Foshay South to open this year in Hampton, NB

Hampton, New Brunswick – July 3, 2012 – “Foshay South is going to be our winter training facility,” said Dr. Rob Stevenson. “My wife, Suzanne, and I just purchased an equestrian facility near Hampton. We plan to offer horse boarding and training in a performance-oriented facility for riders who are focused on improving their competitive efforts.”

The couple also plan to host Equine Canada sanctioned horse shows, along with some schooling competitions, at the facility next year. They intend to build on the existing therapeutic riding program that currently runs at the site. Originally the facility was christened ‘Gallaway Ridge Training Centre’ by Michael and Alison Gallagher, who carved the space for a multi-discipline training centre out of the wilderness. The Gallaghers created an excellent training and horse show venue that they ran for many years throughout the 1990s and beyond.

For now the Stevensons are in the process of building a home on the property that will serve as their winter residence. They are also developing their plans for enhancements to the stabling, arena, riding rings and pasture turn-out facilities for the horses. A massive undertaking, the end result will be a facility that provides optimum care for horses and is designed to encourage those who wish to compete in their competitive discipline of choice.

The name ‘Foshay South’ is a tribute to the facility that Dr. Stevenson’s family owns in Lower Jemseg. Rob, his wife Suzanne, and their two children Gracie and Robbie, are the third generation in the family to take up residence at Foshay Farms, 120 kilometres, or almost two hours driving distance, from his busy medical practice in Saint John, NB. The Lower Jemseg location served as a training base for Stevenson when he began his competitive career leading up to representing Canada on the Eventing team at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Hundreds of competitors from throughout the Maritimes have ridden and competed at the location overlooking the Saint John River.

Cross Country Schooling Opportunities

It will be a while until Foshay South is ready to host events or welcome clients to the facility. In the meantime, Stevenson is hosting two Cross-Country schooling days at Foshay Farms in Lower Jemseg. The sessions are open to coaches and  students who would like to try cross-country jumping or to build on their existing skills. As a way of contributing to the development of the sport of Eventing in New Brunswick, 50% of the proceeds of the schooling days will be donated to the Horse Trials New Brunswick organization to contribute toward the cost of running the Canadian Eventing Course Design program at the end of August.
The schooling sessions are scheduled for Sunday, July 8th and Sunday, August 19th at Foshay Farms in Lower Jemseg (961 Lower Cambridge Road), New Brunswick. The cost will be $100 per rider per day and sessions will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:p.m. each day.

To register, riders and coaches should contact Dr. Stevenson at (506) 474-3179 or by email at rssteven@hotmail.com

The national Canadian Eventing organization is offering a two-part, four-day, course-design training session at the end of the summer locally under the auspices of Horse Trials New Brunswick.  The session consists of a two-day theory course, Aug. 30-31, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Brae Fearann HT in Harvey Station and a two-day practical building course Sept. 1-2 at Rohirrim Farm in Estey’s Bridge. The sessions are components of the Equine Canada Eventing Course Designer Accreditation program and are part of the licensing requirements. Course conductors will be Jay Hambly, FEI ( C ) (internationally certified course designer) and Laurie Rowan, EC Senior / Level 2.

For registration and further information contact Rien Meesters, HTNB Secretary, at (506) 454-1230 or rienmeesters@hotmail.ca or visit the HTNB website at www.htnb.org.