Team Meadowind Farm

 

“Team Meadowind Farm” is the group of people who make us who “WE” are.  We are the team who goes out and represents our farm, our philosophy of caring for and training our animals, our positive team spirit, and attitude in all events and shows we take part in promoting the breeds represented on our farm and the organizations who we feel enhance the equine, canine and goat industries.  Our Mission is to share with others what a positive and beneficial experience horse, goat and pet partnership can be, whether through competition, community events, trade shows or expos.

 

Get to know our Team:

Julie Good:  Meadowind Farm is the “dream” of Julie.  In 1994, her husband Clate, recognized a passion in Julie and encouraged her to pursue it.  Sorry as he may be, the passion flourished and has blossomed into what Meadowind Farm is today.  Julie is owner and manager of the farm and all operations.  Certified as a CHA Master Instructor in Group Horseback Riding Lessons, she sought that certification because of a strong passion to volunteer with a local 4H Horse Club, and share with these young people the incredible benefits of working with horses.  Her desire to make sure what she was sharing with folks was accurate, lead her to complete a CHA Horsemanship Clinic.  The main focus is education and safety.  Julie was able to use the knowledge she has gained over the years by reading, taking lessons under the direction of very wise horsemen and women, watching skilled clinicians and working with her own horses, to volunteer her time with 4H, at a nearby Christian Camp that offers a strong horsemanship program, a Therapeutic Riding Program and with kids that just need advice now and then.  What is shared is a passion, not a job, it is an expression of her joy of watching others experience some of what she has been so blessed to experience.  Recently, Julie has begun sharing her passion at some Expos, most recently the World of Pets Expo in West Sringfield Mass, and looking forward to the World of Pets Expo in Maryland in January and the Horse World Expo in Harrisburg, PA in February.  Her topics have included, “What CAN you do with a Miniature Horse”, “So, you want a Miniature Horse, NOW WHAT?” and “The versatility of the Miniature Horse”.

The miniature horse breeding herd has been registered “Azariah Miniatures” mainly because there is already a Meadowind Miniatures in Canada, creating the need to find another prefix for our miniature horses.  “Azariah” means – whom the Lord helps –  It felt very appropriate and fitting as we would be nowhere without the Lord’s help in this endevour or in life itself.  

Julie’s “TEAM” partners are Arend, a 7 year old friesian gelding who she shows at level 1 dressage, Valor, a 4 year old miniature pinto gelding in halter and driving and whatever else this talented young gelding can accomplish, and various other miniature horses here at the farm. Driving has become her main love since health issues currently limit her ability to ride. She is hoping to drive several more miniatures and hopefully her Friesian in the next year.

Julie lives on the farm with her husband, 4 sons (some away at college) and “adopted” daughter (a young college student attending a local college), 3 dogs, 2 cats and one pygmy goat and several fainting goats in addition to the equine herd.

 

Deanne Toburen:  Deanne is Julie’s “right hand”, sometimes right and left hands, on the farm.  She is our assistant barn manager and manager of all operations when Julie is away showing or visiting family. (seems to be quite often these days!)  Deanne and Julie have worked together for about 11 years and seem to know what the other is thinking and are comfortable as a team when it comes to running Meadowind Farm.  All of this for the love of horses, Deanne is a charm volunteering MANY LONG hours on the farm.

Deanne’s long time “TEAM” partner is “Party Champ” aka “Shea” a lovely 16 hand thoroughbred mare.  Deanne and Julie searched for Deanne’s partner far and wide when finally stumbling upon Shea not too far away.

Shea was a young “off the track” thoroughbred with elegant movement when Deanne spotted her, and they have worked well together, learning and growing through the years.  Deanne and Shea have come a long way and they are showing in the upper Training Level Dressage tests, ready to move on to Level 1. 

Deanne is happy to be a “horseshow mom” to Alexis and now devotes most of her show days to being groom and mom, rather than competitor.

Deanne, Lexi and their family live next door to Meadowind Farm (how convenient for all of us).  They have Annie the Yorkie and Katie #2 the grumpy cat ;O)

 

Joann Kline:  Joann is Meadowind’s answer to “Mr. Clean”  She is always finding things that need to be straightened up, cleaned and THROWN AWAY!!  She has a hard time with anything out of line!!!  She is GREAT for our Team at Meadowind.  She sees what needs to be done and goes to it with great effort.  While Linsay, her daughter rides their horse, Brooklyn, Joann looks for things to do around the barn just to “help out”.

