North Forty Farm

Our History

Michael began riding in 1960. By the early 70's he was competing in national level shows in both hunter and jumper classes. Mike continues to teach, coach, and give clinics. Lynda specializes in dressage and combined training. A successful equitation rider in her teens, Lynda soon discovered eventing and enjoys riding, teaching and coaching. Both Mike and Lynda are USPC instructors and examiners to the C-2 level.

North Forty Farm has always been a family business. Lynda and Mike met at Morven Park International Equestrian Institute in 1979. They married and had their first child, Christopher, in 1980. Katie was born in 1984 and by the early '90's, we were all enjoying our horses at shows, events, and hunter paces. Lynda began teaching in 1976, and opened NFF in 1994. The business soon became successful enough to support the family. Mike and Katie hit the show circuit in the late '90's and were very successful at some of the largest shows on the east and west coasts in the jumper divisions.

Katie became a very talented rider and trainer. She and Mike brought along several youngsters from unhandled 3 year olds to champions in the show ring. Katie is now a rider for Jenni Martin Enterprises in CA. Chris came home after college to help establish the new facility. He has accomplished a tremendous amount in a few short months. Chris is a vet student at Murdoch University in Perth Australia. Although Chris and Katie are grown and gone, they are still a big part of North Forty Farm.

Our new addition- Jeremy Shomper: A native of Pennsylvania Jeremy grew up riding with Julie Ely (High Standards Stables, Harrisburg PA), Molly Reber, and Carmen Healis (Whittle Away Farm, Carsonville PA); all Devon competitors in the hunter ring. Jeremy moved on to earn a B.S. in Equine Science from Virginia Intermont College in 2004. During his college competition career Jeremy earned zone, regional, and national championships in hunter seat equitation as well as dressage. Jeremy spent his college years riding with Eddie Federwisch (r), Amy Sherrick, Lisa Moosmueller, and Sue Glover. He has worked with notable horseman such as; Bob Crandall (Colombia Show Stables, Baltimore MD), and Kenny Krome (K9 Show Stables, Westminster MD), Ian Silitch (Sperryville, VA) and Lisa Mullens (Blue Springs Farm, Abingdon VA).
As a trainer Jeremy strives to develop a program that brings out the best in each individual horse. His program focuses on building strength, stamina, and flexibility on the flat which carries through to over fences work. He believes that the most serious problems occur when riders/trainers rush their mounts. Jeremy is currently working with both jumper rider (Mike Spannaus) and dressage rider (Valerie Swygert) in order to give his horses a solid foundation. As an instructor Jeremy focuses on more than just riding. He encourages students to become all-around horsemen rather than just riders.

Pictures of Katie at shows