Mountain Meadow Equestrian Center

I started having riding lessons with Louise about six weeks ago, my 9 yr old son started at the same time also with her. He loves the lessons and the pony he rides, and the great thing about Louise's stable is he gets to use the same pony every week and has really built up a relationship with him. Even though I love horses, I was quite nervous at first being up close to one. Louise is great, everything is done at your pace and she makes sure you are comfortable with the progress of the lesson. Besides learning to ride with an amazingly qualified instructor, you are also taught how to take care of your horse. Love going every week and highly recommend learning here.

I started taking lessons with Louise at Mountain Meadow Equestrian center to fulfill a lifelong dream. She has helped me realize that I am capable of much more than I thought, as an equestrian. She has guided me, with compassionate and firm encouragement through lessons where I am challenged and having more and more fun each session.



My first impression of the stable was very clean, organized, and peaceful. It always smells like fresh shavings and sweet hay. The horses are always happy and friendly and have shining coats and bright eyes.



Louise Von Clef takes amazing care of the horses at her stable. It was her complete approach to boarding that gave me the confidence to buy my own horse and board there, even though I myself am very new to horsemanship. She was with me every step of the way. She helped me find an amazing horse with the potential to compete in dressage with me. She accompanied me to examine him, three hours away, and helped me negotiate with the seller on price. She was there when he was delivered, and has done everything for him since his arrival. She schedules his vet visits, his farrier visits, his feeding, watering, turning out and blanketing, and his constantly clean and roomy stall are all part of the amazingly low fee I kind of feel guilty paying each month.



Louise Von Clef even trains my horse for me, alongside her training me, too! It's amazing to see him blossom under her calm guidance. I can really see her connect with him, and make every session with him fun. He is relaxed and confident, and his movements are becoming so breathtaking! She has worked with world champion trainers and it shows!



Not only is the the stable itself impressive, but there is also a huge indoor ring AND outdoor ring with jumps that are available to me 24/7. There are also beautiful wooded trails on the property.



Overall, Louise has done so much for me and I consider her my friend, as well as my teacher. She teaches me much more than riding, she teaches me discipline and good horsemanship above all. I feel so lucky to have found such a horse heaven to share with a horse I never before thought I could ride, much less own! You will not believe what a diamond in the rough this place is, a world class equestrian center in my little town of Maryville, Tn!

I've boarded my horse at Mountain Meadow Equestrian Center since October 2011. It's been a very enjoyable time. I chose it for the facilities: big airy barn and 2 large arenas, one of them covered, plus trails and a gorgeous mountain view. But I stayed for the people, especially the owner/trainer/instructor Louise Van Clef. She has gone out of her way to help me feel at home there, trained my horse, taught me lessons, and kept my active young Saddlebred healthy and well fed.

I've watched her teach students from beginner to advanced. She's very experienced and knowledgeable and adapts easily to the special needs of every horse and rider. Her stable of lesson horses are well behaved and range from ponies for the littles to Thoroughbred hunters. If you want to ride and learn in a relaxed and safe environment, this is a good place to come.

Although there are stables that are closer in proximity, I happily drive an hour each way once a week so that my 8 yr old daughter can have the benefit of Louise's instruction. The grounds are beautiful, the stable is well tended and the horses are obviously well taken care of. I will say that I did once try another stable because it was much closer to where I live, and my daughter begged to go back to Louise. I think that about says it all.

I have had my horse here for about two years now and we absolutely love it! There are beautiful trails were you can go out an relax through the wooded area or go down through the little meadow. The two riding arenas are great for jumping and flat work. The stalls stay nice and cool in the summertime and the pastures are super green. The barn always smells like fresh pine shavings and the water buckets stay nice and clean. Louis really knows what she's doing whether it comes down to training riders and horses or maintaining this beautiful piece of property!

Louise is a wonderful instructor for our 9 yr old daughter who is a beginner rider. Highly recommended place! The horses are all very well cared for (I am a veterinarian). Maryville should be proud to have such a talented equestrian with so much experience in both western and english. Louise is very good with kids and knows that each one responds differently.