Flanders Polo and Riding Lessons

03/21/2023

Haras Spring Classic was a huge success for FPRL!

On Saturday, Chrystal rode In the Black, owned by Theresa, to champion in the 2’6 jumpers. Next Chrystal rode her horse, Peanut Butter Flacon, to a 1st and 2nd in the 1.15m jumpers.

Ruthie rode Cappuccino to a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in a competitive walk trot division for reserve champion.

Noelle and Johnny WON their crossrail equitation flat out of 7 riders.

On Sunday, Madelyne rode her horse, My Contribution, to a reserve champion in the 2’3 hunters in their first hunter show.

Mahe and Lanzer had a great first show and placed 4th in their flat equitation.

FPRL congratulates everyone and we will see you at Pin Oak II!

03/19/2023

✨Instructor Spotlight✨
We are excited to introduce Jake Hassall as the newest Instructor addition to the FPRL family.
Jake, originally from Manchester, UK, got into riding when he was 7 years old at his local equestrian center. He continued to ride through college where he studied equine management and science, and later went on to get a degree in education at Staffordshire University. While at college, Jake took the British Horse Society Exam. The BHS exams are internationally recognized qualifications for riding.
Jake is currently certified to Level 4 BHS senior level eventing coach in horsemanship. Jake has 10 years of teaching experience, teaching at a wide range of equestrian centers in the UK and Ireland. He specializes in training all three Olympic disciplines, Dressage, Eventing, and Show jumping. Jake also trains students towards the BHS stage exams.
We are so excited to have Jake experience and expertise help our program and clients grow.

03/14/2023

So true. All of it.

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

*thank you to whoever wrote this! Not my words, but certainly a shared sentiment!

03/07/2023

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the GHQHA Performance Show in Brenham, TX this past Saturday!
This was a very successful weekend for all horse and rider combinations. Eona and Bonnie had fantastic rides in all of their classes, winning High Point Rider for Walk Trot 19 and over.
Claudia and Peppy had an amazing start to their western show season, winning Reserve High Point for Walk/Trot 19 and over.
We want to congratulate Suleha for getting several second places in her third Walk/Trot/Lope show on Spotcha.
Lastly, Madelyne and Hammer had an exciting day, winning Reserve High Point for Walk/Trot/Lope 19 and over.
We are so proud of everyone who participated in the show, and we look forward to the next show Memorial Day weekend in Bryan! 🎉

02/22/2023

✨FPRL Boarder Horse of the Week✨
This weeks Horse of the Week is Brooklyn! Brooklyn is an 18 year old Holsteiner. Brooklyn is owned by BJ and Colin, who love her very much. Fun fact: Brooklyn’s show name is “State of Grace” 🎠
Since coming to FPRL, Brooklyn has thrived with the help of the FPRL staff and grooms! She is full of personality and is not afraid to show all of the other horses that she is the mare on top. 👸🏻 In her free time, Brooklyn loves going on walks, eating grass with her dad, and having her favorite drink, Rodeo Clown, on a hot day. ☀️
BJ and Brooklyn are continuing to build their relationship and are loving their time together under saddle! BJ would also like to give a special shout out to Jackie Mask for creating an amazing portrait of Brooklyn. She did a great job capturing her spirit on canvas!
We absolutely love having Brooklyn and her family here at FPRL and we look forward to everything BJ and Brooklyn accomplish together❤️!!

02/13/2023

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week is is Tootsie!!
Tootsie is a 18 year old registered American Paint Horse. She is one of our amazing intermediate horses who does it all, she played polo, worked cows, and now Jumps! Tootsie loves helping kids and adults work on controlling their speed at the canter as well as learn to jump! Fun fact: Tootsie’s Registered name is “Get the Loot”. Tootsie is also currently being half leased by Victoria. We cant wait to see this duo make amazing progress together. Make sure you show Tootsie some love this week and tell her she is a good girl!😊😊


Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Tootsie in action and DM your pictures and videos with Tootsie to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

02/13/2023

Starting off our English show season, we want to congratulate everyone who participated at the Haras Sweetheart Hunter/Jumper Show!

