Our Instructors

Stefanie Hoffman

Owner & Head Trainer

Stefanie and her mare, Puddles (Pay It Forward), competing at Estes Park, CO in 2002

Stefanie and her mare, Puddles (Pay It Forward), competing at Estes Park, CO in 2002

Stefanie working with a young rider on her school pony, Cowboy.

Stefanie working with a young rider on her school pony, Cowboy.

Stefanie & Beau (I’m a Big Deal) competing at his first CHJA show in the Schooling Hunters

Stefanie & Beau (I’m a Big Deal) competing at his first CHJA show in the Schooling Hunters

 Stefanie grew up in Indiana riding jumpers and came to Colorado in 1987 to attend Colorado State University’s Equine Science program, earning her BS in 1991. She competed on the first Intercollegiate Equestrian Team for the University, going on to win two 2nd place ribbons at the 1990 ISHA National Finals in the Equitation Over Fences and Stock-seat divisions. 

Upon graduation, she opened her own training business in Fort Collins and then at the prestigious Columbine Equestrian Center in Littleton Colorado until 1996. During that time she taught riders from the age of 4 thru Adult. Her students competed in rated USEF (formerly AHSA) shows and local CHJA (Colorado Hunter-Jumper Association) shows.

Her riders won numerous awards and Championships including:

  • Year-end Adult Columbine Medal Champion & Reserve Champion in 1995 

  • Year-end CHJA Large Pony Champion in 1996. 

Stefanie also taught Hunter/Jumper clinics in the region to local riding clubs and worked with and ridden with some of the top professionals in Colorado and numerous Olympians including Gold Medalists Joe Fargis and Greg Best.

From 2000 to 2012 she trained under Sean Brevard in Fort Collins, CO and competed as an Amateur, showing successfully in the Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation, and Medal classes. She won numerous year-end awards and qualified for and competed in the CHJA State Medal Finals in the Adult & Amateur Medals. 

Amateur Rider Awards Include:

  • CHJA Adult Medal Reserve Champion in 2000

  • CHJA Adult Amateur Jumper Champion in 2002

  • CHJA High Point Jumper in 2002

  • CHJA Best Adult Rider in 2002

  • CHJA Best Adult Horse in 2002

  • CHJA Adult Equitation Reserve Champion in 2011

  • CHJA Medal Qualifier in 2000, 2002, 2005, 2011

Stefanie's patience, horsemanship and love of teaching are her true strengths, she enjoys helping others on their journey to being better riders and horseman.  She has opened the Riding Academy to assist other riders to reach their riding goals and connect with horses in a supportive and nurturing atmosphere.