Lessons

At Waters Edge Farm we offer riding lessons for children as young as 6 years old and adults.  We have a competition based program so our lessons are tailored for riders wanting to improve their skills and join our competitive show team.  We offer both small group and private lessons on our twelve lesson horses and ponies.  We have carefully selected a wonderful group of experienced horses who are great teachers and competitive on local show circuits. We have a spacious facility with two lighted, all weather outdoor arenas for year round riding. 

At Waters Edge Farm we offer two types of leases for our students wishing to get a little extra time in the saddle.  Our more beginning riders just starting their leasing journey may choose a Quarter lease which includes one lesson and one hack day per week.  Riders looking to advance their riding and begin to show with our team can choose a Half lease which is one lesson and two hack days per week.  Partial leasing is a great stepping stone between weekly lessons and full leasing/owning a horse.

Breann Jencka is Waters Edge Farm's owner and head trainer and she has over 20 years experience as a professional rider and trainer.  Breann received her Bachelor's degree in Equine Studies from Virginia Intermont College in 2004. While in college she was fortunate to train with top notch professionals Eddie Federwisch, Sue Glover, and Amy Sherrick.  Upon graduation Breann moved to Charlotte to begin her professional career and she has been coaching riders in the area ever since.  Breann has extensive experience in training both horse and rider in hunters, equitation, and jumpers.  Her riders have been very successful both on local circuits and USEF rated shows, including the World Equestrian Center Ocala, Tryon, and USEF Pony Finals.  Many of Breann's students have qualified for PSJ, BRHJA and NCHJA equitation finals as well as receiving year end awards in the hunters, jumpers, and equitation for BRHJA, NCHJA, SCHJA, and PSJ.  Breann has also been an active IEA coach since 2015 and IHSA coach for Davidson College since 2022.  Breann enjoys working with riders of all ages and skill levels and loves to see her riders accomplish their goals.  She focuses her lessons on learning in a safe and patient environment, incorporating both flatwork and jumping exercises to ensure both horse and rider are well rounded.

Kathryn Burchfield is Waters Edge Farm's IEA team head coach and instructor.  Kathryn has been riding for over 25 years and has an impressive resume of riding, including top ribbons at USEF rated shows all around the Southeast.  Kathryn also competed in IEA in her junior years with Fox Run Equestrian. Kathryn is passionate about teaching many of our young riders and she also enjoys giving training rides to many of the horses at our farm.  

Izzy Rockwell teaches many of our youngest students who are just starting their riding career.  She focuses on giving a solid foundation and teaching the basics so our newest students have all the skills they need to take their riding to the next level.  Izzy has been riding for over 15 years and even spent some of her junior years riding and showing with Breann.  She enjoys riding a variety of disciplines including hunter/jumper and western riding.  Izzy's outgoing personality makes her a favorite of all our students.

Lesson rates for Boarders:

45 minute private: $60

1 hour small group: $50

Lesson rates for Non-Boarders:

45 minute private: $70

1 hour small group: $60

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Do you offer beginner lessons?

A: Yes! We love teaching beginner lessons, we have wonderful, safe lesson horses for our students to learn from. We are a show barn and tailor our lessons for competitive riders.  We love to help new riders discover the joy of riding and competing. Many new riders are able to start competing in shows in as little as 6 months... sometimes less if they take more than one lesson per week.

Q: What if I am not interested in showing and just want to take lessons?

A: There is a wide selection of riding stables in the Charlotte area that offer recreational riding, trail riding, and much more.   We are a show barn so if showing isn't your thing we won't be a good fit for you.

Waters Edge Farm has the following policies for riders involved in our lesson program:

• All lesson fees are to be paid monthly and they are due on the first of each month.
• Please give us at least 24 hours notice for a lesson cancellation via text or email. 
• Riders are asked to be prepared for riding at the start time of their lesson.  Riders arriving more than 10 minutes past the start of their lesson will not be able to join the lesson.