Starting off in the walk only class, Astrid had an amazing ride. We loved seeing her back in the show ring!

In Walk/Trot, Chrissy, Eona, Elizabeth, and Ruthie all had great rides. We are so proud of their start to the season. We would like to give a special shout out to Claudia who was Overall Walk/Trot Champion on Peppy!

In Cross Rails, Harper, Allie, and Suleha had terrific rides. We are so proud of all of them for stepping up into cross rails and doing their best!

In Short Stirrup, Dimitra & Cecilia had a great first show of the season. Special congratulations to Cecilia who was Overall Champion on Belle!

Another special congratulations to Anna Lee who won Reserve Champion in the 2’ 6” Jumpers on Buddha! We can’t wait to see her at the Horse Trial at Pine Hill coming up soon!

We are so happy to see everyone back in the show ring and we are looking forward to the rest of the show season! Big thank you to our FPRL team of instructors and amazing grooms for making this weekend possible!

02/06/2023

This months instructor spotlight goes to Madelyne Cope.✨
Madelyne has been an integral part of our team. She’s a busy gal- teaching both English and western lessons, providing boarder and lesson horse training rides, and building our western show program. In addition to all that, she has also recently started dabbling in polo!

With all her “spare” time, Madelyne stays involved in the Western riding community by being the secretary for the Greater Houston Quarter Horse Association and is mom to her horse Hammer and doggie Storm. Madelyne is a jack of all trades and we are so lucky to have her be a part of our program! For more about Madelyne check out her bio on our website and swipe to see her and Hammer in action.

01/26/2023

✨FPRL Boarder Horse of the Week✨
This week’s Horse of the Week is Chip! Chip is an 18 year old registered quarter horse. Chip is owned by Katja Hrdlicka. Katja and her mother, Geordie, both enjoy their sweet boy!

Katja and Chip proved to be an awesome duo; starting off in the show ring doing cross rails and moved all the way up to 2’ 6” at rated shows.

Chip used to spend his free time with Harry Potter, another FPRL favorite. Now he spends his time trying to befriend his (slightly grumpy) adopted sister, Arabella. They both spend their free time writing “we miss you” letters to Katja (who is off at college in Colorado).

Chip is currently being half leased by Anna H and he is helping Geordie learn to canter!! Chip is the best boy and we absolutely love having him and his family here at FPRL!!❤️

01/18/2023

✨FPRL Boarder Horse of the Week✨
This weeks Horse of the Week is Bonnie aka Bon Bon!! Bonnie is a 7 year old registered AQHA/APHA. Bonnie is owned by Eona Meldrum! Eona and Bonnie have been an amazing duo for almost a year now, winning Reserve High Point Champion twice and Reserve High Point Performance Champion 2022 in the Western show ring. They also had a very successful season in the Hunter/Jumper show ring in 2022!! When Bonnie isn’t rocking it in the arena, she loves spending her free time with her best friend and adopted brother, Spotcha, who is also owned by the Meldrum family! We absolutely love having Bonnie and the Meldrum Family at FPRL and we can’t wait to see everything Eona and Bonnie accomplish this year!!

01/10/2023

Congratulations Kisha and Jason Itkin on your new horse, Montana!! We are so happy to see a new addition to your family!!

01/09/2023

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week May!!
May is a 15 year old American Quarter Horse. She is one of our intermediate/advanced horses! She loves teaching kids and adults how to control their speed and how to stay relaxed in the saddle. Fun fact: Mays favorite snack is bananas🍌!! May loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, Sneakers! You can catch them attached at the hip doing everything together!! May also loves pretending she is a paint horse but don’t let her fool you she’s actually grey. May is currently being half leased by Kate, we love seeing this duo in action and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish this year!! Make sure you stop by the barn this week and tell May she is the most beautiful girl!!😊😊

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see May in action and DM your pictures and videos with May to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

