Kelviden Farm
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Kelviden Farm |
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Joanna Garbarino
Assistant Trainer
Jo first sat on a horse at the age of 3 and from that first bareback trot clinging to the mane of her aunt’s palomino Quarter Horse, she was hooked.
Jo’s formal riding education began at Coach Horse Equestrian Center, in the middle of downtown Chicago at the age of 7. Her parents knew they were in trouble when, on her third lesson, Jo urged her instructor to make the pole she had been trotting over into a bigger “jump”.
Jo moved to J&B Acres in Peotone, IL at age 9. It was here, under the instruction of Britt Fitterman, that she would begin her show career. At the age of 10, Jo was doing 3’6” jumpers on a 30 year old Quarter Horse borrowed from Longacres Summer Camp. Recognizing the possibilities of a kid who was this gutsy at such a young age, Britt put Jo on an off the track Thoroughbred who she’d trained up through Junior Jumpers, Phantom. On her 12th birthday, Phantom became the best birthday gift Jo ever got! With Britt, Jo and Phantom competed on the Illinois A circuit in Childrens Jumpers and Equitation.
With Phantom, 1994
In 1995, Phantom and Jo moved from Chicago to Ithaca, NY and began training with Susan Lowe at If Only Farm. During their time there, they competed in Children’s Jumpers, Small Junior Hunters, and the Medal/Maclays, winning many year-end awards including 1996 Syracuse PHA Small Junior Hunter Year End Champion, and competing in the 1996 AHSA Medal Finals. Jo was exposed to riding many different types of horses at all levels of training at If Only, and discovered the joys of bringing along young horses.
With Phantom in the Maclay, 1996
In 1998, Jo moved to Kelviden Farm and Amy Schwartz (then Corson). Here she was introduced to a world of Welsh Ponies that she’d never thought she’d get to ride because she was too big! Along with ponies, Jo found her all time favorite horse- Mandolin Rain - and, with Amy, ended her Junior career with 2000 Syracuse PHA Large Junior Year End Champion honors and the Syracuse PHA Junior Sportsmanship Award.
With Mandolin Rain, 2000
Adult horses included November Rain and PT Cruiser, with whom she was Syracuse PHA Res. Champion 2004 Adult Medal, and Champion 2005.
With November Rain, 2003
Notable ponies ridden and trained by Jo include:
GlanNant Banbury Cross- AHSA Zone 2 Champion 1998
Glynhafan Java Gold- WPCSA Cob Adult Pleasure Reserve Champion 2002
With RosMel’s Mariah, 1999
HP Country Edition (owned by Debbie Brown-Moon)- WPCSA National Champion Adult Half Welsh Hunter and Pleasure 2002
Dollhouse Moonshadow- USAE Zone 2 Adult Pleasure Champion 2002, WPCSA National Champion Adult Hunter 2003
Kelviden Tiger Lilly- WPCSA National Reserve Champion Adult Hunter 2003
High Hopes Spitfire- USEF National Champion Adult Hunter 2005
With Anna Spaulding’s Ashland Brenig, 2006
Too big for ponies? Pshaw!
Nowadays, Jo spends her time teaching lessons from beginner to advanced, training babies, and riding clients’ horses. She would like to thank all of the instructors who have contributed to her success as a rider, trainer, and teacher. Special thanks to Amy for being a great friend and well as boss!
With prize winning adult students!
Ringside