06/24/2022
Dear Valued Clients, Friends and Colleagues:
In operation in the greater Columbus area since 1976, we are pleased to announce the pending sale of our Hilliard farm to our dear friends and customers, Hugh and Heidi Showe. We have been approached by many parties in recent years about buying the farm, but it was always our goal to find the best opportunity to continue the future of what we have passionately developed for nearly five decades.
Our head coach and instructor, Allison Applegett has been with us since she was a youth rider. We have mentored her for over 25 years and are immensely proud of the horseman she has become. She possesses integrity, dedication, work ethic and talent that is simply unparalleled. With all due respect to her parents Mark and Becky, she is like a daughter to us. When the Showe family approached us about their passion to continue what we started here, we knew it was the right opportunity not only for our family, but for Allison. She will continue to make us proud as she reaches this next milestone in her already brilliant career. Over the years, we have helped Allison to become an adjunct riding professor at The Ohio State University and Head Coach of the Hunt Seat Equestrian Team. She will continue her role in both capacities. We are extremely grateful for our decade’s long relationship with OSU.
We know the next question on everyone’s mind will be about the horses. While there may be a few well-deserved retirements in the near future, the horses will remain with the program. There are already plans to expand upon the herd in months ahead to continue to bring the finest lesson horses in the industry to the facility. It is very emotional to bid farewell to our four-legged family, but they are in wonderful, loving hands. There will never be enough gratitude in our hearts to thank them for what they’ve done for us. Yes, the cats are also staying, and even our mascot Gertie the Goat who some have affectionately nicknamed “Kid Griffith”.
The staff will continue to be the same familiar faces, so please be supportive of them while they navigate the transition. Office management, 4-H Club and IEA programming will continue be under the guidance of our favorite barn mom, Becky Applegett. She will continue to be the Go-To for all farm activities. As we speak, she is busily packing the office for remodeling. Our mutual plan is to keep the farm phone number the same.
Our daughter Dakota and her husband Alex have made their home in Florida and will continue their training and breeding operation seamlessly. Their customers are unaffected. Since they have many family ties in Columbus, we will be maintaining our current residence and a barn for them to enjoy when they are up north for shows and events.
What’s next for Sid and myself? Certainly not retirement - LOL. Sid is a multi-carded judge in the industry, and we will continue to work full time pursuing our passion for breeding, buying and selling horses, horse rescue, youth programming, and assisting Dakota in her enterprises. We are also grateful for the opportunity to consult for the Showe family. Downsizing from two active operations will afford us more time in the future to devote to our beloved family as well.
About the future owners? Hugh Showe is well known in real estate circles both locally and globally and is no stranger to elite athletic competition. We love the energy and enthusiasm he will bring to the program. Heidi is a brilliant designer, and visionary. We are looking forward to the improvements and upgrades that she has planned for the facility in the months ahead. Trust us, they are exciting! Their precious daughter, Victoria is a student at CSG and up and coming competitive equestrian. Many of you have already had the opportunity to meet them through lessons, as well as their beautiful horses, Julia, Derby, Dell, and Rugby. Their stallion, Flash is currently in Florida with Dakota, and we look forward to his career unfolding. Please join us in giving their family a very warm welcome.
The goal of the Showe family is to enjoy a seamless transition as owners in the very near future both for staff and clientele. We realize that there are many questions, and we are working around the clock to provide more answers in the days ahead. Plan on many more exciting announcements that we will continue to share through social media. Please plan to adhere to your normal routine and schedule unless otherwise noted including feeders and helpers. Thank you in advance for your patience!
As cliché as it may sound, this is not goodbye, but see you soon. The program could not be in better hands for the future. This farm has been a community landmark since the 1950’s, and under the Showe family, their planned improvements and amenities will rank among the finest in central Ohio.
With gratitude,
Sid and Leigh Ann