01/03/2023

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Jazzy aka Jazzy Wazzy!!
Jazzy is a 16 year old Quarter Horse Pony. She is one of our amazing Beginner lesson pony’s! She loves teaching kids foundation work and going on trail rides. Fun fact: Jazzy has one blue eye and one brown eye!! Jazzy is the final member of the mare pony squad which includes Dolly, Dawn, and Hopper! Make sure you stop by the barn this week and tell Jazzy she is the most beautiful girl!!😊😊

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Jazzy in action and DM your pictures and videos with Jazzy to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

12/26/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Gotcha Covered aka Gotcha!!
Gotcha is a 14 year old Canadian Warmblood. He is one of our amazing intermediate/advanced English Horses! Gotcha loves helping adults and kids take their flat work to the next level as well as learning to course over fences. Fun fact: Gotcha used to be a master in the 2’6 and 2’9 Hunters!! In his free time Gotcha loves catching a bite with his gelding friends Johnny, Arthur, and Gatsby! Make sure you stop by the barn this week and tell Gotcha he is the most handsome boy 😊😊

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Gotcha in action and DM your pictures and videos with Gotcha to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

12/24/2022

Happy Holidays from our FPRL family to yours.🎄We hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! ☃️✨

12/20/2022

Closing out our 2022 show season for this year, we would like to congratulate everyone who rode in Frost Fire at Great Southwest Equestrian Center this past week!!

✨Starting off we had Astrid on Chatterbox in the Walk Class. Astrid took 1st and 2nd in her first ever horse show!!! We are so proud of her for getting in the show ring and doing such an amazing job!

✨In the Walk/Trot we had Geordie on Chip who did a wonderful job. We love seeing this duo in the ring, and we can’t wait to see them show again next year!! We also had Harper on Chatterbox who took 1st in their flat class and did an amazing job overall!! We are exciting to see this duo continue to show next season!

✨In the 2 foot Hunters were so happy Katja on Chip back in the show ring! They did such a great job as a reunited pair and we hope to see them together again next year when Katja visits us from college!!

✨Lastly we had Instructor Chrystal on Peanut show in the 1.05m jumpers. They took home two 2nds and 3rd with clean and fast rounds!

We are so grateful for this amazing show season!! Congratulations to everyone who participated, we love seeing all our students show off their progress and reach for new goals! A special thank you to Instructor Chrystal for heading our English Show program!! We look forward to the new year and the new show season in the Spring!!!

12/13/2022

Congratulations Cecilia on your new lease horse, Belle!!! We can’t wait to see you two in the show ring together!!!

12/12/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week is Hopper!!!!
Hopper is a 19 year old welsh Pony/Thoroughbred cross. Hopper is one of our amazing English Pony’s! Hopper helps kids learn everything from how to trot and steer to cross rails! Fun fact: Paige purchased Hopper as a 5 year old, making her Paige’s first lesson pony!! Hopper has experience showing in Hunters, Jumpers, and Eventing!!Hopper is also the founder of the Mare Pony Squad, which includes Jazzy, Dolly, and Dawn!! Make sure you stop by and tell Hopper she’s so amazing!!


Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Hopper in action and DM your pictures and videos with Hopper to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

12/05/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Dolly!!!!
Dolly is a 13 year old Quarter Horse Pony! Dolly is one of our amazing English Pony’s who loves teaching kids of all learning levels!! Dolly is the sassy queen of the barn, once you get to know her she’s a sweet heart 😊 Dolly is also part of the Mare Pony Squad, which includes Jazzy, Hopper, and her doppelgänger Dawn. Together they love getting into mischief as well as catching a quick bite of grain together!!🤩 Make sure you stop by and tell Dolly she’s the prettiest girl!!


Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Dolly in action and DM your pictures and videos with Dolly to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

12/05/2022

Congratulations Theresa on your new lease horse, Dr. Pepper!! We are so excited to see this new team in action, and we look forward to everything you will accomplish together!!

11/29/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Sneakers!!!!
Sneakers is a 19 year old Quarter Horse! Sneakers is one of our amazing horses that does both English and Western!! He always loves having a job and feeling needed. Before joining FPRL, Sneakers did trail rides, cutting, and some sorting. In his free time, he loves going on dates with his girlfriend, May!!🤩 Make sure you stop by and give Sneakers some love this week!!


Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Sneakers in action and DM your pictures and videos with Sneakers to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

11/22/2022

Congratulations everyone who braved the cold for Haras Hacienda GHHJA Fall Harvest Hunter/Jumper Show this past weekend! It was a very successful weekend for FPRL. 🎉

✨Starting off on Saturday, Helen had a blast doing lead-line on Peppy!
We are so proud of Chrissy and Anna for participating in their first horse show in Walk-Trot. We also had Claudia, Eona, Harper, Elizabeth, and Suleha who all did a wonderful job!! Harper brought home Champion & Suleha was Reserve Champion!🏅
Lastly, in the Pre-Beginner, Allie did an excellent job on Dawn in her first time showing crossrails!
✨On Sunday, Sarah participated in Short Stirrup on Leo and they did a great job as a new team 🤩
FPRL instructors Chrystal, Rea, & Madelyne were also able to join in the fun while closing out the show in the Green as Grass Hunters & Haras Hunters! 🌟

We are so proud of all the amazing rides that took place and we can’t wait to see everyone back in the show ring in 2023! 🙌🏻

11/21/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Gatsby!!!!
Gatsby is a 16 year old Connemara/Quarter Horse cross! Gatsby is one of our amazing horses that loves everyone, you can catch him doing everything from teaching adults how to post their trot, to teaching kids how to jump cross rails!! Gatsby loves spending his free time with his best friend Johnny and his new friend Peppymint🤩 make sure you stop by and give Gatsby some love this week!!


Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Gatsby in action and DM your pictures and videos with Gatsby to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

11/21/2022

Congratulations everyone who participated in the GHQHA Performance horse show on November 12!!

✨Suleha was 3rd In all her class, including Showmanship, Hunter Equitation, Western Pleasure, Horsemanship, Trail, and Western Riding!!! This was also her first horse show moving up to the walk/trot/lope classes!!

✨Eona was Reserve Overall Champion!! Placing 2nd in Showmanship, 2nd in Hunter Equitation, 5th in Horsemanship, 3rd in Western Pleasure, and 4th in trail!!

✨Claudia was 3rd in Showmanship, 1st in Hunter Equitation, 4th in Horsemanship, 2nd in Western Pleasure, and 3rd in Trail.

✨ Madelyne was 5th in Trail, 6th in Western Pleasure on Rio owned by Kisha Itkin. On Bonnie, owned by Eona Meldrum, she was 2nd in Western Riding!

We are so excited for the next Western show in December!! We wish everyone the best of luck!!

11/18/2022

Meet Cecilia! She has been a part of our program for 6 years. Cecilia is currently working on closing out this years show season in the Hunter/Jumpers. She hopes to continue improving and learning, and she is looking forward to stepping back in the show ring in the spring! We wish her the best of luck and look forward to seeing her grow in her riding Journey!

“My favorite thing about riding at FPRL is the trainers. They work so hard to make sure that you and your horse are working towards your goals at a safe and fun pace! I am so glad and grateful to be able to ride at FPRL!” -Cecilia

Swipe to see Cecilia through the years at FPRL!!

11/14/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Dawn!!!!
Dawn is a 18 year old Quarter Horse Pony! Dawn specializes in teaching kids from walk trot to crossrails!! You can catch Dawn in the show ring giving it her all!! Fun fact: Dawn has a doppelgänger, Dolly 🤪 Dawn loves spending her free time with her pony girl squad which includes Dolly, Hopper, and Jazzy🤩 Make sure you stop by and give Dawn some love and tell her she’s the prettiest girl!!

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Dawn in action and DM your pictures and videos with Dawn to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

11/14/2022

Finishing out the New Horizon horse show year on a high note!

