Philosophy We strongly believe that a successful horse and rider partnership does not happen by chance, but is the result of a careful matching, and a comprehensive management program that addresses the team's health, welfare, and training to result in peak condition and optimum performance. Another important factor is a facility that reflects the quality of the program and allows trainer and client to work at any time of the year in a comfortable and well-catered environment. We operate our business with integrity and pride ourselves on satisfied customers, exceptional results, and a solid reputation in the industry. We have carefully chosen a venue to work from, staff, and a care and training plan that is indicative of the quality we are known for. The all inclusive packages allow our clients to accurately gauge the cost of the services provided, with no nickel and dime surprises, and allow us complete freedom to take care of all aspects care, training and showing. We also have individual services available to those who wish to utilize only some of our services. Communication between our clients and ourselves is strongly encouraged, and regular meetings to discuss goals and progress are implemented.
Grooming Grooming of the show, sale or investment horse is not only an imperative part of presentation, but is also vital to the health and welfare of the horse. We believe that horses should be groomed every day, for a minimum of 1 hour, not including special touches. This means that their hooves are picked regularly, and dressed according to need, and they are curried all over to loosen dirt, dead skin, and bring oils to the surface. A proper currying will act as a mini massage, and help keep the muscles in good shape, and point out problem areas. There is no substitute for elbow grease, and horses are carefully gone over with several brushes to maximize the condition of their coat. Ears, nose and dock are not neglected, and dirt is wiped with a soft cloth daily to prevent unhealthy build up. In addition to the intensive daily regime, full grooming horses manes are kept in show ready condition, by regular braid-over and mane pulls. Tails are washed and conditioned on a weekly basis and kept tangle free to promote health and volume. Ears, bridle paths, noses, jaw lines, and socks/coronet bands are regularly trimmed to present a sleek show look, and prevent skin conditions. In the Autumn and Winter, we like a full wardrobe of blankets to assist in the comfort and coat care of the horses. Full service grooming is included in the packages, and also includes the tacking and untacking of horses during barn hours, as well as tack cleaning. All grooming and cleaning supplies are provided including fly spray, finishing sprays, horse cleansing and clipping supplies, and wound dressings. We recommend that all horses are on full grooming, but for those that aren't, we expect the horses and tack to be kept in comparable condition to the ones that are. Body clipping is an additional service and will be billed separately. Bandaging services are applied as needed and included in full grooming only.
An excellent example of the Derby Hill grooming program
Engaged is another fine example of Derby Hill grooming
Training Training programs for horse and rider are based on a five to six day a week schedule. We use a variety of exercising and training techniques including arena riding, educational longe work, and trail rides to keep our horses in top condition, physically and mentally. The busy training environment is ideal for preparing horses and riders for the busy atmosphere they will encounter on the show circuit. We believe that the basis to all successful horses and riders is classical flatwork that not only increases rideability, but also enhances physical appearance and soundness. Our system of riding and training has been developed over the years by legendary horseman Buddy Brown, and captures the essence of principals used by Bert De Nemethy, George Morris, Bob Freels, and other greats of the industry. Combined with his own vast experience, and that of Vanessa, a systematic, sympathetic, and effective approach has been developed to maximize the equine athlete's (horse and rider alike) abilities, and develop sound and confident competitors. We implement the use of gymnastics over fences to continually strengthen our horses' hind ends and jumping style, and our riders' positions and bases of support. All horses are ridden or exercised by a professional, not an amateur or junior rider, when the owner is unavailable, enabling us to make noticeable improvements in performance, confidence, and education in a short period of time. Horses are ridden by noted professional, Vanessa Brown who has had considerable success in both the Hunter and Jumper arenas throughout North America. Buddy Brown supervises the sales and investment horses, and provides assistance and feedback to Vanessa from the ground. Lessons are most often in a private format so that maximum input can be devoted to the horse and rider. On occasion, group lessons will be given to riders of like ability when it is felt that added benefit can be obtained in such a setting.
Showing Our show schedule is created in a manner that measures progress and allows our clients to enjoy showing. We show at venues that are known for excellent conditions, professional management and good competition. We vary the schedule geographically, allowing our clients to measure themselves against a variety of different competitors. The show schedule starts with the sunny and warm winter circuit in Indio, and includes venues in Northern and Southern California, and Oregon. We also keep our horse shows to a reasonable number, allowing us enough time at home to devote to bettering our clients and horses so they are able to present themselves at their best when they are at shows, and are standouts in any company. Our schedule also ensures that the cost of showing, and the time that it takes does not entirely run our lives! Typically we will show a total of 14 to 18 A Circuit shows per year, from the months of January through October.
Vanessa Brown shows Feodora in the Open Jumper division at Showplace
Selling & Purchasing Horses Our well-developed marketing system gives us a great success at selling our clients' horses to new homes when the time comes for the client to move up. The system incorporates our vast Professional network, print advertising, and our popular and effective website. A sales video is put together, edited for maximum impact, and sent out in a timely manner to prospective buyers. A 15% industry standard commission on the sale price is due to Derby Hill for this service.
Years in the industry have given us a keen sense for great matches of horse and rider. We are happy to help our customers find their perfect equine partner and charge an industry standard commission of 15% of the purchase price for our services. When the search takes us away for significant time, or a significant distance, travel expenses are to be assumed by the buyer, and a day fee of $100 will be billed to the buyer.
