Lake Geneva Area Equestrian Center

10/15/2026

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10/13/2026

We can’t afford the most well-trained ponies or the fanciest. So we have to work hard and bring out the best in what we have.. listen to these words of advice from our favorite Miss Emily.

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A reminder for all aspiring top riders we see in the ring again and again: a well-trained, well-prepared pony will outshine a flashy, underprepared one every single time.

You don’t need the most expensive, most talented pony in the barn to have real success. What you need is a pony that’s ready-one that’s responsive, soft, and genuinely understands what you’re asking. And that kind of pony isn’t born. It’s made, through consistent lessons, thoughtful preparation, and a whole lot of honest work from both ends of the lead rope.

We’ve watched so-called “average” ponies walk into a class and quietly beat the fancy ones — not because they moved better, but because they were educated better. They listened to their rider who was perfectly prepared on when. They waited for their rider’s cue. They answered every question calmly and correctly, because the homework had already been done. That’s what the judge rewards. That’s what wins. And more importantly, that’s what builds a partnership you can trust when it counts.

The best part? That success is available to everyone willing to put in the work. Every lesson you take, every ride you school with intention, every time you drill the basics until they’re second nature you’re building a pony that understands you and responds to your direction without hesitation. You’re closing the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

So take the extra lesson. Ride on the days you don’t feel like it. Fix the little things before they become big things. Prepare your pony so thoroughly that when you point them at the task in front of you, the answer is already yes.

Talent gets attention. Preparation gets results. And preparation is something any dedicated rider and any willing pony can achieve together.

10/05/2026

What a weekend. Not one but two shows this weekend for our ponies… and kids. (Rachel got to take a weekend off)

Huge congratulations to Ireland Higgins on Clyde for earning 5th place and completing their first combined training event on their dressage score at the fall IDCTA Silverwood event. And Lily Wilson made her debut on our little Cherubs Dixie, not too far behind Ireland, but just outside the ribbons, who also finished on her dressage score! Dixie is fit and ready to show another little girl, the ropes of eventing and pony jumpers this year. One of their goals is qualifying for Pony finals next summer.. it’s safe to say she’s got a good start.

And Haylin showed my very own Pali pony at the regional WIHA show competing for the Elkhorn Equestrian team. Haylin placed respectfully in Showmanship both days and a huge surprise to me ended up placing in the speed events in her English tack, demonstrating that even girls on ponies in English tack can compete with the fast Horses in western gear. I am very excited to see her progress to the state competition at the end of October.. I’m incredibly honored to have this young lady in my program. She is such an excellent mentor to all the younger kids demonstrating leadership and excellent horsemanship to all!!

09/14/2026

Love this story. Just like ours. It’s possible for kids in centers like mine to qualify and compete at national championships. I’ve made a significant investment in quality ponies to offer for shareboard/lessons if people are willing to invest the time and money into the commitment that goes into prepping for national qualifying

IF they are willing to work hard.

They journey is tough, requires a lot of sacrifice financially and from a logistical perspective, and the kids will probably miss some important social events, but I find it rewarding and an important character building opportunity for these kids.

And there are generous professionals out there willing to help kids willing to put forth the effort.

When 14-year-old Adelaide Hass entered the Kentucky Horse Park aboard Effortless H for the 2026 USEF Pony Jumper National Championships, she brought considerably less show-ring mileage with her than many riders on a national championship stage, Alex Hess writes.

Adelaide has competed at just eight rated horse shows in her life. Five of those came during the past two years with Effortless H, affectionately known as “Effie.” Pony Finals was number six. It was also her first horse show outside of Texas and approximately her 10th competitive round at the championship height of the large pony jumpers.

By the end of the week, Adelaide and “Effie” had helped Zone 7 capture Team Gold and finished 21st individually out of 95 Large Pony Jumper competitors.

Their road to Kentucky was unique, built primarily at home. For young riders watching national events while knowing their families cannot afford to spend every other weekend on the rated circuit, Adelaide’s story offers another version of what the road there can look like.

Adelaide isn’t a backyard rider without access to experienced horse people. I’m her mother and trainer, and I’m a former equestrian and pony jockey who now operates a horsemanship-based riding academy for homeschoolers. Her father, Clayton Hass, operates a performance horse facility focused on training rope horses.

Adelaide has grown up surrounded by horses. What she hasn’t grown up doing is showing every weekend.

We learned to be resourceful about creating education and mileage without constantly paying for another rated show. We’ve watched show jumping clinics on YouTube together, looking for exercises, explanations and different perspectives they could take back to their own arena. We built courses at home and rode them like horse shows. We spent countless hours on poles, cavaletti and gymnastics. We’ve trail ridden and built endurance outside the arena.

When the mother-daughter/trainer-student dynamic starts wearing thin… or when I see we need more knowledge, we bring in another set of eyes. Adelaide has taken Pivo lessons with upper-level trainers from home and participated in a handful of clinics with dressage trainers and show jumpers. It’s a different way of accessing coaching.

📎 Continue reading this article at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2026/09/11/you-dont-have-to-show-every-weekend-to-dream-about-pony-finals/

09/01/2026

Pulled in at 4 AM this morning (just in time to start my real job work day😩) after leaving Kentucky last night after Rachel did her victory gallop in the Rolex ring earning eighth place and finishing on her Dressage score in a division w 42 competitors in her very first American eventing championships on marshmallow!

What an amazing weekend and experience this was! And to be in the presence of Olympians like David, O’Connor and Boyd Martin at the iconic Kentucky horse park was over the top exciting.

I’m really proud of this team working so hard this year.

08/30/2026

This was such a touching moment in the Rolex ring. Boyd Martin winning the AEC advanced prize on the horse that Liz Halliday (Number one woman event Rider) Was developing at the time she had her devastating accident two years ago to the date at the AEC. Boyd and Liz enjoyed the victory Gallup together Albeit unconventional . Anybody that’s met Boyd Martin would probably agree. What an amazing, kind and humblehuman being he is. Just another fine example of some super amazing sportsmanship in the sport of eventing.Rachel and I unfortunately witnessed Liz devastating accident happen reminding us how dangerous it can be For even the best of riders.

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