About Us
A wonderful home for your horse,
superior instruction for your rider,
a great big smile for your face!
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Renowned for its quality instruction and excellence in horse care, Southern Breeze Equestrian Center is a USHJA Recognized Riding Academy, owned and led by USHJA and PATH Certified Trainer, Cathy Strobel. We specialize in Hunter/Jumper and Dressage riding. We have been in business for 25 years, and have trained thousands of successful riders.
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Our facilities include a covered indoor arena fully equipped with mirrors and lights, two well-lit outdoor arenas with adjustable jumps and course patterns, and an Olympic standard dressage arena with markers and a judging booth. All four arenas are dragged daily. Inside, we offer a clean, air-conditioned & heated lounge with full kitchen and satellite TV. Feel free to sit back, relax, and use our free wi-fi while you do your work or homework, while we train your horse or rider.
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Our Trainers
Cathy STrobel
Owner / Head Trainer
Zeeshan Malik
Head Trainer
Cathy has owned and operated Southern Breeze since 1998, with over 40 years of experience in the equine industry. With a show record as long as a Texas summer day, Cathy has traveled all over the country, showing in a multitude of disciplines, including the Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage, and Equitation rings. She specializes in training green horses, developing them into award-winning members of equine society. She has written countless articles for equestrian magazines, columns, editorials, with publications across the world in 55 countries. She is well-renowned and respected in the horse community, is USHJA and PATH certified, and is an active IEA Coach since 2019. She was the coach for the Rice Equestrian Team for 14 years, the President of the Greater Houston Horse Council, the served on the board for many years, and the President and Founder of the Gulf Coast Horse Show Association.
Hi, I’m Zeeshan Malik, and I bring over 10 years of experience in the equestrian industry. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Olympic and Grand Prix riders and coaches, which has given me a deep understanding of high-performance riding and training.
I’ve competed successfully at both FEI and national-level shows, with a focus on show jumping (up to 130–140 cm/4.7 ft), medium-level dressage, Western dressage, and equitation. I also have a strong track record of coaching riders of all levels—from juniors and amateurs to advanced competitors—by creating tailored training programs that bring out the best in both horse and rider.
I’ve worked with horses at every stage of their careers, from young prospects to Grand Prix competitors, and have extensive experience in training, sales, and consignment. This well-rounded background has given me a solid foundation in all aspects of equestrian development and performance.
Right now, I’m preparing for the Prix St. Georges test as part of my ongoing commitment to growing as a rider and trainer.
Megan Schrier
Assistant Trainer
Megan has been riding at Southern Breeze since 2008, and has been teaching since 2022 after graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with her bachelors in Marketing. She has a passion for teaching and an aptitude for confidence building, and loves nothing more than to help riders grow from beginners to entering the show ring with their four legged best friends.
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She is currently working on her PATH Certification. She firmly believes all it takes to become a good rider is the confidence and dedication to the idea that you can!
Rachel Kmitta
Assistant Trainer
Rachel has been working at SBEC since the summer of 2018 after she graduated the University of Findlay with a degree in Equine Studies and Equine business management. She started riding when she was 8 and has never looked back. She loves working with a range of students from those who are just starting or those who have been riding for years. She loves all the creatures great and small that can be found at Southern Breeze and loves sharing her passion with the future of the equine industry.