What Hillrise means to me is family. The bonds with people and the horses i've made from Hillrise are some of the most amazing bonds ever. The people here are so supportive and kind and they have definitely helped me out! I couldn't have wanted a better place than here!
-Ali D
-Ali D
Hillrise is like a second home and a family to me
-Ella H
-Ella H
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" I have been riding with Janet for over 25 years and my riding ability and horse skills have come a long way as a result. At Hillrise, I have the opportunity to lease horses and take jumping lessons every week and I have taught to ride all types of horses, from the slowest push, to the most sensitive Thoroughbreds. I also take ground lessons where I am able to work with our baby Warmbloods, learning all aspects involved in training a horse from the beginning.
Just recently I hit a new milestone with 2 year old Ruby, getting her saddle on for the first time! These skills are important and I wouldn't ordinarily get in a riding lesson, helping me with timing and social cues, I have learned to transfer that into my riding. Working with horses on the ground and under saddle I have been able to learn the value of patience hard work and persistence, translating that to how I work with and read horses. A few years ago, I set myself a goal that I wanted to learn to ride Wilbur, a green off the track Thoroughbred. With Janet's training, I now have a strong bond with him and we just returned from showing in the Syracuse Colliseum, taking away Champion! "
-Mandy Wojick
To me Hillrise Equestrian Center means a place that I can go to feel free. When I am at the barn all of my stress disappears. At Hillrise I have a family that is always there for me. I have been riding here for five years and I wouldn’t trade my barn time for anything in the world. -Lilly B
Hillrise means so much to me. I'm so happy I've had the chance to interact with so many different horses and meet so many new people. I have come so far since I first set foot here all the way until now. I couldn't have asked for a better barn.
-Leela T
-Leela T
Hillrise is like a second home to me. It's like one big family and it's my happy place.
-Lilly E
I've been at Hillrise for almost 10 years. Not only do I love the horses, I love the people here. It's become my second home and I'm so happy with the memories I'm making!
-Emma S
-Emma S
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I have been riding with Janet for 16 years and have loved every minute of it. The great thing about Janet is that she taught me how to ride and jump at a level where I could compete, but from a young age she also let me start working with green horses, taught me how to train them and gave me the confidence and skills to ride any horse I set my mind to. Janet also let me start volunteering when I was young and let me help with, and learn about, everything that went into making making the farm run. Not only did Hillrise make the the rider I am today, working and riding there played a huge role in how I grew up. Being trusted and relied on to help take care of the horses and help with lessons ingrained a sense of responsibility and accountability early on.
I have since moved out of the country so have been trying to find a barn where I can ride and I have not found a place where I get a similar feeling of family and friendship that I did there. I have made life long friends and bonds with horses that even 3,500 miles can’t break. Whenever I am back home, Hillrise is and will always be my first stop!
-Sarah Strong
I have since moved out of the country so have been trying to find a barn where I can ride and I have not found a place where I get a similar feeling of family and friendship that I did there. I have made life long friends and bonds with horses that even 3,500 miles can’t break. Whenever I am back home, Hillrise is and will always be my first stop!
-Sarah Strong
My daughter had been riding for about 4 years when we came to Hillrise Equestrian Center in 2007. Her best friend was taking lessons with Janet and we thought it would be nice for them to share the experience together. Janet had more just some riding corrections to work with in regards to my daughter, she also had a child who felt quite deflated about herself as a rider. We came from a stable that criticized and rarely complimented. I would watch lessons and look at a child that never smiled and was always tense when she rode. After the the first lesson with Janet, I had tears in my eyes. It was the first time in a long time that I saw the look of a child who wanted to ride again, who was loving what she was doing, and happy with herself- because Janet made her feel that way. Janet's methodology is always be positive-even in correction. NO lesson is ever about correction only and compliments would always precede with every correction. Janet teaches her students not only how to ride but she also to recognize their own mistakes and make those corrections- and when they do she praises them. Students laugh (sometimes at themselves), have fun, build relationships and camaraderie because at Hillrise, its not just about riding a horse. Its about being a part of a team. Its about working and growing together. I have watched my daughter gain pride in herself, excel in her riding skills, make new friends and become an integrate part of the Hillrise team.
On Saturday mornings my daughter and I volunteer to help with the therapy riders, my daughter as a horse handler and myself as a side walker. The joy this brings us cannot be put any other way then 'we get much more than we give.' Janet's work with special needs kids is exceptional and impressive. I watch students gain stamina, balance, and muscle strength. I watch week after week as they communicate (not always in audible words) with a patient horse and I see the expression of love for a trainer and by a trainer. I watch week after week their confidence building and their pride growing and I see the gratitude of parents whose child is in a better place because of what Janet so exceptionally does. I see in each child what its like to make a difference. Volunteering at Hillrise is a rewarding experience that I treasure each Saturday morning.
Finally, I would just like to say that Hillrise is not just a place to ride. It stands apart from other riding stables. Its a place where friends are made, for both riders and parents. It's a place where you are part of a team- students working with students, students helping students, and importantly parents supporting students. It's a place where role models are easy to find and where you are part of a family."
- Ingrid Wedel
On Saturday mornings my daughter and I volunteer to help with the therapy riders, my daughter as a horse handler and myself as a side walker. The joy this brings us cannot be put any other way then 'we get much more than we give.' Janet's work with special needs kids is exceptional and impressive. I watch students gain stamina, balance, and muscle strength. I watch week after week as they communicate (not always in audible words) with a patient horse and I see the expression of love for a trainer and by a trainer. I watch week after week their confidence building and their pride growing and I see the gratitude of parents whose child is in a better place because of what Janet so exceptionally does. I see in each child what its like to make a difference. Volunteering at Hillrise is a rewarding experience that I treasure each Saturday morning.
Finally, I would just like to say that Hillrise is not just a place to ride. It stands apart from other riding stables. Its a place where friends are made, for both riders and parents. It's a place where you are part of a team- students working with students, students helping students, and importantly parents supporting students. It's a place where role models are easy to find and where you are part of a family."
- Ingrid Wedel
