The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
BRUSH, TACK, RIDE
Horseback lessons for all ages available at Equestrian Elite at Apple Jack Farm
People looking to learn horseback riding may want to consider Equestrian Elite at Apple Jack Farm in Oberlin.
The business, located at 12265 Oberlin Road, looks to teach riding to folks of different ages and experience levels.
“We have the barn where we keep the horses, and we have an outdoor and indoor arena where we teach the riding,” said Liz
Thomas, owner and instructor for Equestrian Elite. “Usually, 90 percent of the time, we do them inside so the crazy Ohio weather won’t really affect us.”
Thomas said the farm has been with her family for three generations.
“It was originally a cow farm, and I turned it all over to horses when I came along,” she said.
“Whatever the story is, we welcome folks of all ages who want to learn.”
— Liz Thomas, owner and instructor for Equestrian Elite
“It’s really been a business for about five years,” Thomas said. “I went to school for equestrian science at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri.
“For the discipline I wanted to focus on, which was saddle seat, it was the nearest one,” she added. “It’s a performance style of riding. It’s where the horse prances around the arena and gets judged on their confirmation and how they look.”
Thomas said horse riding is not for any particular de- mographic.
“It’s for everybody,” she said. “We teach all ages starting at 4 years and up. We have them come out, and we teach them how to brush and tack up their horse. That process takes about 15 minutes.
“We do a half hour of riding. We show them how to steer and use correct positioning. We then have them come back and untack the horse and bring them back to the stable. That’s basically the lesson format.”
Thomas said Equestrian Elite also supplies the horses for the lessons.
“We supply the horse, the helmet and all the tacks, so you just have to come with riding pants and closed-toe shoes,” she said. “If someone later on decides they want to show and get into the higher levels of horse riding, it is necessary for them to buy a horse. But, if they just want to do lessons, then they never really have to buy a horse.”
Thomas said she gets two main groups of students at the farm.
“There are the emptynesters; their kids have gone to college and now they have the time to learn to ride,” she said. “The second group is kids.
“So, some kids just developed a love for horses or maybe their family had some horses and they want to learn how to ride,” she added. “Whatever the story is, we welcome folks of all ages who want to learn. It’s a great skill to have and it can be very therapeutic. It’s also a good way for kids to develop social skills.”