Riding Lessons


Irish Run Farms has riding lessons available every day of the week, with skill levels from introductory to advanced, including but not limited to jumping and dressage.  Quality lesson horses are available.

Advanced riders are encouraged to schedule a lessons with one of our approved professional riding instructors, whose bios are listed below. For more information about our Kids’ Riding Club and riding classes, click here.

Approved Instructors

Melinda Baszczynski is originally from Toronto, Ontario Canada. She began riding horses at age 7, started exercise riding as a teenager, and teaching beginner lessons at age 16. Melinda continued to teach riding lessons while attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston, taking part in the equine science/business management program. Melinda rode on the college equestrian team before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in equine science. Since graduation, she has worked at Valley Park stables, as well as spending three years managing  and operating Hunters Glen Farms. Melinda has a strong background in training and showing hunter/jumpers, and has served on the board of directors for the Iowa Nebraska Hunter Jumper Association. Melinda has been a trainer at Irish Run Farms since 2016, she also runs the Horsemanship Club. She can be reached by email at melinda@irishrunfarms.com.

Melinda Baszczynski

Caty Elgin began her riding career at the age of eight.  She owns two horses residing at Irish Run Farms – Art, a Trakehner gelding, and Gypsy, an OTTB mare. Caty competes in show jumping and eventing.  She currently attends and actively shows on the college riding team at Iowa State University, where she is studying Elementary Education. She has experience in many different disciplines, including Western, Arabian Hunt Seat and Western, Hunters, Equitation, and more.  She can be reached by email at caty@irishrunfarms.com.

Caty Elgin