Liz Reader has spent her life riding and raising horses, competing, and winning many awards along the way. For the last 17 years, she has also trained other riders to do the same.
She was recently named Trainer of The Year by Practical Horseman Magazine.
We caught up with Liz in one of the training rings on the beautiful Silver Circle Ranch, where, on any given day, you will find Liz surrounded by horses and riders.
It is her life's work…
"I’m the owner and operator of Pair of Aces Stables.”
...and her life's passion -
"I was born horse crazy, always loved it and I started riding between the ages of three and four."
Like most young riders, Liz took weekly lessons for years, then, "from there once I got my own horse, I knew I wanted to be really competitive.”
Reader has gold, silver and bronze medals to show for it, and so do many of her students.
And that, she says, is her dream come true.
"I grew up wanting to be a trainer, this is what I always wanted to do and it's really fun to be able to know I wake up and live what was my dream.”
Reader's riding academy, Pair of Aces Stables, can be found on the historic Silver Circle Ranch in southwest Reno.
"To have something like this that's 12 and a half acres - still in town - and so accessible, just minutes from downtown, minutes from the freeway is really, really special"
Even more special, says Reader, are the skills that young people develop when they learn to ride horses, well beyond the physical aspects of the sport.
"The horses are so intuitive but you have to learn how to communicate with another being that doesn't speak the same language as you, right, so you end up with these incredible communication skills, great body language - and really good problem-solving skills.”
All of which Liz instills in her students.
Reader was recently awarded a special honor.
"Named the 2023 Practical Horseman Magazine Trainer of The Year, which was really - it came as a big surprise - and it was just inspiring."
Reader has no plans to slow down.
Her current plans include "a bunch of young students coming up who will start competing on the local circuit this year. And then my own personal riding, I have a young horse that I’ve bred that I’m going to work up through the larger jumpers and get back into the Grand Prix ring."
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The training academy program at Pair of Aces Stables is open to riders of all levels for anyone six years and older. Prices vary depending on the number of lessons. Reader also offers an introductory class for first timers.
Pair of Aces Stables https://www.pairofacesstables.com/ (775)220-2270
Silver Circle Ranch https://www.silvercircleranchreno.com/ (775) 560-4242
3400 Holcomb Ranch Lane
Reno, NV 89511
