Player Leveling Frustration

I am a relatively newish player playing off and on for a the last few years.  I am struggling with the leveling issue, ive been stuck at level 4 for well since the first month of playing.  Other then caring for and showing your horses how the heck do you get extra exp?

I feel like im at a dead end not being able to breed new stock... stuck showing mediocre stock forever and at the mercy of the markets for better show horses.  Im literally paying mountains of cash for them when Ive had perfectly capable breeding stock in my barn that I cant breed and eventually dies...  I cant freeze any of my horses as if I do I loose out on the exp to get to the next level, this endless cycle of being at the bottom with little to no gain of exp... I want to love this game but I am struggling with the hopelessness of my current predicament.  Any helpful tips or words of encouragement?

Have you tried riding schools? If you choose the first option and use the correct discipline for your horses then you can gain exp. Pretty quickly, also training in the correct discipline/grade level will help. 

Ive seen horses in a riding school just don't know how to get my horses in them and wasnt sure ive id be able to train them while they were in the Riding School either.  Been kinda scared to do it I was in the mind that sending your horses to a riding school was for your less desirable stock and was kind of a sacrifice of sorts.

Kholours - Here you can find some tips! :)
Sab´s Guide to Leveling Up

I LOVE the Game Guides. ♥

Riding school is just an alternative to showing, costs nothing to enter and gives you pretty decent benefits.

If you leisure ride, and the ride gives you the option to take or leave money....leave the money. Kicks out 100 exp if you don't take the cash.

I would pick up loads of horses from the rescue centre and riding school them. Lock your other horses so they won't die :)

Thanks for all the advice guys =)