Twin Oaks Riding

29/01/2025

Congratulations to our NCAEL team for winning our home show this past weekend! We had the pleasure of hosting Meadowood Stables and The Other Left. We got great feedback from our judge, Emily Merkel.

Huge thanks to our volunteers for helping us run everything smoothly!

21/01/2025

Who can name the 8 horses Nancy brought from Texas in 2000 to start the Twin Oaks lesson program? They are all pictured here!

10/01/2025

We are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year!!

Twin Oaks has been in Loudoun County since 2000 when Nancy Smith moved here with 8 horses from Texas. I was 11, and had always wanted to ride and be around horses. Through connections at church, I was able to go meet Nancy at the barn when she had just moved in. I knew nothing, but was eager to learn and desperate to grab an opportunity. Somehow, it was arranged that I could work a couple days a week in exchange for lessons.

Nancy soon had the business up and running off of Gum Spring Rd. The business ran very similar to the lesson program now! We had lessons after school and Saturdays, and camp in the summer. With 8-10 horses in the barn, I learned the ins and out of horse care. I rode as much as I could on whichever horse was available. Nancy often gave me rides home, so I invariably learned about scheduling, handling parent inquiries, and bank deposits on our errands.

In 2010, Nancy moved the operation to Evergreen Mill Rd to lease a part of Cavallo Farm to continue lessons. At this point I was in college, but would help with camps and the occasional teaching when I was home on break.

In 2014, I was married and back living in northern Virginia. Nancy and her family were looking at a move back to Texas. I distinctly remember the conversation when she told me she was moving: "What are you going to do with the business?" I asked. She replied, "I don't know... you want it?" We immediately began preparations for me to purchase the business, horses, and supplies from her and in 2015 the switch was official.

She took 4 horses to Houston and I had 4 remaining in Virginia. I took my 4 to Red Hill Rd and acquired a couple more lesson horses. I started out exactly duplicating Nancy's well run lesson and camp program, and gradually the scope expanded to include some leasing and boarding as some clients went on to purchase their own horses.

In 2020, Beau and I were able to purchase a farm of our own in Lovettsville. The layout ended up being almost exactly what we needed, with two aisles separated by an indoor to accommodate the lesson program and the growing boarder/show client aspect of the business. By this time, Nancy had moved back to VA to officially retire and be a sub for me while I am away or at horse shows.

And here we are in 2025 with a bustling lesson program and riders showing in eventing and dressage!

This year, to celebrate 25 years, I want to post lots of photos and memories from all of you. Please send me what you have! Thanks for being a part of the past 25 years of Twin Oaks!!

25/12/2024

Merry Christmas from the Twin Oaks lesson horses!! 🌲🎅🦌🎁🌲☃️

04/12/2024

What a treat to do a TRIPLE congratulations after this weekend!

Congratulations to Miriam on the purchase of her first horse, Dats True Love. Miriam is a dedicated working student and we are looking forward to developing this young horse! Rook is sweet and willing and we are so excited for Miriam to work with him! Thanks to Courtney Waskiewicz for bringing him along from the track!

Congratulations to Claudia Yates on the acquisition of the talented His Highness Crusador! Huey brings extensive dressage training and we are going to have a lot of fun with this wonderful schoolmaster. Thanks to Jennifer Mutchler!!

Lastly, congratulations to Addy Sheplee on the purchase of Zydeco! Look for these two out eventing next year. We are excited to get to know Zeke and continue developing his education. Thanks to Lainey Ashker for the great match!

After looking for all these horses we are ready to get busy! Lots to work on and thank you to these clients for trusting me to help them find their next partner.

26/11/2024

Earlier this month we capped off the season with one of my favorite shows, the Virginia Horse Trials! Our team had some ups and downs... Isn't that how Eventing often goes?

Mickey and I had a great start in the Preliminary, but he was unfortunately foot sore in the XC warm up and we had to withdraw. Not the ending I wanted for the season, but he and I have done some great work this year!

Kelley and Moe were 3rd in the Junior Training! They were the only pair in the division to go double clear XC, jumping up the leaderboard significantly after dressage. That's why you want a good XC horse! 😁

Lily and Ember had their best score in dressage and placed 8th after some unfortunate rails. They are looking strong at BN!

Nora and Tina also had their personal best dressage score, but unfortunately ran into trouble in stadium. Nora is a hard worker and I'm sure will come back ready to go in the new year.

