Deer Creek Farm in Fayetteville is the perfect place to ride and board horses if you've got them, and learn to ride if you don't.
Diane Gooderl owns the business and she's helped many people learn about life in the saddle.
‘’It's a combination of kids and adults. There's 20 horses that live here at Deer Creek Farm and a little over half are boarders and then the other half are either my personal horses or school horses.’’
Kids can get started on horseback and the smiles don't lie.
The training continues through the teenage years, and even when the kids go jumping off to college.
They come back to ride because they also feel part of the family.
Stephanie Long is a freshman at the University of Arkansas, but rides like a senior in the saddle thanks to the expert instruction from Diane Gooderl.
‘'Diane is amazing. She's like a second mom to all of us. We trust her with our lives every day. We just feel so safe with her. She watches over our horses every day. It's a great place for them to live. They're so happy out here.’’
Some of the older kids have parlayed their lessons and experience at Deer Creek into college scholarships.
Even if you're just out for some weekend fun, Gooderl says Deer Creek is the place to be.
‘'I charge 45 dollars for a private lessons on a school horse and 35 dollars for group lessons. Everbody including begginner riders need to start in private lessons.’'
Lessons cost a little bit less for the families who board their horses at Deer Creek.
Call it an affordable and accessible way to learn how the other half lives.
You may think riding lessons are out of your price range, but think again, and saddle up, at Deer Creek Farm.
For more information on how you can get your own private horse riding lesson, click here.