RockMeadow Riding School
RockMeadow Riding School is one of the best in Seattle and the surrounding eastside communities, providing horseback riding instruction in the English Riding discipline ,The American Forward Seat, also referred to as Hunt Seat. Our Instructors are Deborah Ritchie and Lindsey Vortman. Students enjoy year round lessons in our indoor riding arena complete with a heated viewing lounge for visitors and guests.
Our Riding School students receive one on one personal attention. The riding school provides students who do not own a horse the opportunity to learn and enjoy horsemanship without the time and financial requirements of ownership. We can also help a student find a horse to lease, and eventually purchase as they progress in their equestrian career.
Deborah Ritchie, shown here instructing a member of the University of Washington Equestrian Team, has owned and managed RockMeadow since 1986. She has taught hundreds of students from beginners through advanced competitive riders.
Over the course of her career she has worked as both a trainer and a coach. Many of her students have gone on to become professional trainers and instructors themselves.
There is no greater compliment than to have one of her students "move up" to either Thumbs Up or the Rollback Farm training barns to either lease or purchase their own competitive show horse! Deborah focuses on establishing a solid foundation from which her students can build upon their own riding careers.
Lindsey Vortman. enjoying a summer day on her mare, Mahogony. Lyndsey has 20 years of experience in the equine industry. Originally she started riding Western Pleasure and enjoyed showing in the local Northwest circuit. Later she achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Equitation and Training from Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT where she began riding hunter/jumpers. She coaches young riders of all abilities and stresses the importance of horsemanship and safety. Lyndsey welcomes adult students as well.
Our School Horse, Pirate, affectionately called The Professor, giving a lesson.
One of our younger students riding in our enclosed arena.
An Intermediate rider negotiating a vertical fence in the outdoor arena.
A Picture Perfect Pair!
Dusty with his owner.
Students signing the RockMeadow Riding School sign. We were here!
Summer of 2009.
Confident young student leading her school horse into the riding arena.
The view is pretty good from the top of a horse!
