About Winterwood

OUR FOCUS

The primary focus of Winterwood Farm is to provide correct, methodical, and fair training for the horse and rider in a relaxed, positive, and supportive atmosphere. While every breed of horse is welcome at Winterwood, the Sanfords specialize in Baroque horses, raising and training their own Spanish Normans.

A student of dressage for more than 40 years, Barb passed her love of horses and the art of dressage to her daughter Cailin, who began her riding career over 30 years ago. The successful mother-daughter team continue with their dressage education today by regularly riding in clinics with international trainers, while always seeking to expand their collective experience. 

Winterwood Farm tailors its training program to riders of all levels with their own horses. We especially enjoy working with adult and returning riders. Lessons are available at the farm in indoor and outdoor arenas and an outdoor round pen. Arrangements can be made for off-site lessons at locations within a 20 mile radius of the farm. We train horses of any age, level, or breed, and have worked with and started young horses, including stallions, based upon the principles of Natural Horsemanship.

history of WINTERWOOD FARM

Barb and Tom Sanford met in Breckenridge Colorado, where she was a farrier, ski patrol member and investigator and he was the Ski Patrol Director for Breckenridge Ski Resort. In 1984, they bought the 133-acre dairy farm on Middleline Road in Ballston Spa, moved back east with 3-year old Jud and infant Cailin, and started boarding horses. Tom and Barb spent years rehabbing the barns and house (which is 225 years old), building the indoor arena and outdoor facilities and developing the boarding and training business. Cailin Sanford has become an integral part of the team. The family has been active in the local Grange and ENYDCTA for years.

ABOUT OUR HORSES

Magico's Paloma, Arroyo Grande and Avelina Zezare are our three Spanish Norman mares. We specialize in training these beautiful Iberian horses, which are a cross between an approved Lusitano/Andalusian and a Percheron. Paloma came to the farm from Texas as a yearling, out of the registered Percheron mare           and by Magico             , who won many national awards. Barb and Paloma are currently training at third level dressage and joining the occasional hunter pace. Rory joined us from California as a two and a half year old (insert breeding), and she and Cailin have competed at dressage and eventing. She also loves a hunter pace and thinks driving is lots of fun. Avey was bred on the farm, from our Percheron mare Starsong's Mystique and by the Lusitano stallion Tejo II. This big girl is Cailin's eventing partner, now showing at beginner novice level.

FARM CRITTERS

Our two farm dogs are Clementine and Hildi. We keep chickens, who keep us well supplied with delicious eggs! Our woods and fields also provide a home to the diverse wildlife found in this region.

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Filming of the horse whisperer

In 1997, Winterwood Farm was one of the filming sites for The Horse Whisperer. Barb served as assistant wrangler during filming, working with trainer Rex Peterson, and Cailin spent a good deal of time in the saddle working as a double. 

In other films, Barb worked as a trainer on Long Island with two of our horses on the set of Cruel Intentions, and the whole family was involved. Barb also was a wrangler on Time Machine, which was filmed locally.