Beckey’s Place

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72 – September/October, 2026

By Brittany Vermeer

Nestled beneath the canopy oaks of  the “Maple City” aka Adrian, Michigan, is Beckey’s Place. This midwestern hub has served as homebase for AQHA horse trainer and judge Beckey Schooler for some 30 years. For over four decades, however, her program has turned out impeccable all-around horses and riders that consistently place at the top of all divisions in AQHA and NSBA competition.

Now, with three generations in the horse industry (and hopefully a fourth with her grandson, Koen) Beckey is sticking to her roots and focusing on fundamentals, while remaining open to new challenges as the horse industry continues to evolve.
This is the story of Beckey’s Place and the woman at the helm.

In the Beginning

Beckey Schooler was born into a family of horse-lovers. Her parents, Bob and Barb Menker, kept 80 head at their boarding facility in Miamisburg, Ohio. They operated a highly successful lesson program that took advantage of the massive, open show market in the area. All four Schooler kids still have some connection to the horse industry today.

“I have one sister and two brothers. My brothers both ended up being farriers, but my sister went in a little different direction… she’s a nail tech!” Beckey laughs. “She married a guy and they do roping together, and their daughter competed on a collegiate equestrian team. So, we’re all still in it.”

Beckey was 14 when her parents separated. At the time, her only passion was riding horses. Unsure as to what the future might hold, Beckey’s brothers took her to visit Clark and Sarah Bradley. “When I was a kid, I had a speech problem, and a learning disability. All I loved was riding horses,” she says. “I worked at the Bradley’s in the summer, during spring break, and on Christmas break. After I graduated from high school, I helped them full-time through the Congress.”

Click here to read the complete article
72 – September/October, 2026