W.A Riding Academy
THE CLASSROOM PHILOSOPHY:
Our teaching philosophy encompasses the priority of the animal over the love of the sport. Through utilizing formal cross-discipline practices and marrying Dressage Principles with practical application, W.A Riding Academy is proud to offer a version of Natural Horsemanship & Ranch Riding that challenges students to rise and meet their horse's expectations, thus forging a bond from patience & trust rather than force & domination.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Because our classroom is so highly recommended and our students often become yearly clients, our school has had to employ a selection system that pairs the most passionate and driven of students with our horses. W.A stands apart from others with curriculums that put our horses first based on their unique age, breed, physical, mental, and emotional maturities. Student acceptance is based on compatibility with our principles, passion, & calendar availability. All student applications are reviewed with careful consideration.
1 in 8 applications are accepted to join our special community.
Student applications can be found below
For the Horsemenship Student
Star Spangled Training Challenge
July 2026
Registration closes Fri. 6/5/26 ---$100/entry. Card fees apply.
Students will be cataloging 10 items they did in their usual riding classes; a single sentence about something they did in with their lesson horse. That's it! No show obligation. No judges. Just a personal promise to keep trying. 10 entries. 1 log.
A portion of every entry fee goes to the EquestriON program and a portion goes directly to the W.A Academy horses!
Entries receive a fantastic EquestriON Ribbon at then end of the month! W.A students that register through the Academy to participate will receive their ribbon at their next class.
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Disclaimer: EquestriON Challenges are open to the public and anyone can register through their website and follow the steps. Participants that wish to register individually will be responsible to submit their own logs and file their own registration in their own time.
New 2026
Hair-a-putic Session
$62.40 Private only
Book a 30 minute grooming session! Brush & care for a W.A Lesson horse with no obligation to ride or commit to a tuition plan.
*For ages 8+. A legal guardian must be present for the entire 30min. Hair-a-putic sessions are non-ridden grooming session only with no weight restrictions. Sessions will include guided instruction in proper grooming techniques and equine behavior. Hair-a-putic sessions are not for weekly "tuition" and do not require an application to participate.
Summer 2026 Riding Schedule
This schedule pertains to pre-registered and enrolled W.A Academy students. These times are NOT available to book for new enrollments
M T W TH F S
9a-10a & 10a-11a
Summer seasonal riding is subject to change based on weather advisories. Afternoon classes will be re-enrolling in the Fall (August 2026).
Autumn Enrollment 2026
Upcoming Tuition classroom opportunities:
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Monday(s), Wednesday(s), & Friday(s) 4p-5p & 5-6p
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Saturdays 10a-11a & 11a-12p
Discover Your Best
Student Application for enrollment
Tell us about you, your goals, and your experience!
W.A is a classroom for the horse
Natural Horsemanship
"a philosophy and training method focused on building trust, respect, and communication with horses by understanding their natural instincts and behavior, rather than using force or coercion. It emphasizes "speaking horse" through body language, ground work, and light pressure/release techniques to create a willing partner." REFERENCE LINK
Dressage Principles
"Dressage principles focus on developing a horse's physical strength, flexibility, and obedience through a systematic, compassionate training scale. Centered on harmony, it emphasizes rhythm, relaxation, connection, impulsion, straightness, and collection—collectively known as the Training Pyramid—to achieve athletic, willing, and expressive performance" REFERENCE LINK
Ranch Riding Discipline
"Ranch riding is a Western discipline that evaluates a horse's ability to perform practical, working ranch tasks with a forward-moving, natural, and efficient gait. It tests versatility and attitude, with horses performing individual patterns that include mandated gaits (walk, trot, lope), extensions, stops, and transitions." REFERENCE LINK
Cross Discipline Training
"Cross-discipline training in horse riding is the practice of incorporating exercises, techniques, or full activities from different equestrian disciplines into a horse's primary training regimen. It is designed to move beyond a single specialty...The goal is to work different muscle groups, enhance cardiovascular fitness, and prevent mental boredom, also known as 'ring sourness' " REFERENCE LINK
W.A is a place where training meets practical application. Tuition students play an active role in the training, rescue, & rehabilitation of many of the Academy Horses! By putting the horse at the center of each classroom, students adopt the roll of "trainer" and under guidance, learn to help support their equine partners. With some luck, patience, and time, many of these special horses graduate from our program to our Adoption Catalog that gets them a 2nd chance with a fantastic home and family.
Where the student becomes
the teacher
Reviews
"I wanted to overcome my fear of horses. Every stable I contacted was interested only in working with young riders who wanted to compete. By chance, I found Walker Acres Riding Academy (Julia Walker, owner) and through Julia's patient guidance, have not only overcome my fear of horses, but riding lessons have become the highlight of my week! Julia's positive approach has moved me from fear to cantering! Walker Acres has a relaxed, farm atmosphere with outstanding instruction. I highly recommend Julia and Walker Acres Riding Academy"
Susan S. (2025)
"Highly recommended! Julia is the best teacher and really knows her stuff. She is wonderful with children and makes us feel right at home. She plans lessons centered around the individual rider. We enjoy going to weekly lessons!
Kristen P. (2020) Facebook Review
Casey (Review Link)
" The farm is beautiful and family friendly. The instructors are so friendly, down to earth, and confident with the horses. My daughter had an awesome first lesson. It boosted her confidence and she can’t wait to go back. Highly recommend!"
Rajitha (Review Link)
" Julia did a great job of making my daughter feel comfortable around her sweet horse, even decorating her horse's mane as way to get to know each other."
Amanda F.
"Just love Walker Acres! Both my kiddos rode there and Julia did such a good job meeting them where they were at! My son loved learning to lasso goats and my daughter loved decorating the horses manes and the pony rides! Although both my kids eventually decided they wanted to try other activities, they grew so much over the year and a half they rode with Julia and now have such a deep respect for animals. I can't say enough good things about Julia and the whole Walker Acres team!"