2024 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 2022 and 2023 honorees here.
Zone 1
Adored by RRA Well-A Way-Farm of Simsbury, CT
20+ year old Warmblood, 10+ years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Apples and carrots
If she were a famous person, she would be: Jennifer Aniston - they both look great for their age!
Classy is the kindest and most special teacher. She has the best rocking horse canter for students just learning to canter but still makes her riders work! Classy is the BEST first horse show horse, too. She loves to show and shows her riders how it's done in the walk/trot and walk/trot/canter classes. A barn favorite, all of the kids ask for her! We are so lucky to have Classy as part of our Well-A-Way Farm family! PC: WAWF
Zone 3
Adored by RRA The Stables at Frederica of St. Simon's Island, GA
17 year old Welsh X Pony, 8 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Bananas!
Maddie is a staple within The Stables at Frederica riding program. She's involved in every lesson type, from first lessons to 2' and up. She is stellar in the competition ring, consistently earning "Horse of the Show" at IEA competitions, and a region
favorite! PC: The Stables at Frederica
Sparkles
Adored by RRA The Stables at Frederica of St. Simon's Island, GA
17 year old Appendix, 2 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Horse show vendor French fries
Sparkles is one of the most loved horses within the Stables at Frederica riding program! Sparkles thrives in the cross rail ring, but will never miss a beat in the higher divisions. He's taken riders confidently through the Hunter and Equitation cross rail divisions over the last 2 years, earning countless champion and reserve placements at a multitude of venues! It's a great day when you see "Sparkles" written by your name on the lesson assignment board! PC: The Stables at Frederica
Adored by RRA Chatham Hall of Chatham, VA
19 year old Thoroughbred, 10 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Only carrots!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Jason Bateman
Joey has been an IEA Nationals fan favorite for many years now. We were lucky enough to welcome him to Chatham Hall in 2023. Joey has a silly personality and has been crowned the slowest walking horse in the entire barn. He has taught kids
how to do their first canter, jump, and taken them to their first shows. We love Joey! PC: Chatham Hall
Adored by RRA Full Moon Farm of Finksburg, MD
28 year old Irish Sport Horse, a lifetime of years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: He doesn't turn down a treat, but probably apples!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Professor Dumbledore
Sully is special because he is in tune with everything around him, even if he's stoic about it. He will do whatever it takes to get the job done and take care of his rider. Sully teaches students how to be a more technical and effective rider, and he is the very best at teaching riders how to properly sit the trot! Sully has been referred to as the "King of Kings" by the students and they're not wrong! PC: Amy Flemming Waters
Adored by RRA Beverly Equestrian of The Plains, VA
15 year old Arabian, 2 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Buckeye Nutrition Peppermints
If he were a famous person, he would be: Renowned Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo. Domingo is celebrated for his powerful and emotive performances on the opera stage, reflecting a combination of strength, beauty, and dramatic flair.
Lorenzo loves looking fancy and floating around.
Zone 7
Adored by RRA Hill Country Riding Academy of New Braunfels, TX
18(?) year old Quarter Horse cross, 10 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Anything!
If he were a famous person, he would be: Abraham Lincoln
George has the quiet demeanor of someone who knows exactly what they are doing, but does not need to tell you about it. He is patient, almost to a fault, allowing young and inexperienced riders to take their time learning important skills like balance,
hand, seat and leg coordination, and steering. George can be stubborn, but he does it in a quiet way, so that no one ever gets mad at him!! When he is ridden by a confident rider, George is amazing-jumps big and gets all the horse strides and lead
changes! We couldn't run our program without him! PC: Stephanie Cook
Adored by RRA Hill Country Riding Academy of New Braunfels, TX
22 year old Thoroughbred, 15 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Carrots and peppermints
If he were a famous person, he would be: Superman / Clark Kent
Checkers is always so good at being "Super Checkers" and was a true 3 ring horse! As he has gotten older he has not slowed down at all. Checkers was the Take 2 National Champion Thoroughbred Jumper in 2015 and he NEVER lets anyone forget it! He now allows small children to trot him around , but can still show at 3'!! PC: Stephanie Cook
Adored by RRA Victory Stables of Martindale, TX
16 year old American Paint Horse, 4 years giving lessons
Favorite Treat: Peppermints
If he were a famous person, he would be: Charlie Chaplin
Omega is the beginner horse deluxe! He can have the slowest trot and canter when he has a beginner learning the ropes to make sure they never get going too fast or get too nervous. He is so quiet and careful with our smallest riders when they are
having their first longe line lessons. But don't be fooled, he also loves to jump and will always take the line and get to the other side. Omega is loved by all in IEA, he is a great draw for any kid looking to walk away with a ribbon! We're so glad to have
Omega as part of the Victory program where he has been loved by so many for almost 5 years! PC: Cory Valenzuela
