ABOUT MISSY JO AND SADDLE LAKE
Saddle Lake was created in April of 1996 by Missy Jo. In 2023, a second location was opened in Ocala after a year of painstaking details. Her family has been very important in the development of the farms. A lifestyle of Kentucky Horse farm life and dedication to the animals and farm now extends to the Florida farm. Specializing in the breeding and development of young horses and dedicated riders, Saddlelake’s success comes from Missy Jo’s strong belief and teaching in horsemanship and responsibility.
As a well respected trainer, Missy Jo has acquired many accolades. In 2016 she received the Professional Trainer Award from KHJA at Medal Finals. The Campbell County Ky Conservation District named her Cooperator of the Year for her Conservation efforts in 2013. University of Cincinnati named her University of Cincinnati Coach of the Year, where she has been the coach for the University of Cincinnati’s Equestrian team since 2007. Kentucky Quarter Horse Association named her “Trainer of the Year” for six years. Over the years she has been USEF Leading Breeder for Pony Hunter Breeding and USEF Leading Owner for Pony Hunter Breeding multiple times, and Leading trainer at the USHJA Young Pony Championship in 2021 and 2023. Additionally, her stallions have won USEF Leading Sire Awards for Pony Hunters and Pony Hunter Breeding.
In her riding years, Missy Jo was Leading Junior Dressage Rider for AHSA in the early 90’s and won the Dr. Benson Award. She went on to compete on the Champion IHSA team at Western Kentucky University and placed at national Horse Judging competition. It doesn’t stop there — Missy Jo even has experience with Livestock Judging and won the Little North American.
Over the years, Missy Jo has had many champion horses and clients at Devon, Capital Challenge, WIHS, USEF Pony Finals, USHJA Young Pony Championships, Sallie B. Wheeler, USHJA Marshall & Sterling and other National Championships. In addition to breeding Champion Welsh Ponies and Warmbloods, Missy Jo has bred and raised Quarter Horse Hunters. This has led to Wins at the All American Quarter Horse Congress, International Buckskin Horse Association World Show, American Quarter Horse Youth World Show, American Quarter Horse Select World Show, and the American Quarter Horse World Show. Missy Jo, and her carefully selected Saddle Lake Team, strive to make Saddle Lake an industry leader in breeding and developing talented young horses and dedicated riders to their maximum abilities. Curated to the goal oriented rider, Missy Jo strives to make dreams come true. Her focus on horsemanship allows a thoughtful upbringing for the young horses she trains.
