About Us
A wonderful home for your horse,
superior instruction for your rider,
a great big smile for your face!
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.
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.
Our Trainers
Cathy STrobel
Owner / 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.
Megan Schrier
Assistant Trainer
Megan has been riding at Southern Breeze since 2008, and has been teaching since 2022 after finishing her bachelor's degree in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University. Horses have always been her passion, and she has shown in the Hunter and Equitation rings. She loves her students and works hard for continuous growth under the guidance of her mentor, Cathy. She is currently working on her PATH certification.
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.
Seane Richardson
Assistant Trainer
Seane fell in love with horses at age 9, and they have been her passion ever since. She started as a Western rider but switched to English after attending a horse show and witnessing the beauty of horse and rider soaring over fences. Her dream has always been to work with horses. Determined to make this dream a reality, Seane began volunteering at Southern Breeze in August, 2019. Under the mentorship of Cathy Strobel, she has learned the ultimate way to
share her love of horses- through teaching. She currently teaches therapeutic riding and beginner English.