Meet Your New Happy Place: Horseback Riding Lessons Now in Santa Rosa!
Imagine a crisp morning in Santa Rosa — the scent of hay in the air, the rhythm of hooves in the arena, and a gentle horse waiting to meet you. That’s not a scene from a movie — it’s your next great adventure at Strides Riding Academy.
We’re new in town but bring years of experience and passion from our Petaluma roots. Our Santa Rosa location is now open for lessons, laughter, and a lot of “Wow, I can’t believe I just did that!”
This isn’t just another riding school. This is where confidence grows, friendships spark, and your inner horse kid finally gets their moment.
📍 A New Location. A Legendary Legacy.
Strides Riding Academy has earned a glowing reputation in Petaluma — not just for producing great riders, but for building great people. Now, Santa Rosa gets its own slice of that magic.
Our Santa Rosa Facility Features:
A huge indoor arena — perfect for year-round riding (rain, fog, or shine)
Multiple round pens for skill-building and groundwork
A scenic field track that’s great for confidence-building rides
Easy access just minutes from central Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, and Windsor
Two Ways to Start Your Riding Journey
While our full suite of programs — like summer camps and showing — lives at our Petaluma location, our Santa Rosa facility is dialed in for two things: helping new riders get started and helping growing riders stay consistent.
1. Introductory Riding Lessons
These1-time per student lessons are the best way to get a taste of our program. Meet some horses, meet some of the instructors and get a feel for whether we are the right fit for your riding needs. These lessons are 30-minutes and $65. After the lesson if you would like more we can point you in the right direction for on-going lessons.
2. Weekly Riding Lessons
If you are ready to make riding a regular part of your week, our weekly lessons are the best place to go. These lessons provide:
Continued skill development
Deeper horse-human connection
A fun, structured routine you will love
Lessons are available for ages 5 and up. We have helped everyone from shy kids to bold adults fall in love with riding while growing their confidence and skills!
Built on Experience, Fueled by Passion
Strides is not a fly-by-night riding school. We’ve been building equestrians in Sonoma County for years, with a coaching team that blends:
🏅 CHA-certified instructors
📚 Lifelong riders and competitive coaches
❤️ True love for horses and the people who ride them
We don’t just teach. We mentor. We inspire. We celebrate every “aha!” moment in the saddle like it’s a blue ribbon.
What Makes Strides Different (Like, Really Different)
There are a few great riding schools around — but none quite like us.
Here’s the Strides Difference:
People-first programs: We care about your goals, not just your seat and heels.
Perfect horses for beginners: Calm, trained, and tuned into their riders.
Consistency and care: We know your name, your horse, and how you like to learn.
Zero intimidation zone: Come as you are. We’ll meet you there (with a saddle).
Who Should Ride at Strides Santa Rosa?
Short answer: pretty much everyone.
Kids who are horse-lovers (and parents who don’t want to buy a pony… yet)
Adults looking for a unique hobby, fitness boost, or just an hour to breathe
Anyone seeking confidence, courage, and a whole lot of joy
Whether you’ve never touched a horse or haven’t ridden for a while, you’re welcome here.
Petaluma Still Has the Full Show (Literally)
If you’re loving your weekly lessons in Santa Rosa and want more — awesome! We’ve got:
🌞 Summer Camps with games, horsemanship, and saddle time
🐎 Horse Leasing options for committed riders
🏆 Show Team & Competition Coaching for serious riders
All of this is based just a short drive away at our original Petaluma location. Many of our riders enjoy the best of both worlds — calm weekday lessons in Santa Rosa, and extra fun or shows in Petaluma.
Frequently Asked Questions (And Honest Answers)
Q: Do I need my own horse?
Nope. We’ve got well-trained school horses for every rider level.
Q: What’s the age minimum?
We welcome riders 5 and up for our Santa Rosa programs.
Q: Can I come look around before booking?
We’re not offering walk-around barn tours right now, but book an intro lesson and you will get to see the facility, meet the horses and instructors and get a feel for our program!
Q: What should I wear?
Long pants and closed-toe shoes. Helmets are provided, and we won’t judge your socks.
Q: How do I get started?
Just hop onto stridesridingacademy.com, select Santa Rosa, and book your intro lesson!
💡 Still Not Sure? Here's Why You Should Try Riding
Besides being wildly fun and soul-soothing, horseback riding:
Boosts balance and coordination
Builds strength and flexibility
Develops patience, trust, and leadership
Connects you with nature (and with a big gentle creature who doesn’t care about your resume)
🚀 Ready to Ride?
If you’re looking for more than just another extracurricular…
If you want a reason to close the laptop and step outside…
If you’re ready to meet a new side of yourself…
Then welcome to Strides Riding Academy – Santa Rosa.
It’s not just a place to ride — it’s your new happy place.