John White Stables, Woodstock

The bond between John and Lisa Jo White was built around a mutual love of horses. The pair met in 1990 at the National Show Horse Finals in Louisville, while Lisa Jo was coaching an equitation rider. Over the course of the next decade, they would get married, start their own stable, and garner national recognition showing arabian performance horses. Sadly, John passed away in 2009, but Lisa Jo carries on his legacy as the head trainer and operator of the year-round facility. Within her expansive indoor riding arena—outfitted with a heated wash rack, quarter-mile track, and viewing area—she trains all ages to become capable riders, knowledgeable with horsemanship, and confident enough to take their horse to the prom. In recognition of her success with students, the Arabian Horse Times has awarded Lisa Jo with its Reader’s Choice Instructor of the Year Award three years running.