Since 2008 Willowcrest Farms has been offering a positive and respectful atmosphere for riders to learn and develop their love for horses.
Located on Wellington Road 10 west of Moorefield, the farm is family owned and operated by Julie and John Diamond.
The stable offers riding lessons to riders of all ages and skill levels.
“You are never too old to ride horses,” says Julie.
Summer camps for riders are also offered at Willowcrest Farms and, if interested, riders are able to show in barn schooling shows, local schooling shows and the Provincial Trillium Circuit.
However, adds Julie, showing is an option, not a requirement.
“I have lots of students who just ride once a week and never show,” she notes.
Boarding and training of horses are also services provided at Willowcrest.
Julie, who started riding at the age of 10, has extensive experience in her field.
She began by taking lessons at Pineview Stables in Shakespeare, showing school ponies at local schooling shows and fairs and also attending a few ‘A’ circuit shows. At 18, she owned her first horse, a two-year-old quarter horse she broke and trained to show in the hunter ring.
While working at local boarding stables and completing high school, Julie decided to pursue a career in horses and started teaching riding.
At age 22 she was accepted to the equine studies program at Humber College. This prepared her to take the Canadian Equestrian Federation level one coaching exam in 1993. After passing the exam she came back to the Kitchener-Waterloo area and started freelance teaching. Shortly after returning to the area, Julie bought a three-year-old thoroughbred named Dylan aka Special Delivery. Dylan and Julie went on the show circuit and won many championships.
In 1997, Julie was approached by Glenice Demers of Windamere Stables in Baden, and was asked to help open and develop their new farm. She accepted and was part of the Windamere family for the next six years.
Julie and John bought Willowcrest in 2008 and have been growing the business ever since.
Willowcrest aims to provide a positive and safe environment for young people and adults to learn about horses and animals. Providing excellent care for the horses that live at Willowcrest is also a priority.
“I treat them all like they are my own and make sure that they are happy mentally and physically,” said Julie.
“In addition to horses we have goats, chickens, cats and dogs. Horses and animals are very therapeutic. In fact I am looking into offering riding lessons to the mentally and physically challenged in the future.”
A new program at Willowcrest is a “ladies night” for women who have always wanted to try riding. Ladies night will provide a chance to do that in a fun, social setting. It will run the third Tuesday of every month from 8 to 9:30pm. Cost is $45 plus HST and the program includes learning how to handle, brush, tack up and basic riding skills. Ladies may call or email to sign up.
Summer camp dates for the upcoming season are:
– Session 1, July 14 to 18;
– Session 2, July 28 to Aug. 1; and
– Session 3, Aug. 11 to Aug. 15.
Cost for full-day camp sessions (9am to 4pm) for ages seven to 14 is $300. Half-day camps (9am to noon) for riders aged four to six, are offered for $175.
Julie takes pride in the accomplishment of her riders.
“Last year my riders were champion or reserve champion in most of their divisions on the Georgian Bay Trillium Circuit,” she says.
The performance earned her Trainer of the Year honors for the Georgian Bay Zone.
In addition to training students at Willowcrest, Julie enjoys sharing her passion for horses with local school children. For the past several years she has run a horse care elective at Maryborough Public School in her community.
Lessons at Willowcrest are offered evenings, weekends and weekdays, with group, semi-private and private options available.
Willowcrest is located at 6638 Wellington Road 10 and can be reached by phone at 519-638-5882 or email at jjjdiamond@hotmail.com.
