Riding lessons

Your journeystarts here.

Maybe it’s your child’s first time near a horse, or maybe you’ve always wanted to learn yourself. Lessons with Janelle start wherever you are.

Ask about lessons or call 515-306-0287
A young rider in a helmet leans forward from the saddle to hug her buckskin horse’s neck in an indoor arena.
A girl standing on a step stool brushes a chestnut horse in a barn aisle.
Two riders in show coats, seen from behind, hold hands from the saddle as they face an arena.

For parents

A good place for kids to be.

Kids learn to stay calm around a big animal and take care of it. The barn is family friendly and drama free, so you can feel good about where they’re spending their time.

For riders

From first ride to big dreams.

Want to show, or ride in college one day? Janelle has coached multiple IEA National Champions, AQHA Congress finalists, Pinto and Buckskin World Champions, and riders who went on to Division I teams.

How riders grow.

Every rider moves at their own pace. Here’s the path, cone by cone.

  1. Step 1: Getting started

    Meet the horses, learn how to be safe and comfortable around them, and take first rides at a pace that feels right.

  2. Step 2: Building confidence

    Riders get comfortable in the saddle and start trusting their horse.

  3. Step 3: Strong foundations

    Position, balance and clear cues: the basics everything else builds on.

  4. Step 4: Progressing as a rider

    New skills and new goals, when the rider is ready for them.

  5. Step 5: Horse care & partnership

    Grooming, tacking up and learning to read your horse.

  6. Step 6: Competition goals

    For riders who want it, a path into the show ring, from entry-level classes up to breed shows.

A girl standing on a step stool brushes a chestnut horse in a barn aisle.
Grooming before a ride.
A young rider in a navy show coat and helmet walks a buckskin horse around an indoor show arena.
In the show ring.
Two riders in show coats, seen from behind, hold hands from the saddle as they face an arena.
Show-day friends.

Want to compete without owning a horse?

In the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), students in grades 4 through 12 compete as a team. Riders draw their horse at each show, so they don’t need to own a horse or tack to take part.

Janelle coaches the Central Iowa Equestrians IEA Western team right here at Schaefer Barn.

About the team

Your first lesson in three steps.

  1. Reach out

    Call 515-306-0287 or send a note below. Tell Janelle a little about the rider.

  2. Talk it through

    Talk about experience, goals and schedule, and work out where to start.

  3. Meet the horses

    Come out to Schaefer Barn for a first ride at a pace that feels right.

Getting in touch

Good questions for your first call.

Not sure what to ask? These are good places to start.

  • How old does my child need to be to start?
  • Do we need our own horse?
  • What should a new rider wear?
  • How often do riders usually come out?
  • Can adults start lessons too?
  • How do riders get involved with the IEA team?

All fields are required unless marked optional.

Prefer to talk? 515-306-0287