Sunset Ridge Equestrian Center / Riding Instructor in Taylorsville, North Carolina

Come ride with us! Sunset Ridge offers lessons for all levels and ages in Hunters, Jumpers and Dressage! We travel to to local schooling shows as well as rated shows as well as offer spots on our Interscholastic Equestrian Team.
Family is the most important thing at Sunset Ridge, and we view each horse, customer, and visitor as part of our extended family and so we take care of them just as we would our own. We believe that the equestrian world isn't just about lessons and showing, we believe that it is about truly enjoying our horses and eachother. We do this by not only providing the best care and instruction possible but by scheduling fun events both inside and outside of the barn.
Meet Our Head Trainer:
Diane DeRienzis has 25 yrs. experience teaching, training and barn management. She started her riding career on Long Island in New York where she competed as a junior, amateur and professional in Hunters, Equitation and Jumpers. Her goal is to instill confidence and skill in her riders so that they can connect with their horses in a successful partnership whether their goal is to show on the A circuit or to pleasure ride.
"I believe that everyone at any age can learn, and I welcome children as well as
adults."

Charissa Loftin has been a part of the equestrian world since the age of 8 when she began taking lessons at TTC in Mocksville, NC. Growing up she succesfully competed on the A Circuit and later decided to become a trainer. Charissa has enjoyed teaching riders of all ages and levels for over 20 years and says that the most inspirational part of teaching is watching a rider accomplish something that they didnt thing was possible, no matter how small an accomplishment it is. Charissa believes that every day is a learning experience and that she learns just as much from her students and horses as they learn from herWe are excited to have Charissa join our Sunset Ridge family and help take our students to the next level in the Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation rings.

Lynn O. Boon, BHSAI began riding as a child at the Inverclyde Riding Center in Scotland. She was a working pupil at the center and grew through the ranks of Pony Club while competing in one day events. At 15 years old, she was commissioned to begin the riding program for the Earl of Glasgow at Kelburn Estates. She was the Stable Manager and Head Instructor for several years, and provided the start to what is now a thriving equestrian center. Lynn became a working student for the BHSAI at Bowfield Riding and Country Club, where she worked with Point-to-Point racehorses as part of her program. Lynn believes that "Dressage is a journey every horse and rider should take" and has used this montra in training her students on a variety of horses from Standardbred to Holstiener across the United States. Lynns 30+ years of experience training horses and riders has brought her to Sunset Ridge where she will be teaching lower (through 1st level) dressage. Lynn plans to spread her "dressage is for everyone" message while introducing the foundations of dressage to riders old and young, and horses of every breed and from every discipline. In addition to classic Dressage Lynn will also be teaching Western and Gaited Dressage to those who are interested.

Leah Barnes is one of our most competent and caring trainers, she specializes with tending to and schooling our youngest riders. Leah has over 12 years experience in the saddle, and is experienced in both English and Western. Leah has been with us since the beginning and is one of our best assets and an essential part of our Little Bits program

Specialties

Confidence Building For Horse And Rider "Mom & Me" Classes For 3-6 Yr Olds 4-H Adult Riding Lessons Barrel Racing Lessons Beginner Riding Lessons for Adults Beginning Riders Welcome Breaking Children's Horse/Pony Birthday Parties Children's Riding Lessons Coaching Dressage Schooling Shows Dressage Training Family Friendly Atmosphere Family-Friendly Rates Gift Certificates Available Girl Scout Ground Work Group Lessons Haul-Ins Horse Boarding Horse Leases Horse Sales Horse Training Horseback Riding Camps Hunter Jumper Training Hunters Intermediate Riders Leasing Lesson Horses Available Lunge Lessons Natural Horsemanship Training Pole Bending Pony Club Pony Rides Private Lessons Problem Horses Reasonable Rates Riding Clinics Rodeo Experience Sales Preparation & Representation Showing Starting Horses Summer Day Camp Program Timid Riders Trail Riding Lessons Trailer Loading Weekend Lessons Western Games Western Pleasure Young Riders