It is no exaggeration to say that Renea Willham has been in love with horses her entire life. Recognizing just how special these animals truly are, Renea wanted to develop a program to introduce others to the joys and satisfaction that riding, showing, and sharing the company of these noble creatures can bring. In October 2007, Renea and her husband Steve founded Hinckley Equestrian Center as the area's premier horse boarding and training facility for riders of all skill levels. We visited with Renea recently, and listened as she provided this overview of Hinckley Equestrian Center;
Hinckley Equestrian Center provides an environment where horseback riders of all levels and abilities can excel. We are a family-owned and operated facility offering horseback riding lessons, horse leasing, re-schooling, riding clinics, and shows. Situated on 34+ acres in Medina County, conveniently located near Metro Park Bridle Trails and all major highways, we offer a variety of programs tailored to beginner through experienced riders, taught by thoroughly trained and experienced instructors.
Our modern, full-care boarding facility offers matted stalls, spacious, bright, and airy aisle ways, numerous tack-up areas. We have numerous paddocks and turnouts with all-weather footing, fifteen ceiling fans provide continuous air conditioning, two heated indoor arenas, and lush pastures for grazing and turnout. We utilize horse fencing designed with safety in mind, and our premises are under twenty-four hour recorded surveillance.
We offer private, semi-private, and group lessons. Our Head Trainer, Allison Park, has been riding almost since she learned to walk, and has competed primarily in Hunters for her entire lifetime. Allison is a wonderful instructor, who enjoys tremendous rapport with students of all ages. Realizing that not all riders share the same goals, Allison tailors the lessons to each rider's individual objectives. If a student is just looking to get a good seat, have good balance and control of their horse and ride for fun, that is what they will be taught. If they want to participate in shows, their training will include instruction on more advanced equitation skills, such as posture and form. It is a comfortable, fun environment for riders of all skill levels.
Allison also runs a non-profit riding organization called the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) for students in grades six through twelve. IEA provides riders who do not own a horse with the opportunity to participate in shows on school horses. Membership dues for IEA are only $35.00 per year, and we conduct many fundraisers to help offset some of the costs of participating in the shows.
Horses are incredible creatures with the ability to read your emotions. Similar to deer, they are prey animals and stay finely tuned to everything going on around them as a method of staying safe. If they do not feel comfortable with you, they do not want to be around you, but if you are loving and good to them they know they are safe, have confidence that you will take care of them, and they enjoy being in your company. As the old saying goes, "The best thing for the inside of a person is the outside of a horse."
Hinckley Equestrian Center is the area's premier horse boarding and training facility. Call Hinckley Equestrian Center today, and don't forget to tell them The Medina County Community Advocate
sent you!