And lastly, I just HAVE to brag on Avery and Rocco. Avery had a fluke bad fall last year that put her on the sidelines for a few months. In the meantime, Rocco and I went to work getting him ready for her return. This season, Avery has grown tremendously in confidence and skill. Rocco did his first horse trials with me this summer, and now is focused and confident on course with Avery. It was very rewarding watching these two have 3 great phases at the VA Horse Center, and they were the only pair across the level to finish on their dressage score, earning a 2nd place!

We are now on a bit of a break for our eventing horses, with some winter skills building work to come!

22/11/2024

Congratulations to Gina on the purchase of our favorite boy Arbor! I'm so happy to help these two get to know each other!

02/11/2024

One week till the Virginia Horse Trials! 🍂🌄🍂 Gearing up for a great end to the 2025 season!

27/10/2024

Another year another costume night!
Rocco the Taco 🌮
the "Zoo Crew" 🐒🦒🐆
My Little Pony Ziggy 🦄
Appy the Dalmatian 👩‍🚒

Thanks to all who participated!!

21/10/2024

SOLD
Congratulations to Arbor's new owner!!

Branching Out "Arbor"
2010 16.3 TB gelding

Arbor is the absolute packer for a rider learning from Beginner Novice through Preliminary level. He has three solid phases, especially with his confidence in cross country he is a wonderful horse to gain experience on. He has all the "buttons" in dressage and could easily go through 3rd level. Arbor loves hacking out alone or with company.

In addition, Arbor is a delight to have in the barn, with good ground manners, good feet, and generally an easy keeper. Loading, clipping, turnout etc are all easy with this guy.

35🥕🥕🥕
Lovettsville, VA

Current owner is getting out of horses and will also be selling tack and equipment if interested.

Call/text 703-459-8216

21/10/2024

Adult League team lesson! Our NCAEL riders are gearing up for their first show of the season next month.

08/10/2024

🤩How could I pick just one photo for each rider??🤩

Two shows to recap!

Old Tavern HT
Kelley and Mojave Moon - Jr Training - 6th
Nikki and Calypso Kid - BN Rider - 3rd
Addy and Kinsale - Jr Novice - 5th
Avery and Roccamo - Jr Starter - 4th

Maryland HT
Nikki and Calypso Kid - BN Rider - 2nd
Nora and Tiny Tina - BN Rider - 8th
Lily and Playing with Fire - BN Rider - 5th

HUGE congratulations to Avery for completing her first recognized horse trial! She has worked SO hard and her confidence grows every day. It has truly been very rewarding seeing her and Rocco imorove as a team this year.

Addy moved up to Novice, making it look easy on some muddy footing!

Lily and Nora both had successful move ups to BN! These girls rocked around the Maryland course with ease.

Nikki has been consistently earning top placings and had her most smooth three phases at Maryland!

Kelley is gaining experience at Training level with fine form on Moe. Love watching these two!

Next up ⏩ Morven Horse Trials!

01/10/2024

NCAEL apparel order going on now!

Choose from a variety of garment styles, colors, and sizes.. Here's the winning style for this season. All proceeds (approximately $8/purchase) will go towards supporting...

11/09/2024

Did somebody say treats? 🥕🍎

06/09/2024

What an AMAZING experience AECs was for Addy and Kinsale!

At Addy's first recognized horse trial (ever!) this spring, they placed 2nd, qualifying then for AECs. They did 2 more BN shows, placing 2nd at each one. They were definitely more than ready!

Addy and Kinsale scored a 27.3 at AECs, securing them the first place position after dressage. They continued to XC and stadium with no further penalties and maintained the lead, winning the Junior Beginner Novice 14& under division!

I am so proud of these two! Kinsale is the perfect horse to learn the ropes of Eventing, and Addy is the eager rider who takes it all in and works hard to be accurate and confident.

Many thanks to Paul Ebersole for coaching them in Kentucky, and Michelle Johns for allowing us the ride on this special mare!

05/08/2024

A Versage weekend for us! On Saturday we were at the VADA/Nova schooling dressage show at Morven. Lily, Kelley, and Addy worked on tests for upcoming shows and came home with some nice ribbons! Today I made my USDF debut with Cici Top (owned by Patsy Schierlmann) at Loch Moy, where he won both of his classes including a 70.9%. Go Topper! Unfortunately there is no special discount for having active USEF, USEA, USHJA, and USDF memberships.