rewards good habits while patiently ignoring misinformation. He is well respected by the horses and riders in the barn. PC: Happy Acres Photography
Adored by RRA Full Moon Farm of Finksburg, MD
18 year old Thoroughbred, 3 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots
If he were a famous person, he would be: Alex Gaskarth because Sig is a rockstar!
Sig is a really cute, sweet guy! He loves to jump and is a fabulous lesson horse for all levels of riders. He has evented, show jumped, hacked around the fields, and is a gentleman in each of the rings. Prior to coming to FMF, Sig earned his keep at Green Spring Valley Hounds and Hunt Club as a whipper-in horse for 9 seasons fox hunting! PC: Christine Hryzak
Adored by RRA Chatham Hall of Chatham, VA
20 year old Paint horse, 7 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Sugar cubes
If he were a famous person, he would be: Keanu Reeves
Americana is consistently the judge's choice for IEA Horse of the Show. He is a barn favorite because of his sweet demeanor and consistency under saddle. He is great at building a rider's confidence over fences. PC: Emma Lane
Zone 4
Adored by RRA MSF Sporthorses of Madison, GA
27 year old Quarter horse cross, 16 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Stud Muffins
Magic makes learning such a wonderful experience for the children. He is kind, stands quietly to be groomed, trots at the speed of 0, and lopes around slowly and quietly for kids to learn. PC: Deborah Gannon
Zone 5
Adored by RRA Hathaway Hill of Lebanon, OH
27 year old Thoroughbred, 15 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots
If she were a famous person, she would be: Helen Mirren
Rosie is best at teaching beginners how to jump cross rails. She loves her job and is always happy and willing to teach. She never misses a day of work. PC: Winslo Photography
Adored by RRA On Course Riding Academy of Grayslake, IL
22 year old Welsh, 11 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Peppermints
If she were a famous person, she would be: Marilyn Monroe
Sparkle has been a staple in our program for years. She has taught many young riders the basics as well as being a champion show pony. My daughter started showing her at 4 years old! PC: Swan Studios
Zone 6
Adored by RRA Northstar Equestrian of Suamico, WI
13 year old American Quarter Horse, 2 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Graham crackers
If she were a famous person, she would be: Oprah because she is kind and giving
Wink rarely ever puts a hoof wrong and is a fan favorite for all the lesson students. She is a saint and always consistent in her job. On top of that, she has the sweetest eyes and face. Wink has only been jumping for two years and has picked it up almost immediately, packing the kids around the courses in both the Hunters and Jumpers at the "B" and local circuits. Additionally, she does up-down lessons and kids camps! She is an overall wonderful, saint of an animal and absolutely irreplaceable. PC: Addison Parins
Zone 7
Adored by RRA Hill Country Riding Academy of New Braunfels, TX
17ish year old Welsh (?), 10 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: It depends on his mood
If he were a famous person, he would be: Danny DeVito
"The Mighty Thor" is a 12-hand high ball of lightning! When he first came to us, he was a very difficult ride, but has since settled well and is the absolute BEST instructor for all riders! He loves beginners and NEVER has to be kicked hard to trot! He teaches everyone that they need to steer to stay on the rail and go into the corners. He has the BEST canter and teaches everyone what a good pace is. We couldn't run our lesson program without "Scrubbing Bubbles"! PC: Stephanie Cook
Adored by RRA Sunny Fox Farms of Wimberley, TX
18 year old Quarter Horse pony cross, 15 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: He'll do anything for a carrot!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Walter Mitty!
