We were delighted to see our own Penny Wahlgren featured in the March issue of the Wisconsin Dressage & Eventing Association’s eQuester newsletter. Penny has been riding since she was twelve and for the past several years has been sharing her knowledge and love of horses with riders here at Plum Lake Equestrian Center in Sayner. She often says that Plum Lake is a place where people can take a deep breath and feel the peaceful rhythm of the barn, and I think many of our students would agree.
Penny brings both education and life experience to her teaching. She earned her degree in equine studies from UW–River Falls and even spent time working as a zoo keeper at the Indianapolis Zoo. That experience helped shape her thoughtful approach to training – paying close attention to behavior, breaking things down into small steps, and helping both horses and riders build confidence along the way. It’s a joy to watch her students grow under that kind of patient guidance.
One of the things I admire most about Penny is the way she connects with riders of all ages. She has taught beginners as young as five and adults well into their seventies, and she celebrates every small success along the journey. As Penny says so beautifully in the article, “Seeing that joy with horses feeds my soul.” That spirit is exactly what we hope people experience when they come ride with us at Plum Lake.
Penny also leads our popular Youth Summer Horse Camp, where young riders get the chance to experience the joy of horses in a safe, supportive environment. Campers spend their days learning horsemanship skills, riding, grooming, and building confidence around horses while enjoying the peaceful Northwoods setting of the barn. Many young riders who attend camp discover a lifelong love of horses and return year after year to continue learning.
Registration for this year’s Summer Horse Camp is now open for youth ages 7–17. Families interested in giving their children a hands-on horse experience are encouraged to visit our website to learn more and reserve a spot. It’s a wonderful way for kids to unplug, build confidence, and experience the special bond between horses and humans.