Hopewood Farm

Throw a barn party 2 days after a trip...why not!? 😂
We opened the farm in April of 2023 but to celebrate our 3 year anniversary I thought I'd plan a party in May so it would be warm and nice outside. Well, this is CNY so 50s and rainy was our day. Thankfully with an indoor arena it's not a problem!
My heart was so full getting to have so many people together! We missed those who couldn't make it but for me it was so special to have a room full of students, their families, past customers, people who have helped over the years, and of course my parents all of whom I could not do this without. I am so blessed and grateful to have such a wonderful group of people around me!
While starting a horse business is hard, this year has thrown some extra challenges my way. However, with the people around me, I am very optimistic.
💚🤍🩷🤎

(I only remembered to take pictures halfway through after some people had already left 🤦‍♀️)

Hey-ho it's Jasper's birthday as far as we know! 🥳😂
According to the information that was given to the auction house Jasper was picked up at, he was born 5/15/2008. However, our vet thinks it's quite possible he's a few years younger than that. Because he cribs his front teeth are quite worn down it's hard for us to measure his galvayne's grove or even see it for that matter, but the rest of his teeth and his body as well as his personality match with a horse that would be younger.
Honestly, it suits him to be our special little mystery horse 😅 Jasper has been going through a bit of a rough patch again but he's trying and we are starting the process of looking medical reasons for his behavior.

Ok, this one is very personal, but important so here goes...
God called me to work with horses; that was apparent from a young age, and I am so thankful I have parents who believed that right from the start. But why? Why horses? Well, I could list a bunch of research on what incredible healers horses are and all the amazing life skills they can teach children, etc., etc. But really, the answer is much more simple than all that. To some people, horses just make sense. How do I know that? Because I am one of those people. So instead, I will share a short story I wrote that I hope shows the intentionality I believe God has in connecting people with animals.

On March 29th, 2018 I found out that my best friend, my horse Scotty, was ill with a disease that could only be managed but not cured. I was devastated. As I processed my thoughts, feelings, and the life I had with this amazing horse, I wrote something in my journal that night… I wasn’t sure I would ever share it. Scotty passed on March 28th, 2022. Now that it’s been 4 years and I have settled, God asked me if I was ready to release it. He had me update it quite a bit from the original because 4 years without Scotty, leaning closer to God, and learning more about myself, has added depth, but the heart of the message is the same…

Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Happy Birthday, Pixie! 💜🥳 She may be 9 this year but she's still just the baby of the barn.

Hi! Welcome to Hopewood Farm! We are a small family run equestrian center focused on quality horsemanship and connection and horse centered care. Our program takes a holistic approach to working with horses by incorporating horse care, ground work, positive reinforcement clicker training, as well as riding. We recognize that working with these animals is a privilege and that there is so much to learn from building lasting relationships with them. Every horse here has a purpose even if they aren't ridable anymore.

I never take the time to write about myself on here and my own personal experience with horses. That's something I'm going to be working on doing more and today is the most appropriate day for me to start. You may think that the horse in our logo is just a pretty artistic horse, but it's not. It's a very particular and special horse. His name was Scotty or Season's Supreme Challenge if you want to get official. He was a Morgan gelding and he was my very first horse. The horse that sparked all the dreams that have turned into Hopewood Farm.
All the way back in 2008 my equestrian career was set into motion when this spunky Morgan gelding entered my life. We showed from local to national level, walked through illness and injuries together (both him and me), we changed disciplines from Saddle Seat to Western Pleasure. I moved him all over the country with me as I became a young professional trainer. There are so many things I'd go back and change, knowing what I know now but he was so incredibly gracious with me in my growth as a horse owner and trainer. He was never mean but he'd call you out for being unfair or stupid every. Single. Time. He was always ready to remind you that riding horses isn't about you but he was also always there, solid and steady when I needed him most.
He was my heart horse, my courage, my strength. He always pushed me to be better and learn more. He didn't quite live long enough to ever see Hopewood Farm but he would have loved everything about this place, from the view at the top of the hill to the cars going by down on rt 5 to the people, especially the kids, that walk through our doors. He was the best teacher, the best friend, and one of the best gifts God has ever given me.

Making a photo area was a last minute idea during Deck the Stalls. I think it's safe to say this will be a Hopewood Farm holiday season tradition! 🎄 Have a very blessed holiday season everyone!

Happy National Day of the Horse! 🎉🐎 That's everyday around here! 😉