About The Classic Equestrian

A Shop for Women Who Live the Equestrian Life

The Classic Equestrian was founded in 2016 by a local family who built a trusted tack shop serving the West Michigan equestrian community.

In early 2024, the store entered a new chapter when it was purchased by lifelong rider and trainer Alex Synder. She stepped in with deep respect for its legacy and a clear vision for its future.

Her goal is simple.
Preserve what made The Classic Equestrian special and grow it into the most trusted English tack store in West Michigan.

A Life Built Around Horses

She jokes that she was riding before she could walk.

At three years old, her parents placed her on a horse after she refused to get off her rocking horse. They were not horse people, but they recognized the spark. Shortly after, she was riding solo in lessons. By six, she was competing.

Horses have never been a hobby. They have always been her lifestyle.

Over the years, she has ridden and competed across disciplines including western pleasure, side saddle, hunter jumper, and polo. Today, she is most active on the hunter jumper circuit, but her love for the sport reaches far beyond one discipline.

She currently owns both a young hunter and a seasoned jumper, which she proudly calls her post pregnancy present to herself. Her husband rides polo and has two horses of his own. Their daughter may only be weeks old, but that has not stopped the search for her future pony.

For her, this is not just business.

  • It is family
  • It is identity
  • it is life.

From Trainer to Tack Shop Owner

Before purchasing The Classic Equestrian, she spent a decade working as a trainer. She apprenticed under respected professionals, traveled across multiple states, and trained horses and riders to National Champion titles on the Arabian circuit.

She has personally competed at premier venues including WestWorld in Scottsdale, World Equestrian Center, and Traverse City.

After moving to Grand Rapids in 2020, she briefly stepped away from the equestrian industry and worked in real estate. It did not take long before she realized something was missing.
  • Community
  • Connection
  •  Being around fellow equestrians.

She later worked at Millbrook Tack, a respected local tack store that has since closed. That experience gave her valuable insight into the retail side of the industry and reinforced what she already knew.

There was space for something more personal. More curated. More connected.

When the opportunity arose to purchase The Classic Equestrian, she knew it was the right next step.

Understanding Riders From Every Angle

One of the things that sets her apart is experience from every side of the sport.

She has been:
  • The young rider with big dreams and limited budget.
  •  The trainer who needs reliable products quickly.
  •  The barn owner who depends on gear that holds up.
  • The adult amateur who wants beautiful pieces and special treats for her horse.
  •  The mother building a lifestyle around horses for her family.

She has stood in all of those boots.

That perspective allows her to meet customers exactly where they are. Whether someone is being fitted for their first helmet or selecting a bridle for a seasoned show horse, they are met with understanding and honest guidance.

Big box retailers cannot offer that level of personal experience.

A Curated English Tack Store in West Michigan

The Classic Equestrian is built around a simple standard. If it does not earn its place, it does not make it into the store.

Every brand and product is chosen for:
  • Quality
  • Fit
  •  Longevity
  •  Exclusivity

You will not find products that are widely available on large online marketplaces. As a small business owner, she prioritizes working with other small businesses, especially those owned by fellow equestrians.

This is how a true English tack store should operate. Focused. Intentional. Rooted in the sport.

Rooted in the Grand Rapids Equestrian Community

The Classic Equestrian is more than a retail space. It is a hub for the West Michigan equestrian community.

The store regularly brings its mobile trailer to local shows, clinics, and events throughout the summer. A curated version of the shop meets riders where they compete and gather.

The team hosts monthly events and seminars, both educational and social. VIP barn parties give local barns private shopping experiences after hours. The store consistently supports and sponsors organizations including:
  • Meadowview Schooling Shows
  •  Lake Effect Horse Show Series
  •  Thomet Schooling Shows
  •  Lake Michigan Hunter Jumper Association

Local riders and trainers are regularly featured across social media.

This is not just retail.  It is relationship.

What Customers Say Most

The most consistent compliment is customer service.

Whether someone is being fitted for a helmet, selecting the right bridle, or simply stopping in to talk horses, they are welcomed.

The goal is always the same. Help each person leave feeling confident.

The Vision

In five years, she hopes The Classic Equestrian will be recognized as the best English tack store in West Michigan.

The vision includes expanding into additional disciplines, growing the mobile presence, and continuing to build a community centered around confidence and connection.

More than anything, she wants women to feel confident when they walk out of the store.
  • Confident in their gear.
  •  Confident in their style.
  •  Confident in themselves as horsewomen.

Welcome to The Classic Equestrian

Whether you are heading to the barn, preparing for a show, or simply living the lifestyle you love, The Classic Equestrian exists to support you with pieces that feel intentional, timeless, and true to who you are.

We are honored to be part of your story.
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