Instructor Profile

During a recent visit to the Hans Christian Andersen Museum in Denmark, Janie Weber was drawn to a quote from the beloved fairytale writer: “My life will be the best illustration of all my work,” wrote Andersen in his autobiography.

The words resonated with Weber, the owner of Stepping Stone Farm in Ridgefield. “In that moment, it dawned on me that my life has been an illustration of my love for horses and children,” she said.

Born and raised in Greenwich, Weber began riding horses when she was seven years old, working with internationally recognized trainers and becoming a highly decorated equestrian who won numerous competitions and made the U.S. Junior Olympic team. At age 14, she was sent to Mexico to train with the Mexican Olympic team. Back then, junior riders used to jump 5'6". “It was something I loved from the first time I rode a horse,” said Weber. “I was fortunate in that I found what I loved doing at such a young age.”

Hoping to pass on that passion to younger riders, Weber opened Stepping Stone Farm in 1972 in south Ridgefield. Seven years later, the farm moved to its current 60-acre location off Mopus Bridge Road. Since then, Weber has overseen several expansions and renovations at the farm, which now features two outdoor riding rings, two heated indoor rings, large stalls, and spacious turnout paddocks at its pastoral estate setting.

As a trainer, Weber has guided Stepping Stone riders who have gone on to win medals at the Connecticut, New England and national finals. She is the only six-time winner of the National Professional Horseman’s Association Trainer of the Year award.

“I’ve been teaching for more than 50 years now and I’m just as enthusiastic about it as when I first started,” said Weber. “Putting a pony and a child together is still magical for me. The connection and the bond can be special and last for a lifetime.”

Weber's Rio Bronco (Bravo) was horse of the year for both US and Canada multiple times. Throughout her life, Weber has bred and foaled a number of horses in hopes of having one of Bravo's offspring carry on his legacy. Finally after waiting 20 years, her 2020 bay filly possesses his same elegance and movement. Weber is very excited for this young filly and her bright future.

Associates in Business