The majority of our horses come from extensive showing backgrounds in various sports: dressage, eventing, hunter/jumpers, competitive trail, reining and therapeutic programs. Some were born locally while others have traveled across the ocean before arriving at Sky Farm. Our smallest pony is 11 hands and our largest horse is just shy of 17 hands.
Horses are selected for the program based on the needs of our clients and their skill sets. Our priority is finding horses that are safe, dependable, forgiving and skilled at teaching – which is why we call them “schoolmasters”. We offer various personalities and breeds to best serve our riders. We respect our lesson horses and schedule their lessons so that they are not required to work beyond their comfort level. We work hard to make sure they are well taken care of and all of our horses have their own tack and grooming supplies to help ensure optimum care.
Below are just a few of our lesson horses – check back as we update our horse bios!
Ginger
“Hi, I’m Ginger Snap, but you can call me Ginger. I’m very fortunate that my mom, Kelly Newkirk, allowed me to be leased to the Sky Farm lesson program! My favorite things are jumping, running through the woods, and most importantly grass. Even though I’m a Shetland Pony, I love teaching people to ride! I may be little at only 11 hands, but I’m full of power.”
Peanut
“My name is Peanut Butter, but my friends call me Peanut…however at horse shows I go by Jolly Gentleman because I’m a really nice guy. I was so happy to be adopted from Aikendale Horse Rescue by the great people at Sky Farm! All of my friends at the horse rescue were thoroughbreds, but I’m used to that, because when I was younger I was a pony horse at Saratoga Race Track. My job was to keep the race horses calm on the way to the starting gates. I am a confidence builder for beginner riders, but I also love hunter paces, eventing and I’ve shown at the Youth Dressage Festival.”
Jewel
“Hi, my name is Jewel. I am the oldest equine resident at Sky Farm. During my competition career as an eventer, I competed under two names; Moment of Truth and Briar’s Jewel. I really enjoy teaching children to ride and I have a ton of experience. Did I mention that before I came to Sky Farm I was a therapeutic riding horse?”
Buzz
“Buzz Light Year aka Buzz is my name. Can you believe my mother was a Shetland Pony and my father was a Canadian Warmblood! I am originally from Maine and very lucky that my owner Lindsay Callaghan has forever leased me into the care of Sky Farm.
I’ve been successful in low level dressage which suits me. I never loved being a hunter/ jumper. My goal when I retire it to be a therapy horse. I consider myself very friendly and I love people and other horses.”
Sunny
“Hi, my name is Sunny. I am the only palomino colored horse at Sky Farm. I am the boss of the mares field. I can be ridden both english and western. My owner rides me western but the students at Sky Farm usually ride me english. I have competed in dressage, hunter paces and hunter/jumpers. I do not like night parades with lots of lights and fire engines!”
Sky Farm Riding Stables 