Thunderbay Riding Academy

03/22/2025

The winter sunsets are behind us and spring is in swing! Be sure to bring and to the barn to be prepared in advance.

03/20/2025

Riding horses is great for mental health, but there's more it can do for you!
Being teammates with a 1/2 ton animal takes a lot of courage, fine muscle control, and patience. All those areas grow and expand the more you ride.
What has horseback riding done for you?

03/20/2025

Passionate about training? Want to pass that passion to others? We're !
Located only 6 minutes from downtown Waxhaw, NC Thunderbay Academy has been training riders age 7-17 for over 30 years (since 1990!). If you're ready to join a warm, no-drama barn family, reach out via email or phone.💛💙

03/19/2025

Spring has sprung! Be prepared for pollen, bumblebees, shedding horses, and lots of flowers.🐝🌷

03/17/2025

Happy ☘️! Be sure to wear something green, Leprechauns have been spotted at the barn.👀

03/12/2025

"Learn from each and every horse you ride. Every horse has something to teach you." -Carl Hester

03/08/2025

Today is International Women's Day! The majority of our industry is composed of female riders who do their absolute best for their horse in and out of the saddle. We are riders, mentors, trainees, barn managers, vets, farriers, and more!
Today, we want to highlight and honor women's commitment to our sport, animals, and our contributions to the world at large.
Women are powerful- YOU are powerful. Don't forget that.💙💛

03/06/2025

Our new website is live! Check it out at thunderbayridingacademy.com

| Horse Riding Lessons, Horse Camps and Pony Parties

03/04/2025

"Those who teach the most about humanity aren't always humans." -Donald Hicks
What lesson (aside from riding) have horses taught you? Comment below!👇

03/03/2025

💁‍♀️

03/02/2025

We are so proud of our spring show team clinic! Our riders showed up yesterday with great attitudes and open minds to learn the basics of showing terms, ring etiquette, complex courses, and tack cleaning. We look forward to our first show at the Union County Saddle Club on March 29!

03/02/2025

Our featured horse this week is the infallible Miles! He's every student's favorite and a very reliable ride. He excels in building confidence in young riders and still shows regularly, we love him so much!💙💛

02/23/2025

Meet Emmy! Everyone's favorite jumper came to us from the Ark. She's a stellar mover and a great ride for intermediate to advanced students! She's always eager to go and loves to work with her rider. This week, we appreciate Emmy!💙💛

02/22/2025

When you feel like you’re forgetting something 🤔

02/21/2025

💛💙The beginning of every journey is the most important.💙💛
Today's reminder is not to be too harsh on yourself; every rider started as an absolute beginner- even the pros! Riding is a discipline, and discipline takes time.
Be proud of your progress!

02/21/2025

While this is directed to judges, it's good information for competitors and volunteers.

02/19/2025

Unfortunately with the threat of snow today, school and therefore lessons are cancelled.
Parents- please reach out to Mare to schedule your child's makeup lessons.
Stay warm, everyone!❄️

02/19/2025

Show season is almost upon us again! Come out and support our riders at one of their shows this spring!💙💛

02/16/2025

It's Henry's turn to shine this week!🐎
Henry is an off the track thoroughbred (OTTB) with quite a few wins under his belt. One of his racing purses totaled $150,000! Henry loves to go fast but can be a respectful riding partner when handled by our advanced students. He is a special asset to the lesson program and a wonderful teacher, especially with canter leads and advanced jump courses.💙💛

02/14/2025

With spring on the way, it's time for new Thunderwear!🧢💙💛
Students and parents have a variety to pick from when representing the barn- we even have hats and coolers!
Please order and pay via the links included in the official email sent out. Tie-dye colors and size information is in the email as well.
*ALL SHOW TEAM ORDERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 22*

02/13/2025

We've been rained out!🌧
Unfortunately our weekend Winter Camp has had to be rescheduled due to wet and unsafe conditions at our off-property riding locations.
The camp will instead be held on March 14-16, hopefully in kinder weather!
Any questions can be directed to us via DM or email [email protected]

02/12/2025

Miles and McChicken hope everyone is staying as warm and dry as possible this week!
Lessons will still be held daily unless Mecklenburg County declares no school.
Stay toasty!🔥🐎🐓

02/10/2025

"No hour of life is lost that is spent in the saddle."
-Winston Churchill

02/09/2025

This week's Horse of the Week is Pepper!💙💛 Our sweet and spicy Quarterhorse loves her treats almost as much as she loves Breyer. She's a reliable ride and very gentle with children, making her a perfect fit for our barn family!

02/07/2025

Only three spots left on our spring show team roster!

If interested in your child joining the team, email [email protected] for more information!

02/05/2025

Psst... it's National Girls and Women in Sports Day!
We are immensely proud of our athletes and the dedication they display to our sport. We also celebrate the mentors, trainers, and clinicians who compile their information and experience to make our riders the best they can be.

Keep riding, ladies! 💙💛

02/02/2025

Meet our herd! 🐎💙💛
Our horse of the week is trusty Karma, a staple in our lesson program and an all-around sweet gal. Everyone loves her, and she's known as the barn "grandma" because of how well she watches over young riders.
This week, we recognize Karma and her faithful commitment to our students and program!

02/01/2025

Thunderbay students new and old- what's your favorite memory at the barn?
If you have a picture to share with it, even better. Show us below!👇🐴❤

01/22/2025

The barn will be closed today. Stay safe and warm!

01/21/2025

Due to the Winter weather expected, we are closing the barn today. If Union County schools and/or Mecklenburg County schools close tomorrow, we will as well. Stay warm everyone!

01/15/2025

A few more photos from the Winter photo shoot with LM Clayton Photography!

01/10/2025

Just a few of the adorable photos with some of our students taken by LM Clayton Photography! Looking forward to some Spring pics!

01/07/2025

Thank you LM Clayton Photography for the lovely pictures taken around the farm! Looking forward to some more in the Spring!

01/04/2025

We are currently taking registrations for our day and extended day camps! Claim your spot now!

See more here: https://thunderbayridingacademy.com/portfolio-2/

12/08/2024

What a fun day trying out Union County Saddle Club's new x-country course! Way to go girls!

11/16/2024

It was so awesome to have our whole show team at the final show of the season. Thank you Anne Springs for an amazing day! So proud of all our girls and horses!!

10/26/2024

We may have been small in number but we were huge in heart today at Fleet Equestrian Center! Great job girls!!

10/16/2024

I'm so proud of this group of girls! They did such an amazing job at the UCSC Hunter show on Saturday!!

09/16/2024

We have several lesson spots available for ages 7-17, from beginner to intermediate/advanced! Please email us at [email protected] for more information.

09/16/2024

Our first show of the Fall 2024 season is a wrap! These girls worked hard and did amazing!