Maplegate Farm – Championing Family Traditions
- Written by Sally F. Kay - The Carolinas Equestrian
Fran Dow and Lady's Man, Amateur Owner Hunters at Metamora in 1967Tranquility and serenity remain prevalent among the 74 acres in Weddington, North Carolina, that are located about 16 miles South of Uptown Charlotte. Otherwise known as Maplegate Farm, the property, owned by three generations of the Dow family, currently consists of two 14 -stall barns, an all-weather riding ring, derby field, nine large pastures and trails that zig-zag it. What ultimately presented itself as a ‘property swap’ resulted in a ‘win-win’ for all parties involved, but here’s the historical perspective to better set the stage.
Fran Dow’s, the matriarch of the family who still resides at Maplegate, love affair began with horses as a child through camp, and regular lessons ensued at the Saddle and Bridle Club in Buffalo, New York.
Get Snackified! Functional Foods for Fuel
- Written by Erica Thorneburg -The Extraordinary Snack Co.
We all know it is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. That used to mean three square meals and perhaps a mid-day snack. But, in today’s busy, techy fast-paced world, chances are many of us rarely are making time for the sit-down meal on the day to day. We savor special events and holidays with family & friends, but when it comes to our daily lives, between work and our passions, Americans are becoming Snackified! Now more than ever, we are looking for tasty treats that are packed full of nutrients. We are eating snacks to achieve maximum nutrition while satisfying our taste buds … on the go.
2018 National Show Hunter Hall of Fame Inductees Danny Robertshaw and ‘Protocol’
- Written by Sally F. Kay - The Carolinas Equestrian
“Being inducted into this year’s National Show Hunter Hall of Fame gave me a similar feeling as to the one I experienced the first time I won at indoors,” shares Danny Robertshaw. “It was a huge thrill for me.” Danny grew up in Wilmington, NC, and was ‘discovered’ by legendary hunter and equitation trainer, Nora Cooke, of Cedarhill Farm in Charlotte, NC, who was judging him at a local horse show. He became a working student for Nora in the late 1960’s-early 70’s which gave him the opportunity to polish up his natural riding skills through her instruction and spend more hours in the saddle. “When riding a horse for the first time, I always had the mentality that it was going to be good,” he shares. That positive attitude worked toward Danny’s benefit throughout his career as many brought him their more difficult horses to ride.
Picture Perfect
- Written by Shannon Habenicht - The Carolinas Equestrian
From taking rides around the neighborhood with his mom, Anita Hickey, on his lead line pony when he was a little boy to competing at the highest levels in dressage, Chris Hickey has done a little bit of everything. He began his riding career with his father, Josh Hickey, and Uncle Allen Nelson who, “had crazy auction horses that they would trail ride, I grew up riding behind my dad in his saddlebags.” He and his sister, Jacqui Hickey, were very involved in 4-H and as a teenager he worked at a neighbors’ Morgan farm in North Hampton, Mass., riding and showing their horses, citing the Fuller family as a huge influence in his life. Soon he had several Morgan horses of his own and was out on the show circuit throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and the New England region. He did a bit of everything – saddle seat, hunt seat and driving, “it was a great experience, I had a ton of ‘horsey’ jobs growing up and they all helped make me into the rider and trainer I am today.”
