Don't miss anything happening
at Greenbriar Riding Academy!
JULY 2025
Issue 19
Summer is in full swing at Greenbriar! Our riders are having a blast with camps, lessons, and horse shows. It's such a joy to watch both students and horses grow, hit new milestones, and gain confidence along the way. A big shoutout to our amazing Show Team! Their commitment to improving their skills, caring for their horses beyond lesson time, and cheering each other on is something special. As the temperatures rise, don’t forget to bring a water bottle to your lessons—we want everyone to stay hydrated and healthy.
Stay cool!
Robin
WHAT'S COMING
JUNE 30 - JULY 6
Summer Trimester Break
Our schedule break for this trimester will be the first week of July. Horses, students and instructors alike will benefit from a little break. There will be no regular riding lessons during this week.
JULY 19
Barn Buddies
11am - 2pm
JULY 27
Greenbriar Olympics
1 - 4pm
2nd Annual Greenbriar Olympics
July 27
1 - 4pm in the Office Barn
FREE & FUN!!
Open to all students and their family.
Bring your parents and siblings, no horse experience needed!
Sign Up on the White Board in Your Barn!
Please note that Horsemanship Days for July are on Saturdays!
Julie Christie Clinic
July 12 and 13
We will welcome Julie Christie back to Greenbriar for another riding clinic. She has a special talent when working with riders and their bodies. She understands the biomechanics of the human body on the horse and how it can influence the horse to improve performance. Julie will be here July 12 & 13 in the afternoon. Auditors are welcome.
Greenbriar Groups & Games Horse Show
We had such a great time at our in-house horse show — lots of smiles, learning, and supportive vibes all around! If you missed out, don’t worry — we’d love to see more riders join in next time. It’s all about having fun and building confidence together!
And a big thanks to our wonderful judge, Kate Kostenbader!
Share your experience with us!
What would you like to accomplish in the saddle?
What has connecting with horses done for you?
We'd love to hear about YOUR love for Greenbriar!
2nd Annual Greenbriar Olympics
July 27
1 - 4pm in the Office Barn
FREE & FUN!!
Open to all students and their family.
Bring your parents and siblings, no horse experience needed!
Sign Up on the White Board in Your Barn
Greenbriar Show Team
Tamarack Show
Congratulations to all the students who showed! We’re incredibly proud of your accomplishments and the commitment you’ve shown to both your growth and the care of your horses. Keep up the great work!
Meet the team!
David Law on Jake
Do you have a favorite moment from show team?
Being asked to be part of the show team! And discovering Musical Freestyle.
How has showtime affected your understanding of horses and riding?
It really improved my understanding of “less is more.”
What is your goal for this showing season?
Not to fall off :)
Jackson Williams on Atlas
Do you have a favorite moment from show team?
Getting the correct left lead on Atlas and getting recognized by others for being a Buzz rider!
How has show team affected your understanding of horses and riding?
Being on show team has allowed me to observe how others interact with horses. I am able to see what works and what doesn't. Also I see how being kind to the horses tends to get a better result.
Avery Harre on Derby
Do you have a favorite moment from show team?
My favorite moment on show team so far was our show on June 29th. I would say this was my favorite moment because of how hard Derby worked and how willing he was to learn for me. I am so proud of Derby and how far he’s came this season and I can’t wait to do even more with him.
How has show team affected your understanding of horses and riding?
Show team has affected my understanding of horses and’s riding by showing me the importance of care for your horses and has showed me how to be a better rider.
Do you feel like you have the support of your team?
Yes, I feel like our show team at Greenbriar is very supporting no matter if I do bad or if I do my best. The riders at Greenbriar have been so kind and supportive for my first show season, they have been there if I ever needed help or didn’t know what to do. Also my trainer Geline has been the best trainer I can think of, she is so reassuring and always makes sure I know that I did my best.
Grace Stodola
on Toro
MacKenzie O'Brien on Baby Linus
What have multiple lessons a week done for your riding?
I think riding consistently helps me remember what I have worked on and what I am still working on. And for the horses that need the consistency it helps them a lot too because they succeed more from more time in the saddle.
How do you handle show nerves before entering the ring?
I feel like since I joined show team I haven’t really had much show nerves but at the last one I was really nervous the week beforehand. It ended up going much better than I thought it would. I would say I need to just trust that it will go well.
How has showtime affected your understanding of horses and riding?
It has really affected the way I process things in the saddle and what different horses need. It has helped me learn that horses really have a unique way of learning things because they are intelligent but don’t think like humans at the same time.
Kalea Mathis on Buzz
Do you have a favorite moment from show team?
My favorite moment so far from show team is when I did my canter circle at the show because it was something I had been working hard on.
What have multiple lessons a week done for your riding?
It has made me more confident, stronger and it made me work hard.
How do you handle show nerves before entering the ring?
I think about how much I have improved and I tell myself when I get in the arena I should do my best and have fun.
