In The Irons Farm

04/24/2022

In The Irons Farm updated their information in their About section.

In The Irons Farm updated their information in their About section.

02/10/2022

In The Irons Farm

As we prepare for our 2022 show season, In The Irons Farm want to congratulate our 2021 Champions: Chloe Adrian- Giannetto and Isabella 1st Level JR Champions; Brooklyn Gagne and Curran Reserve Champion Training Level JR; Aleja Lopez and Matilda 2nd Level JR Champion and Juliet Bradley and Penelope Training Level JR Champion (Virtual) and of course our Trainer, Kate Sulzbach FEI-Open Champion on Uiver. Congratulations Kate on earning your USDF Gold Medal in 2021. So proud of you all!

In the Irons Farm is a Premier horse Boarding and training in Santa Barbara, CA. We provide flexible training schedules for the working individual and exceptional horse care

12/22/2021

Happy Holidays

If you give your child a pony, they will want to ride. You’ll buy them the best pony you can find, followed by a helmet, boots and all other things pony.
You look for a local barn to ride at. And then life as you know it, will end.
Before you know it, they want to show so you find a circuit …..There will be no more lazy weekends watching tv. You will see more sunrises than you ever thought possible.
Every spare minute of your time will be spent hauling horse trailers and horses and enduring a crazy addiction to practice for the next show.
Your house may be a mess, and your car will be dirty. All because you gave your child a pony. Your weekends will be spent freezing or burning to death on a fold up chair. And their weekends will be spent gaining confidence and friends, learning new skills and having fun and getting dirty!!!!
You will be there the day he or she takes the first few steps of canter, the first taste of a jump, first ribbon, first championship. And they will make you SO proud. And right before your eyes, your little boy/girl will be transformed from the baby who bounced around on their rocking horse into an exceptional young horse enthusiast on the hunt for the next pony finals or maybe even the Olympics!
When you give your child a pony , you give them more than just something to ride. You give them a sport, a talent, hope and dreams. Friends, a new family, a place to learn about life, room to grow as a person where they can push their limits, and bravery, and courage, and memories.
Then one day, many years from today…they will be in their room and a certain trophy will catch their eye. And they will pick it up and realize instantly that when you gave your child a pony, you also gave them a childhood that they would never forget, at this point, you realize that everything you gave up along the way and sacrificed was totally worth it…..
All because you gave your child a pony.
Copied from a friend. Powerful

12/06/2021

Well done ladies!

12/05/2021

12/05/2021

The official tally for Irons “ No Stirrups November” competition is in and it was a heated one this year!💪💪 We are so proud of all of our girls that participated, wracking up a combined total of 625 minutes!! They are all winners to us for putting in the work to improve their positions and rider fitness❤️

10/03/2021

So, so very true.

❤❤❤

07/14/2021

Interview with Chef d’Equipe Debbie McDonald

Sending Brentina’s mom of with lots of love. So proud of Team USA.

06/27/2021

To our Buddy’s, Facile’s and all those that came before and will come after…….

06/17/2021

Santa Barbara - City Council Meetings Online

Santa Barbara - City Council Meetings Online

Regular meetings of the Ordinance Committee begin at 12:30 p.m. (Pacific Time). Regular meetings of the Finance Committee begin at 12:30 p.m. The regular City Council meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Special Meeting times can vary, so please check posted times on the....

04/23/2021

Dressage Musical Freestyle - Debbie McDonald and Brentina

Dressage Musical Freestyle - Debbie McDonald and Brentina

Debbie McDonald and Brentina perform a Grand Prix musical freestyle to a Motown medley.

04/23/2021

Brentina, U.S. Dressage Superhorse and FEI World Cup Final Winner, Dies

It has been a privilege and an honor to share in Brentina’s journey. At 31 years of age she still had her strong opinions generally surrounding food and attention. Kate Sulzbach and I will be forever grateful to Debbie McDonald, Bob McDonald and the Thomas family for entrusting us with her care and Dr. Kirste Timm who was always there for Mama and us. She will be deeply missed.

Debbie McDonald’s beloved Grand Prix partner Brentina has died at In The Irons Farm in Santa Barbara, California. She was 30. The chestnut Hanoverian mare (Brentano II—Lieselotte, Lungau) and McDonald were the first Americans to win the FEI Wo...

