08/22/2026
🦄 To All My Past, Current, And Future Students:
Recent events and a surge of new inquiries with the school year beginning have led us toward wanting to provide clarity about our intention with this program and where we are heading- which is so exciting but will not be for everyone- so I encourage all of you to read this and decide if we are a match! Always happy to refer you to other wonderful stables in the area if we are not.
Who we are and our mission: When I started Sky’s The Limit Equestrian, I had 17 years of teaching experience behind me at every sort of barn you can imagine. I’ve exposed myself to every discipline of riding and have gained a blanket level of above average skill at each of them- but far below those who have dedicated their entire riding experience to one particular discipline. I have learned what I want to imitate and what I don’t in my teaching style as well, which I do take a lot of pride in but will continue to evolve and learn as will you during your time here. I almost started the barn with all gaited horses because I am so ambitious, but never intended this barn to “compete” with other barns in our area, and I never wanted the pressure on myself to be staunch and/or cookie cutter “professional”. I am an equine professional by definition- but I don’t want people to view me through a preconceived lense. More like a super fun coach that gives a lot of freedom within strong boundaries of safety and respect. That original vision crashed and burned though when I realized if I went gaited, my riders would be limited in their skill set to gaited horses only, and I wanted my barn to be a launch pad 🚀 beginner barn from which they could travel anywhere! That said- if I start getting paso finos y’all don’t be surprised!
What you can expect: We ride for FUN. This is a recreational barn where you can pick up skills not offered anywhere else like mounted archery, jousting, driving Shetland ponies, roping, trail obstacle challenges, and long trail rides but also skills like jumping and pretty advanced dressage if you’d like. We like to dress up and dress up the horses as unicorns or dragons or put glitter on their hooves. We offer our small barn for rent for parties as well! We do offer showing to a very limited extent, but the layout is different since I do not believe children or anyone else should compare themselves with others. I’ve tried to run traditional shows here and it has only confirmed to me that it’s just not healthy to compete with anyone but ourselves and who we used to be. That is the angle of our shows- just to mark personal improvement.
As for the day to day lessons, we use a curriculum that rewards dedication and had levels that unlock different awards and privileges. It’s a helpful guide that makes improvement very tangible but we go slowly through it with many lessons just focused on games. You can expect help tacking and grooming from working students who I couldn’t run the place without due to chronic illness and the sheer scale of this amazing place, lots of individual attention from me while riding as I don’t teach group lessons (only semi-private), and variety within your lessons. This is a boutique style barn with limited monthly memberships. We will focus on YOUR dreams, and if you don’t know what they are yet- I’ll help you find them! Once you have been riding with me for several years, and you have picked up everything I feel I am able to teach you- I will likely start recommending more specialized barns. If you choose to stay, our half lease option gives you a chance to stay with us long-term and just pal around having a blast on a horse that feels like it’s yours. We also have monthly parties and events here- including beginner shows and endurance rides, soccer, jousting and archery tournaments and the like.
What we are not:
We are not a show barn. I never have pretended to be an expert at any one discipline, and have my own niche but showing is not it! Our area is absolutely flooded with snooty (in the best way) show barns where you can become a champion if that is your goal and I am happy to recommend some wonderful programs both English and western. You will never hear me talk negatively about another barn, but we all have different goals and clientele that we cater to! That culture makes me barf a little in my mouth though, and I want no part of it here (though I personally do compete in eventing). All of my students are superstars in their own way and they don’t need someone else validating them to know that. I also do have quite a few special needs students who again have extremely different goals and especially need to avoid comparing themselves with anyone else. What our area needed and lacked was a really good and fun beginner barn like mine!
We are on barn time at the barn. Things aren’t to the minute- here or really anywhere else in life. Every parent ever knows that! You do your best to be on time but if you’re late- I’ll do my best to accommodate. I often go overtime if I don’t have a lesson right after yours- especially if we need to end things on a good note due to one reason or another. I’m as flexible as I can be and attract people that are the same. If your kid gets sick, feel free to request a make-up. If you need a mental health day - same girl same though I’ll work through most of mine anyway. Life happens and it’s all just part of the ride!
We are a match if:
You are laid back and looking for a no drama barn. There is no drama here because on the occasion that it arises, it swiftly gets the boot.
You want freedom in the saddle- this is a crossover style program between structured traditional riding lessons and horse ownership that gives “freestyle time” to develop timing and feel on your own under supervision.
You can respect that this is also my HOME- a backyard barn in the truest sense of the word and I will demand that it is a safe space for me as such.
We are not a match if:
You want advanced lessons in any other discipline than dressage.
You or your child is not teachable or you do not accept correction and direction. Gentle parenting may or may not work at home, but it does not work with thousand pound animals involved. Sometimes we have to cowgirl up for safety reasons.
Your expectations are close to perfection from a person or program. We like mistakes here. They’re part of learning and I believe I am always learning too.
Your expectation from a horse is close to perfection. They are not robots and will also make mistakes or “act up” At times. It all makes you a better rider in the end. Our horses are beginner safe- but they have no auto pilot installed. Your kid will have to work during lessons.
You are looking for a discount barn. We are not bottom of the barrel price wise or effort wise. We go above and beyond and though we aren’t expensive compared to other similar barns, we know our worth!
In conclusion: My job as defined by myself is to teach you how to be safe around and love horses, and to help you decide what direction you want to take with your riding- and realize that “The Sky’s The Limit” when it comes to your dreams! From there- it’s your job to go chase them wherever that trail takes you!
