Jacqueline GIlbert and Sea Squall were winners of the Preliminary Training division. Photo courtesy of Flatlandsfoto.com.
Huntington Farm is located in the small but picturesque town of Strafford, Vt., where yours truly resides. Every summer, the farm hosts a couple recognized horse trials. They even brought back their popular schooling shows and a camp this year. Ann Kitchel is the owner of Huntington Farm, and Deborah Dean-Smith — a USDF bronze, silver and gold medalist who has earned many top placings — is the horse trainer at the farm.
This past weekend was their August horse trials, and it couldn’t have been a better weekend for a show. The weather was agreeable, the footing was pretty amazing, and there were some new and exciting jumps on the xc course. Huntington Farm is one of my favorite events in Area 1 for several reasons:
1. It’s less than five minutes down the road.
2. The cross country is very gallopy and has the perfect combination of fields and trails.
3. Everyone is so nice and generous at the farm.
4. They are one of the few events around here that do stadium at the end of the day and have a victory gallop for those who placed, which is always fun for spectators and, of course, the riders!
Thank you to everyone at Huntington Farm and all the amazing volunteers. I can’t wait to compete there next summer! Many thanks to the amazing Joan Davis of Flatlandsfoto for providing these images from Huntington. Be sure to go to her website to check out all the proofs from the weekend.
Daryl Kinney and Rosie's Girl were winners of the Open Training division. Photo courtesy of Flatlandsfoto.com.
Caroline Rex and Banda Calypso were winners of the Junior Novice division. Photo courtesy of Flatlandsfoto.com.
Elizabeth Ventura and Milestone were winners of the Junior Beginner Novice division. Photo courtesy of Flatlandsfoto.com.
