Geauga County has developed quite a reputation for quality horse stables and equestrian training through the years, but there is a show stable in Newbury that is beginning to turn the heads of even the better known barns.
Foster Jimenez, located at 14535 Sperry Road, is a show stable that takes pride in their ability to offer the area a Hunt Seat Equitation Riding School and the ability to foster students from beginner thru advanced onto the professional level.
“We encourage mature working students serious about pursuing professional levels in the equine industry,” said co-owner Cindy Foster.
The name Foster Jimenez comes from a partnership forged fourteen years ago between Cindy Foster, a local resident and life long equestrian, and Brazilian born, Sergio Jimenez
Each comes with a long list of accomplishments in the equestrian arena. Jimenez rode professionally on both the East and West coasts, and has worked closely with Lutz Wallen, the first person to import horses from Germany.
Part of that training has encouraged the partners to travel to Europe every other year to select and purchase horses for clients here in the United States. This process, they said, involves finding well bred horses, developing them and matching them to the right person.
Much of Fosters training has come from right here in Geauga County and she credits a lot of her background to Mr. Howard Lewis.
“A lot of my incentive and direction has come from direction from Mr. Lewis,” Foster said. “He is the one that encouraged me to buy my own place.
Teamwork and family are a large part of the success behind the co-managers, owners and trainers at Foster-Jimenez. From the stable hands to the on staff veterinarian, the group works together to ensure the safety and education of both horse and rider.
“We compliment each other with our specialties,” said Foster, and she said having a capable staff that functions well together as a team makes all the difference in the world.
Barb Musca has been training with Foster for years and couldn’t agree more with the quality of schooling available to her.
“They have a more than capable staff in every phase of riding,” Musca said.
A large part of Fosters continued enthusiasm in the sport comes from the enjoyment she receives from watching her sixteen year old daughter Kaitlin pursue her dreams as she continues to make a name for herself as an accomplished rider within the local circuit, and the “A” circuit, including Wilmington, Virginia.
A new trainer to the school is an equestrian and trainer that has been in the area her entire life. Cathy (Taylor) Mullet grew up in the Chagrin Falls equestrian arenas and trained for five years with Gabor Francia-Kiss, a well known AHSA judge and trainer of horses and riders across the country.
After years of competing and excelling in the local circuit, “A” circuit, OPHA circuit and exhibiting much success in and out of state, Mullet took time off to raise her family.
The equine life is in her blood though and her love for children and horses has now brought her back to the training fields, in hopes of sharing her knowledge and love for the sport with her daughter Anna, as well as families looking for opportunity to spend time together and learn equestrian skills.
Besides their trips to Europe, Foster and Jimenez travel extensively with students and horses to Washington, Pennsylvania and Florida, touring the National and championship circuits; offering more venues for students to reach professional levels in the field.
Their growing reputation has recently allowed them to sponsor a clinic hosted by Olympic Silver Medalist Greg Best and boasts an equestrienne professional, Missy Star, who graduated from Foster Jimenez and continues to excel at Cazenovia College in Syracuse, New York.
Star is a faculty member for the equestrian program at Cazenovia and assistant coach for the Hunt Seat Riding Team, a ranking National Champion in Open Over Fences and is considered one of the most accomplished junior riders in the area who has won numerous titles in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association.
The school stands on the theory that a basic foundation is imperative and that flat work is very important to the good development of the horses dexterity as well as a riders overall success.
An Open House, with exhibitions, is scheduled for November 26 and 27 from 12pm-5pm and a four day horse camp will be available December 27-30. More information can be obtained by calling 440-338-3350.