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 instructors receive continuous education on both horseback riding and teaching. This ensures our students are getting not only great information and instruction but also in a way that they can understand and absorb it!

Our horses receive the best of care! Our horse's workloads (both physically and emotionally) are carefully managed. Our horses receive care from professionals and see a farrier, veterinarian, body worker, chiropractor, dentist... the list goes on.

Our lesson horses are the backbone of our program which means they are treated as such and therefore they are kind, well trained and truly love their jobs.

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 for high end horse breeders, at the race track, 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.

Right now Ingrid is actively working through an internationally recognized program for rider biomechanics. All of this allows her to offer the best practices for her horses, instructors and clients.

Sarah

Assistant Instructor

Sarah grew up on the back of a horse and around some of the best mentors in the horse biz! Showing in multiple circuits and in 4-H throughout her youth, she is no stranger to the show ring. In 2016 she even qualified for IEA Finals in Florida.
Since then she has been teaching beginners the basics of riding and horse care, giving them all the tools they need to advance in their riding and level up into more advanced lessons.
Sarah is fun, encouraging and with years of experience backing her, she knows her stuff! She loves sharing her passion of horses with others and it continuously shows in her lessons and energy around the barn.
Sarah's favorite thing about horses is the bond and trust you can grow with them over time. There is nothing more special than the bond you have with your horse.

Mandy

Assistant 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!

Lauren

Assistant Instructor

Lauren has either owned horses or been working with horses nearly her entire life. Growing up on a 250 acre farm she rode quarter horses, ex-race horses and the occasionally unruly pony

Lauren has experience at several farms of varying disciplines and has learned something new from every horse, trainer and rider she has had the pleasure of working with.

Lauren has taught beginner to intermediate lessons and has aided in teaching therapeutic riding as well. Lauren currently takes riding lessons and is training her 5 year old American Saddlebred, Andre.

Lauren takes a holistic approach to riding that focuses on mental well-being!

Brigit

PATH 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 many 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 Mission

To build the next generation of horse people!

🏇 Our Vision

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

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!