Adjusting stirrups
Petting baby chicks
Monica whittmer herself
Monica and Louie
Safety is our first concern - all riders wear helmets and tack is safe and correctly adjuststed
Monica Whitmer's traditional dressage background makes her a great instructor for the growing sport of Western Dressage
Visiting...
Nyko H.
Jan 31, 2025
I stumbled across Sweetwater during Covid when my son couldn't play baseball and was wanting to learn how to ride horses (thank you Red Dead Redemption LOL). I placed a call, the owner Monica answered right away and I explained our situation. In that very first phone call, she let me know they were still able to compete at events on horseback that my son might like to do and she even offered one of her lesson horses for him to use.When I excitedly told my son what she said, he replied "Why would she offer me her horse, she doesn't even know us??!" I told him, well, I guess some people are just giving like that or have a feel for good people like us. That pretty much sums Monica up. She is the consumate giver and ultimate all around horsewoman. She's all about the horses FIRST and does not hesitate to offer her decades of amazing experience and support in any scenario. Whether taking lessons or boarding here, you will automatically be at an advantage because of who she is as a person.Monica ended up giving us our first horse, as well as continuing to offer her support to this tiny family of green horse owners ourselves, as we've added a few more after! We can't envision being anywhere else, it's truly been a blessing knowing Monica, as well as all the other engaging and supportive horse owners at Sweetwater!
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Susan H.
Apr 1, 2022
I wanted to do something special for my granddaughters on their last day of Spring Break and contacted Sweetwater Ranch & Carriage Company. Monica was so accommodating [especially given my narrow window of opportunity]. She was thoroughly professional, teaching my granddaughters how to groom, put the saddle on Flo, how to talk to the horse, etc. The safety standards were excellent. Both my granddaughters were allowed to ride for 15 - 20 minutes each. The cost was reasonable. My granddaughters were able to pet other animals: chick, lamb, dogs. This was an extremely satisfying experience. I highly recommend Monica's Sweetwater Ranch.
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Chante M.
Nov 18, 2020
Monica is the bomb! She is really good at her job and you. An tell she enjoys teaching too. Very detailed and through in her explanations. I recommend people of all ages go get lessons from her.
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Sarah W.
Feb 26, 2018
Just had a fantastic experience last weekend. Monica is amazing. Great energy here. There is a love for animals and a love for people. We will be coming back.
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Ashlee P.
Oct 4, 2018
Amazing amazing amazing...we love Monica and her horses the entire community it welcoming and the lessons are wonderful...
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Amanda H.
Jun 29, 2014
I started riding with Monica when I was 9 years old, now I'm 27 and she teaches my daughter. Monica is extremely knowledgeable and teaches all disciplines of riding. Anyone interested in horses, or thinking of learning how to ride, or brushing up on your skills, I highly recommend contacting Sweetwater Ranch. You will be met with a personable trainer who really knows her stuff! They also offer carriage rides for hire for events like weddings and birthdays with a beautiful carriage and a lovely horse. Sweetwater is your place for anything horsey!
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Gwen J.
Jan 28, 2015
Beautiful ranch, very very hospitable people, helped me celebrate my 50th Birthday, it was last minute, but a beautiful carriage ride, they have some of the most beautiful and healthy looking horses I have ever seen!G. Jackson
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Erin D.
Jun 1, 2015
I recently moved to the Lancaster area and spent a long time researching places to ride. I found Sweetwater Ranch and instantly fell in love with farm! Monica is very welcoming and knowledgable which is what I was looking for. Her dogs are excellently friendly and her horses are all well behaved angels. I had a great lesson and spent the entire time smiling and having a great time. I have been riding for 18 years and was looking for some where to accommodate my advanced riding and be able to coach me to better myself. I have no problem riding lesson horses; every single one of them has something to teach all of us! I rode a saintly horse named Noah. He was as smooth as butter and gentlemanly like a knight from the Middle Ages. Monica pushed me hard, and I loved it! I will absolutely be coming back in the future and I want to call this place home. I would absolutely recommend this place to any one who is looking for lessons, whether you be a beginner or an advanced rider such as myself.
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Abbey W.
Jul 21, 2024
been riding here for years and it's incredible training, great service and great treatment for the horses. Monica whittmer the trainer specializes In English riding and will teach you amazing things but had also taught me how to barrel race, gymkana, jumping, English work and about how the horses body works it's so amazing to have such a good trainer and teacher and she is so giving. Even with 2 hip replacements the best rider I've ever seen.
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