Pam and Leia

An adorably plain brown 5 year old Thoroughbred mare was dropped off on a Monday afternoon at DHF for us to evaluate as a potential dressage horse or eventer. We all quickly fell in love with her kind eye and quiet ways, although, we didn’t yet know her name. Jen heard many comments from staff and clients about how very beautiful and kind the new little brown mare was, but what was her name?

The mare was brought in on the recommendation of the owner of our feed mill, Neil, and one brief phone conversation with her owner, Shawn, and somehow the mare’s name was lost in the process. Shawn absolutely adored her mare and quickly realized the mare’s heart didn’t beat for racing, so she wanted to see if we could help the mare, who we later learned was called Sleepy, find a new career. After the first ride, Jen and Lindsay both knew this mare would be a really nice little eventer or dressage project for an experienced rider. Jen knew just the perfect person for her, Pam Heintz, Jen’s first trainer.

Pam hasn’t had a horse of her own in quite some time as their new restaurant has taken over so much of her time, but Jen really thought Pam should have her very own horse again. So, calls were made and Pam quickly fell in love with the perfect little brown mare. Within five days of her arrival at DHF, Sleepy, now called Princess Leia Skywalker, after her very famous sire, calls Heaven’s Gate Farm home. We look forward to seeing Pam develop young Leia into the riding horse her heart longs to be.

The Noble Prince “Prince”

Prince is a 5 year old, 16.3 hand, grey Spanish Norman/Half Andalusian gelding who came to us this summer as a project horse. Prince is a very handsome, self confident guy who excelled with his previous owner at the seven Parelli games, proving he’s also very smart. Prince has three wonderful gaits, a comedic personality and is a lot of fun to be around. He will undoubtedly excel in dressage and might also be a very fun eventer. We are very happy to have placed Prince in a perfect home with one of Jennifer’s working students, Amber Adcock. Amber rode Price all summer and did a great job with him, so when Jennifer decided to sell him, Amber was the perfect choice. We wish Amber and Prince many successes next show season!

American Baroque “Daiquiri”

Daiquiri is a wonderful 13 year old, 15.2 hand, Appaloosa/Thoroughbred gelding who has carried one of Jennifer’s working students, Amber Adcock, to many victories in both eventing and dressage. When one of Jennifer’s Columbus students, Heidi Reid, decided it was time for her to get her own horse, Jennifer knew that Daiquiri would be the perfect match. Amber has used Daq to teach a lot of her beginner rider lessons because he is so perfectly trustworthy and wonderfully patient. Daiquiri and Heidi are a match made in heaven and we are very excited to see what their future holds.

Epiphany “Teddy”

Teddy is a 14 year old, 16.2 hand, chestnut Trakehner/Appaloosa/Thoroughbred cross gelding. When Jennifer’s student, Angie Dyer, decided it was time for her to move on to a more serious dressage mount, Jennifer offered to buy Teddy for DHF’s lesson program. Teddy has been a wonderful addition to our lesson program and is loved by all who ride him. He has been evented to Training level and also competed on the hunter circuit for several years. He has super smooth, easy gaits making him a great lesson horse. He really seems to enjoy teaching students how to ride and getting love and attention from everyone. DHF is so very lucky to have been able to add Teddy to the lesson program. It is only because of having high quality equine teachers that we are able to provide such high quality education to our students. Thank you to Angie for giving us this opportunity =)

Zoë

We are thrilled to have found our wonderful Zoe a perfect new job with Stillwater Stables program for children. Stillwater Stables is a nonprofit organization operated by one of Jennifer’s students, Connie Patrick and her husband Mike. Located in Wilmington, Ohio, Stillwater Stables provides English riding lessons to children ages 6-17. They offer their services at no charge and rely on donations because they believe that all children should have the opportunity to work with horses regardless of family income level.

Stillwater also offers families a respite care program for children in the foster care system from ages 6-17. Situations can arise in a families’ life that requires foster parents to do something without their foster children. It could be anything from a crisis to the parents just needing some R&R time together. Stillwater’s safe environment where children feel comfortable to be themselves, sets the stage for positive learning experiences and fun. Children have many opportunities to experience what it takes to take care of horses by learning to clean stalls, feeding and grooming horses. Also, during their stay, children learn basic riding skills, hike in Stillwater’s acres of woods, and have ample opportunities to love on the resident cats and dogs.

Lenny, Jennifer and everyone at DHF send all our love, blessings and well wishes to Connie, Mike, Zoe, and all the wonderful children in the Stillwater stables program. We look forward to hearing about many lessons of healing and learning that sweet Zoe gets to teach the children of Stillwater’s various programs.

Comments from Connie Patrick, Stillwater Stables Co-Owner/Operator and DHF Client:

“We are excited to have Zoe and the girls already love her. She just has that personality that really draws the girls too her. Thank you for everything you sent with her and we feel blessed. She fits the job perfectly and your extra generosity just showed us that God has the future in control and will take care of things. It always amazes me that he will find the right job for His horses to do.

Yesterday was fantastic with Zoe. She brings a whole new energy to the program. The three kinship girls came yesterday and they LOVED her so much. It’s like Zoe draws them in and makes the girls feel really special and happy. Mikayla brushed and led her around for a long time yesterday (she is adopted by her grandparents). Victoria (who has her own horse Pablo but is working through her fear) rode her yesterday and just loved her. She really felt that Zoe is going to help her overcome her fear. Gabby brushed Zoe as well and Katelyn hugged on her.”