06/14/2025
Stonewall Farm Summer Open House- Come Visit and Ride Ponies!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our first Open House in December- it was busy and we met so many enthusiastic young horsepeople and their parents. Ultimately we selected one student to join our team who has been riding several ponies three times per week and progressing since. If you participated then, you are more than welcome to come and ride during the June Open House.
Stonewall Farm in Ixonia, Wisconsin, is looking for two additional regular pony riders, ideally in the 8-10 year old range (while we are open to exceptions, we have A LOT of small ponies!). If you think you want to learn this sport, gain a valuable education in training ponies, or that opportunity is the only thing holding your gritty and hard-working child back, we will be having open barn hours in June to find two additional riders.
Logistics:
Stonewall Farm breeds, trains, sells, and leases ponies for the North American market. This is not a client barn, most ponies are owned by Emily Elek and a group of select owners looking to grow the dedication and ability of the next generation of the sport. To that goal, we are looking to give the opportunity to shape the next generation of pony trainers, riders, and horsepeople. This opportunity looks like hard work, commitment to riding, grooming, and special dedication is given to the long careers of ponies. Students at SWF from all financial backgrounds have gone on to success at the most competitive shows in the country including USEF Pony Finals, the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, The Devon Horse Show, Capital Challenge, and the Washington International Horse Show. As this is a pony farm full of all ponies, this is an opportunity for pony riders–riders will graduate from the program at any point that makes sense for their own goals.
What is paid for:
- All lessons, ponies and their care, tack, and everything the ponies need
- When timing is correct, all show fees, hauling, braiding, training, and day fees
What you need to pay for:
- All attire to groom, ride, learn, bathe ponies, and show in all-weather
- Travel to the barn 3+ days per week
- Down the line: travel and housing to various horse shows–mostly Ledges and Kentucky
What this is:
- A comprehensive program for young riders to learn to train and ride mostly hunter ponies for competition
- An opportunity to learn to ride at a high level economically that is hard work
- An opportunity to be trained by Emily Elek, one of the foremost pony trainers in North America
- A program where the ponies always come first
- A barn full of top ponies to groom, train, and learn with
- Jumping and flat lessons on a wide range of ponies
- Unlimited riding availability as student progresses
What this isn’t:
- A client program
- A place where you dictate lessons plans, training plans, or show plans
- A place where whining or crying are tolerated
- A place where ponies are blamed-for their behavior, your bad lesson or your bad day!
- A barn with horses- we are Stonewall Ponies!
- Exclusive- you are welcome to ride and train and keep animals with anyone else you choose
What this requires:
- Ability to be at Stonewall Farm (Ixonia, Wisconsin 53036) 3+ days per week, year-round
- Bravery, grit, and willingness to learn
- Family involvement to be team players at the barn and horse shows helping out
- While there is no minimum age, riders must be able to tack and untack and groom all their rides in a given day. If they are unable, we require a parent or guardian to assist them until they are big or strong enough to do this on their own. SWF staff will not groom, tack, and untack ponies for children.
- Ability to safely mount, adjust stirrups/reins, walk, and trot independently (off the lunge line)
Other questions?
- Are there opportunities for small adults? Yes! Come meet us during the open house and we can discuss your specific situation.
- What if I am an adult who wants to come hang out in a fun community and groom ponies? Yes, come meet us during the open house.
- Do you need freelance home and horse show grooms? Come meet us!
- What if I’m in college and can only ride on breaks? Yes! Come meet us and we can talk specifics at the open house.
OPEN HOUSE DAYS- come meet ponies and bring your riding stuff and please put a nametag on yourself and your child!
Want to just meet some ponies- stop by and say hi! Summer family barn vacations are welcome- come visit and ride ponies even if trying out for the team doesn’t fit your family at this time.
N9029 Highview Rd, Ixonia, Wisconsin 53036
Please EMAIL ONLY Emily Elek ([email protected]) prior to arrival with the following information in the email:
Parent/guardian name:
Student Name:
Student Age and Current Height:
Student’s current experience/riding/horse handling level:
Date and time you plan to visit, choosing from below:
Please fill out and sign and attach to your email the following release form:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jlqvxx9kZfU7QGoCRVDhsJA8EQFUdgGa_uiz1DNjfZo
* No rides will be scheduled or visitors will be admitted to SWF without a signed release form
Tuesday, June 17- 8 am to 4 pm
Wednesday, June 18- 8 am to 4 pm
Thursday, June 19- 8 am to 4 pm
**If you attend on Tuesday, you may be invited back Wednesday and Thursday
**If you attend Wednesday, you may be invited back Thursday
Questions that cannot be answered over email- please text: 920-889-0028.
