Ohio Eventing Is Thriving at Stone Gate Farm Thanks to a Smith Family Effort

Julie Allison braves the cold to contest Stone Gate Farm jumper derby on Nov. 9. Photo by Miranda Akins / Photography In Stride.

We were all saddened to hear the recent news that South Farm, an Ohio venue and staple of the Area VIII eventing calendar for 25 years, would no longer be hosting recognized or mini horse trials. But eventing is still going strong at a nearby venue, Stone Gate Farm, a 171-acre farm in the rolling hills of Columbiana County.

In 2019 Stone Gate hosted USEA recognized events in May and September, as well as a number of other schooling opportunities throughout the year: two mini trials, two hunter paces, two jumper shows and derbies, a combined test and event derby, a dressage fix-a-test, two mountain trail challenges and several clinics.

“Whew!” says Jackie Smith, who owns the farm with husband Dave, recounting the non-stop roster of activities. Which, lately, have been something of a team effort, led by whom Jackie calls “the next generation of organizers who will hopefully keep the sport of eventing alive and well in Ohio.”

Brandi Podboy and Who Dat. Photo by Miranda Akins / Photography In Stride.

“In early October my kids Kyle, Kevin and his wife Laura came to me and told me that people were asking for another jumper show at that farm and asked if we could do one,” Jackie says. “By that time I had just finished the last competition of the year and I had no desire to run another show.”

They told her not to worry — that they would run it themselves.

“As long as I didn’t have to do anything it was fine with me!” Jackie says. “Interestingly enough, they picked a date that I was going judging out of town. I’m not sure if it was by accident or intentional, but it definitely kept me from being tempted to ‘help.’

The October show went so well that riders requested yet another show in November. Jackie was skeptical: “They were extremely lucky that they had a beautiful warm day at the end of October in Northeast Ohio, but November definitely could be a little dicier.”

Once again, Stone Gate’s fledgling crew of organizers were not deterred.

“In fact they decided to up their game by adding optional cross country fences so riders could have one last hurrah!,” Jackie says.

Photo courtesy of Laura Ann Kosiorek-Smith.

Photo courtesy of Laura Ann Kosiorek-Smith.

Photo courtesy of Laura Ann Kosiorek-Smith.

This time, however, the weather didn’t exactly cooperate. “It was dry but down right cold — as in 22 degrees cold!” Jackie says. “The start of the show was moved an hour later to give the ring a little more time to thaw out so it could be dragged. By the time the show started is was a balmy 32 degrees and it never did get to the predicted high of 41.”

“Regardless, the footing was perfect, the courses were great and everyone took advantage of a few cross country jumps. Although I didn’t show, I took full advantage of the course they had set up the next day when it was a more comfortable 50 degrees. It was great fun!”

The Ohio eventing community is lucky to have the Smith family’s energy and enthusiasm for the sport.

“The kids are already making plans for having a Derby Cross in the spring when people are itching to do a little cross country but the footing isn’t good enough,” Jackie says. “Ah, the next generation of organizers at Stone Gate Farm … maybe someday I will be able to retire!”

Stay warm up there, you guys! Keep an eye on the Stone Gate Farm website and Facebook page for news about upcoming events.