Horseback Riding Instructors

Lisa Allocco is a professional horseback riding instructor with over 30 years of experience teaching children, teens, and adults in a fun, supportive, and family-friendly environment. Her passion for horses and dedication to her students create a positive atmosphere where riders build confidence, skills, and a lifelong love of riding.

Lisa has extensive experience training riders for local New Jersey horse shows, regional competitions, and AA-rated circuits, including travel to prestigious year-end finals. She believes in developing strong fundamentals, good sportsmanship, and safe riding habits, whether students ride recreationally or competitively.

Lisa has also directed and taught summer riding camps for many years, creating engaging, hands-on programs that blend learning, teamwork, responsibility, and fun.

Known for her patient teaching style, encouraging approach, and genuine love for children and animals, Lisa creates a welcoming barn community where every rider feels supported, motivated, and proud of their progress.

Phyllis Piano Hestvik is a passionate, accomplished horsewoman with a reputation for working with all types of riders and horses. Upon earning her bachelor’s degree in music education, and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance, Phyllis relocated to Germany to sing and teach professionally. While in Germany, she continued to ride and train with German trainers in Stuttgart. During that time, Stuttgart was a hub for high-level dressage, home to renowned trainers and instructors.

Horseback riding from a young age, Phyllis’s love of riding competition began with ponies. She has participated in many horse sports, including fox hunting, hunter paces and extensive trail riding. Her love and passion for horses are her magic, and they keep riding lessons fun! Phyllis is proud to be a skilled, well-rounded equestrian, who is dedicated to her own development as a rider and instructor through classes and clinics.

Being an educator, Phyllis leads with an open, accessible disposition and unflappable calm, which provides a wonderful learning experience for all riding students of any age, especially children. Phyllis owns her own horse, Amaryllis, affectionately known as Stella. The team of Phyllis and Stella have taught many people how to ride safely and confidently. Phyllis continues to expand her expertise and knowledge of riding, through continuous education, striving to achieve new milestones in her horse career.