About the Ranch
Our Philosophy
What We Offer
Lessons & Riding Activities
Small group lessons; leasing program, practice riding and occassional off-site trail riding for experienced ongoing lesson students; fun shows; trailering to and coaching at local shows for a few experienced lessees. Learn more about our Lessons.Facilities
Insulated indoor arena (60 x 153) with sand and rubber footing; two outdoor arenas (90 x 180 and 135 x 270); seven stalls; a hot-water wash bay; lessee tack room; pastures that we often ride through, cross country and stadium jumps, and a heated barn office.
Leasing Program
Horse Club
The Ranch is home to the Windy Ridge Riders Horse Club (WRRHC). Members enjoy activities including fun shows, schooling shows, a junior equestrian team (the JETs), clinics, a barn dance and more. Visit the ranch to learn more.
Instructors
Mark Ward
Mark Ward grew up in Rochester, MN and rode with trainer Jack Brainerd on his horse, King. He started teaching riding lessons while in graduate school at the UofM, where he studied philosophy and taught the History of Science.. He currently shows in eventing, training with local instructors and visiting clinicians, including Jan Fisk, Becky Holder and Alison Springer. Mark was named the 2016 Horseperson of the Year by the MN Horse Council.Katie Clapp
Katie grew up in St. Paul with two horses, taking periodic equitation and jumping lessons, but mostly venturing out across fields. She learned the most from ranch hands during three summers at a camp in Sisseton, S.D. She took jumping lessons for a couple years in her 20's but returned to riding in her 30's at the Windy Ridge Ranch. She now shows in eventing, taking lessons from local instructors and visiting clinicians.Occasional On-Site and Off-Site Clinics
We sometimes hold dressage, jumping, groundwork and other clinics at our barn, or trailer lessees to ff-site clinics.