Winter Rose Farm’s program focuses on training young sport horses and is based on creating a solid foundation to last a lifetime for any discipline. I believe a great foundation can properly prepare a horse for any challenge. My goal is to produce a horse that is obedient, relaxed, and able to meet challenges with a willing attitude.

Are you looking to invest in a new horse, but the horse you’ve fallen in love with isn’t quite ready to do what you need, or hasn’t been started yet? I love bringing along the young or green horses. My passion is getting on the horses days after they have been ridden for the first time and working with them to bring out their fullest potential. My program allows the horses to gain confidence in themselves and their riders as they work toward developing their own balance and understanding fundamental concepts that will serve them throughout their lives.

Working out of Holman Ranch allows me to bring a lovely variety to my program. The ranch is located in the heart of Carmel Valley on 400 acres. The Carmel Valley hills provide a mixed terrain that helps strengthen the horses through gentle rides up and down the hillside while taking them out of the arena and keeping a young mind active and engaged. There is a round pen which is excellent for starting the young ones and working on ground work. Two outdoor arenas and a covered arena, combined with the miles of trails available, keep the young horse engaged and offer a range of exposure which only adds to building their confidence in themselves and teaching them a great work ethic. The covered arena allows me to get the horses out and exercised no matter what the weather. We also have large turn-outs (35′ x 160) for youngsters to go and just be horses, and have the choice between a regular stall environment, a pipe paddock, or an outdoor paddock.

Conveniently located two hours north of the new Paso Robles Horse Park, and two hours south of The Horse Park at Woodside, offering perfect venues for introducing the young horse to the world of horse shows. Whether it be for a quick trip down the coast for the day to ride around show grounds for the first time, or enter in their first competition. We also have local opportunities for schooling shows that are perfect for presenting young ones with a stress free introduction to competition and also a change of scenery.

Horses in this program benefit from my personal presence at the barn on a daily basis. Here at Winter Rose Farm, you can rest assured that I will be handling your horse personally and on a regular basis, and that my focus is at home with your horse.

I am happy to work with your regular trainer in order to customize an ideal program that caters to you and your horse’s individual needs. I recommend a 6 month commitment for best results and offer discounted rates for commitments of 6 months or 1 year.  Please contact me for details and to check on availability.

Although my focus is on young horses, I will take horses of any age into training. I primarily train out of Holman Ranch in Carmel Valley, CA. Availability and schedule permitting, I am willing to drive to you in order to work with your horse.

Here is a brief description of what you can expect your young horses to learn, based on age, while in my program:

Two Year Olds

For horses 2 years of age we offer regular handling. We keep our youngsters in a field with other horses their age. We introduce them to ground work and grooming.

 

Three Year Olds

Three year olds will learn basic manners on the ground and under saddle. By the end of their third year, they will know how to go forward and handle potentially unsettling situations with an enthusiastic attitude toward what they are asked to do.

Our program allows for frequent breaks to go back out in the field and simply “be a horse.” This will go a long way toward having an older horse with a healthy body and sound mind.

 

Four Year Olds

By the end of the fourth year a jumper prospect should be confident and capable through simple gymnastics and able to negotiate a small course of jumps in a relaxed manner if they are going to go on the following year to competing.

Program varies by the individual with adjustments for the very large, the very immature, or mares that have had a foal.

 

Five Year Olds

During the fifth year, horses will be gaining experience, learning to work with the rider, and the consequences of mistakes – without lessening their confidence.

Choosing the right places to take them and the right events to enter them is key to success.

 

Six Year Olds

The year that building strength and consistency are the prime goals for those with a future in the top sport.

Others are being primed for the Amateur or Junior ranks or looking for a career in another field.

Broadening their experience and learning to deal with challenges are essential.