Riding Instruction St. Paul Dressage Lessons Boarding Stable Chisago City MN

 

Welcome to Sunborn Stables!

Where dreams are born and horses and riders shine! click for map


 

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Sunborn Stables features a comprehensive dressage and eventing education where time-honored traditions meld with new approaches. Our riders become disciplined and creative artists who not only look good on a horse, but can enhance the natural beauty of the horse. But perhaps most importantly, develop the versatility and skills to ride any type of horse.

Founded in 2000 by Julie Penshorn, a teacher and trainer for almost 40 years in 10 different states, Sunborn Stables now has 4 additional teachers and a fabulous working environment. The footing is perfect, and the preparation area is warm!

Riding is a wonderful, comprehensive, experiential activity that improves balance, agility, and strength. It's a unique opportunity to experience teamwork with another living being! With riding, people get what they need. For example, children often develop their responsibility, empathy, self discipline, self confidence, respect, courage, and sense of fairness, while adults often say they feel more confidence, gain strength, and have fun! (click on the Lessons tab for more information).

Sunborn Stables was featured at the Minnesota State Fair!

Loki works on his piaffe (above) with clinician Bill Woods

Congratulations students on a successful Fall Festival Show 2011!

Team: Sunborn Allstars, Mary Johnson, Hannah Hathaway, and Kaytlyn Rowen team champions! (pictures coming!)

Mary Gmitter Johnson with Navello -- Champion at 4th Level

Mary Gmitter Johnson with Navello - Reserve Champion at Prix St. Georges

Kaytlyn Rowen with Miss Mattie - Champion at Training Level

 

Reviews: Click to read what boarders and students have to say!

Students from age 6 to 65 currently take regular lessons. Many like to test their skills at horse shows, and some simply enjoy the process of learning.

We have a wide variety of horse breeds here. They enjoy the grass, good hay and quality "health food" concentrate/grain they receive.

Some of our 2010 Successes

Sunborn Stables team was 2nd at the Dressage Festival out of 22 teams!

Last year our teams were 1st and 3rd place (sorry about the picture below -- it got dark on us!) -- Pictured are, from left, Julie Penshorn on Prince, Hannah Hathaway on Tiegra del Sol, and Kali Mann on Diamonds in the Sun

 

Reina del Sol and Julie Penshorn are 2nd and 3rd Level Champion at the CSDEA Year End Show

Pictured below with Julie and owner Kelly Montgomery

 

Kali Mann and Diamonds in the Sun Win the Junior Training Level Division!

and interestingly, Kali could have competed as a youth (15 and under) but competed with the older juniors. So, the youngest girl won the division!!

Reserve Champion 2nd Level horse Summer's Prince! owned by Renee Alaksa

Some of Our 2009 Horse Show Successes

 

Molly Schiltgen

3rd in USDF Horse of the Year Awards for Amateur Owners, 2009

at 2nd level with Weltina, Hanoverian mare


 

 

Nel Siemsen (age 15),

4th place in USDF Horse of the Year Awards for 3rd level Juniors 2009

CSDEA Fall Festival Championship show: Champion 3rd level juniors, Reserve champion 4th level juniors

High Point third level junior in the Central States Region, 2009

Nel and Loki begin their medium trot in fine form.

 

This Year, You Can Join One of Our Winning Teams!

Sunborn Sizzlers Wins the Team CSDEA Competition, Sunborn Stars takes 3rd!

 

Nel Siemsen, Libby Faffler (high scoring junior at the Fall Festival show) and Julie Penshorn are on our FIRST PLACE TEAM at the Festival with a combined score of 70.9% -- in a field of 21 teams.

from left, Reina del Sol, and owner Kelly Montgomery, Nel Siemsen and Loki (owned by Laurie Carlson), Desi Arneson and Delta, Julie Penshorn and Summer's Prince with owner, Renee Alaksa on the ground, Hannah Hathaway and Tiegra del Sol, and Libby Faffler and Nicki

Lead trainer, Julie Penshorn, was Champion & Reserve Champion at 1st level and 2nd level open, with Summer's Prince and Reina del Sol, respectively

Reina del Sol also is National Champion Adequan/USDF All Breeds for Friesian Sport Horse at 1st level 2009

Reina del Sol at halt and trot lengthening, Summer's Prince in canter, Renee Alaksa (owner) and Summer's Prince and Kelly Montgomery (owner) and Reina

 

One of Sunborn Stables eventers, Eric Arneson, is 2nd in Beginner Novice at Trott Brook 2009 (his first recognized event!)

