"Changing Lives Through the Heart of the Horse"
Crimson Jewel, is a versatile equestrian program with a family atmosphere and safety as a top priority. We are dedicated to the progression of horsemanship in many disciplines. Meeting the goals of every rider, creating lasting relationships and participating in making the future brighter for horses, is what we call success.
Our students vary from beginner horsemanship to the advanced competitor. Based on a centered seat riding foundation, students have taken skills learned at Crimson Jewel and pursued competition or just enjoyment in many areas, such as....
Hunter/Jumper, dressage, combined training, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, western horsemanship, drill team, endurance, rodeo queen events, along with careers in therapeutic riding, riding instruction and pursuits in higher education with many agricultural and equine studies.
Our students vary from beginner horsemanship to the advanced competitor. Based on a centered seat riding foundation, students have taken skills learned at Crimson Jewel and pursued competition or just enjoyment in many areas, such as....
Hunter/Jumper, dressage, combined training, Interscholastic Equestrian Association, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association, western horsemanship, drill team, endurance, rodeo queen events, along with careers in therapeutic riding, riding instruction and pursuits in higher education with many agricultural and equine studies.
Testimony
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I have loved horses since I was a little girl. I was the little girl who got excited every time we passed horses out driving or had to see them at the rodeo or fairs. Every Christmas, when asked what I wanted, I always said a pony. We used to go to Retama Park, the racetrack in San Antonio and I always had to do the pony rides. When I was about 5 or 6 years old, my grandmother took me to Fort Sam, and we did a trail ride, and I was in love, it was the best experience I had in my short life. Soon after that, as a surprise, my family found Odessa and I started horse lessons. I have been riding and working with horses since I was 6 years old, and I am almost 24. Horses have been a huge part of my life and I am thankful for the experiences and opportunities being around horses has given me. The bond a girl can make with a horse is unique and amazing. I grew up with Odessa and her daughter, they became like a second family to me; a second mother and little sister I never had. It is still my dream to own my own horses and I am building towards that in my life, and I cannot wait for that time. Meeting Odessa, beginning my lifelong love at Crimson Jewel and journey with horses has been the greatest thing I’ve experienced. It is an experience I believe every child and person should get to have. I am so thankful this is a road I get to take in my life, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
~Megan Kilwy
~Megan Kilwy
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I've ridden horses all of my life, but I never truly learned to ride until I started training with Odessa Johnson at Crimson Jewel Stables. I came to Odessa as a naive eleven year old who had ridden all her life and thought she knew what she was doing, but was definitely wrong. In the four years I've ridden here, I have learned all aspects of horsemanship and the work necessary if I ever have a horse my own. I've learned how to handle horses of all training levels and how to ride like I mean it and be confident in and out of the ring. I've watched myself blossom as an individual, defeat my mental blocks, and overcome more than I could ever imagine. The road up to now has been a long one; filled with triumphs and even some failures. But in the end, I've learned more about myself and about what I am capable of than most people will learn in a lifetime. I know I still have so much to absorb, and I always will, but I can't wait to see what's in store for my future as an equestrian!
~Karissa & Shooter
~Karissa & Shooter
I remember being that little girl that just wanted to learn to ride a horse so bad. Every horse that we ever passed driving in the car, I got so excited to see. I never thought that one day my mom would get me in a riding lesson program. And not just any lesson program, I had the BEST trainer any little girl could ever grow up riding with. I wanted to spend every day and second at the barn with Odessa. Not just because horses are amazing best friends, but because the person that helped me find myself in this passionate lifestyle did it for so much more than a job. Odessa was the creator of our dreams and the reason for our smiles. Without her we wouldn't have ridden the BEST, most bomb proof lesson horses and learned to progress to the advanced show horses. She taught me more than how to just ride a horse. She taught me to have confidence in my riding. To love my horses like my children. To always check the weather, even if that meant a few times a day. To tie the best quick release knot. To treat minor injuries, inject meds in the muscle, and tell if a horse is just napping or colicing. To lower my voice seven octaves when a horse starts to paw that knows better. And to be patient when they don't. What Odessa has taught me will never be forgotten and I will cherish all 6 years I spent with her at her barn and all the friends I made along the way. And I will forever cherish Odessa for helping that little girl accomplish her dreams and for keeping the passion forever in her heart for the love of horses. Thank you Odessa!
~Shelby James & Kountry
Horses have always held a special place in my heart. In fact, most of my childhood, when asked what I wanted for Christmas or my birthday, the reply never changed. “I want a horse!” My diligence did not pay off, and as I transitioned from childhood, to teen, to woman, wife and mother, my passion went dormant.
Until my own daughter turned to me with passion and conviction in her eyes, exclaiming she wanted to learn to ride and be close to horses.
Suddenly, a fire lit up inside me that I had not felt in a long time. That little girl that so desperately wanted to have horses in her life was yearning to come alive again.
Although, physically I am far from being that little girl, she still lives within me, whispering to me, “Don’t forget about me. Don’t let my dream die.”
On Monday, October 1, 2007, that little girl that had been dormant for so many years has finally gotten her long awaited present. His name is P.J. He is my pony. I am that little girl. Thanks for making a little girl’s dream come true…
~Danee Waddill & PJ
Until my own daughter turned to me with passion and conviction in her eyes, exclaiming she wanted to learn to ride and be close to horses.
Suddenly, a fire lit up inside me that I had not felt in a long time. That little girl that so desperately wanted to have horses in her life was yearning to come alive again.
Although, physically I am far from being that little girl, she still lives within me, whispering to me, “Don’t forget about me. Don’t let my dream die.”
