Windfall Equestrian Center

I have been taking dressage lessons with Jen for 2 years, and in the 2 years I have learned more with weekly lessons than 10 years of previous lesson experience at other barns. Her way of explaining concepts are both digestible and very insightful! I am always thinking "imagine how much further I would be if I had this kind of teaching for all 12 years, not just 2!" If you are looking for lessons where you have an "aha" moment every ride I would highly recommend Windfall!

I have at Windfall for just over a year now, and it has been such an amazing experience. Multiple times in my life, I have had to move barns due to noticing a lack of care or kindness to the resident equines. However, I can confidently say that I have never seen happier or better taken care of horses than at Windfall Equestrian Center. Jenn, Kallan, and all the staff members are amazing people and have helped me to improve immensely both as a youth equestrian and horse person in general. I highly recommend this barn to any inspiring riders 🙂

I just had to finally say something! If you are thinking of going to windfall please do! I have been riding here for about 7 months and I feel like I have really progressed as a rider, I went from barely being able to trot over a pole to cantering over cross rails and having a lot better of a form. The instructors are so knowledgeable and really care about the horse and the rider as one. If you are an adult or kid I would recommend it!

Terrible experience with this stable and owner (Jennifer). When my instructor was pushed out of this stable due to the toxic working environment, Jennifer would not refund me for services not provided. My lessons were frequently cancelled/changed due to lack of organization. The owner was also using boarding horses for lessons that were not supposed to be used, per their owner’s request- do not board your horse here! I also did not want to work with any other instructors there as I experienced one of them punching the horse I was riding in the head (Bri). I do not recommend this place to anyone.

Jennifer's passion for horses and all things equestrian is obvious. She teaches the components of successful riding through story telling and humor with a positive approach. She teaches the psychology of horses and how they think which leads to a deeper understanding. My 11 year old daughter has taken lesson for over a year and Jennifer has developed her riding methodically with an emphasis on safety and becoming a complete horsewomen. The rates are reasonable and I also appreciate her flexibility that is important for my multi sport daughter. Her other instructors: Heidi and Mady are also wonderful, positive and patient.

We will not be returning to this facility and would never recommend it. We have been around many barns over the years and are very familiar with what a well-run, well-maintained, and welcoming stable should look and feel like. Unfortunately, this environment was the complete opposite. The barn was consistently dirty and poorly maintained to a degree that made us very uncomfortable. While we understand barns are working environments, this went far beyond normal wear and tear and reflected extremely low standards. The instructors we encountered were cold, unwelcoming, and created an awkward, uncomfortable atmosphere rather than a supportive one — especially concerning for a child. There were multiple moments where I felt uneasy about how little care, attention, and warmth were shown. What ultimately sealed our decision was the interaction with the owner. I had purchased another lesson package less than 24 hours earlier in good faith, trying to give this place one last chance. After another terrible experience, I explained why we could not continue. I was told no refund would be issued and that I would be required to use the credit. At that point, I told them to keep the money — returning was not worth it. Between the condition of the facility, the lack of a welcoming or professional teaching environment, and how concerns were handled by ownership, this place failed on every level that matters to us. I would never bring my child here again and would absolutely never board a horse here.

If I could give 0 stars, I would. My granddaughter took lessons here several years ago. I hesitated to write a review, but this facility has continued to weigh on my mind. I own horses myself, and I was concerned by the conditions I observed. Pens were overcrowded and manure-covered. Many lesson horses appeared thin, stiff, and depressed. Most were in their 20s and appeared overdue for retirement. A small number of horses looked well cared for; I later learned those horses were owned by a trainer working there at the time. I asked Jennifer (the owner) about several lesson horses that appeared arthritic. My concerns were dismissed. I regularly observed lesson horses used in consecutive lessons with little to no break. Even my granddaughter, who was 8 at the time, independently voiced concern about the horses’ condition. I also personally witnessed training practices that I found troubling. During a groundwork session with a young Thoroughbred, Jennifer and a trainer named Bri both participated in handling that involved repeated striking with a dressage whip. I also observed a horse struck about the face and head during bridling due to being head-shy. In my opinion, this went beyond appropriate correction and reflected poor judgment. Additionally, I observed Jennifer’s personal horse stalled for extended periods with the stall not cleaned. On multiple occasions, water buckets were empty, hay was not present, and stalls lacked adequate shavings. I also want to note a concern relayed directly to me by my daughter. She observed the barn manager, whom she believed was named Kalea, smoking marijuana on the property while on the job and frequently appearing impaired. What individuals do on their own time is their choice, but substance use while working, especially in an environment with children and responsibility for animals, is unprofessional and, in my opinion, negligent. There were trainers we liked, and my granddaughter learned from one trainer who used her own lesson horses. The difference in horse condition and care was clear. Unfortunately, we saw multiple trainers leave. I was told by others that pay issues and a difficult work environment contributed to this. Based on what I personally observed and what was directly reported to me by my daughter, I would not recommend this facility. There are many better options for riding lessons, including Spark Equestrian, Circle C, Windy Ridge Ranch, Painted Sky Stables, and Stonegate.