Focus Forward Driving Center

08/16/2025

FFDC has been an all consuming passion of mine since Jan 2019 when I moved from CT to VA. It became not only my business but my community. Clients and their horses became family. After years of sacrifices balanced with successes I have reached a point where the demands and the finances of the business no longer balance with the way I am choosing to live my life. After exhausting many options, phases of downsizing, and much deliberation I have come to the decision to close the doors to FFDC as we have known it.

I will be moving October 1st, to be with my family in Connecticut. Duke and Connor will be going with me, as they will stay with me forever! I am looking forward to focusing on my health, and my future endeavors with Dan and my family.

Over the past week, I have tried to reach out to as many clients in person and one on one as I could to share this news. I’m sorry that I couldn’t possibly reach all of you on an individual basis. Trust me when I say, I do feel a lot of emotions, guilt and abandonment when faced with leaving all of my friends, clients and community that has felt so special for 7 years. I understand that many people have difficulty understanding this very personal decision, but please keep negative comments to yourself.

I will continue lessons through the end of September; and I encourage everyone to use any lesson credits within the next 6 weeks. Please schedule ahead, and respect that this time will be busy. Schedule appropriately, be timely and prepared for your 1 hour lesson.

As we look to the future, I hope to return to VA twice a year to provide clinics. I will also be implementing a “virtual lesson” option where you can send me pictures and videos to help with adjustments, troubleshooting and training exercises. These will be $30 per 30 minute phone/zoom consultation to review the visuals you send.

Lastly, I want to sincerely thank everyone that has been a part of this journey. It was a privilege to work with your horses, a dream fulfilled, many lessons learned and memories I will never forget.

08/02/2025

Samson joined Huck yesterday at his home near Flint Hill. They were so happy to see each other again! They definitely recognized each other and went right back to playing their favorite game of bitey face. Samson also approved of having a big run in shed that he won’t have to share with Duke! lol

07/27/2025

Read to the end, and then read again! We are not in this for financial gain, but we do deserve respect and to earn an income to be able to live with basic needs met. We are allowed to have our own lives outside of the barn. We are allowed vacation time. We are allowed to have personal goals that don’t include horses.

07/21/2025

The summer heat and humidity has been oppressive this year. Everyone needs a little break! For many reasons I have decided to postpone most non-emergent lessons to September. At that time I plan to resume a limited number of lessons with my horses and ship in lessons, leaving more flexibility to spend most of my time traveling to your farms for lessons.
Enjoy your summer, be safe!
Get in touch mid August to get on the fall lesson schedule. And stay tuned for new pricing, lesson cancellation policies, and expectations.

06/17/2025

Samson is looking for his special person!
Samson has been a lesson horse for FFDC for many years now. Mostly driven single, but he also has pair, team and tandem experience. Samson is very well broke to ride, and even tolerated our mounted archery adventures! He’s a happy forward horse who loves to work and have a job.
He is registered ADHHA, 14yrs old, 15.3h.
He needs some minor maintenance/management for an old injury that keeps him from competing, but he is very serviceably sound. All his info and history will be disclosed. Asking 3 🥕 obo to perfect home

06/17/2025

Mini B easy entry cart with solid wheels for sale. Used but lots of life left. Shafts recently reinforced. Asking $550 obo

05/20/2025

Moving sale! Lots of stable supplies. Rolling medical carts for storage, harness hangers, rolling bridle wall, blankets, whips, etc! Let me know if you’re interested before it goes into storage. It will go to Bird in Hand auction next month.

05/15/2025

Yes, we are moving! But we won’t be going far!
Next week the F.F.D.C lesson horses will be moving just across the street from Eastern View to Sunny View Plantation and Merle-Smith Sporthorses.
This shift will bring some very welcome changes for me. I am looking forward to this “downsizing” for the summer and focusing on lessons! Trailer in lessons are still welcome, as well as lessons with our horses. The good news is, my schedule will be much more open for traveling out to clients on a more regular basis. We have a growing group in Culpeper, as well as Dillwyn and Fredericksburg. Get in touch to schedule your summer lessons!
There is also an extensive trail system that is very carriage friendly at this farm, so I look forward to getting lots of miles put on my personal horses, and maybe even get back in the saddle!

05/15/2025

Turbo is really coming along. He’s trusting people so much more and is eager to go to work after a few months of Chiro, dental and feeding. He’s like a whole new pony. The dentist thinks he’s 20+, but I swear he acts like a 6yr old! Lovely mover and energy to spare. Hoping to get him hooked soon, after we work a little more on softness and walking quietly.

05/15/2025

Unfortunately the Memorial Day weekend drive in MD will be CANCELED due to lack of entries. We will focus on a date for the fall!

05/14/2025

ISO 5” glory or victory bit. Liverpool cheek preferred.

04/28/2025

Very cool! 😎

The Garden State CDE is Oct 2nd-5th 2025! We are deep into the planning stages, and we are excited to announce NEW Youth Divisions for this year!

⭐️Junior Division Training Level - Open to any Juniors age 6-18
⭐️Junior Division Preliminary Level - Open to any Junior who has completed 3 CDEs or HDTs at Training Level or Above
⭐️Garden State CDE Junior Preliminary Championships - Open to any Junior who has completed a CDE or HDT at Prelim with a dressage score of 65 or under.

Also, thanks to our generous sponsor A&A Security, each youth competitor will receive one free stall!

Full prize list for the Garden State CDE will be out soon!!!
https://horseparkofnewjersey.com/Garden-State-CDE/