 

The 2008 Show Season had Many Successes as well!

Molly, Layne and Nel with their horses

Including:

  • Layne Sandercott was Reserve Champion at Junior Young Riders and at 3rd Level in the USDF Region IV Finals in Mason City!
  • Layne was also a contributing member to the Junior Team for Region IV and the Jr and Young Rider North Americal Championships in Colorado (CDI) where our team got the Silver medal -- a huge success for Region IV!
  • Jess Hanson was 6th in the First Level Midwest Regional Finals
  • Nel Siemsen was 4th in the NATION in Dressage Seat Equitation age 13 and under, and Layne Sandercott was 7th in the 14 to 18 year old group.

The Central States Dressage and Eventing Association Fall Festival Champions:

  • Layne Sandercott on Cedrick (pictured center)-- Both the 3rd Level Juniors and the Freestyle
  • Nel Siemsen on Loki (pictured on right)-- 1st Level Juniors
  • Julie Penshorn on Reina del Sol (standing)-- Training Level Open. View a training video of Reina del Sol.

Reserve Champion

  • Molly Schiltgen on Lucero (pictured on left)-- 3rd Level Open

 

Comments of Students and Boarders

  • I've got more education than should be legal! In fact, I've spent a large part of my life in schools and universities from the US Army to Medical School to Graduate school, and I rank you in the top 1% of all teachers I've ever had! Even though my natural riding ability is about zero, and I thought that I would never have much of a chance to really ride and jump again after I was severly injured in a riding accident in 2003, your ability to explain and demonstrate key concepts and methods in riding is unparalleled! I wondered why I was driving so dang far for a lesson, but I also believe the Lord puts us where we are supposed to be (if we listen) and your place is the right one for me to re-gain my seat. Having come this far in just 4 months of once-a-week lessons, is dramatic, to say the least. Every time we have a lesson I come home feeling life is worth living again. AND, I've lost 30 pounds! Thanks for teaching me!" Gary Wilhelm, MD, PhD, MPH, Colonel US Army, Flight Surgeon, Army National Guard

  • “I just wanted to let you know I am so impressed with your teaching style, and all there is to know about riding and caring for horses.  My granddaughter is a very new beginner, and she gets in the car and starts talking horse, and tack and posting. . .it is amazing!!! . . .You are amazing at what you do, and I am so impressed with what I see!!  We are lucky to have someone like you!!"
    Cheryl Kuehne

  • "My favorite thing about riding at Sunborn Stables is that it's just plain FUN! I enjoy working out hard and hardly knowing I'm doing it because I'm so engrossed in the relationship with my horse.” Desi Arneson

  • “What I like about riding lessons at Sunborn Stables is that lessons are always a challenge both physically and mentally.  There is so much to learn, and we have riders at all levels so there are always great role models around to learn from.” Rachel Nekowitsch

  • “There are so many reasons why I like Sunborn.  What struck me the most was the organization and rules.  Boarders are able to do their own thing but within some boundaries. It drives me nuts when people are unorganized and disrespectful of others and supplies that we share at the barn.   The instructors have a passion for teaching and when I am taking a lesson they put my needs first. I am challenged in a way I never have been before and when I think I am unable to do a certain movement and then I do it, it is an accomplishment! I feel in love with the horses and the people at Sunborn.  I am learning HOW TO RIDE from very experienced and talented riders.” Krista Bellrichard

  • "What I like about lessons at Sunborn is that I feel like I make some forward progress with every ride. (even when my horse is going side to side, backwards and up and down!) I'm able to attribute the large majority of my recent success with my horse to help from you and Mary. I don't feel judged because I don't have a five or six figure horse and I feel like I'm a valued part of the barn family.  I feel like we have an exceptional facility and an environment that is nurturing to me as a rider and a horseman.  So, in short, I love Sunborn! And I'm never leaving -- you will have to kick me out first!!" Jennifer Glander

  • "The number one reason for loving having my daughter at Sunborn is confidence building. Next is responsibility, determination, discipline, physical strength and building a connection with an animal while pursuing something she loves." Sue Hervig

  • "Sunborn Stables has been a wonderful place for my daughter to continue her dressage training and begin to develop her jumping skills.  The trainers are all highly skilled, friendly, focused on safety and personal growth.  The staff has provided excellent care for our horse since day 1 and has truly taken the time to understand and fulfill the needs of horse and rider.  We are very happy to be at Sunborn and strongly recommend the stable to others who share a similar love and passion for the sport." Sue Rowen