A place where horse lovers can chase their dreams.
Horsemanship Lessons
We do not currently have any openings in the lesson program.
Pacific Northwest Equestrian Center is primarily a horsemanship and riding lesson program, with school horses and ponies available for riders of all ages and experience levels. (That means adults, too!) Lessons are offered 4 days a week between our three instructors.
Students typically enroll for weekly, one-hour lessons. School horses and tack are provided, and lessons take place in our fully enclosed, indoor riding arena—a major perk in this region!
Students are to come dressed appropriately, with safe riding boots, and should provide their own helmet. We are pleased to offer helmets for purchase on-site at your first lesson, or you are welcome to find your own.
Structure & Pricing
Students receive 1 hour of instruction from experienced and insured instructors per lesson.
Part of our horsemanship education includes learning to handle horses on the ground, from catching them in the field or stall, to grooming and saddling before riding. In the beginning, this part of the lesson is included in the hour, while instructor guidance and supervision is necessary. Once students can safely get their horse ready independently, they are invited to arrive 10-15 minutes early, in order to maximize time in the saddle.
Our lesson program is on a tuition-based, flat rate fee schedule. For one lesson a week, fees are $280 per month.
One-time lessons/one-hour pony ride + experiences are $85.
Our Instructors
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Laura Pauls
OWNER, INSTRUCTOR & TRAINER
Laura has been an equine professional since 2006, teaching a variety of students, training horses, and supporting horse owners to make the most out of their journey with their horses. She purchased the property and moved her program to what is now the Pacific Northwest Equestrian Center in early 2020.
Laura loves watching students grow and deepen their understanding of horsemanship, and values trying new things. While she herself focuses on cutting with her own horses, she has provided an education for students interested in both English and Western disciplines, driving, cattle sorting, competitive trail, mounted archery, and more.
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Jillian Boyte-White
INSTRUCTOR
Jill was horse-crazy from childhood, and found her home in Laura’s budding lesson program back in 2008. She showed in 4-H and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, spent time involved in horse rescue, and ultimately found an intersection of everything she loved in teaching riding lessons.
Jill studied education in school and and has a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, all of which she finds intersects with horsemanship. She enjoys helping students understand how we interact with horses as fellow living beings as well as learn skills on horseback. Jill is incredibly grateful to have come full-circle in Laura’s program.
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Leanna Vandlen
INSTRUCTOR
Leanna is a life-long horse lover. She spent her youth competing in AHA and IHSA shows. She has worked at breeding and training farms, as well as horse rescues. In addition to teaching lessons and day camps, Leanna is a NBCAAM certified, Large Animal Massage Therapist. With a passion for equine performance, as well as a goal of understanding horses as deeply as possible, the practice of equine massage and bodywork felt like coming home.
Leanna continues to compete in hunter pleasure with her Half-Arabian horse, Leroy as well as taking up the new discipline of cattle sorting with her friends at PNWEC.