My heart horse, Trixie (Livin’ A Dream), at her comeback show in 2016.
Trixie was a 16hh, appendix/paint mare. From the first ride on her in the middle of a thunderstorm back in 2007, I knew she was special. After I BEGGED and BEGGED, she was finally mine! We competed in the hunter/jumpers when I was young, and in 2012 we made our eventing debut. Trix and I received silver medals in both the Beginner Novice and Novice levels of eventing. She had a reoccurring injury to her stifle that prevented her from jumping, so I retired her as a dressage horse. We scored in the upper 60s and lower 70s EVERY single show. On January 20, 2017, I made the hardest decision of my life to put her to rest. She was suffering from EPM and had a lowered quality of life, so it was my only option to help ease her pain. That day shattered me, but her memory will forever live on.
Lady (Rashanga Z) victory lap at awards ceremony, Regionals 2024.
Lady is a 16hh 15 yo SWANA and Oldenburg mare out of Raska/Contango/Robin Z. I was given the opportunity by my trainer, Ken Borden, to restart her early summer of 2023, and I ended up falling in love with her - ultimately making an offer to buy her! I am reinvesting in my own riding career as I have goals to get all of my dressage medals some day: I currently have my Bronze medal, and two scores towards my Silver medal, so with Lady’s talent, I hope to get my Silver medal, and hopefully scores for my Gold medal with her! Most recently, we competed at the Region 2 USDF Dressage Championships - placing 7th in our championship class at training level open. She is the sweetest mare with the floppiest ears, and I am already so proud of her, and excited for what’s to come next season.
Mable competing with a student, Fall 2024.
Mable is a 14.1hh 10 year old unregistered paint mare. I picked this little one up at a local auction (May 2022), so her past is mostly unknown. I was told she had been broke to ride but sat in a pasture for some years before being dumped at auction. I got her going and taught her to jump in the fall of 2022. Mable has a very kind eye, yet she’s very sensitive to ride. She’s been such a sweet, and eager beginner schooling pony so far; taking care of the littlest riders in the program! She is forgiving enough for the newest beginners, as well as game enough for kids learning how to jump! I’m so thankful that she has turned into such a reliable and caring schooling pony; packing around a dozen or so students each week.
Roxy with a student at a home hosted horse show, Summer 2024.
Roxy is a 13.2hh, 15 year old, grade QH mare. She is client owned, and a great schooling pony for intermediate riders who are ready to make the move up to a faster and more sensitive pony. She is very sweet and forgiving, but she is still green under saddle. This little mare is great for teaching riders how to be stronger in their balance and how to make use of their tools for correct training on a tougher mount. With time, she will make a great beginner/intermediate pony in the program!
Hugo showing off his ribbons with students, Fall 2024.
Hugo is a 17.0hh, 19 yo, thoroughbred gelding. He is proudly owned by Chris Skudlarek who wanted to get back into riding after losing her heart horse, Monty in January of 2024. Hugo has been a great asset to our program as he has an experienced career as a hunter/jumper show horse. Kind enough for the smallest beginner riders, but game enough for riders looking to hone in on their jumping skills; Hugo does it all! We are very lucky to have horses of all shapes, sizes, and skills to teach students at every level in the program.
Salty (Lil’ Bit of Everything) and Sutton competing in the poles class, Halloween 2023.
Salty is a 16.2hh, 16 year old, thoroughbred gelding. I have had this lovely horse for nine years and have competed him in numerous Prelims and IPs. We have also done two CCI** events, and one intermediate. After retiring him from eventing, we began our dressage career together. Salty is the horse I received my bronze medal on for dressage, and he helped me get my first two scores towards my silver medal in fourth level. Salty is retired from all competition now, but he enjoys packing around beginner dressage riders of all ages. He is very seasoned, stoic, and levelheaded. Unfortunately, due to injury, he is mainly retired, but still enjoys low impact work and rides outside, as well as the occasional fill in for lessons.
Monty (Looney Tunes) and I in the summer of 2014 competing Training level in Barrington.
Monty was a 15.3hh, 31 year old, Appendix gelding. He had been in the family for over 20 years. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to this beautiful soul January 8, 2024. He used to be my go-to starter horse for small children for almost 10 years at the start of my career. Monty taught beginners of all ages before getting a well deserved retirement in 2022. Monty, thank you so much for all you did for me as I began the journey to starting my own business! I am so incredibly lucky to have had him as a schooling horse and a cherished member of the family for so long.