Twenty minutes south of Harrisburg, and twenty miles north of historic Gettysburg, nestled in country that boasts of legendary trout streams, is Lost Hollow Farm and the home of the Pennsylvania Riding Academy.

Horses are accepted into training on a limited basis, year-round. Young, unstarted horses are welcome; this is some of the most important work that we do. Horses started incorrectly can be affected their entire lives. All of the horses in training are handled only by FEI level rider/trainers. Because we only train a limited number of horses per year, we can afford to provide whatever individualized attention they may need to thrive.

Afternoons are devoted to lessons for riders who ship in daily or use one of our schoolmasters, or riders training in one of the Academy’s intensive short courses.

Paul has helped all levels of riders from all around the world for over thirty years. They are a diverse group as members of various national and international equestrian teams, a North American Endurance Champion, Handicapped champions, as well as riders of various levels with no interest in competition.

Andrea Velas has been around horses since she was young, and has been a lifelong student of riding. Capable of producing work of the highest standards, she managed an eventing stable for a past gold medal winning member of the United States Equestrian Team when she was only in her teens.

In 2002, while in college, Andrea retired from eventing to devote all her attention to dressage, coming to work and ride for Paul Belasik—her longtime trainer—and the Pennsylvania Riding Academy. Today, she manages all daily operations of the farm, domestic and international sales and shipping, and the breeding program (see breeding pages). As chief rider at the Pennsylvania Riding Academy, she also teaches privately and gives clinics throughout the United States.

Andrea is also in charge of the competition horses and has competed and trained at every level through Grand Prix.

In the freestyle, Andrea has been able to combine her love of music with the choreography of riding. She has constructed freestyles for almost every level—including pas de deux—both for herself and her students, including the current Grand Prix freestyle for Excelso.

In her free time, Andrea manages to find time to dance; she is a student and competitor at the McGinley School of Irish Dance in Mechanicsburg, PA.

Andrea Velas, Assistant Trainer and Manager