Training
Joy takes a maximum of four horses in training at a time and, as a result, is able to give each horse individual attention and treat each horse as if it were her own. Horses in training are boarded at Foxwood Farm in Charlotte, VT where top-notch care is provided. Joy believes that training a horse requires a comprehensive approach and she closely monitors each horse’s program of diet, shoeing, sports-medicine needs, dentistry, turn-out, and work schedule so that the horse can reach it s maximum potential. She uses a combination of classical ring work, longlining, gymnastic work over cavaletti, and conditioning work in the surrounding hills and fields to create an individual program for each horse.(pictures here?) Training from the perspective that horses are willing to please us, Joy believes that if a horse’s training isn’t proceeding systematically, there is either a physical reason, or she needs to find a more effective way to communicate what she wants to the horse. She has had proven results with many different horses over the years with this approach (see Competition Results below).
One of Joy’s core beliefs is that professional riders need to train horses so that they are easy, not only for themselves to ride, but for the horse’s owner or prospective buyers to ride as well. This means uncompromisingly correct riding so that the horse is honestly in self-carriage, responsive to light aids, and happy to work, a process Joy finds endlessly interesting and rewarding. The end result of correct training should allow owners to ride their own horses with great success.
Training Fee
$850.00 per month includes five days a week of training, or four days a week of training and one lesson per week. Additional lessons are available upon individual arrangement. Special training fees may apply to young horses that only require a four day work week. Board is payable to Foxwood Farm separately.
Showing
Joy has been successful showing many horses over the years (see Competition Results below) and will be happy to include this in your horse’s training program upon individual arrangement.
Lessons
As a USDF Certified Instructor, Joy uses a systematic approach of gymnastic exercises, working up from easier to more challenging, to help rider and horse progress through the levels. She uses a combination of active work and theory explanation to make sure that the student understands her lesson and can continue to work on her own. When needed, Joy will ride a student’s horse during a lesson to help further explain and demonstrate the goal she is trying to achieve. She loves to teach, which is evident in her positive style, and enjoys working with all levels of students and all breeds of horses.
Individual students may ship to Foxwood. Joy will travel half an hour from the Shelburne/Charlotte area to teach individuals as her schedule permits. She will travel further for groups of 3 or more. Out of state or long-distance students may board their horse in the area for several days of intensive lessons. Contact Joy if you are interested in this option.
Lesson Fees
Lessons at Joy’s home base in Charlotte are $75.00, plus a $10.00 ring fee payable to the farm for students shipping in.
Lessons within half an hour of Charlotte are $85.00.
Lessons beyond a half hour range are $95.00.
All lessons are based on a 45-minute private session with the understanding that the student has warmed up beforehand. Semi-private lessons may be available upon special arrangement.
A 24- hour cancellation notice is required to avoid lesson charge.
Clinics
Joy is a very popular clinician and is available to travel throughout New England for full day clinics. Contact her directly for pricing.
Sales
Joy is available to market select horses for sale and has been very successful doing this. She requires a complete pre-purchase vetting before taking a horse on consignment. Please contact her directly for more information.
Judging
Joy has limited judging availability because of her own and student s’ competition schedules but enjoys judging schooling shows, especially ride-review rides. She charges $285.00 per day for a schooling show plus mileage. Ride-review-ride judging rate is calculated at a higher rate.
Competition Results - Highlights
1992 - Represented NEDA on the winning 2nd Level team at the Eastern States DCTA Team Competition, USET Team Headquarters, Gladstone, New Jersey. High- score team test with Szechyeni, owner Robin Margeson.
1995 - 4th place, Prix St. George, USDF Region 8 Championships and winner of NVDCTA PSG Stakes class, with Tirpitz, owner George Castro.
1998 - 1st place, Intermediare I Freestyle, USDF All-Breeds Awards, Dutch Warmblood Studbook of N.A., with Gershwin, owner Joy Congdon.
1997 Illuminatus ??
1998 - Champion, USDF Region 8 Championships, Training Level, High Score of show, King Oak Dressage Days, and 1st place NEDA Year End Awards, Training Level, with Weltfrieden, owner Joanne Turner.
1999 Red?
1999 - 2nd place, 2 year old colts, for Premium, NA/KWPN Keuring, Iron Spring Farm, Opus, owner, Joy Congdon.
2000 - 2nd place, Intermediare II, NEDA Year End Awards, Gershwin, owner Joy Congdon.
2000 - Qualified for ABIG/USDF Regional Championships at Intermediare II and Grand Prix, with Gershwin, owner Joy Congdon. Unable to compete due to horse injury.
2005 - High- Score Dutch Warmblood Award, GMHA horse show, with Pallatene, 71.5%, owner Jennifer Tousignant. Qualified Pallatene for her ‘sport predicate’ and entry into the Main Studbook of the Dutch Warmblood Association with high Third Level scores.
2006 - Reserve Champion, Third Level, GMHA horse show, average score of 67%, with Koko, owner Maribeth Prunier.
2006 - 2nd place, USDF All Breeds Awards, American Saddlebred Association, Training Level, with Clicquot, owners Susan Vine and Joan Blood.
2007 1st place, Training test 2, 72.5%, Vermont Dressage Days, Wixen, owner Joy Congdon. First show of her career!