ABOUT US
Firelight Arabians cultivates a love for horses, offers a robust horseback riding lesson program, an Arabian/Half-Arabian training program and a whole lot of fun…
Our goal is to see students advance in their riding skills, while falling in love with the Arabian horse. Our program offers space for beginner riders to seasoned amateurs and we’re excited to assist you on the journey. And we have a full barn full of people to cheer you on!
Meet Our Team…
Lorie Henderson: Owner & Trainer
As a kid, Lorie Henderson, always loved horses, and when she was 17, she got her first horse, a two-year-old Arabian filly. She had been riding ponies and horses at the stables near her home for years, so getting this mare under saddle was an easy task. Several years later she went to work for two very prominent Arabian farms and honed her skills as a horseman, trainer, and breeder. She followed her dream and started Firelight Arabians in the 1980’s and has been training ever since.
Over the years she has brought many youth and adult riders up from their first day on a horse to Nationally decorated riders. Kids are her specialty, bringing them along from the tender ages of three-years-old to become beautiful, successful riders, many of which have become adult amateurs in the show ring, while their kids are showing. Several have become judges, show officials, and many have stayed in the horse business for years.
Over the years she has kids and adults alike who win Regional and National titles in Hunter Pleasure, Country English Pleasure, Sport Horse In Hand and Under Saddle, Dressage Intro Level through 2nd Level, Western Dressage, Native Costume, Side Saddle, Halter, and Western Pleasure. She has also been nationally recognized as a breeder, as many of her home bred horses have won these titles with so many riders.
Training has always been her passion and Arabian horses her true love.
Aurora Warford : Assistant
Aurora Warford has over 15 years of riding experience and 11 years of showing experience. She has shown in saddle seat, eventing, hunters and jumpers, classical dressage, and has western riding experience. Aurora has competed successfully up to FEI CCI 3* Dressage and FEI CCI 1* Eventing (3’3-3’6ft tall and wide).
And she has been mentored by and trained under many big industry professionals including World’s Champion saddle seat trainers, top level FEI eventers, Grand Prix show jumpers, and Grand Prix Dressage riders, and our very own Lorie Henderson. Aurora has won over 40 Top 5 placings at the state and national level across many disciplines.
Jennifer Jones: Head Groom & Horse Show Back of House Manager
Jen has been showing and riding horses as long as she has been walking. Spanning the categories from saddleseat, to western and hunter pleasure, equitation, dressage, sidesaddle, halter, and many more, she has shown them all and earned regional and national titles in each. A life-long career of showing horses teaches you a lot about the behind-the-scenes work and activities that have to happen at a horse show to get the horses and their riders turned out to perfection and to the arena on time… and Jen has this down to a science.
Braiding, grooming, tacking up, lunging, horse welfare, management, and care are among the list of duties she handles at every show. Along with the show assistance she helps keep our horses performing their best with the Magnawave PEMF machine. A certified practitioner since 2016, plus 17 years experience working under some of the best veterinarians in the equine world (and small animals), she keeps everyone in top shape or helps to quickly rehab any injuries that may occur. You will for sure see her running around at the stalls at every show!
Horse Show Cheering Squad, Horse Show Parents & the Best Barn Squad Around
This group of junior and amateur riders and their parents are the best cheering section in Kentucky. Our barn is a family and we pride ourselves on encouragement, learning with one another and supporting one another in lessons and at horse shows. Sharing is caring and many of our students share leases on barn owned horses, which fosters an environment of responsibility, care and trust. We love our clients and we’re so glad they make up an essential part of our team!