Hazel Randall
on Buzz
Sarah Claney
on Frosty
MEET KATE KOSTENBADER
Horses have been a part of Kate Kostenbader’s life since fourth grade, when she began riding at a local lesson barn in eastern Pennsylvania. Her equestrian journey has taken her through many years in Iowa, Illinois, and Florida. With over 30 years of experience across several disciplines—including showing hunters, jumpers, and dressage—Kate has also trained horses, taught at summer camps and Pony Club, and given both group and private lessons.
A highlight of her training experience was spending three summers at Tempel Farms, north of Chicago, working with their beautiful Lipizzans. There, she performed in weekly public exhibitions and served as a working student.
Kate is a USDF ‘L’ Graduate judge with eight years of experience judging schooling shows, ride-a-tests, and clinics. She is currently taking on a new challenge by enrolling in the USDF Instructor/Trainer Certification Program and the Professional Development Program under the mentorship of Megan McIsaac. Kate has earned her USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award and USDF Bronze Medal in dressage. She has trained several horses to Fourth Level, with experience in freestyles and in-hand work. She was the Region 4 Champion at First Level Musical Freestyle with her Trakehner, Alezander, several years ago, coached by Mandy Johnson.
Kate has served for many years on the board of the Eastern Iowa Dressage and Eventing Association, taking on several roles as a way to give back to the sport that has been such a meaningful part of her life. She has trained with Anne Cizadlo, an ‘S’ judge and gold medalist, for over a decade and has spent four winters training in Florida. Her involvement with horses intensified after retiring from a 22-year career teaching art in public schools.
With a strong emphasis on building happy, confident riders, Kate strives to instill a solid foundation of basic skills that support any riding discipline. She focuses on developing horsemanship in her students while always prioritizing the welfare of the horse. Each lesson is customized to the rider’s goals and interests, using a systematic curriculum that builds balance, coordination, technique, strength, and confidence.
Kate Kostenbader loves this. All of it. All the dressage stuff. All the people and horses in dressage—the training, competitions, discipline, self-evaluation, hard work, and grit. The lessons, the travel, the passion, the ups and downs. It’s all so good. And Wildorado’s Serenade, aka Sera—her 14-year-old, 15.3-hand Danish mare—has made it all so much fun.
Horse Lover - Barn Buddy Program
Looking for a way to get more involved? Our Barn Buddy Program is your gateway. This program is a chance to connect, learn, and grow alongside others who share your passion. It’s more than just helping out—it’s becoming part of something bigger. Together, we’re building a stronger, more supportive barn family.
If you’re reading this, chances are you're interested in spending more time in the barn! This program is just ANOTHER benefit included in your monthly subscription.
At Greenbriar, countless small tasks keep the barn running smoothly. From prepping feed to untangling lead ropes, these moments matter—and that’s where our Horse Lovers shine. They fill the gaps, support our instructors, and serve as mentors and role models for others, young and old, who want to dig deeper into the world of horse care. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves, make a difference, and be part of something meaningful, we’d love to see you in the barn!
Held on the third Saturday of each month from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Barn Buddy Activities: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Snack and Review: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Please sign up on the white board by the Saturday before to ensure we have a mentor available for you.
Our next session is on July 19th at 11:00 AM. Don’t forget to bring a snack!
CALLING ALL CAMPERS!
It’s not too late to join us for camp! We still have spots available and would love to spend the week with you building confidence, skills, and unforgettable memories in the saddle. Come grow your horsemanship and have a blast with us—there’s still time to sign up!
Training Classes
We have an exciting new program at Greenbriar! Training Classes are held Mondays at 6 PM, Tuesdays at 4 PM, and Fridays at 2 PM, taught by Geline St. John. The purpose of this program is to give students hands-on opportunities to modify and improve horses’ behavior. For now, Training Class is being offered as a Horsemanship class through the Fall Trimester.
Every horse that comes to Greenbriar has a past, and it’s our job to determine whether they’ll be a good fit for our lesson program. Geline’s class worked with seven different horses in June.
Maverick attended all the Training Classes. He’s an Arabian gelding showing great promise as a lesson horse. However, he was very anxious about the girth being tightened when saddled. By the end of the month, the class met their goal: Maverick now stands to be saddled. He still has a ways to go, and our students will continue to be a part of his training process.
Scarlett is a 20-year-old Saddlebred mare who arrived a few months ago. She’s sensitive about having her ears touched, which makes it difficult to put the reins over her head. Students learned a submission exercise that teaches horses to lower their head and neck, helping them relax. Scarlett is already improving, and students now have a valuable skill they can apply to any horse.
“We’ve worked with seven horses this month. It’s been fun teaching this class—
I love helping horses and sharing what I’ve learned along the way,”
says instructor Geline St. John.
OUR MAILING ADDRESS
Greenbriar Riding Academy
PO Box 435 - Springville, IA, 52336
United States
+1 319-854-7115