Rusty Acres Equestrian Center

08/02/2026

Meet our residents!
Today we’re introducing Senor Figaro!

Get ready for some cuteness overload! Meet our resident unicorn, Senor Figaro! Fig or Pig or Potatoe… he has too many pet names to count. You might ask, “what is with all those curls?” Fig is a Bashkir Curly x Lusitano, his mother was homozygous for curls so he too is curly. If you don’t know, Curly’s are an absolutely amazing breed, they are hypoallergenic in fact! Fig has a few tricks up his sleeve, when he was a wee little thing I trick trained him as I do most of the foals we breed, and has helped him with the new liberty training he has dove into. We pride ourselves on letting our horses guide their journey in disciplines and Fig has always been a bit “earthbound” (well more like grass bound) and Fig has decided that we weren’t doing enough ba****ck and bit less work here on the farm so he is our go to for couch, I mean horse, for ba****ck riding. The truth is when you’re this cute you get whatever you want! Fig loves a good grooming and a long cuddle so if you need to be cheered up come meet Fig, the local unicorn, and RAEC!

07/12/2026

Meet Our Residents!
Today we’re introducing Cantor!

Cantor has been a part of our family since 2018 when he and trainer Tegan Pedigo began their journey. What began as a free lease from a local trainer, turned into a lifelong bond for Tegan and the goofy 2008, chestnut, Hanoverian gelding. Starting from the ground up, Cantor charmed everyone on his way up the levels, an absolute showman that loves a good audience, Cantor learned along with Tegan in their journey from returning to work, to being Region 9 Junior Reserve Champion at Third Level and schooling Fourth. Beyond that, his time spent in education programs with Tegan was invaluable, and taught her much about theory, training, and riding complicated horses, with much help from the amazing Dressage4Kids Program, up until an unfortunate injury in 2023 brought him towards retirement. He’s now our class clown and greeting committee, enjoying a relaxing retirement of trail rides, baths, and hours grazing with Tegan and his fellow hoofed friends.

05/21/2026

Meet our residents!
Today we’re introducing Revillie!
* Now available for an onsite half-lease.

In our continued, meet the residents of Rusty Acres Equestrian Center, meet Reveille. Reveille came to us as a premanent resident in the fall of 2018. Gifted on a free lease by a local Texas trainer when he needed to step back from high performance life, Rev quickly became a favorite facet of the farm. Imported from the UK at two and trained up to Fourth Level, Reveille holds a wealth of talent wrapped in a sleek, black form. His owner, Ashley, has always joked that his only imperfection is that he's a gelding and not a mare. Rev will certainly not wow anyone with his jumping form (he does, however, LOVE to watch other horses jump!), but he's the type of horse you can take on trails or a hunter pace one day and then play around in the dressage ring the next - and always done with a larger-than-life personality. Reveille lets you know exactly what he's thinking at every moment and never misses an opportunity to tell us what he thinks he wants. You'll find him out in our big field with two of our oldest residents and his best buddy, Fig. Reveille will wow you with his looks and his personality! Don’t let all his fancy photos intimidate you he really is a big ham and a master of mischief, truly a goof at heart. Reveille happens to be available for an on site 1/2 lease to someone very special. Reach out to us to come meet this hunk of a man.

04/30/2026

Meet our residents!
Today we’re introducing Legs.

Rusty Acres Equestrian Center takes pride in the range of horses that call our farm home! From yearlings to Grand Prix dressage horses to school masters in their sunset years, we cherish every horse no matter how big or small, young or old.

A familiar face to us since 2004, Legs is a 25 year old half-Arabian, half-Missourri Fox Trotter gelding who has been a part of the Rusty Acres family for a very long time. Originally purchased as a junior’s first horse and retained into the lesson program when she eventually outgrew him, Legs’s unique ability to guide beginners and teach the next generation of riders has become a facet to our program. Legs is a been there, done that kind of soul and a First Level dressage master! Don’t let his age or his grumpy faces fool you, Legs is a partner who is down for just about anything you ask of him. You can take him on trails, swim in a pond, pop him over jumps, or play around with his dressage knowledge. It’s hard to imagine what the farm would look like without him. In fact, it’s hard to choose just one photo of him to share!

Schedule a lesson today and come meet our residents!

04/14/2026

We wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and our vision for Rusty Acres Equestrian Center.

Our names are Nisse and Tegan Pedigo. We moved to Virginia in August 2025 from central Texas where we had lived for over 25 years. Through some hardship, we had an opportunity to reinvent ourselves in a new location. After years of dreaming, searching, and studying different states and cities within those states, the new farm in Rustburg fell in our laps. We took a brave leap that has proven to be the best decision of our lives.

Rusty Acres Equestrian Center is named for Tegan's father, my late husband, who passed in 2024. Rusty was a kind, generous, fun loving, maybe borderline wild man. We hope we can bring his big spirit and love of FUN to the farm while curating a safe and horse-centered facility.

Rusty Acres will cater to the beginner taking their first step into this beautiful, crazy community as well as stand next to our advanced students as they perform at top level competitions in Dressage, Working Equitation, Eventing, and other sports like mounted archery, carriage driving, and everything in between!

We believe in training with the horse as the client and teaching students the language of their partner. The soul of the horse can be discovered through understanding the mind and body, not just through riding. Know that while we are planning your next great adventure with your horsey partner, you will have care providers that think about how to make life happier and more fulfilled for your horse.

We are horse nerds and strive to have expansive knowledge about horse care, horse training, and riding instruction. We try to learn something new that helps make the lives of these amazing creatures better every day and pass that knowledge along to our students.

We hope you come to meet our treasured friends at Rusty Acres Equestrian Center!

Welcome toSouth Heron - A boarding, training, and lesson facility committed to the health and happiness of our horses and riders.

04/06/2026

Happy Monday! We’re ready for a new week after a beautiful Sunday sunset 🌅

04/06/2026

Shedding season waits for nothing, not even a sunset this amazing!

04/05/2026

What do you do on a beautiful Saturday? You trail ride with friends!

How did you spend your Saturday?