Schaefer Barn · New Virginia, Iowa

Where ridersfind theirstride.

Riding lessons, training and team coaching with Janelle, for first-time riders all the way to the breed-show ring.

Ask about lessons Meet Janelle
Training horses since
1992
IEA Western President
Region 6
Where her riders go on to compete
Div. I
A smiling woman in a white blouse stands beside a horse against a black background.

Coach JanelleTraining riders since 1992

IEA WesternRegion 6 President

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In Janelle's words

No drama. Family friendly.

That’s how Janelle describes Schaefer Barn.

She loves bringing new riders into the horse world and finding them the right horse to learn on. You’ll meet first-time riders, families and experienced show riders at the barn.

The rider's path

From first ride to the show ring.

Every rider moves at their own pace. Keep scrolling to ride the pattern.Swipe to ride the pattern.

  1. A young rider in a helmet leans forward from the saddle to hug her buckskin horse’s neck in an indoor arena.

    First ride

    A quiet horse, and a coach right beside you.

  2. A girl standing on a step stool brushes a chestnut horse in a barn aisle.

    Horse care

    Grooming, tacking up and learning what a horse is telling you.

  3. A young rider in a navy show coat and helmet walks a buckskin horse around an indoor show arena.

    Foundations

    Position, rhythm and the basics.

  4. Two riders in show coats, seen from behind, hold hands from the saddle as they face an arena.

    Friendship

    Barn friends who cheer each other on at shows.

  5. A pile of IEA and Central Iowa Equestrians rosettes in blue, red and gold, with a High Point ribbon.

    Team

    IEA Western with the Central Iowa Equestrians, grades 4–12.

  6. Close-up of a saddle fender stamped “ABRA Champion, World Championship Show” beside a 2026 ABRA concho.

    The world stage

    For some riders, the path leads all the way to a world championship show.

  7. Your number’s up.

    Start with lessons

Every rider starts somewhere.

Pick the line that sounds like you.

  1. New to horsesStart with lessonsFirst rides, first friendships with a horse, and a coach who loves welcoming new riders.
  2. Ready to competeFind your way into the show ringFrom open shows to AQHA, Pinto and Buckskin competition, plus the Central Iowa Equestrians IEA Western team.
  3. Bringing a horseTraining built on experiencePreparation and progression for horses and the riders who will show them.
  4. Looking for a partnerHelp finding the right horseSales and leasing guidance focused on the right match for each rider.

Training horses since

1992

Janelle began training while she was still in high school.

Her track record.

  • IEA National Champions

    Janelle has coached multiple IEA National Champions.

  • AQHA All-Around Awards

    Her riders have earned multiple AQHA state show and year-end high-point all-around awards.

  • AQHA Congress Finalists

    Riders from Janelle’s program have been finalists at the AQHA Congress.

  • Pinto World Championships

    Her horses and riders have earned multiple Pinto World Championships and all-around wins.

  • Buckskin World Championships

    Janelle has trained and instructed many horses and riders to American Buckskin Registry Association World Championships.

  • Leading in Sportsmanship

    The Central Iowa Equestrians have earned more sportsmanship awards than any other IEA team in their region.

  • Division I college riders

    Numerous riders from her program have gone on to compete at the Division I level in college.

  • IEA Western coach

    Coach of the Central Iowa Equestrians and President of IEA Western Region 6.

See the competition story
Three horses stand in a pasture at golden hour while a hot-air balloon drifts low over the trees.

Strong foundations. Lasting partnerships.

Janelle Schaefer smiling in a royal blue Central Iowa Equestrians polo shirt.

Meet your coach

Meet Janelle.

Janelle started training horses in 1992, while she was still in high school. Her favorite part is still the beginning: matching a new rider with the right horse and getting them ready for a first show.

Her riders compete at open shows and across AQHA, Pinto and Buckskin circuits. From first classes to national and world championships, the program keeps its family atmosphere.

Read Janelle's story

AQHA · PintoandBuckskin · Open

From a first open show to breed championships, Janelle helps horses and riders find their place in the ring.

Meet the horses
Portrait of a buckskin horse with a braided mane and an English bridle in an indoor arena.

A lot happens between lessons.

Life at Schaefer Barn
A group of girls in matching gray jackets pile onto a green John Deere tractor outside a barn, laughing.
Two riders in show coats, seen from behind, hold hands from the saddle as they face an arena.
A dark bay mare lowers her head to touch noses with her newborn foal, which lies in straw wearing a quilted blanket.

Start with a quick call or message.

Tell Janelle a bit about the rider and she’ll help you figure out where to begin. No experience needed.

Ask about lessons Call 515-306-0287