On Monday, October 1, 2007, that little girl that had been dormant for so many years has finally gotten her long awaited present. His name is P.J. He is my pony. I am that little girl. Thanks for making a little girl’s dream come true…
~Danee Waddill & PJ
"Well, the good news is that I can help you," Odessa said, as I tried to demonstrate my abilities, of which I had none. My horse Red and I were struggling in dressage and had come back from a dressage show with scores in the low 50's. Our heads hung in shame no longer as in 3 months time Odessa had give us such amazing instruction that it raised our score on the same set of dressage tests to 69.5!
Knowing Odessa's talents, and watching what she has built and achieved with her riding students, it is no surprise that her students take Champion or Reserve Champion nearly every outing. She has an eye for horses as well, and can work magic on the spry young filly or the stubborn old geldings that cross her path.
She takes excellent care of my horse, who is a handful, and closely watches him for any changes in behavior or health. It is so nice to know that I can leave on vacation, and he is in hands that are as careful as mine. Odessa works so hard that she attempts to take Mondays off, but finds herself unable not to keep helping her clients and horses, because helping is so ingrained in her nature.
~Carrie Merson & Red
Knowing Odessa's talents, and watching what she has built and achieved with her riding students, it is no surprise that her students take Champion or Reserve Champion nearly every outing. She has an eye for horses as well, and can work magic on the spry young filly or the stubborn old geldings that cross her path.
She takes excellent care of my horse, who is a handful, and closely watches him for any changes in behavior or health. It is so nice to know that I can leave on vacation, and he is in hands that are as careful as mine. Odessa works so hard that she attempts to take Mondays off, but finds herself unable not to keep helping her clients and horses, because helping is so ingrained in her nature.
~Carrie Merson & Red
There is not a moment in my life that I can imagine what my world would be like had I not met Odessa Johnson. I had been strenuously combing the internet, searching for a new home for my horse and my riding, when I happened upon a black and red beacon in cyberspace. I made an appointment to meet her the very next day. I remember it perfectly.
Through the years with Odessa I've not only learned more than I could have ever hoped for about the care for and riding of horses, I've learned about myself. I've made the transition from a fledgling rider on a beginner horse dreaming of entering the show ring to a confident equestrian with a green partner championed in the ring. Not only that, but I've made my way from an irresponsible, forgetful girl to a thriving young woman.
Through Odessa's unique program, I've become a better owner, a better rider and a better woman. And without Odessa, I would never have met the love of my life. Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome himself. A regular Romeo. We've been through the hard times and the smooth together and each day I make my way to his paddock and slip on that halter, I thank God for sending me to Odessa Johnson.
~Lauren & Romeo
Through the years with Odessa I've not only learned more than I could have ever hoped for about the care for and riding of horses, I've learned about myself. I've made the transition from a fledgling rider on a beginner horse dreaming of entering the show ring to a confident equestrian with a green partner championed in the ring. Not only that, but I've made my way from an irresponsible, forgetful girl to a thriving young woman.
Through Odessa's unique program, I've become a better owner, a better rider and a better woman. And without Odessa, I would never have met the love of my life. Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome himself. A regular Romeo. We've been through the hard times and the smooth together and each day I make my way to his paddock and slip on that halter, I thank God for sending me to Odessa Johnson.
~Lauren & Romeo
Long wavy brunette to blonde hair, nice gait, and a strong head. You thought I was talking about a horse, aye?
Naaaahhhh, that's Odessa, our riding instructor and owner of the Crimson Riding School. Don't be fooled by her short stature and friendly nature. When it comes to safety of her horses and her students and details in riding instruction, Odessa is like a mother lion loving and disciplining her cubs.
My daughter Mercedes (8 yrs) has been taking riding lessons since April of last year, and thoroughly enjoys not just being around horses but also being coached by Odessa in the care of horses and in the saddle. The school horses of the Crimson Riding School are well cared for and safe for even the youngest and "greenest" child in the saddle. As a mother who grew up around horses and in the saddle herself, I feel blessed to have found such a fun and educational place for my daughter to enjoy and to pass on the tradition of horsemanship.
~Patricia & Mercedes
Naaaahhhh, that's Odessa, our riding instructor and owner of the Crimson Riding School. Don't be fooled by her short stature and friendly nature. When it comes to safety of her horses and her students and details in riding instruction, Odessa is like a mother lion loving and disciplining her cubs.
My daughter Mercedes (8 yrs) has been taking riding lessons since April of last year, and thoroughly enjoys not just being around horses but also being coached by Odessa in the care of horses and in the saddle. The school horses of the Crimson Riding School are well cared for and safe for even the youngest and "greenest" child in the saddle. As a mother who grew up around horses and in the saddle herself, I feel blessed to have found such a fun and educational place for my daughter to enjoy and to pass on the tradition of horsemanship.
~Patricia & Mercedes
“Changing lives through the heart of a horse” I can not think of a better slogan for Odessa Johnson’s riding academy. Horses… what a majestic animal. There is not any one creature on this earth that has more majesty, spirit and determination than a horse. Horses link special friends together in a way no one else can. That not only describes horses, but describes what Odessa and I have in our friendship.
Lessons, clinics, trial and error, hard work, determination and a lot of risk taking has brought Odessa where she is today. Odessa has a natural talent and special way of communication with people and horses. I have seen Odessa take horsemanship from several disciplines and turn it into her unique style of teaching and training. She creates fun and enjoyable learning for both horse and rider.
This is a tribute to our forever journey in horsemanship and friendship. Congrats on your success!
~Erika
Lessons, clinics, trial and error, hard work, determination and a lot of risk taking has brought Odessa where she is today. Odessa has a natural talent and special way of communication with people and horses. I have seen Odessa take horsemanship from several disciplines and turn it into her unique style of teaching and training. She creates fun and enjoyable learning for both horse and rider.
This is a tribute to our forever journey in horsemanship and friendship. Congrats on your success!
~Erika