our story
“Billings Equestrian was founded with a simple vision: to make the world of riding more accessible, welcoming, and inspiring for everyone who shares a love of horses."
Samantha Billings-Coatney's vision started at age five, when her grandfather first put her on a horse. What began as trail rides and beginner lessons quickly grew into a lifelong dedication to dressage and horsemanship. Along the way, Sam experienced the grit of working in barns, the satisfaction of bringing along young horses, and the determination required to establish herself as a professional trainer.
leadership
with heart
Today, as a USDF Gold Medalist and accomplished Grand Prix rider, Sam leads Billings Equestrian with the same values that shaped her journey: dedication, fairness, and a genuine love of horses. From the start, she knew she wanted her program to serve the widest possible audience. She wanted to create a place where children could chase horse dreams, adults could discover a lifelong passion, and entire families could ride and learn together.
Billings Equestrian is truly a family endeavor. Sam’s husband, an accomplished Team Roper, is a steady presence at competitions and on the road, helping with hauling and supporting the team. Their two young sons also ride, often joining friends from the barn in lessons and play around the stable. This sense of family extends beyond the Billings-Coatney household—many of the children and adults here grow together through riding, forming friendships that make the barn feel like a second home.
together in the journey
The commitment to accessibility remains at the heart of the program. Sam has worked to ensure that riders from many backgrounds can find a place here; whether they ride once a week for fun or train daily toward competitive goals, whether they are young children or retired adults with dreams for their next chapter. By balancing excellence with inclusivity, Billings Equestrian continues to open doors for riders who might otherwise have thought the horse world was out of reach.
committed to accessibility
What began with one horse and a handful of riders has grown into a thriving program with over 15 school horses and more than 85 students each week. Some come for their very first lessons, others advance into full-time dressage training, and many discover a community that becomes like family. Parents, children, and even grandparents ride here side by side, learning not just how to ride, but how to care for and connect with horses.
growing a community
At Billings Equestrian, Sam has combined world-class training with the warmth of a family-run barn. Every rider is supported by a structured, skill-based curriculum and guided with patience and professionalism. We believe excellence is not measured only by ribbons, but by the steady progress and confidence of every horse-and-rider partnership. Above all, Billings Equestrian is more than a program. It’s a place where riders of all ages and stages belong, where horsemanship is celebrated, and where the dream of being with horses is made possible.
excellence with connection
