Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Hedge.
Anne, please share your story with us.
I am a part owner and trainer of Valhalla Equestrian has been training, showing and teaching Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation for over 25 years. I have primarily been involved with private training and sales of show hunters and jumpers, but has a great love of starting young horses undersaddle and also teaching children and adults great basics with a solid foundation. Horses coming out of my breeding and training program at Whitehedge Farm have gone on to Championships at all major horse shows in both the hunters and jumpers. Students under my tutelage have succeeded as well from cross rails up to the junior hunters and equitation. I believe training should happen at home, and horse shows are where the horses and students can go to show off their skills and compete against peers in their same ability level. The Valhalla Equestrian show team will be attending a mix shows according to ability level, from the numerous local shows held at Valhalla up to A and B rated THJA shows located across Texas, and USEquestrian AA shows around the country.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I would definitely say that it has not been a smooth road along the way. The horse world is filled with daily ups and downs, injuries and sicknesses to both horse and human, competition highs and lows. Because I am also breeding horses I deal with life and death situations frequently with young foals.
Apart from the business side, I have been a single mother and the sole breadwinner to 2 children and my business for over 12 years. I think having the kids grow up in a rural/farming environment and seeing a single mother/woman succeed in business working mainly by herself has given them a lot to look up to.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Valhalla Equestrian – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Valhalla has been developed into a fixture in the local hunter jumper community for the last 15 years by Rachel Morris. The facility has been the home site for clinics with George Morris, Anne Kursinski and Bernie Trauig. We are proud to have the opportunity to continue the important work she has done to bring a safe and functional show and clinic facility to the North Texas community.
Amenities of the 30 acre farm include a huge 250′ x 150′ Indoor area with new footing and screens. A 200 x 250 outdoor area, 2 full jump courses, 2 warmup arenas, 2 barns with 30 total stalls for boarders and training horses with 12×12 stalls with fly spray systems, tack rooms and indoor/outdoor wash racks. Multiple paddocks and pastures with a beautiful grove of Pecan trees border the east side of the property. 72 additional stalls available for horse show and clinic use. There are public restrooms, a concession stand and a new gravel parking area.
Improvement plans for 2017 include additional paddock space, a 70′ round pen with sand footing, and continued footing improvements in all arenas.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are looking to make continual improvements in the facility. Footing improvements in all rings, and expansion of the outdoor show arena in 2018.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3555 Sauls Rd.,
Aubrey, Texas 76227 - Website: www.valhallaequestrianllc.com
- Phone: 9405949275
- Email: anne5741@gmail.com
- Instagram: Annewhf
- Facebook: Anne Hedge
Image Credit:
Anne Hedge
LaRena Phillips
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