King's Bridge Farm

06/23/2024

We had a great morning at Cavalier Farm’s schooling show!

Chloe started the day with a bang, winning her very first class at her very first ever show. She and Van then took a 2nd and another 1st, making them division champions!

Mia and Van moved up a division for Mia’s second ever show. They were 2nd on the flat and 3rd in both over fences classes. Van was a little enthusiastic over fences but Mia kept her cool and rode him beautifully!

Morgan and Van also moved up a division today. They earned a 2nd on the flat and two blues over fences. Despite the heat and already having quite a few rides under his belt, Van was still pretty enthusiastic over fences (gotta love a thoroughbred!😂) but Morgan handled it like a pro and had two great courses. They were also division champions!

As always, thank you Suzanne S Cox Testani for sharing Vanny with us! We love him and we kinda think he loves to strut his stuff!

Thank you Cheryl and everyone at Cavelier Farm for being so welcoming. We had a great morning with you!

06/22/2024

Congratulations are in order for Suzanne S Cox Testani on the purchase of her new horse, Flynn!!! We searched and searched for the perfect project for Suzanne and boy, is Flynn everything we were looking for! Bonus that he is her other horse, Van’s, doppelgänger. 😊

Flynn traveled all the way up from AL. He arrived almost two weeks ago and settled right into KBF. The progress these two have already made together is amazing! Can’t wait to continue to watch them blossom! Happy trails, Suzanne & Flynn!!! 🐎❤️

05/22/2024

Leaving the farm feeling extra grateful for a day of great rides, lessons and people. So proud of our horses and students and all the progress they’ve made and continue to make.

Special shout out to Morgan (left) and Katie (right), Mia, Christy and Suzanne for giving our jump standards, barrels and plank a face lift with new paint and for keeping our flower box pretty with seasonal flowers/colors!

Love our KBF family!

05/03/2024

05/02/2024

It was a matching outfit kinda day at KBF. 🩵🖤

04/20/2024

Heartbroken to share that we suddenly and unexpectedly lost beautiful Rosie last weekend.

Rosie was lucky enough to be owned, loved and spoiled by Cate French. Cate took Rosie over from an old friend at the end of October 2023. Rosie had been out of work for a while when Cate brought her to KBF, so what did Cate do? She had her seen and treated by the vet, farrier, chiropractor, massage therapist, dentist and saddle fitter. (I constantly tell Cate that I’d like to be one of her horses!) Cate slowly and correctly brought Rosie back to work and we began using her for a few lessons. Rosie really seemed thrilled to have a job again. One of our teenage students fell in love with her and began leasing and spoiling her even more this past January.

In her short time at KBF Rosie taught some really great lessons, both riding lessons and life lessons. We are missing her sweet dispostion, beautuful face and liver chestnut color, the super cool nerve lacing on her back and her silly tongue sucking.

Thank you Cate for sharing this special mare with us. Our hearts our broken with and for you, Teresa and Mia.

Run free, Rosie girl. 💔🐎❤️

03/30/2024

Happy 25th birthday to our favorite gentle giant!!! We love you, not so tiny, Tiny!!!

02/29/2024

- When my instructor repeats to me: ′′Straighten your shoulders and open your chest!” He’s not just teaching me how to stand up. He's teaching me that in life we should always walk straight and face problems head on.

- When my instructor asks me to lower my legs and keep them close to the horse, he teaches me that in life we do not allow distractions and that little is enough to deviate from his path.

- When my instructor tells me "Too much hand, don't hang on to the reins! "He teaches me to give and not to take, with the greatest respect of others.

- When he yells and repeats endlessly: "Look forward in the direction you want to go!” He teaches me the importance of setting goals and never losing sight of them to achieve them.

- When I ask to move up or do more and my instructor says I'm not ready, he teaches me that in life you must always respect your rhythm and never skip the steps.

- When I fall and get back up, I learn that there are always setbacks, times when we back up, but the important thing is to get up more determined than before.

- If I hold my breath during a ride and he jokingly tells me "breathe! You are purple!” I understand that you have to let your emotions flow in order to get rid of them.

- When at the end of the course I am happy with the work done and my instructor says to me′ ′Well done, thank your teacher′′ I know he is not referring to himself but to my horse.

- Now you, you who are watching a rider pass in the saddle, keep saying that riding is not a sport because it is the horse that does everything. I agree. Horse riding is not a sport. It is a life lesson.

02/19/2024

Last Monday our sweet Ladybug, aka “Bug” or “Buggy” was laid to rest.

6.5 years ago Kat and Montana started looking into rescuing a few horses from the infamous kill pen. Kat fell in love online with two chestnut mares, one of them being this adorable large pony. So we took a drive down to NJ, met the mares, had them transported to quarantine and anxiously awaited for them to come home to KBF. The day finally came for their arrival. Understanably so, both mares were very skittish at first but we took it slow with them and they began to be less nervous and let their personalities shine through.

Once we started working with Ladybug under saddle, it became clear that she was not sound for riding. Kat had the vet examine her and it was determined she had DSLD. It was hard to hear as she was aged around 7-8 years old. Many horse professionals told Kat it was ok to euthanize her because there is no real treatment or cure for DSLD and that she was only going to get worse with time, but Kat decided to keep Buggy as a pasture pet until it became clear that she was having more bad days than good.

Thanks to Kat, Bug enjoyed 6.5 years of the good life. She lived in a large paddock with a run in shed, full of grass, surrounded by her herd mates. She was often the one to get everyone fired up to play. She was an escape artist, especially when she had a blanket on and couldn’t feel the electric fence. 😂 She was loved and spoiled with tons of treats, grooming and attention by our boarders and students. She was surrounded by the same love as she crossed the rainbow bridge last week. While our hearts hurt saying goodbye to such a young horse, we are all grateful that she got to enjoy the good parts of life and that she got to have a peaceful ending.