Wally is the sweetest, kindest soul and helps every single level of rider to achieve goals and gain confidence. From longe line lessons up to 2'3", he will assure everyone a fun and beneficial ride. PC: Sunny Fox Farms
Adored by RRA Victory Stables of Martindale, TX
13 year old American Quarter Horse, 3 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots
If he were a famous person, he would be: George Strait
Philippe is one of our most beloved lesson horses, taking care of all ages and skill level. He has done lessons, IEA, and local shows and never blinks an eye. He is the perfect horse for a student's first show. We always say his motto is, "Don't worry kid, I got this!" He is one of our number one go-to horses for beginners because he will never take advantage of his rider and shows up to every lesson with the best can-do attitude. PC: Brenna Quilter
Adored by RRA Sunny Fox Farms of Wimberley, TX
6 year old American Quarter Horse, 2 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything put in front of him!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Robert Redford
Red is THE Jack of all trades. At 17hh he is the gentlest giant whose essence makes everyone comfortable. Red teaches first-time beginners all the way up to IHSA Open riders. He can foxhunt over the weekend and then work kiddy camp during the week. He comes to the gate when called and is a total goof in the pasture. We are so grateful for Red's incredible brain and maturity. He truly loves his jobs and always has a happy expression in his face. PC: Sunny Fox Farms
Zone 9
Adored by RRA Quiet Rein Riding School of Oregon City, OR
21 year old Thoroughbred, 8 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Pink Lady apples
If he were a famous person, he would be: Pigpen from Peanuts
Knight has taught many children and adults to ride in the last few years. He has found a second career as a steady and dependable, nearly unflappable, kind soul who is comfortable doing anything from the lead-line, to poles, to the 2'6" Hunter Derby or Equitation. He figures out how to get to the other side of the jump almost no matter what mistake the rider might make, with a good sense of self preservation for both himself and his rider. Knight has participated in many IEA and IHSA events, been dressed up for Halloween, and taken many kids through their first ever horse show. Being a true native of the Pacific Northwest, his very favorite activity is wallowing in a mud puddle in turnout. Though a favorite lesson assignment, everyone knows that if Knight has been outside, you better come early for your lesson because there will be a lot of mud to remove! PC: Natalie Clark
Adored by RRA JumpStart Training of Covington, WA
18 year old Canadian Sport Horse, 7 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Everything but especially STARBUCKS and bananas
If she were a famous person, she would be: Kim Kardashian with Queen Elizabeth II mixed in
Stella’s been such an incredible teacher for my program and has been around from the beginning, helping me grow into what it is now. Stella is confident and the biggest personality. She won't give up anything for free but as soon as you press those right buttons, she gives you an amazing ride. She has taught everything from A-circuit Hunters/Jumpers to beginners getting on their first horse ever to students coming back to riding, has cross trained in Eventing, and is now an outstanding Dressage instructor. She is sensitive enough to teach beginners with such care and yet is a bit spunky for more advanced riders, which is part of what makes her so loved. PC: JumpStart
Zone 10
Adored by RRA Franktown Meadows Riding Academy of Washoe Valley, NV
20 year old Welsh pony
Favorite Treat: Carrots
If she were a famous person, she would be: The best preschool teacher
Gem is as patient as the day is long. She has that girl-next-door beauty with a small dose of feistiness. Gem specializes in teaching our tiniest riders how to post. Her little trot has just enough bounce to let them learn to go up and down in a rhythm without scaring them. Gem has also given dozens of kids their first taste of cantering and jumping. If your first time cantering is on Gem, then you are lucky enough to belong to the elite "Gem's Canter Club". PC: Lynne MacLean
Adored by RRA Ighani Sporthorses of Fairfax, CA
18 year old Dutch Warmblood, 2 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Mints, carrots, strawberries, carrot pellets and plums
If he were a famous person, he would be: Hugh Jackman or Harry Styles
Gordon (aka Flashy) is beyond special! Such a well-rounded boy that in his previous career he was doing dressage, eventing, show jumpers, equitation, and has even been in a parade! He has spent the last two years as a lesson horse whose particularly great at letting the kids learn bareback and longe lessons. He's a bit slow in his way of going but teaches the kids how to get a horse forward the right way and is so rewarding when you get things right. You really feel he loves his work and is happy in his new job. Gordon is such a gentle giant, and we are so grateful for him to be a part of the program and all of our lives! PC: Ighani Sporthorses
Adored by RRA Kalember Equine of Sebastopol, CA
14 year old thoroughbred, 5 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots
If he were a famous person, he would be: Tom Holland
Finn understands that he is teaching the humans how to ride. He does his part even when the rider is figuring out what to do. He has the patience of a saint! PC: Melissa Kalember
