Jennifer Burgy, PTA president of Marriotts Ridge High School, would like to remind interested students that the fall sports season begins Aug. 16. Coaches will collect all necessary paperwork in the school cafeteria Aug. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, check the school Web site at www.marriottsridge.net.

Some of the best offerings in our community are the quiet ones, those spread by word-of-mouth. For instance, the Marriottsville/Sykesville/Woodstock area houses two riding stables that are not heavily advertised but come highly recommended by those who patronize them.

Marriottsville Ridge Farm, which lies sandwiched between Henryton Road and Marriottsville Road, boasts 1,300 acres of beautiful state-owned and protected farmland bordering Patapsco State Park.

Shelly Buhlman, who specializes in Hunter riding, leases the farm. She and trainer Ellen Dempsey currently instruct 30 to 40 students and board nearly 40 horses. The farm offers three outdoor rings, summer camps and extensive riding trails.

Area resident Norma Stephens first discovered Marriottsville Ridge Farm three years ago when her then 10-year-old daughter, Madison, began riding lessons. Norma was so taken by the camaraderie of the farm that she, too, signed up for lessons. Mother and daughter now own one horse and two ponies and participate actively in the local Howard County Horse Show Association. Stephens admires how well the stable cares for its horses and relishes the feeling of being part of an extended family.

Marriottsville Ridge Farm is at 1220 Marriottsville Road, in Marriottsvill. Call 410-442-1107 or go to www.marriottsvilleridge.com for more information.

Tricia Sisney discovered another nearby riding facility, Greenwood Stables, when her daughter, Sarah Beth, then 7 years old, attended a birthday party there in spring 2007. Sarah Beth had ridden previously in South Carolina but stopped after some negative experiences. However, her introduction to Greenwood was so enjoyable that she soon joined as a student. Mother and daughter find the owner, V.J. Iannone, warm and encouraging, and they like the small size of the facility. They also admire how the instructors teach the students to love and respect the horses.

Greenwood offers English, Western and dressage lessons, as well as leasing and boarding, summer camps, and, of course, birthday parties. It is at 727 River Road, in Sykesville. For more information, call 410-489-4306.

For those seeking lessons outside of a riding stable, Karen Jacob teaches at her home, Maternal Gift Farm, located in Sykesville. Jacob also offers lessons at the homes of students who own their own horses and teaches twice a week in Olney through the United States Pony Club.

Lessons through the pony club include jumping, center riding, cross-country, dressage, and whole horsemanship. Call 410-489-6083 for more information.

Due to the small size of these riding facilities, they quickly reach maximum capacity. If you know of other riding stables or instructors in our community, please let me know. I would be happy to include the information in a future column.

user comments (0)