Riding Academy
Our Riding Academy is designed to introduce beginner riders to horses and equestrian sports. The program will allow them to experience horses and the work that goes into them, without the expense of buying a horse and committing full time.
All students learn about horsemanship, riding and tack care. They are expected to participate fully in their lessons including the grooming, tacking, untacking their horse. At Grand Farms horse care is very important as well as the fundamentals of riding. Once a student is independent, we can discuss options that include half leasing, camps, more riding lessons, opportunities, and eventually showing.
Options
Our Riding Academy lessons are billed on a monthly basis, which is due on the 1st of each month. Individual lessons are available, if you want to schedule lessons one at a time. We encourage the students to come at least weekly, for maximum benefit.
Payments can be made online through equineoffice.com as well as by check or cash. Cancellation policy: Lessons cancelled within 24 hours are subject to a cancellation fee of $30.
Trainer, Jessica Sokolowski
Jessica is an event trainer and instructor with 15 years of teaching and training experience, ranging from beginners through training level students. She has competed through preliminary herself and worked for several 4* trainers in the area including 4 years with Anna Collier, and training with John Camlin. She has also received many years of instruction from Grand Prix dressage rider, Jessica Rattner. She has a unique background in coaching multiple sports, sports psychology, personal training, and continuing her education in physical therapy.
Jessica’s skill set allows her to customize each student’s lessons to their specific needs and a myriad of creative ways to help students understand each skill and technique involve with riding, grooming, and handling horses, all while keeping lessons positive, fun, and engaging.
Meet Our School Horses
Frodo
Frodo is a 13.3h Kiger mustang/Fjord gelding that came to us about 8 years ago. His resume includes pony club, eventing, beginner lunge line lessons, trail riding, fox hunting, pony rides, pony sledding and even rides for the handicapped! He lives life in slow motion though, so needs some encouragement to go very forward which makes him a great pony to learn the basics on. Plus, he is super cute sporting a multi colored mohawk and dun coloring.
Pina Colada
Pina Colada (aka PJ) PJ is an 8yo palomino welsh pony that joined the team last fall. His resume includes pony club, eventing through BN, trail riding, horse camping, swimming, and snuggles. His favorite thing to do is pull on zippers!!! PJ is slightly smaller than Frodo, making him a great kid pony. His versatility makes him a barn favorite.
Summer Fling
Summer Fling (Fling) is a 15h 15yo Oldenburg mare that joined the program 7 years ago. She has evented through training level, is a lovely dressage horse, loves to go on the trail and is a gem on the ground. She is for the more intermediate riders ready for a step up from the ponies and man she loves to jump! Eventing and XC is her most favorite thing in the world, aside from carrots.
Manny
Manny is an 8yo TB gelding who we get to borrow while his owner is in med school. He is a beautiful bay gelding that is 17h and has evented Novice, schooled training level. He has lots to teach the more experienced riders. He also loves snuggles and treats.
Mario
Mario is a 6yo draft cross standing 17h who belongs to Houston Hamilton. While Houston is off working in Washington DC, Mario is being used as a school horse. He has started his eventing career, jumps up to 3′ and is a big enough citizen for adults to learn to ride on.
Contact Jessica for more information!
Please fill out the form below or call Jessica at 360-558-9469.
The Event Center at Grand Farms
Grand Farms Eventing
