Beth has been a key component to the success and, indeed, longevity of Heartland Farm. She is devoted to the horses, empowering of the young students, and can be depended on to lend a hand, manage a crisis, and sometimes provide a shoulder to cry on.
I've lost count of the number of horses Beth has brought along for me and for our customers. She is the more practical of the two of us and is never bashful about telling it like it is. She has tackled some pretty tough horses and built some really fine ones from purchases I many times buy with my heart over my head.
On this page are some of those success stories and you can bet Beth is always working on the next one. Beth is a true believer in ensuring that our students are good all-around horsemen and not just good riders. She is positive, encouraging, and determined that our students take good care of the horses, remember to thank those who make it possible for them to ride, and have fun, in that order. She keeps us all on track.
Like every little girl in love with horses, I started collecting pictures and statues of horses when I was very small. Horse statues became birthday and Christmas presents and my mom helped me fill my room with them.
In 1988, my family moved to Belchertown. I joined the 4-H club and my horse life took off from there. I started lessons when I was ten. When one of the horses I rode in lessons came up for sale, my dad and mom bought him for me even though I was only eleven. Dad and I were the ones who did much of the daily care for my horse when I was little.Ever since then, riding, caring for, showing, training, and teaching horses have been a big part of my life. Mohawk Indian (my first horse) and I started in equitation classes and Mo helped me to achieve my first success. We moved on to ride and qualify for medal classes and we went to some of the finals and put up pretty good scores. We went on to the jumper ring from there where we were fast, clean, and careful and won many blue ribbons. Locally, we became the pair to beat.
My mom and dad were always on the sidelines cheering me on and I have always been so thankful for their help and support. My mom woke me up in the wee early hours of the morning and filled bags and coolers of snacks and cold drinks and then came to the shows and took pictures. Dad came along too, but rarely could watch as I jumped around the courses.
I was 14 years old when Heartland Farm opened and, ever since, Diana and I have been a team. We bought young horses who needed additional training and I jumped in head first. I graduated from Springfield Technical Community College with a degree in business management. That has turned out to be a great asset over the years as Heartland Farm has expanded into lessons, camp, and training outside horses. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to ride with some incredibly talented instructors and nationally recognized clinicians. Their influence has helped to shape my teaching style and philosophy.
I am always so excited and exhilarated by watching my students advance in their confidence, and in the show ring if that is what they choose. Please give me a call at Heartland Farm and tell me about your love of horses.
| Diana Adair diana@heartland-farm.com |
| Beth Guerin bguerin33@gmail.com |
| Heartland Farm |
| 72 Station Road |
| Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 |
| Telephone: (413) 253-6611 |
| Last updated: May 18, 2008 |