About the Windy Springs Farm Family
Background:
Diane Hinch
Although Diane did not get to start formal riding lessons until she was almost 13, her father says she learned the word "horse" before she could say Mom or Dad. She has always had a deep passion for horses which developed into a lifelong relationship with the equine species, as an instructor/trainer and facilities owner. Diane began her formal riding with Miss Alethia P. Clarkson (Missy), then owner of Shenandoah Farm. After one year in College, Diane decided to take the Horsemasters course offered at SF certified through the American Horse Show Association, currently known as the United States Equestrian Federation. Diane and crew from Shenandoah Farm traveled throughout Virginia to compete in many ‘A’ rated horse shows and short circuit shows in the Northern part of the state. Also, while at this facility she trained, exercised and taught many a horse and rider.
Diane worked at the facility until 1977 when she decided to settle down, get married and have Emily Alethia (whom you will read about her in the next section). When Emily was but a toddler, Diane decided to open her own business on her grandparents’ farm in Staunton, VA, where she boarded, trained and taught lessons to many individuals as well as riders from the Stuart Hall School located in Staunton. She was a member of the Glenmore Hunt Club where she was a whip and held various offices, including President. The riders at Twin Hill Farm competed locally, Fox Hunted with Glenmore, many were members of the Augusta County 4-H Club and several were members of the Glenmore Hunt Club and United States Pony Club.
In 1991, Diane bought her own farm, moved her business to Fishersville and to the location where it now resides at Windy Springs Farm. Since then, the story has continued to twist and turn. Diane returned to college while working, completed her teaching degree and has worked at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center for 30 plus years, most recently as a vocational instructor. She continues to teach, train, board and raise a few equine of her own. Diane is still involved with the Augusta County 4-H, local Glenmore Hunt Pony Club and national USPC organization. She has held and continues to hold various roles within these organizations. Diane likes to teach and organize as is demonstrated by the many activities in which she is a part. She continues to sharpen and refine her skills every opportunity she gets by taking part in educational activities that come her way. The most recent being in the summer of 2008, CPI audit clinic at the VA Horse Center through pony club, and in the fall of 2008 a USEF Trainer’s Symposium held at Sweet Briar College. Life wouldn’t be right without the equine influence in Diane’s life!
Emily Guyer
About Emily: Emily grew up riding. Riding and horses is all she knows. Emily was a member of the local 4-H group, the Glenmore Hunt Pony Club and the Glenmore Hunt Club. She participated in the State 4-H Horse Show from the age of nine until she aged out of 4-H at nineteen. Emily held several different officer positions while participating in 4-H. Emily graduated out of pony club at the age of twenty one as a Graduate ‘A’ pony clubber. She also participated in the Junior Whip Program through the Glenmore Hunt Club where she served as a junior whip for several years. Emily has horse show experience on a local level as well as on the ‘A’ circuit level.
Emily graduated from Wesleyan College, in Macon, GA where she rode on the IHSA and ANRC team throughout her stay there. The riding program was her initial attraction to Wesleyan College where she rode under Jon Conyers. After graduation, Emily worked part-time in the local school system as a short-term and long-term substitute teacher and taught riding at Windy Springs Farm. Emily now works as the Customer Service Manager at an equine nutritional supplement company, Foxden Equine, Inc. She shows in the professional hunter and jumper divisions as well as doing some eventing and fox hunting. At the barn, she and her mother teach, train and manage a boarding facility.
Chad Guyer
Chad was not born into the horse world; this is something that he has acquired an intense enthusiasm for over time since he began dating Emily. Chad started his riding career as a teenager primarily riding for pleasure. He quickly learned that he wanted to do more that just ride recreationally and that his niche was actually starting young stock and working with horses having behavioral issues. He also had a keen interest in breeding and getting them started on the right foot from birth. As time progressed Chad became very interested in the mechanics of horses particularly the feet and how shoeing and trimming affected their movement and way of going. Chad learned the basics of shoeing and trimming horses under the instruction of Richard A. Smith. Chad apprenticed under several other well known local farriers and eventually ventured out on his own. Chad is now a part-time farrier and also works full-time in the feed industry. Oh, and of course he married Emily and they have been living happily since.
Maddie: Emily's and Chad's dog
Zachary Hinch
Zach is a teenager whose life “includes” horses, but does not revolve around them. Just because his sister and mother are continually horsing around, does not limit his interests. Zach is a member of the Augusta County 4-H Horse Club and is raising his first steer for the local beef club. He is a member of the Glenmore Hunt Pony Club where he participates in rallies, ratings and his favorite, fox hunting! Although Zach enjoys riding and competes locally as well, he also loves working around the barn. He is very mechanically minded and can fix about anything, (a handy man to have around). He likes to create and build things as well as fix them. And, he also likes things with motors in them i.e. cars, tractors…what teenage boy doesn’t?
Zach and his horse, LinBrooks Running Deep, a young Irish Thoroughbred, have a very special bond and relationship. They are not only a team, but best friends. Zach is a kind hearted loving person particularly with animals, but also expects them to behave and perform in an appropriate manner. His overall demeanor makes an animal feel comfortable, but respectful too. Zach has a lot of time to decide where he wants to go with his life, but right now, enjoys his time on the farm.
Liz: 4H President
