Rita Bryant & Zee Zee Zip

One of our most cherished boarders, who is truly part of the Balmes family, is our beloved friend, Rita Bryant! To us, she's known as "Awnie", as our son dubbed her when he was just a toddler! For many years, Rita rode our appaloosa gelding, Chico, until he passed away at the ripe old age of 29! Now, Rita is the proud owner of the most handsome paint gelding, Zee Zee Zip, aka. "Zip". Together, they have enjoyed many a leisurely trail ride, and continue to establish a trusting team! Rita loves to ride for the sheer enjoyment she shares with Zip!

Beverly Wiggin and Cody Dundee

My good old trusted appy and I have been together for 13 years. I always dreamt of owning a horse, and when my dream came true, what a horse I got! We have taught and learned so much from each other. Cody is a sensible, easy going, loveable horse who I can do anything with. Over the years, we have done just about everything. Parades, shows, barrel racing. team penning, all kinds of trail rides & courses, and he has taught therapeutic kids to ride.

Jane McCormack & Gus

Gingers Totally Tuff aka "Gus". His barn name really captures his personality & boy does he have one! He likes to climb in your pocket, forgetting his stocky 1200 lb. build. He's been known to feign sleep in an effort to avoid a work day, occasionally has random laundry dangling from his saddle pad and is rarely phased by anything (including a swarm of hornets attacking him!). He's just . . . Gus! Together Gus and Jane keep the barn lighthearted and amused and remind everyone to stop taking themselves so seriously all the time!

Cathy O'Leary & Romeo

Taking time from her demanding work schedule, Cathy O'Leary enjoys working with her beautiful young paint gelding, Exclusive Partee (pronounced "Party"), aka."Romeo". Romeo was born and raised right here at Balmy Acres! We are fortunate to have somebody as special as Cathy who adores him, and is always trying to educate and better herself to achieve a lifelong partnership with this talented horse. Cathy's thirst for knowledge has led her down a new road of challenges and goals, and no matter what she does with Romeo in the future, she's bound to attain her dreams with him!

Charlene Stober & Foxy

Balmy Acres welcomes their latest addition to the "Balmy Acres Gang"! Charlene Stober and her knock-out pretty mare, Foxy Tin Tiara, aka."Foxy". Foxy and Charlene make a dynamic pair, and are eagerly working on building a trusting partnership! Charlene's son, Jesse is also enjoying his mother's new horse! Maybe we'll see these guys in the show ring next season!

 

Pat Wilson & Dee & Taco

Pat (Swish) Wilson proudly owns the beautiful paint mare, FM Judging Sonny Dee, aka. "Dee". Not only does Swish and her niece, Danielle, enjoy riding her, but many of the other boarders, neighbors, and friends of Balmy Acres have ridden this wonderful mare out on the trails and in the ring! Dee is a very gentle and kind girl! Swish also owns the most wonderful little palomino quarter horse gelding, Taco! Taco is a barn favorite, because like Dee, he is enjoyed by so many! This very handsome chap has a great personality, is fun to ride, and has the best disposition!

Emily and Mykenzi Billings riding Lucky Lady

Owned by their grandmother Beverly Wiggin. Lady was a rescue horse that I got 9 years ago. She came from somewhere in Ct. and was a sulky horse. It took my friend Lynn and I months to teach her how to be a trail horse! Now she loves getting out on the trails! Over the years, Lady has done horse shows with my granddaughters Kayla and Emily, JJ Joy in the therapeutic classes, and with me in showmanship classes. She has been in parades, but that's too slow a pace for her! She is real sweet and loves to be with her buddy Cody and the other horses at the barn.

Hadley Rae & Bailey

Hadley has enjoyed her first year of showing and completed 3 horse shows. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long show career for Hadley. Shown here on Bailey Boone McCue.

Lisa Doyle & Ki

Ki is Lisa's first horse and the result of a lifelong dream that has finally come true. He is her once in a lifetime "it" horse and she was lucky enough to find him on her first try. Together they show, trail ride, participate in clinics, have fun and attempt to encourage others to work hard to achieve set goals. They hope to participate in breed shows in the future and continue to grow as a team.

Jen Taylor & Susie

And you thought Balmy Acres was just about paint horses! Well, let us introduce you to Jen Taylor and her gorgeous Morgan mare The Gift, aka. "Susie"! Jen can be seen driving Susie around the grounds during what little spare time she can afford! Due to Jen's hectic schedule with her infant daughter, Erin, Jen's sister, Mindy is most often seen riding this talented mare. Perhaps the Balmy Acres influence will rub off, and we'll see Susie under western tack soon!

Maria Pirozzi & Calie

This is Maria Pirozzi and her beloved mare, Calie. Maria and Calie have been together for many years. Calie is an OTTB (Off-Track Thoroughbred) who is also a tremendous teacher and Maria's very best friend. Together they enjoy their weekends riding out on the trails at Balmy Acres!