LEARNING TO RIDE- Riding students Rene Apodaca, 10, left, of Simi Valley and Niki Mack, 7, of Newbury Park laugh during a break in their afternoon lessons at Conejo Valley Equestrian Park. IRIS SMOOT Acorn Newspapers

When Rene Apodaca was 7, she fell from her horse, leaving her with not only a 6-inch scar, but also a fear of riding. That all changed when she started taking lessons from Thousand Oaks resident Sharyn Henry.

"She didn't ride for a long time, but the desire to didn't go away," said Rene's mom, Rhonda Apodaca, a Simi Valley resident. "She always wanted to ride again."

Henry put Rene on Harry Trotter, a horse she considers a godsend. Eight months later, Rene, now 10, has emerged as an excellent rider.

"Sharyn makes riding extra fun," Rene said. "And she's really funny. She made me feel comfortable when I first started to ride Harry. She kind of told me all the things Harry does and told me about how many children he's taught."

Henry said Rene's growth has been quick.

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers STUDENTS SADDLE UP- Rene Apodaca, left, and Niki Mack ride Harry and Tuffy as they jog around the arena at Conejo Valley Equestrian Park during a riding lesson. The children's instructor is Thousand Oaks resident Sharyn Henry.

"Harry has really given Rene confidence," Henry said. "She's just blossomed. She's a fantastic rider. In a short amount of time, she's grown so much."

Rene's mom said in addition to Henry's extensive knowledge of horses, the way she makes her students feel is what makes her special.

"She gives kids the opportunities they wouldn't normally have," Apodaca said. "She encourages them to do things they would never dream of doing and really helps them overcome their fears. It's not just about riding. It's kind of like she's giving them back the confidence they should have in themselves."

Horses have always been a big part of Henry's life. She got her first horse at 9, she said, growing up in La Habra Heights riding and showing horses and raising animals as part of her local 4-H chapter.

Sharyn Henry

"My mom and dad were very wise in how they guided me throughout my horse career," Henry said. "They made me practice one discipline until I was good at it, and then I moved on."

After Henry married and had kids, she said, horses were put on the back burner. But when she moved to Thousand Oaks 10 years ago and her daughter Raquel joined 4H, she got involved with horses again.

"My friend recommended giving lessons, and it's just grown like crazy," Henry said. "Now I teach and do exercise riding with other people's horses. When I teach people, the goal is to teach them how to teach their horses. I can teach a horse to do something, but if the handler doesn't know, the horse will just go back to how it was."

She said it's mostly adults who are interested in that type of training. With kids, it's more focused on confidence.

"My style is to let kids choose their pace," Henry said. "I get the feel of a child and kind of sense whether it's the kind of kid I can push or really go slow."

One way Henry makes kids feel comfortable is with her "human seat belt" method, which worked wonders for Rene. Henry gets up on Harry behind her student in the saddle and wraps her arms around the child.

"We try different things together," Henry said. "They get the feel of it."

But Henry gives much of the credit to Harry, who used to be a pack horse in the High Sierras.

"He should be . . . immortalized," Henry said. "He's had fantastic training and gives kids confidence. It's almost like on Harry, kids get that sense of control they need."

Apodaca agreed.

"This horse has taught more kids how to ride," Apodaca said. "He's helped so many kids overcome their fears."

Rene, who met Henry through 4-H, not only became an excellent rider but got involved in the junior ambassador program through Equestrian Trails Inc. (ETI). She competed, taking a written test on horse knowledge, a poise and personality observation, and a riding pattern. She was crowned Little Miss for ETI corral 37.

"She was so patient with Rene- I really admire her," Apodaca said of Henry. "She does things without expecting anything."

Henry teaches all ages. For her students who ride Harry, she teaches at the Conejo Creek Equestrian Park, but she also travels throughout Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Santa Rosa Valley to people and their own horses.

Henry lives in Waverly Heights in Thousand Oaks and is a mother of three.