Our mission is to provide the highest quality riding instruction in an environment that promotes total horsemanship as the highest priority.
Shady Creek Farm has a tradition of exceptional equestrian instruction for over 30 years and is always open for enrolling new students in our Riding Academy.
Shady Creek Academy is our equestrian educational program. The Academy is open for riders of all ages and experience levels and encourages people to develop and enjoy their love of horses in a relaxed, fun environment.
Located on twenty-five beautiful acres a few miles north of Collierville, TN, Shady Creek features both indoor and outdoor riding facilities, school horses, private and small group lessons.
Please browse through our site to learn more about what we offer and then contact us with any questions and to get started. Opportunities include: mounted riding lessons and ground lessons, individual goal setting, and day camps; Homeschool programs, Scout troops and other group events also welcomed.
A Note from our Co-Owner & Co-Founder:
It happens all the time…..We hear wonderful positive things about our horses changing lives. We agree they are special because they can disagree without being disagreeable and they create learning opportunities filled with JOY. Why does that matter? Because the centuries of all civilizations have had more than a few incredibly disagreeable times and life is better when we are experienced in solving problems through our enhanced feelings of problem solved on a horse with confidence, belief and self-esteem. Julie’s first horse she owned was named Danny but in the show ring his show name was I’m a Believer. Danny presented Julie with many problems to solve and Julie learned how to work with Danny who was inexperienced as she was showing in the hunter ring. Julie and Danny learned to work together and after several years Julie was awarded Grand Champion at the Germantown Charity Show riding among competitors with experience and expensive horses. (Of course it made me proud to see that.) It was one positive among many of Julie’s show experiences and she and Danny enjoyed many successful years over Danny’s 33 year life. Danny taught many other riders to solve equine challenges over the years. Solving equine problems/challenges and achieving goals happens all the time at Shady Creek Farm and Riding Academy. We opened Shady Creek Farm in 1989 when Julie was a teenager. She made her goals and set her course and she loves to teach others. Now, years later, as head trainer at the farm with her degree in Equestrian Science and Business from William Woods University she has partnered with many experienced trainers and together has taught many hundreds of students of all ages from 2 years old to older than me (my best friend was filled with joy and riding on the trails at age 90). Our Shady Creek Farm customers do not need to own their own hose to show if that is something they choose to do by leasing one of the Farm’s quality horses. Students enjoy the farm at whatever level of riding they choose and build confidence as they learn and enjoy total horsemanship in the ring and on the 950 acres of trails.
We have heard from parents of students about positive attitude development and life changes that happen as students ride, including some who had therapy away from the farm. We also heard from Veterans of our program partnership with Veterans Court and we hear from other adult riders that life is better when spending time with horses.
A gift from God is that horses are non-judgmental and they reflect back what a rider may show them and it is just like horses to reflect unconditional love at just the right time. – It happens all the time!
You may consider it to be “Equine Engagement” when students or when team co-workers “join up” with a horse. Or you may just call it having FUN at the FARM.
I guess you can tell that I have some time on my hands now to share on the farm. I am retired from leading teams; developing corporate financial value solutions; and a process to help people learn to lead themselves and lead others. Now, our trainers with the horses teach positive change best of all.
I wanted y’all to know some history as the farm supports learning and share that there are exciting new things that we’ll announce throughout this year!
Proud Dad and Granddad – George
Co-Founder – Shady Creek Farm and Riding Academy
Serving Others & Sharing Love for Learning Total Horsemanship
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