Meet The Team

Donna was born into a horse crazy family, so her passion is in her genes. While her family rode mostly western, Donna blazed her own trail and took the english route. By the age of seven she was learning to jump. At the end of her high school career she injured her back and had to take a break from the saddle, but this didn't stop her from working with horses. This blessing in disguise gave Donna plenty of time to learn more about groundwork and liberty work before it ever became popular in the horse world. She eventually realized her passion for helping others with their horses and moved her own horses to a boarding facility near her childhood home to work with clients. Many of the boarders saw Donna's work and couldn't help but ask for her to show them how to do what she does. This is where Donna's love of teaching started back in 2004. As the years went by Donna transitioned out of english and jumping and into western and rodeo. In 2015 Donna and her husband purchased the property that they fondly referred to as Red Cedar Farm, and in 2018 it became an official business with the riding school, Performance Horseback Riding, at the heart of it all.

Alex has loved horses since she was five years old when her parents stuck her on the back of a mare owned by a family friend. She kicked the mare and it took off across the field, her parents chasing after. Ever since she felt the wind in her hair that day, she has been obsessed with horses and riding, but life took her in a different direction for a while. Alex has a Master's degree in Business & Marketing as well as in K-12 Education. For the last twelve years she has been working in accounting and self-publishing novels. She is particularly fond of writing historical fictions that center on horses. Now, she's taking the skills she learned through school and work and applying them to Red Cedar Farm. She manages the horses' care, facility care, employees, as well as accounting and social media marketing to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Bel has gone from student to trainer and trail boss as she's shown great dedication and advancement in riding. She is available for Saturday trail rides.

Jenna went from student to trainer as she proved herself through hard work and dedication. She does riding and ground lessons on Mondays and Saturday afternoons.

Sadie started taking lessons with Donna when she was ten-years-old. In 2018, she started helping with lessons and working the horses. After the birth of her first child, now she is back doing limited lessons!

Alivia has been taking riding lessons since she was four. She started showing in all around pleasure but eventually went on to show in speed events, jumping, and dressage. Her main focus now is competing in ARHA shows in ranch riding, trail riding, showmanship, conformation, ranchmanship, horsemanship, reining, and boxing. She owns three mustangs, one of which she is training herself.

Carlee knows both english and western, and has shown in eventing, dressage, cross country, show jumping, barrel racing, ranch riding, and western and english flat classes. Her passion is educating others on horses and helping rider and horse grow strong bonds together.

Bella started her riding journey with Donna years ago. A month after starting lessons she started working at the farm as well. She has shown in off-site shows including the Porter County Fair.

An off the track Thoroughbred gelding who loves to jump. He has experience showing in the fair.

An off the track Thoroughbred, though you'd never know it. He is slow and steady with all riders. He has experience showing in the fair.

A sassy paint mare with a big personality, Nova is everyone's favorite. She has experience showing in the fair and with jumping.

Pepper is retired but she still loves to help out with our ground lessons when she can. Pepper is about 30 years old!

Another off the track Thoroughbred and a new comer. Jack has a very sweet disposition. He is available for fair 2025 use.

A blue roan Quarter Horse mare who has experience showing in the fair. She has amazing ground manners and a bit of go in her under the saddle making her a fun ride.

A Palomino Quarter Horse who has experience showing in English, Western, and jumping. She can have a bit of a stubborn streak so she's great for teaching riders new problem solving skills.

A bay Quarter Horse who has the dreamiest trot! She has experience showing, but is no longer participating in shows or fair.