Running a farm like Windchase is very definitely a team effort.
Competition Event horses, boarders, horses in training, lessons,
schooling, breeding, horses for sale; a stable like ours runs by having a
lot of different things going on. Keeping the barn running
efficiently and having success in training and competing horses would not be possible
without the help of many people. The rider is the one who gets the
recognition when they do well at big competitions, but equally
important are all of those who put in many hours of hard work and care to
make it all happen. I would like to thank all of the people who contribute to
the success of Windchase.
~ Phyllis
Dawson ~
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Jineen Reed
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Jineen Reed is Windchase's Stable Manager
and Dressage Trainer. She has been Phyllis's close friend for many
years, and has traveled around the world with her to help her at the major International
competitions, including grooming at the Olympics. Jineen supervises the stable,
trains horses,
teaches riding, and keeps everything running smoothly. She is an accomplished
rider, trainer and
instructor, and is an expert
in all aspects of horse care. Jineen always makes time to help everyone with
any problems they might have, and Windchase is extremely lucky to have her in charge.
As the sign in our tackroom reads: 'Do what Jineen says!'
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Melissa Hunsberger and Just
Fun Stuff.
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Melissa Hunsberger is a Trainer and Instructor at Windchase. As
well as training and teaching, she competes many of the Windchase horses,
and helps to oversee the daily
operations of the farm. Melissa has competed at the Advanced Level,
including jumping clear around the cross-country at the Rolex Kentucky
CCI**** on Just Fun Stuff in 2007. Melissa is also a Level III
Instructor in the USEA Instructor Certification Program. Melissa
started out as a working student at Windchase many years ago, and we are
really glad she stayed on to become an important part of our team.
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Some of Windchase's Working
Students
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The Working
Students are an extremely important part of the Windchase
team. As well as training and competing
their own horses, they are responsible for doing the barn work and caring
for all the horses. They help with the preparation, exercise
and conditioning of the event horses, and make sure the boarders are well
looked after. The
hard work and dedication
of the Working Students help to keep the farm
running smoothly and efficiently.
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Kenny Popkins
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Kenny Popkins: Kenny is
responsible for the maintenance and upkeep at Windchase. He mows,
weeds, repairs fences and barns, builds jumps, helps with stable chores, and does whatever
else needs to be done around the farm. Maintaining a large farm like
Windchase is a lot of hard work, and Kenny does a great job keeping the
place in shape.
Steve Mayer |
Steve
Mayer is
the farrier at Windchase. He shoes all of the Event horses, as well as the
young horses in training and most of the boarders' horses. Keeping
the horses feet in good shape when they are working hard is difficult and
vital, and Steve
gives them the utmost in care. Steve is an excellent farrier, and
an important part of the
Windchase team.
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Dr. Sean Bowman
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Dr. Sean
Bowman,
of the Piedmont
Equine Practice, is Windchase's barn veterinarian. He takes care
of Phyllis' Event horses, as well
as most of the horses living on the farm.
Between
routine maintenance, evaluating soundness, treating problems and dealing
with emergencies, Dr. Bowman is responsible for doing
everything possible to ensure the soundness and good health of the
Windchase horses. We are lucky to have such exceptional veterinary
care.
The Boarders: Windchase
has a super group of boarders who are great fun to be around. From
pleasure riders to serious competitors, they all take the greatest
interest in their horses welfare, and are always willing to help out when
needed. (Hopefully we won't have to ask them to shovel the snow off
the indoor arena roof too often!) Having a friendly group of people
who love horses is what Windchase is all about.
Bruce and Nancy Mountz: Bruce and Nancy are
Phyllis' next door neighbors and good friends. The Mountzs contribute to
the Windchase team in many ways. They have often hauled horses for
Phyllis all over the
country when needed, groomed at competitions, and supplied moral support and
assistance to less the experienced riders at
competitions. And Bruce with his snowplow is a great help when we
have winter storms!
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Grace Dawson
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Grace
Dawson is Phyllis' mother. She is an inspiration to all
who know her. She helped Phyllis get Windchase started back in 1986,
and over the years she has been a terrific jump builder, lawn mower, problem solver,
troubleshooter, barn builder, tractor repairer, seamstress, cook and
ground hog slayer! Whatever needs to be done, Grace seems to know how to
do it. She is always a source of help, advice and motivation around
Windchase.
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