About Us
At AEC, our mission is to facilitate the use of horses to nurture and develop compassionate, competent and confident individuals. The love of horses, and what they have to teach us, has no age restriction. We find joy in teaching a child during his or her first lesson and in helping adults realize their childhood dreams. We believe that what you can learn just as much from your horse on the ground as in the saddle, and focus on creating well-rounded equestrians of every age. Our focus is on fun, friends and learning in a safe environment, and we encourage you to watch our video and scroll further down on this page to learn more about us and what we do.
WHY AEC?
We're Professionals
Our instructor has:
• a bachelor's in equestrian science
• a master's in education
• certification from the American Riding Instructor's Association – a program dedicated to safety within the sport
Group and Private Lessons
Depending on riding level, we offer opportunities to ride both privately and in a group. Check out all our services here.
We Focus on Learning
While we do attend occasional competitions, our focus is on growth and becoming the best version of yourself, both in and out of the saddle.
Fun Events
We host various fun events throughout the year, from camps to special classes, and our annual barn holiday party.
We Put Horses First
As equestrians, we would be nothing without our horses. In everything we do, we put the needs of our horses first. Meet them here.
A Great "Barn Family"
When you become part of AEC, you join a very special group of fellow equestrians. We can't wait to meet you!
Our Instructor
Katy Anderson
Katy grew up riding and showing Saddlebred horses in saddle seat equitation and pleasure divisions. Together Katy and her partner, Katina’s Black Beauty, acquired quite an array of ribbons and trophies in their youth, earning high point awards from the Pennsylvania Saddlebred Horse Association and Eastern Saddle Horse Breeder’s Association, as well as top ribbons at prestigious shows such as the Devon Horse Show, Pennsylvania National and Syracuse International. Katy’s professional experience in the horse world started early. She worked as a groom for her childhood horse trainer during high school to help off-set her show bills, and spent multiple summers teaching riding lessons at a local children’s YMCA summer camp, where she earned certification with the Certified Horsemanship Association. She attended college at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, and graduated in 2009 with a double major in equestrian science and special education. During those years she interned at various stables, gaining valuable experience and solidifying her desire to make horses a part of her career. She married her husband, John, who also had a background in horses and training as a farrier, in 2010. Since opening Anderson Equestrian Center in the summer of 2014, Katy has also earned an MED in education, and is one of only three saddle seat instructors in the state of Missouri to be certified by the American Riding Instructors Association. Katy starts students from the ground up, providing them with the fundamentals needed to produce strong, talented riders, and instilling in them a lifelong love of horses. Whether working with children or adults, Katy has a knack for communicating even the most difficult concepts clearly, and this, along with her unlimited patience, makes her the ideal teacher for riders of all levels.