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.
Classy Act aka Classy
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
Joey
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
FMF Sullivan aka Sully
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
Lorenzo
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.