Her countless volunteer hours are spent cleaning stalls, scrubbing buckets, leading horses in and out, and in and out sweeping the barnyard, hosing off horses that have chosen to change their color during the day after a long night of rain, cleaning windows….I guess you get the picture.  She is always looking for ways to help out.

Joann is a “horseshow mom” to Linsay, and the proud momma of Brooklyn.  She is caught time and time again, sneaking tons of treats, apples, smooches and spoiling Brooklyn rotten :o)  If you hear baby talking in the back of the barn…..it is just Joann lovin on her big bay thoroughbred baby.

Joann, Linsey and Brian (hubby and dad) live with their lovable pups!

 

Terry Miller:  Terry is Azariah Miniature’s promotional manager, stall decoration designer, horse show organizer, pilot or copilot driving the many miles to Miniature Horse Shows, chef for our camp site at the shows, and absolutely PRICELESS assistant who does ANYTHING at the horse shows and expos!!!!  And, when she can, she shows the miniature horses.  We hope to add more of that to her “job description” in the near future.

In the spring, as many foals arrive, she loves getting in and working with the new little ones.  All of this in exchange for: the love of little horses, the fun of traveling to shows, and interacting with all of the “mini folk”.

Terry’s “TEAM” partners along with Jackie, Terry’s daughter, are Millie, a beautiful buckskin Quarter Horse mare that she leases, Shadow, her BIG, BLACK, LOVABLE Tennessee Walker, Sarge, her chestnut Quarter Horse and Little Pumpkin Patch, Jackie’s 34 year old “wonder pony” who finished her show career at 32 with a Pennsylvania State 4H Championship in Western Pleasure Ponies in 2005.

Terry’s Azariah “TEAM” partner has been Cinderella, a 3yo silver buckskin miniature mare.  They showed in showmanship, halter, liberty and color classes.  Terry is currently waiting to see what Cinderella and Mighty’s 2008 foal looks like!  Maybe this will be her future miniature partner….who knows!!

Terry, her husband, Jim, and Jackie live down the road from Meadowind Farm on their own little “ranch” with their horses, cat and Jenny the Irish Setter.

 

Tracey Davis:  Tracey joined our team in the spring of 2006 when she purchased her “TEAM” partner “Santo Domingo”.  Santo is a 17.2 hand rose gray Oldenburg gelding.  When Tracey first met Santo, it was love at first ride, and for Santo….well to know him is to love him.  He has been Tracey’s loyal partner ever since and they have made huge (in more ways than one) strides over the past year and a half. Tracey needs to keep life interesting for Santo so their activities are varied. Anything from playing games in the ring, trail riding, dressage, hunter, to cross country courses, this pair has unlimited potential!  Santo has given Tracey her confidence and love of riding back in a BIG way!  We look forward to watching them progress over the years. 

Tracey is a dancer, by trade and teaches dance classes at a local college.  She lives with her husband, two sons and several loveable dogs.

 

Sue Bechtel:  Sue is a “Show Mom”, mother of Sarah Bechtel.  She tried her hand at driving a mini….maybe, just maybe, we can get her hooked.  She is active with 4H as a leader and a huge part of Sarah’s support team.  You give her a job, and it will get done!

 

Sarah Bechtel:  Sarah is new to the Meadowind Team, but we hope she continues with us.  Sarah’s “TEAM” partner is “My Eternal Elegance” aka “Ellie” or “Ellie Bellie”, a 16.2 hand chestnut breeding stock paint mare.  Sarah is looking forward to showing her in some local shows as they strengthen their partnership.  Sarah is a lovely, balanced rider and has a great positive attitude and team spirit to add to Meadowind Farm.  Sarah is a college student, and finds time to come out and work with Ellie between her job and school.  Welcome Sarah!

  

 

Linsay Kline:  Linsay always has a smile on her face, if it isn’t there….we are worried.

Linsay’s “TEAM” partner is Brooklyn’s Heart of Gold.  Brooklyn is a lovely 16 hand, black bay thoroughbred mare.  She moves with beauty and grace and makes a great hunter horse.  She is a lovely jumper and has beautiful movement for dressage.  Linsay looks forward to a full show season in 2008 since it will be her last year to show in the 4H program.  Watch for them this year at local hunter shows, 4H shows and maybe even an event or two!  Lindsay’s barn specialty seems to be getting rid of cob webs, a never ending job.  She also enjoys loving on the miniatures – especially her favorites Lacey and Taz.