Run free of pain with Nemo, Buggy.💔❤️

02/12/2024

An equine veterinary practice focused on the specific needs of the equine athlete.

02/03/2024

06/28/2023

😂 Lesson horses…a rare and invaluable breed!

04/25/2023

What if we asked the old horse in heaven about the best moments of his life? Do you think he would talk about the ribbons he won or the points he earned? No. He would talk about the hours you spent grazing him and playing with his mane. He would talk about your kind hands. He would talk about the sound of your car when you pulled up to the barn, knowing you had a bag of carrots for him. He would talk about the laughter of the child who trotted for the first time on him. He would talk about how their little hands gave such gentle pets on his nose. He would talk about the times you came out in the middle of a snow storm to make sure he was okay. He would talk about the time you stayed up all night with him when he was sick and scared and confused. He would talk about the times you cried on his shoulder, and while he didn’t know why, he understood. He would talk about galloping through green pastures and playing with his friends. He would talk about naps in the sun. And finally, he would talk about when he was hurting so much in this earthly existence, you set him free. He knows the decision literally broke your heart in half, but his pain was over and he will greet you again when it is time. Cherish the small moments with your horses. They are what he remembers. In memory of Prince 💙

04/22/2023

Congratulations to Katie on her purchase of Tucker!!! We searched for a while and finally lucked out with this little unicorn. He’s exactly what Katie and her family had been wishing for! Thank you Charlotte Nagle/N&C Equestrian for helping match this pair!

03/04/2023

Food for thought!

02/14/2023

Thank your lesson horse

In this industry, we all too often see the average lesson horse viewed as lesser than or below other horses. Yet, they have the hardest job of any horse.

They do not complain when an unbalanced first time rider mounts for their lesson. They are a calming force for the most timid of riders, promising safety and security. They are patient and kind, allowing riders to grow and evolve in a safe space without fear of making mistakes.

They take the brunt of your “bad day” emotions, without complaint, even though the negative emotions should not be taken out on them in the first place. They would have every right to not perform or act out, yet they are gracious enough to be a shoulder to cry on.

They have the remarkable ability to sense your insecurities and needs, and provide you with the exact ride you need for the day. To teach the lessons you need in that moment, lessons you didn’t even know you needed to learn.

Even on the frustrating days, “when the lesson horse isn’t listening,” they don’t take your accusations to heart. They continue on with their masterful plans to instill humility, critical thinking, and grace in their partner - and you will finally understand that they’re always listening, and they’re always right.

And when you finally graduate to your own fancier horse, take a moment to think of all the lesson horses who brought you to this milestone. They gave you the knowledge, ability, and skill to be where you are right now. And they gave you their heart and soul in the process.

So next time you see a lesson horse, thank them. Give them a pat and a peppermint, a warm hug, and a promise to treat them with respect - for they are the backbone of this industry, and the foundation for all future equestrians.

02/01/2023

Kam gave Twizz an awesome schooling ride yesterday. Here they are working on long and low stretching. Twizz was so horribly inverted and hollow when we got him all those years ago and now look at him stretch! He’s always been saintly for beginners but even our more advanced riders enjoy riding him every once in a while. They know all the pieces have come together when they get results like this and Twizz really seems to enjoys these rides, too. 🦄 ❤️

01/09/2023

01/07/2023

We have a few lesson spots avaialble for the winter months. Come enjoy our 60’x100’ covered arena!

10/29/2022

Welcome “Cool” aka “Cool As A Cuccumber” to our lesson program! Thank you N&C Equestrian for sharing this little unicorn with us! He already has quite the fan club!

08/21/2022

We had an amazing morning at Frazier Farm! Two champions!!! 🥇🥇

Kamryn and Van had their maiden voyage in Maiden Equitation and won every single class, making them champion of the division. Kamryn’s very first class, on the flat, was perfect, until the horse in front of her took off bucking. Van got spooked and Kamryn fell but got right back on and still won the class! Then had two nearly perfect courses! So, so impressed with how she kept her composure!

Suzanne showed for the first time in nearly 50 years, also on her boy, Van, in the Beginner Adult Equitation. She was 2nd in both flat classes and put in a beautiful jumping round that landed her 1st, making her champion of her division!

We’re so incredibly proud of both riders and of course, our biggest champion, Van! Thank you Suzanne S Cox Testani for sharing him with all of us!

And thank you to all our KBF family who came to cheer us on!!!

08/15/2022

04/08/2022

Spring spa day for Mr. Nemo! Check out the before and after of his mane…Hello handsome! 😍

03/31/2022

Nothing like new footing and a freshly dragged arena! (And Tiny, the birthday boy (yesterday) photo bombing in the background. 😊)

03/17/2022

Some brotherly love between two of the sweetest boys before dinner. 💙💙

03/07/2022

The spa at KBF. Twizzler was enjoying being naked and napping in the warmth so much that he did not want to get up for his lesson with Christine Schweikert Capone. So what did Christy do? She brought the brushes out to Twizzler. 😂 Photos are in chronological order. 🤣

02/16/2022

Grand Prix Equine is at it again! Dr. Kremberg is the vet who got our lesson unicorns, Nemo, back to good health. If you’d like to nominate Nemo or one of our other lesson unicorns, please follow the directions on this post. Thanks!

02/12/2022

An amazing shot that Isabelle’s Mom caught of Isabelle’s first ride on Tiny!