About
Established in August 2020 by Sarah and Mark Hendrikse, Celestial Riding Academy specializes in the three phases of eventing—dressage, show jumping, and cross country jumping—prioritizing a solid foundation in a secure environment. Our offerings include both regular riding and unmounted horsemanship lessons. Join one of our monthly clubs for a deeper experience. Explore our exceptional team below!
We are located in Powder Springs in Cobb County and also conveniently located to Paulding County and surrounding areas.
Celestial Riding Academy Team
Sarah Hendrikse-
Owner & Head Instructor
Sarah brings over 26 years of riding experience and 16 years of teaching expertise to Celestial Riding Academy. Her passion for eventing shines through in her engaging and supportive teaching style, catering to riders of all levels, from beginners to advanced competitors.
Sarah's equestrian journey began in Pony Club, where she developed a strong foundation in horsemanship and a love for diverse disciplines, including dressage, 3-day eventing, and competitive trail riding (NATRC).
As an instructor, Sarah fosters a safe and encouraging environment where students can build confidence, develop their skills, and discover the joy of riding. She thrives on helping riders achieve their goals, whether it's conquering a new jump or excelling in the show ring.
Beyond her equestrian expertise, Sarah holds degrees in Business Management and Accounting, bringing valuable management skills to the academy. Her entrepreneurial spirit also led her to co-found Horse Shoe Box, a successful monthly subscription box for horse lovers.
When she's not teaching or managing the academy, Sarah enjoys exploring the trails with her husband, Mark, and their beloved 13-year-old Quarter Horse, Buck.
Mark Hendrikse-
Co-Owner, Assistant Riding Instructor
Mark's equestrian journey began seven years ago when he and Sarah embarked on their life together. Since then, he's embraced the equestrian world with open arms, discovering a passion for horses, the camaraderie of the barn, and the thrill of exploring trails.
Mark is an integral part of the Celestial Riding Academy team, sharing his enthusiasm and supportive nature with students and horses alike. He's always eager to lend a helping hand, whether it's assisting with horse care, offering encouragement to riders, or sharing his growing knowledge of horsemanship.
With a keen interest in expanding his equestrian skills, Mark has his sights set on trying eventing, embracing the challenge and excitement of this multifaceted discipline.
Mark's personal connection to horses extends to his own equine partners, Reno and Franklin, who bring him joy and companionship both in and out of the arena.
Chrissy Garrison
Program Manager
Chrissy is a recently retired teacher with a passion for both horses and helping students reach their full potential. She holds a masters degree in literacy, as well as certifications in K-5 elementary education, 6 - 12 Social Science education and special education. Additionally, she has endorsements in the fields of dyslexia, and gifted education. Chrissy has recently begun working towards PATH certification and Horse Powered Reading certification. She began riding as a child, took a bit of a break, and started riding again about 3 years ago.
Amberlynn Wix-
Team Member/ Assistant Instructor
Amber has been riding for six years, with three of those years spent assisting at a camp and one year assisting with teaching lessons. She has been learning how to start horses from the ground up, including working with Mocha. Her primary areas of interest in riding are jumping and training horses, while her favorite aspect of working with horses is focused on groundwork and desensitizing them to various stimuli. She finds great fulfillment in building trust and communication through these foundational training techniques.
Laura Britton-
Barn Manager/ Assistant Instructor
Laura has had a lifelong passion for horses. She got her first horse over 20 years ago, a rescued Appaloosa/ Thoroughbred named Bill. She learned to train horses while rehabbing Bill into her personal riding horse. Groundwork and trail riding are her favorite equine activities, but Laura enjoys all aspects of caring for horses. She has a daughter that also loves horses and teaching her to enjoy horses safely is one of Laura’s greatest accomplishments.
Laura’s lessons focus on safety, horse psychology, and partnership.
Sophia Walker-
Team Member/ Assistant Instructor
Sophia has been riding for 8 years and teaching for 1! She has experience starting off the track Thoroughbreds in new careers, and hoping to start a new one this season. Her main focuses in the equestrian world are jumping and showing, while her favorite aspect is training riders and horses to reach their full potential. Currently she is studying at Kennesaw State University with aspirations to become an equine veterinarian.