Linsay is a vet tech student at Willow Street and a Senior in high school.  Her senior project and best buddy “Lawrence’ is a black lab that is enrolled in the seeing eye program.  We have all gotten to know Lawrence in the past year and will miss him as Linsay fulfills her obligation of training him in social skills this coming spring and sends him off to serve someone who needs his loving eyes and skills to help them with their challenges in life.

 

Austin Good: aka “Little Austin”, “Mini Man” or “Shekinah’s Boy”.  Austin is Julie’s son and used to ride Mocha in Western classes.  But, as time went on and he was introduced to the “mini world”, he has chosen to make miniature horses his aim.  And who knows, we may see him someday judging shows!  He hopes to continue this horse venture down the road, who knows where that will take him.

Austin’s “TEAM” partners include Valor….our versatile 4 year old gelding.  Austin loves halter classes and sometimes Valor needs convinced that standing there looking pretty is necessary.  They also make an awesome driving team.  Their focus in the coming years will be driving obstacle, halter obstacle, and hunter/jumper.

They were honored to have gotten a World Reserve Champion in  Youth Liberty Class at the AMHA World Championship Show in September 2007 – they are our Supermen!

Austin’s filly, Shekinah, was shown in color classes this year to the world level, though she did not place, she was on the card of one of the judges.  He isn’t sure if he wants to try to breed her early next year, or compete her for more titles.  She holds the title of a Top Ten (3^rd)for the multicolor mare class in the AMHA Eastern Championship Show for 2007.  Look out…they may be in the show ring in the coming years, or maybe her foals will be his show prospects.

Austin’s third “project” for this year is a wonderful 2 year old gelding that he was awarded in the IAMHA Gelding Mentoring Program.  Cherryville’s Shines Aztec Gold.

We are thankful to John and Cindy Cherry of Cherryville Farms for entrusting Aztec to Austin to learn the ins and outs of everything to do w/ showing miniatures, under their guidance and  trainer, Jose.  If you want information on this program, please visit the IAMHA website at www.IAMHA.net.  Austin’s focus with Aztec is currently starting him to prepare for driving, and showing in halter classes in 2008.

Austin will show anything that we take to the shows…..he just kind of steps in where needed.  He is just happy to be working with the horses.

 

 

Alexis Toburen:  Lexi is our “homegrown” rider/trainer.  She is the daughter of Deanne and they just happen to live next door to Meadowind.  Lexi has been riding since the age of 2 or 3 and was a persistant child, we heard the phrase “ME do it” many times.  If the manure didn’t want to cooperate and stay on the pitchfork….well, fingers worked great for Lexi.

Her first “TEAM” partner was Snickerdoodle who taught her just about everything she knows.  A typical Shetland pony…..well, Lexi hit the dirt a few times, and other times just couldn’t make that stubborn pony do anything.  But it has made her into a good little rider.

Lexi showed Mocha in hunters when she was 10 years old, and then when she was 11 moved on to a green rescue pony we adopted.  She learned a lot as that pony thought she wanted to teach Lexi to ride a GOOD buck for a little while.  Maddie  soon learned that Lexi was persistant and got tired of the extra effort and has turned into a lovely little hunter/jumper.  Lexie has sadly outgrown Maddie and she is offered for sale at this time.

Lexi and her current “TEAM” partner “Izzy” , a 4 year old Breeding Stock Paint mare are working together preparing for the 2008 show season.  Lexi finally has her OWN horse.  After years of riding all kinds of borrowed and lease horses, she has a wonderful, young prospect to bring along to a successful show career.  We look forward to watching them in 2008. 

 

Taylor Fasching:  Taylor joined Team Meadowind in 2006 when she developed an incredible bond with her “TEAM” partner “Lady Fasching”.  Taylor has “it” when it comes to knowing what a horse needs to feel at ease.  She is working toward refining her riding skills and Miss Lady’s talents.

We look forward to watching the two continue to progress over the years.

And …. Yes, we do expect that her parents, John and Lisa, will soon follow, as they have already shown their incredible horsemanship talents at the 4H Parent Leader show in 2007.  By the way….they have just added 2 new “TEAM” members to their 4 legged family.