Date: Fri 30-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: JEFF

Quick Words:

Mason-Hill-Farm-horse-stable

Full Text:

Mason Hill Farm: Instruction, Competition And Horsecare

BY JEFF WHITE

Although Renee Napoleon is only 12 years old, she has already walked away with

a champion ribbon at the Ridgefield Horse Show and the Reserve Champion ribbon

at Bethel's 4H Horse Show last fall. She is one of several riders who base

their training at Mason Hill Farm, a Newtown stable that offers private

lessons, day camps, and horse boarding.

Over the course of the two years that Mason Hill Farm has been situated on its

Huntingtown Road location, its main focus has been training enthusiastic

equestrians in the art of English riding. Twenty students now make Mason Hill

their training base.

"We have the finest school horses in Fairfield County," boasts Michael Check,

Mason Hill's primary trainer. Mr Check has been riding competitively for 15

years, and holds degrees in Psychology and Equine Science from Virginia

Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia.

The farm owns three school horses "ideal" for training, according to Mr Check,

with another two horses using Mason Hill stalls for boarding. The training

that Mason Hill Farm offers is not specifically geared to horse competition,

but Mr Check maintains that a great deal of his emphasis rests on preparing

his students, so that "they will be prepared to show if they want to."

The 34 acres of "the most beautiful horse property in Newtown" includes a

large outdoor show ring, a smaller sand ring, a grass jumping field, and a

safe, extensive, well-maintained system of trails.

Ultimately, the success of Mason Hill Farm rests in its student riders.

Besides Renee Napoleon's success in the show ring, 16 year old Jackie Jacobs

was recently named the champion of the River Run horse show, and one of the

younger students, 7 year old Jillian Zanini, has made such progress that she

plans to appear in her first show in the near future.

But Claire Napoleon, Renee's mother and barn manager at Mason Hill, maintains

that instruction is not limited to young riders or beginners; the farm is

currently looking to enroll more adults for lessons.

The response to Mr Check's instruction has been positive. "There's a lot more

of a turnout than usual," he says. The demand for instruction has prompted

both Mr Check and Mrs Napoleon to organize summer horse riding camps, which

began on July 26, and will extend to the end of August.

There will be a total of three more four-day camps happening at Mason Hill

Farm, from August 2 through 6, 16 through 20, and 23 through 27.

Cost for each camp is $200, with a $50 non-refundable deposit required. Camp

sessions will run from 10 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday, and will

emphasize not only riding skills but overall horse care, such as how to groom

and bathe a horse, according to Mrs Napoleon. The camps are open to both

beginning and advanced riders.

Private lessons at Mason Hill Farm start at $35 for a half hour, and $55 for a

full hour. A series of eight full-hour lessons is $385. Group lessons are also

offered, with hour-long lessons for two people costing $45 per rider.

Mason Hill Farm also offers a monthly boarding program, where full board costs

$425. Included in the price is stall space, daily morning and evening

feedings, daily morning and evening stall mucking, daily turnout, and

veterinarian and farrier management. There are currently two boarding spaces

available, according to Mrs Napoleon.

For more information concerning private and group lessons, horse boarding, and

horseback riding camps, call Mason Hill Farm at 426-5509.