I consider myself fortunate to have to grown up in horse country. The beautiful Hudson Valley area has deep roots in the horse industry. Orange County, New York has always been home to a variety of riding, racing and breeding stables. I love to see it continue to develop and welcome other riding disciplines such as reining, cutting, barrel racing and other Western disciplines.
I grew up in Campbell Hall, NY. We always had ponies and I began riding at about the same time I started walking! It was a great time to be a kid because we didn't have all the gadgets that kids have today. From sun up to sun down, we were outside riding!
I began formal lessons when I was about 11. I had a German trained instructor and he was tough! I'm grateful now for his rather aggressive approach as he instilled in me a very strong work ethic. I learned on Arabian horses and they taught me so much! Highly intelligent, sensitive, high strung horses with the ability to access in any discipline. I've owned a few Arabians over the years and they are still one of my favorite breeds.
I continued riding through my teenage years and purchased my first horse when I was 14. She was a beautiful bay Quarter horse filly that had been born on my neighbors farm. I remember walking through the fields to visit her and feed her carrots through the fence. It was love! She was only 3 and untrained, but we purchased her anyway. With my trainers help, we trained her and she and I enjoyed many years of showing, trail riding, pleasure riding and just spending time together. She was truly my first best friend.
After Suzie passed, life went on and I continued to ride and work with horses on and off for most of my life. It wasn't until 2001 that a very special horse came into my life and got me back on track in the life that I loved and was my destiny (working with horses and people!).
I was going through a challenging time in my life and had just broken up with my fiance. While reading the local newspaper, I saw an ad about horse adoption. Back then, I had no idea what that meant or how it worked but knew I had to find out more. I went to the stable and the owners explained the process to me. I was intrigued by this idea of horse adoption. Then I saw her. A stocky bay mare standing in the cross ties while someone groomed her. There was an immediate connection! A look in her eyes that drew me to her. She was quite standoffish and didn't seem particularly friendly or happy. Yet, I knew she was the one and decided to adopt "Wedding Blues" (I was shocked when I heard that was her Registered name!).
Fast forward to 2005. That's the year I decided to pack up all my kids and move to Texas with my fiance. Hard to believe but, from 2001 to 2005, I had managed to acquire another 4 horses and a Steer! I bought a beautiful ranch in Cleveland, Texas. From 2005 to 2010, I built a successful lesson, training, boarding and trail riding facility in Cleveland and everything was going great (except the fiance and I broke up). Then I started having some health issues and was forced to sell the farm and move back to New York to be with my family.
I kept all my horses, acquired a few new ones and 3 new dogs. Everyone that started out in NY ended up back in NY! The circle of life brought us all back to Campbell Hall which is where we currently reside with my family. We're conveniently located on Route 207 near Goshen, New York and work with folks from Orange, Ulster, Sullivan and the surround counties.
We're finally settled in and ready to get back to work. I want to share my amazing horses with you, my knowledge and my passion. I look forward to meeting y'all! ~Julie
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