Postcards from Home: Hunter Oaks Farm

Mark Twain said that the best thing for the inside of a person was the outside of a horse. By that definition at Hunter Oaks Farm near Carlock, people are very well, indeed.
Riders from five states come to this 200 acre paradise to compete in the Hunter Oaks horse trials.

Owner Sandy Mercier explains, "That is a three day event endorsed by the United States Eventing Association. It's a three-phase competition starting with dressage, followed by cross country and ends with stadium or show jumping."   

The culmination of course is to perform like Cindy herself on Windsor, her thoroughbred partner. What began as military preparation for battle is now a stunning ballet--a pas de deux on four legs.
Sandy Mercier says that her Hunter Oaks has become much more than a farm now.

Mercier says, "It's just become away of life for us. . It's become a special place to a lot of the families that are here. We've had families that their kids have grown up here. They've been coming here for more than ten years... and they still enjoy coming out and helping and giving back, so I don't think we'd have it any other way."

And for her young manager and trainer, Cindy Anderson, life just doesn't get any better.

Anderson says, "I mean, it's just the enjoyment of making a living and getting to do what you love. It's a lot of work, but i mean, you can combine your hobby with your job and so, you get to spend the whole day doing your hobby basically."

Out on the farm with another Postcard from Home, yours truly, Bob Jacobs.