Fairy Tail Farm

08/25/2025

Having so much fun with my junior riders group that meets on Sundays from 1-4 in Gresham. Each week I watch the kids show up ready to engage in horse care-
*cleaning stalls
*scrubbing water buckets
*grooming and bathing

The kids are learning-
*parts of the horse
*parts of the tack
*how to care for equipment
*how to pace themselves when they are doing heavy work
*and- how to help each other

Each time they show up to ride they improve their riding skills- but more importantly they become better horse people. Today they all pitched in to help paint the ground poles a bright blue and yellow- the colors provide some of the best contrast for folks with vision impairment. Kids are so capable when we give them opportunities to participate in meaningful activities. Cheers to building horse people from the ground up and building better community in the process.

08/09/2025

So thankful to be at Freeman Farms where we have access to so many different spaces to ride the horses. Getting horses out of the arena into varied terrain is good for them mentally and physically- it’s good for riders too! Cruz was a brave and mostly fearless leader and Bonnie was pretty darn good for her first time visiting the river.

07/17/2025

As an adult rider I’ve never been the one to jump at the chance to ride ba****ck- but I see the big grins it brings kids I work with. Riding ba****ck is an absolutely awesome way to work on one’s balance and to truly feel the horse’s movement. After listening to the interview with Skylar Wireman and hearing of her hacking her Grand Prix horses around the show parks ba****ck I figured it was time to give it a try with Ms Bonnie. She was great! After feeling her hair twisting a bit underneath my breeches she jigged a few steps but settled quickly. It did bring me so much joy getting to re-engage in a moment that was a highlight of my childhood riding. Thanks for the picture Mika!

07/07/2025

I’d like to give a big shoutout to Project Lemonade for providing funds for a foster child to take riding lessons in my program! I’d love to make more connections within the community to find ways to offset costs and increase accessibility to horses. Thanks again Project Lemonade! I’d be happy to work with you again in the future.

Project Lemonade is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring self-esteem and providing support to foster youth. Their mission focuses on helping these young individuals realize their unique gifts and build confidence, thereby empowering them to succeed in school and life.

06/27/2025

During the months of July and August I will be providing Sunday afternoon horsemanship and riding lessons in a group setting from 1-4 pm at Aspire Therapy Clinic in Gresham off Orient Rd. Sign up for all 4 sessions in a month for $275 or single sessions at $75. There is room for 3 more riders in each session. Please contact me if interested! Kids will learn different knowledge and skills related to horses and care each week through direct hands on experience. Do horses like cucumbers in their salads? Let’s find out!

05/27/2025

Horses, Art, and Rivers?!? Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming dates for farm adventure days where the mornings will be spent learning about horse care and riding and the afternoons will be spent by the bank of the Molalla River doing nature journaling and enjoying the beautiful water. All at the beautiful Freeman Farm in Molalla Oregon.

05/09/2025

We have moved! I’m excited to announce that I am able to continue providing lessons in two new locations.

I have some availability at a small farm in Gresham. This facility is home to Aapire therapy clinic(which provides pediaric OT, PT, and SLP services)and we have a few sweet horses great for beginners to learn the basics on.

I have my horse Bonnie and our new employee Cruz(9 yo S Steens Mustang) at Freeman Farm in Molalla. I have availability to teach lessons and provide half training options at Freeman Farm. Freeman Farm is a beautiful spot and the owners, Elise and Zoe Conlee, have done an amazing job breathing new life into this historic 90 acre farm. They have a large indoor, outdoor, clinics, and onsite schooling shows. Every time I arrive at this farm I feel the stress of the world melt away. The horse care is truly exceptional with dedicated staff and onsite caregivers.

While I was previously pausing taking new clients, I have some space available this summer. Beginning in June I will also have some availability to provide travel training- interested in receiving top quality training at your own home facility? Reach out and we’ll make it happen.

01/30/2025

Caroline Culbertson is doing it again- hosting a fabulous podcast that can help horse people continue to learn- while riding around in their cars or going for walks with their pets(horse or human). I really like this interview with Skylar Wireman- an up and coming horse person. I particularly enjoyed Skylar’s talking about the importance of keeping riding and working with horses fun. More games coming up in lessons folks!!!! You can thank Skylar and Caroline for that.

Podcast Episode · Horse Person · 01/20/2025 · 1h 4m

01/27/2025

I was inspired by a Dressage rider who did this and decided to do something similar. I am so grateful for all the "free" and "on the fly" coaching I got over the years- I couldn't be where I am today without that help. If you know a Pony Club/OHSET/WAHSET kiddo, an adult trail rider, a young professional or anyone who owns their own horse who could use a little help- feel free to share this post. My lesson program is currently full- but I have a bit of time in my schedule where I can help folks who own their own horses.

12/18/2024

Bonnie at the Julie Winkel clinic with Monica in the irons. So impressed with this horse’s growth throughout the course of this year. From cross rails in February to answering much more technical questions at this clinic- this horse seems to say “yes” to anything jumping. Also super impressed with Monica for getting the job done so smoothly on this still wiggly young horse. Onwards!

12/04/2024

The ribbons just arrived for our first in house Horse Show Clinic! Our riders will get the chance to perform in groups for our judge/clinician and to receive input on their performance, as well as ribbons and prizes! One of the hardest things about competing in Hunters and Equitation is the general lack of feedback. I’m so excited for our riders to get to have a low stakes opportunity to compete while also learning from our clinician what judges lol for and WHY they received the placing they did. If you’ve wanted to stop by to say hello feel free to come by this coming Saturday December 7th, no fee to audit.

11/13/2024

We can do hard things- It had been nearly twelve years since I last stepped into a show ring and this past Saturday I got the chance to get back in the game at the lovely Freeman Farm show! A few of my students, and my superstar horse Bonnie, were my inspiration to get back in the show ring and challenge myself to see if I could put it all together. The answer- I CAN still do it- while I elected to have my round in the .60 jumpers go as a schooling round and I trotted fences- it was the just right choice for my horse on that day. We ended up completing the whole round smoothly and we ended on a high note where I feel confident that next time out I’ll have the right game plan to better support both of us.

I was so proud of all our riders! Monica did a great job piloting Bennett and Sandra and Rachel won all the blues in their division.

Perhaps best of all we had the lovely Darby Goodrich on hand as our in barn photographer. Darby you truly have a gift!!!! We are so thankful that you’re a part of our barn family.