STARS Sporthorses

12/04/2025

We currently have lesson available on Tuesday afternoons & Wednesday late morning or afternoon.

We teach ages 4 to adults. Riders of all levels are welcome! We have safe lesson horses & a certified instructor with over 25 years professional experience.

👉🏼 Contact us for more information (423)596-8286

11/29/2025

So many people need to read this. Respect and common courtesy go a long way. ❤️

"People leave trainers, but it’s how they leave that makes all the difference. There is a right way and there is a wrong way.

So, you’ve decided to leave for a change in discipline, pace, or a different program. Maybe you have outgrown your trainer? Maybe you want to be closer to home? Maybe there is a ‘deal’ you cannot pass up? These things happen! It’s okay to make a change, but it is not okay to be crappy to the people that have taken care of you/your four-legged friend. Most professionals spend more time, effort, and energy on you/your critter than you will ever know. It costs nothing to be kind as you make your departure.

Instead of being snippy, have a conversation with your trainer/barn owner, or send a note. However you want to do it, let them know that you’ll be leaving for a change. Most owners/trainers will be bummed, but we know this stuff happens. Be honest with us.

Some things that aren’t helpful when leaving:

Don’t lie. Don’t tell your trainer that your kid is taking a break from riding to pursue a school sport when you are actually switching barns. This is especially important if you will be running into one another at the shows. Be honest. We’d rather find out from you.

Do not announce your departure on Facebook so your barn/trainer finds out through social media or through a third party. Having the conversation can be super uncomfortable, but there are absolutely no excuses for your trainer to find out from someone else or online.

Do not post comments, pictures, and videos ‘digging’ at your old barn. “Look at what I’m doing now that I left!” Most of us are professionals and aren’t going to comment that what you are doing looks dangerous or that you weren’t showing up for lessons or riding regularly so that’s why we didn’t have you doing XYZ. Maybe we weren’t comfortable with something you wanted to try. Or one hard truth, maybe your ‘new’ trainer is better for you than we were. Is it nice to post that kind of stuff on social media? The only reason that I can think of that people do this is to hurt feelings and create drama. Be better.

Do not recruit current clients. You are leaving. There is no reason to take others down with you. What if some asks you where you’re going? Sure! Tell them. Do whatever. That’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about the client that leaves and actively reaches out to others left behind to encourage them to leave as well. That’s just crappy.

The worst situation is one where you were asked to leave. I realize that must have been really hard for you. But guess what—it’s also really hard for your barn/trainer."

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2021/11/04/how-professionals-wish-clients-acted-when-they-leave-a-trainer/
📸 © The Plaid Horse

11/26/2025

We still have some availability for lessons. We teach Monday - Thursday! Limited availability. Lessons are taught by a certified instructor with over 25 years professional equine experience. Safe lesson horses available for all levels of riders! (423)596-8286

🌟 Ready to saddle up and ride? Join us for horseback riding lessons that stand out from the rest! 🐎✨

At our facility, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch instruction with certified instructors boasting over 25 years of professional experience. We teach one-on-one instruction tailored to your individual needs and follow a proven curriculum that delivers results! Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, we have safe, well-cared-for lesson horses suited for all levels.

Safety and expertise are our top priorities! Our head instructor is not only a licensed paramedic but has also been endorsed by a former Olympic equestrian team coach. You can trust that you're in capable hands every step of the way!

🌈 Sign up today and discover the joy of horseback riding with the best in the business! DM us or call (423)596-8286 for more information or to book your first lesson. 🏇💖

11/22/2025

I regularly school and do bodywork on my lesson horses. It’s very important. My horses are very well behaved, but after 10 or more different people ride them a week they get confused and maybe a little sour. Even if the same person rides them and no one else they can lose training, become dull and just not listen.

It’s very important that anyone who has a lesson program keeps their lesson horses schooled and happy.

I want to address a comment I’ve actually gotten several times from the same person, saying it’s concerning that a kids’ horse needs to be schooled at a show. They’re trying to turn it into a ‘catch me’ moment… but here’s the thing: kids’ horses only stay kids’ horses because adults ride them. A safe, reliable youth mount doesn’t happen by accident. Hollywood and Disney are not real. Stop romanticizing horses. Horses don’t magically sense that it’s a child and behave perfectly. Trust me, I’ve met plenty that would give themselves 100 points for yeeting a kid across the arena.

Kid horses are maintained through consistent schooling, reminders, tune-ups and keeping them honest. If your trainer isn’t regularly riding lesson horses, schooling client horses, and checking in on what your kids are sitting on, that’s when you should be concerned. Any reputable trainer is in the saddle often. It’s literally part of the job. And it’s the biggest reason your child gets to ride a horse who is kind, confident and well-prepared.
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11/20/2025

There have been a lot of concerns about the EHV-1 outbreak & rightfully so.

Our herd is closed and has been closed for awhile. We have not had any horses haul into our facility since the summer.

Boarders and lesson students are still welcome as long as they have not come from another farm or from around other horses.

There has not been any reports of a horse in TN having this so far.

11/15/2025

I have rare full care pasture board openings for mares & geldings in the heart of Ooltewah…. Just 2 miles off exit 11. Quiet & Private facility. We have a new 100x200 arena, a small arena with lights, trailer parking and more.

Contact us for more information. (423)596-8286

11/06/2025

🐴✨ When one of the world’s greatest athletes admits horseback riding is hard, we can’t help but smile.

Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles recently took a walk-trot lesson — and quickly discovered just how much balance, coordination, and grit it takes to ride. 💪

We love seeing top-level athletes step into our world and appreciate just how athletic our sport really is. Welcome to the barn life, Simone! 👏🐎

Read more 👉 https://loom.ly/zghXvvI

11/03/2025

Beautiful rainbow 🌈 over the farm last night

11/02/2025

Ro is so sweet and has such a puppy dog disposition. I don’t know how I still have him. ❤️ He’s precious! He’s going to be very much like my horse Romeo.

11/02/2025

Are you an equestrian and looking for some cold weather riding clothes? I am an ambassador for SoHo Equestrian.

Use my link here to get 15% off! There are some great winter breeches and base layers.

British designed luxury equestrian clothing and accessories with affordable pricing. For all types of equestrian riders, professional or amateur, small or curvaceous. We want to elevate, empower and inspire women that wear our clothes to feel good and beautiful. Look good, feel good, ride well.

11/02/2025

Rikki had some trigeminal neuralgia I was working on. He showed significant improvements after 1 session with the MagnaWave & cold laser