Wide Stride Equestrian Center

A Dream mixed with Hard Work and Determination can become a reality.

Our Program: Wide Stride Equestrian Center

Building future horse people means that our program is not just about riding! While riding is a big part of our program, students also get to learn about horse behavior, how they think, how to care for them, and more!

We believe" Teamwork Makes the Dream Work"! Our approach to riding and handling horses is teamwork based, when we better understand horses and their nature, we can become better horse people.

Our curriculum is like a roadmap to our students goals and dreams. We find that having a checklist and riding levels gives our students more confidence in their improvement and growth as horse people. It gives us something concrete to celebrate, and families aren't left in the dark on what their children are learning.

So, Why Wide Stride?

Our environment! our atmosphere is encouraging, students are safe to make mistakes and grow from them, students get to work together and learn together and achievements small and large are celebrated!

Our riding instructors are professional, kind and encouraging and well educated about horses.

Our horses receive the best of care which means they are kind, well trained and truly love their jobs.

🏇 Our Vision

To provide our community with access to horses, bringing joy and confidence into families lives through horses.

🐴 Our Mission

To build the next generation of horse people!

Meet the Team

WSEC has an amazing team, each member has a different background and skillset making our team of instructors well rounded in the horse world and in our community. All of our instructors go through a training process before teaching at WSEC. Our instructors also do continuing education and stay up to date with recent horse practices in order to deliver top notch information, instruction and horsemanship.

Ingrid Levisay

Founder & CEO

Ingrid grew up riding and showing in the Hunter Jumper arena. In college she went on to ride for a Western Pleasure trainer, but found a thrill in Vaulting (basically gymnastics on the back of a horse).

Ingrid has worked at the race track, for high end horse breeders, was a manager at a lesson barn, and I am sure she can tell you stories about all of the other jobs in between!

Ingrid has a degree in Large Animal Sciences (think pre-vet) and continues to educate herself through reading, attending conferences, being active in the horse community locally and nationally, and by continuing to take riding lessons to constantly improve her own riding. All of this allows her to offer the best practices for her horses, instructors and clients.

Emma Wetherell

Instructor

Emma’s goal: “My goal is to spread my knowledge and love for horses to those just starting out and to inspire everyone I teach to never give up!”

Emma has been riding horses for 15 years, has owned her own horse for 10 of those years and has tons of knowledge and experience managing and caring for horses.

Emma started her equestrian journey in the western pleasure world and then took a greater interest to English riding. She has trained and shown in almost all of the English disciplines. Most of her time in the show ring was showing English pleasure, but more recently she has focused on dressage. Miss Emma also loves jumping, so you’ll do lot of pole work in your lessons with her!

Mandy Dixon

Instructor

Mandy started taking lessons at 7 years old where she became experienced in hunter jumpers, and jumpers. She went on to show rated in CPJHSA for many years through middle school and high school.

After high school she worked as a horse trainer, as well as lesson instructor and continued to take horses to shows.

She also has training in liberty work, cross country, dressage, and western riding!

Brigit

Instructor

Brigit has many years of experience teaching beginner riders up to pony finalists.

Brigit is a 4-H Leader and is also PATH certified, meaning she has done hours of training as well as passing the tests and continuing education requirements to keep her certification up to date and valid to teach therapeutic riding lessons.

Our Photo Gallery

A glimpse into some of the horse adventures at WSEC.

Testimonials From Happy Riders

What our students and their parents are saying.

Angie

Parent of Students

Ingrid is a wonderful soul, and her kids programs are top notch. She teaches kids confidence and a love of riding + horsemanship on the sweetest, quietest lesson horses & at a facility with all of the amenities!

Kelly

Student

So much fun getting back into riding! Ingrid is the best trainer/barn manager in the business!! Such a great positive atmosphere! Best barn family I’ve ever been a part of!

Hayley

Parent of Student

My daughter who is 6 has been attending for her first ever lessons and it has been wonderful! They are so supportive and it’s a great place to be. She looks forward to it every week. The staff is so patient and kind. Thank you Ingrid!

Morgan

Student

Ingrid is excellent. She is so nice and welcoming. I’m an adult beginning rider. She makes me feel so comfortable during my lessons. It was clear from my first intro lesson that she was born to teach. I have always wanted to learn to ride but since I became an adult I was always nervous about starting. Ingrid has never made me feel silly for trying something new. She is encouraging and just a genuinely kind person. The atmosphere at the bar is warm and welcoming as well. Double D is the the best horse ever!

Michele

Parent of Student

I can’t say enough great things about Wide Stride and Ingrid! Beautiful facility with indoor arena, awesome horses, friendly people! My daughter takes lessons here and is learning so much…Ingrid is an amazing instructor and I love watching my daughter grow as a rider here! I’m so glad that we found this place and am thrilled to be part of the barn family!

Melinda

Parent of Student

My daughter has been wanting to take lessons for years. We happen to find Ingrid and her team so I reached out for lessons. She welcomed us into her horse family and it has been great. Ingrid is patient, knowledgeable and a great motivator. My daughter has gained so much confidence since she started riding! Cannot say enough about Wide Stride!