05/22/2026
This Plaid Horse article really resonated with us at Sun Ridge Sport Horses.
We believe there is tremendous value in thoughtful, well-run lesson and training programs that provide riders with quality instruction, strong horsemanship, and opportunities to grow both in and out of the show ring.
At Sun Ridge, we intentionally keep our program small and individualized so we can prioritize the well-being of our horses while helping each rider build confidence, skills, and lasting passion for the sport. We are proud to create an environment where riders can learn, progress, and truly enjoy the journey with their horses.
After a 14-year break from riding, I recently found my way back to the sport that once felt like home, an anonymous contributor writes. What I did not expect was how difficult it would be to find a quality lesson program. I am writing anonymously out of respect for everyone involved and to ensure the focus remains on the matter itself rather than any individual.
Years ago, I was deeply involved in lesson barns, teaching beginners, helping new riders get started, and watching them fall in love with horses the same way I did. At that time, strong lesson programs were abundant. Places where horses were well cared for, fundamentals were emphasized, and riders were developed thoughtfully from the ground up.
I was not looking for anything extravagant, just a barn with well-managed, happy horses, thoughtful instruction, and a program that values doing things correctly over doing things quickly. Instead, I kept finding two extremes: high-end competitive programs with no access to true lesson horses, and high-volume lesson barns where the standard of care and instruction did not reflect what I remember the sport being built on. There seems to be less and less in between.
It took reconnecting with people from years ago to finally find a place that felt right. I am incredibly grateful for that. But it also raised a bigger question: what about the riders who do not have those connections?
📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2026/05/21/the-disappearing-middle-of-the-hunter-jumper-industry/
📸 © Carly Nasznic
