Old Oak Farm is a breeding and training farm owned by Denise Phillips and located conveniently to Central Ohio. We stand two AWS registered breeding stallions and raise affordable quality warmbloods. Our mares are selected based on a wide range of criteria to compliment our stallions and produce foals with outstanding dispositions, conformation and movement. Our foals grow into big, sound, attractive horses that are fun to ride and a pleasure to own!
We occasionally take on training prospects and students, but we are not a big lesson or show barn facility. Denise's background consists of riding and training hunter's, jumper's and equitation horses. During her competitive years she qualified for Nationals intercollegiately at Kenyon College and as an adult trained with Pamela Graham (hunters and jumpers) and Leslie McDonald (dressage). She developed several breeding stallions that pursued successful jumper and eventing careers and is still bringing along their offspring today. She is always interested in continuing her riding and teaching education and has cliniced with many of the top professionals in the sport. Her teaching philosophy has evolved around really helping her students LEARN TO FEEL what their horses need to perform at their best. Working with many different horses and lots of young and green horses requires solid basics that can then be adapted to each unique horse and rider combination. She has a very developed system for working with many different types of riders. She also offers some specialty classes such as "Equine Yoga for Riders", a very relaxing and confidence building class for old and young, horses and riders! Dealing with riding "fear" and other psychological issues in horses and riders is also a profound interest.
At Old Oak Farm our emphasis is creating quality sporthorses through sound breeding and training practices, and educating riders to be well rounded and effective horsemen regardless of discipline, age, or innate ability.
Eventer, Matthew Bryner will also be available for lessons and eventing clinics and Old Oak Farm is completing a new cross country course. Matt is an enthusiastic and dedicated horseman and a consummate professional that truly LOVES his sport.
Matt grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he rode hunters and jumpers until he was 16 at which time he began his career in eventing. Matt graduated high school and started at Lake Erie College as an equine science and equine reproduction major. He attended school at Lake Erie for 3 years while at the same time working for Nancy Smith, the owner of Equisential Inc. Matt traveled back and forth to Maryland during his summers off as well as during his winter breaks working with Scott Hassler at Hill Top Farm in Colora MD. Matt has also trained with the great Gayle Molander and top lady US rider Sarah Cousins. Matt is currently studying at The Ohio State University, where he will be graduating with a degree in animal sciences. Matt has trained up to the advanced level in eventing, and up to Prix St. George in dressage. Matt's long range goals include qualifing for the World Championships in 2010 and the London Olympics in 2012. We wish you all the best!
