A Premier Hunter/Jumper Training Barn Moves To Their Beautiful New Location in East San Diego County
by Cheryl Erpelding
Courtney Welch was lucky to be born into a family where not only one, but both parents were confirmed horse crazy. Their love of horses spilled over to their beautiful daughter Courtney, who started riding and driving miniature horses as a toddler. By the age of six, she was training in the hunter/jumper world. Courtney was a fierce junior competitor bringing home numerous championships on the international level, while working at a World Class Morgan Horse Show Stable, Glyn Rae. Her guidance from Glynis Snowden allowed her to learn to start horses under-saddle and manage a large facility.
In recent years, Courtney gained valuable experience working as a rider and competing in the United Kingdom, Europe and the U.S. Having trained with greats such as show jumper riders Hap Hansen and Trudi Fletcher, and also with Grand Prix dressage judge Gail Hoff, she offers a well rounded approach to coaching her students and developing horses.
The first of its caliber in east county, Wishing Creek Farms’ beautiful facility in Dehesa offers three barns, a jumping arena with hybrid footing, oversized turn outs, and trail access. Courtney finds that getting horses and riders out of the arena is important for creating balance and harmony. Clients can also enjoy fun outings such as beach rides or riding trips.
The riding school program at Wishing Creek Farms has 19 excellent school horses ranging from Welsh Ponies to former Grand Prix horses, and even an Irish Cob. With options to lease, riders can grow and compete on the circuit, or ride for leisure. Courtney gives each client an individual approach to achieving their goals in a positive and uplifting environment. October saw their first annual Fall Festival Academy Show where Courtney’s adult amateurs and junior riders got to experience an ‘A’ quality show at home.
Fostering excellence in horses and riders remains of the utmost importance to Courtney and her family and it shows. Future plans for Wishing Creek Farms include offering amateur friendly imports for sale, as well as adding a lay-up and rehabilitation center to their facility.
Courtney has openings for training and consignments. To learn more call 619-954-3763 or visit www.WishingCreekFarms.com.
Photo: John Schell
Several clients shared their thoughts about Courtney and Wishing Creek Farms:
Lisa Tinsley wrote: “Having ridden for over 30 years, I love the positive instruction my horse and I receive from Courtney. She takes my riding to the next level and improves my confidence in my bond with my horse. She has taken the time to correct my lifelong bad habits that I acquired from other trainers. Her care for my horse is unparalleled as is the beauty of the facility. The air of calm that encompasses the barn is unmatched. I’m happy to be able to stay in east San Diego County while receiving North County quality.”
The Sener’s wrote: “Over the past couple of years that our daughter has been training with Courtney Welch at Wishing Creek Farms, we have seen her confidence, skill, and fortitude blossom. She is intimately familiar with each and every horse, understands their personality traits and has developed a near magical connection with them. As to her relationship with Miss Courtney? Our daughter reveres her as not only a trainer and coach, but as a mentor and trusted confidant. We’d never imagined how much our child would grow under the mentorship of Miss Courtney.”
Otilia Garcia shared: “Courtney has been training our daughter, Oona, for over three years – almost half her life! Oona is shy and a bit of an introvert so our primary reason behind riding was to help her find her voice. Courtney has such a way with children, especially the little ones. Her ability to communicate effectively is unparalleled. I began riding at age four, and have never witnessed such an effective level of coaching as with Courtney.”
Chandra Slaven states: “It gives me great pleasure to write this testimonial for Courtney of Wishing Creek Farms. I highly recommend her as an outstanding and accomplished horse trainer and overall equestrian. I am speaking from my own experience, having worked with her for the past year. She is amazingly patient and will always answer all of your questions. Despite the usual distractions of an equestrian facility, she is always keenly aware of her student’s and horses’ safety. She maintains excellent communication during the lesson and afterward and is the consummate professional, all with a smile. I highly recommend Courtney without any reservation.”