W.A Riding Academy - Autumn Enrollment
Elevate Your Horsemanship at W.A. Riding Academy
W.A. Riding Academy is an application-based, formal Ranch Riding and Horsemanship school. Fully accredited, we bring over 20 years of experience in classical training. Our elite curriculum integrates the core principles of Dressage, Reining, Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Hunter, and foundational horse training concepts.
W.A maintains a rigorous student application screening process that dedicates our resources exclusively to applicants chosen to join the program.
Begin Your Journey
Applications are now being accepted for the upcoming term.
Non-classroom Oppertunitys
Bypass the application process & join us for a relaxing grooming session with one of our friendly program horses!
Standard Tuition
As of January 1, 2027
(4) 60min Private classes
$416.00
Grooming Session
Singular grooming session
60min Semi-Private
-booking for up to 4 guests
$104.00
Personal Horses Tuition
As of January 1, 2027
(2) 2h Private classes using your horse
$416.00
Standard Tuition rates remain $374.40 for 4(four) 60min private classrooms until Dec. 31, 2026
For the student without their own horse
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 & bypass the student application process of joining the Academy tuition protocols.
*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.
Personal Horse tuition rates remain $374.40 for 2(two) 2h sessions private classrooms until Dec. 31, 2026
How this program differs from traditional "lessons" & "training contracts":
->YOU are the trainer: Learn how to read your horse's feedback, solve behavioral puzzles, and install solid foundations together.
->NO competitive pressure: We have zero showing goals. Our only benchmark is a safe, relaxed, and responsive recreational partner.
->Build for the busy professional: Sessions fit seamlessly into evening and weekend schedules, allowing you to unwind after work.
->Bridging the gap: Instead of a trainer handing back a horse you don't know how to ride, you grow and learn at the exact same paces as your horse.
For the student WITH their own horse
Autumn Registration appication
All haul-in equines must be sound, current on immunizations, and have a current negative coggins. to participate in this program. This application excludes donkeys & intact colts/studs. Owners are responsible for making their own hauling arrangements. Owners must arrive self-contained with their own grooming/training equipment. All fees paid are non-refundable.
Discover Your Best
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!"