About the Ranch

• Mark F. Ward and his wife, Katie Clapp, own and operate Windy Ridge Ranch. Mark has owned the ranch and been a riding instructor since 1979. Mark grew up in Rochester, Minn. and learned how to ride from renowned trainer Jack Brainerd. As an adult he received training from nationally-recognized dressage instructor Ann McKay.

• We have 50 well-trained schooling horses of various breeds, sizes, colors, skills and temperaments. See the horses.

• Our riding facilities include an indoor arena (60 x 153, unheated); two outdoor arenas (90 x 180 and 135 x 270); pastures that we often ride through, and a small heated barn office.

What We Offer

	Lessons & Riding Activities Riding activities at the WRR include group and private lessons,  birthday parties, Girl and Boy Scout Troop rides, and a week-long summer camp for ages 9-13. For our students, we also offer practice riding, trail riding from the ranch and by trailering to nearby parks, overnight horse camping trips, and a few competitions, such as fun shows at WRR, WSCA shows and the State Fair.
	Leasing Program We carefully match riders and horses for rewarding, long-term relationships. For qualifying WRR students only (current and prior students). Share a horse’s riding time, at reasonable rates. Lessees receive discounts on WRR group riding lessons, and other benefits.
	Horse Club The Ranch is home to the Windy Ridge Riders Horse Club (WRRHC) , which sponsors activities including: fun horse shows, schooling shows, a Drill Team, a junior equestrian team (the JETs), competitions at county shows and the MN State Fair, parade performances, an overnight horse camping weekend, and more. Learn more at www.wrrhc.org.
	4-H The Ranch is also home to the Valley Shamrocks 4H Project whose members participate in the horse project as well as other activities. Learn more at www.wrrhc.org.

Our Philosophy

• We provide a carefully organized equestrian program, offering fun riding opportunities for riders of all abilities.

• We are well known for our safety measures, including wearing helmets while riding - no exceptions.

• We strive to provide a riding environment where beginners to advanced riders can improve and practice their riding skills while having fun with horses.  We do participate in competitive riding, but only to the extent that it serves our main goal of riding for recreation and pure enjoyment.

• We are very serious about excellence in training and riding techniques, and require correct riding etiquette and careful horse handling at all times.

• Riders who participate in our program will, over a period of time, learn to become self-sufficient in riding and even training and caring for horses.

• Many of our lesson students decide to lease horses from us and many have become horse owners.

• We do not provide horse sales or boarding at the WRR, but we do help riders whose goals include horse ownership to discover and develop their strongest riding interests.

Location & Directions

Windy Ridge Ranch LLC
2700 Manning Ave. S.
Woodbury, MN 55129-9256

We are located 12 miles from downtown St. Paul. From St. Paul, head east on I-94.  Exit on Manning Ave. (Hwy 95; Exit #253). Turn right (south) and go 2.8 miles; we’re on the west side of Manning (right side).

When you arrive, walk through a small red metal pedestrian gate marked Visitor Entrance (lift pin to open).  Walk back to the second barn and enter through a large sliding door marked Visitor Entrance. (If the door is closed, slide open). There is a barn office to your right, with a bathroom.

Contact

651-436-6557 (a good time to call is weekdays 9am-2pm)
markward@windyridgeranch.com

You are welcome to visit and watch a lesson.  See our Calendar of lesson dates.