✨Anna Lee on her horse, Buddha Master, won Goldilocks with a dressage score of 25 ‼️
✨Dimitra on her horse, Purple Haze, won Green as Grass with more consistent marks on her dressage test!
✨Noelle and her horse, Once in a Blue Moon, were champion in crossrails showing how far their partnership has come along!
✨Elle and Emersen took home champion and reserve champion in walk trot stepping confidently into the ring each class!
✨Catalina took home the champion ribbon in walk trot with assistance in her first horse show!

Very proud of the FPRL girls!! See you at Haras Hacienda next week!

11/08/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Dallas!!!!
Dallas is a 17 year old registered American Quarter Horse! Dallas loves helping out with English lessons and Western lessons but her favorite is ba****ck lessons!! Dallas specializes in walk/trot for adults and kids! Fun fact: Dallas used to show Western Pleasure for 7 years before being a part of our program. Dallas loves spending her free time going on dates with her new boyfriend Cooper🤩 Make sure you stop by and give Dallas some love and tell her she’s the prettiest girl!!

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Dallas in action and DM your pictures and videos with Dallas to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

11/01/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week Roma aka Roma Tomato 🍅!!!!
Roma is a 13 year old Thoroughbred Polo Pony! Roma’s loves helping out with Polo lessons as well as English lessons from walk-trot to cross rails! She’s famous for her very smooth canter 😍 Roma teaches many adults and older children that love her so much! She loves spending her free time hanging out her other polo friends Dragon, Primero, Amigo, and Annie🤩 Make sure you stop by and give Roma some love and tell her she’s the prettiest girl!!

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Roma in action and DM your pictures and videos with Roma to be featured on our Instagram story this week!! 🍅

10/29/2022

Check out the pups of FPRL their Halloween costumes!! Comment bellow your favorite spooky pupper!!

10/28/2022

✨Groom Appreciation✨
Meet Paulin Rodriguez Jr. AKA “Junior”. Junior has been working here since 1999 and has been Head Groom for over a year now. Junior, along with all of our other grooms, provide high quality care to all of our horses here at The Houston Polo Club 365 days a year. Rain, snow, hot sunny days, and freezing weather, Junior is here making sure the horses are well taken care of! Junior and our grooms are the super hero’s that make our program and barn run smoothly! If you see Junior at the barn please thank him for all of his hard work and dedication to our program! We couldn’t do any of this without him. Swipe to see some kind words from FPRL owner, Paige Luplow, about Junior!!

10/26/2022

Friendships are built at the barn 💚

10/25/2022

Congratulations everyone who participated in the Western show this weekend!! We love seeing our western program grow!!! Keep up the amazing work!!

10/24/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week is Luna aka Luna-bear aka Lunacorn aka Looney Tunes!!!!
Luna is a 16 year old Quarter Horse Pony! Luna is one of our amazing English lesson ponies who teaches all ages. Luna has been in the program here at FPRL since 2018, so many of our young riders started out learning from her! You can catch Luna in the show ring bringing her A-game each time!🤩 Fun fact: Luna is a unicorn in disguise 🦄 Make sure you stop by and give Luna some love!!

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Luna in action and DM your pictures and videos with Luna to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!

10/24/2022

Peppymint helping out his small human Helen with her homeschooling! Math never looked so fun!!

10/22/2022

Congratulations .jenforyourskin on your new unicorn, Noble!!!! We are so excited for you and all the amazing things you will accomplish together on your Dressage journey!!

10/21/2022

Smiles and ribbons all around at Haras Hacienda! Congratulations to everyone that participated in the horse show this past weekend!! We look forward to what this show season will bring!

10/18/2022

✨ Meet the horses/ponies of FPRL✨
The horse of this week is San Tivios Dr. Peppy aka Bubba!!!!
Bubba is a 13 year old registered American Quarter Horse who loves to work! Bubba is a big part of our western program but also does English lessons and even has done a little bit of jumping 🤩 Fun fact: Bubba was bred to be a cutting horse! He’s a wonderful all-around horse that benefits our program and students in so many ways. Make sure you stop by and give Bubba some love!!

Stay tuned on our Instagram story to see Bubba in action and DM your pictures and videos with Bubba to be featured on our Instagram story this week!!