04/18/2021

Great things do come in small packages! Chloe and Izzy pulled a 67.2% in First Level 1 to finish a close second, proving ponies CAN play with the big dogs. Aleja Lopez and Matilda were rockstars in their schooling, having made the choice a few weeks ago that they were saving their mojo for home turf at Earl Warren Showgrounds. In The Irons is so proud of both these girls and their lovely mares🦄

03/09/2021

International Women's Day 2021 | Here's To You

International Women's Day 2021 | Here's To You

02/22/2021

Desert Dressage is wrapped for our hybrid Irons/Rocovich Equestrian team. Uiver finally got excited to strut his more impressive stuff in the Intermediare 1 today, although maybe a bit too excited🤪.. all in all a successful weekend with each test earning a qualifying score. Excited for our next outing together at Pacific Coast Open Dressage Show!
#customsaddlery #hygainfeedus #profchoice #rocovichequestrian

02/20/2021

All smiles and sun at day one of Winter Dressage 1 here at Thermal! Terri Rocovich’s Uiver was the consummate professional, bringing in a 65% at PSG with Kate Sulzbach in the tack. This gelding is proof some things definitely do get better with age. #customsaddlery #hygainfeedus #profchoice

01/01/2021

Happy 30th Birthday to Brentina, Ridden by Debbie McDonald to 1st American World Cup Champion

As we put 2020 behind us, an uplifting story about our in house celebrity. Thank you Debbie McDonald for sharing her with us.

Brentina is officially 30 years old Friday, living in retirement 17 years after being ridden by Debbie McDonald to become the first American World Cup champion

12/02/2020

Just like that “No Stirrups November” is wrapped! Our Jrs really got into the spirit( hopefully inspiring some of our adults for next year😉) with the help of Kelly Thoits our Developing Rider Coordinator. Those stars didn’t come easy, the girls will tell you, but everyone came away a stronger rider for it! Congratulations on your efforts girls🎉🦾

11/15/2020

When the Pony Clubbers need to brush up on anatomy and you have a saint masquerading as a school pony..🦄

11/12/2020

A little late, but what a weekend for the team at Santa Barbara CDS! We were super excited to try out the new footing and arenas-and they did not disappoint. Jessica Allsup’s Blue Lightning made his dressage show debut with a respectable 68% at First Level 3 in the open ring. Aleja Lopez piloted Matilda to a high score of 70% at First 3 in her Jr/Yr division, taking blue ribbons both days. Ava Johnson and Facile also had a personal best of 70.8% in Training 2 Jr/Yr finishing the weekend with a blue as well. Finally, rounding out our team was Chloe Giannetto on Izzy both of whom nailed their first recognized dressage show with a high score of 68.2% at Training 3. Oh, and another blue ribbon! Thank you to all the parents and show staff, Team Irons couldn’t have asked for a better weekend🦄
#customsaddlery #hygainfeedus #sbcds

10/21/2020

I DID NOT KNOW...

I did not know a horse could bring people into your life that end up meaning the most to you.

I did not know a horse could make the hardest days of your life bearable.

I did not know a horse could teach you to put others first.

I did not know a horse could remind you time and time again that your gut is always right.

I did not know a horse could break your heart.

I did not know a horse could pick you up when you have fallen apart.

I did not know a horse could teach you to dream again, after you thought it was not possible.

I did not know a horse could make you believe in yourself.

I did not know a horse could teach responsibility, work ethic, and dedication.

I did not know a horse could make you believe in something when no one else does.

I did not know a horse could make you learn to forgive and forget.

I did not know a horse could humble you faster than you can say humble.

I did not know a horse could make you a winner.

I did not know a horse could also teach you how to lose gracefully.

I did not know a horse could instill patience in you.

I did not know a horse could make you listen better.

I did not know a horse could give you their heart.

I did not know a horse could change your life.

I did not know a horse could do all these things...
but now I know.

🐴 Written by Alissa Kelly

09/21/2020

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to brush off those cobwebs Team Irons!

Join us for our Virtual School Show with Judge Melanie Kessler, Oct. 22-26! Show results are eligible for our chapter awards!

09/13/2020

Horse Listening

We learn to be our best selves.

09/12/2020

The right helmet is a must even if your child is just beginning. A good investment in your safety -just ask Kate Sulzbach

If you read one social post today let this be it...

These images show the helmet of top US Showjumper Laura Kraut after her recent fall. Laura’s horse was wearing studs and as Laura landed her head was stepped on twice.

Laura sustained injuries to her face but incredibly is back in the show ring today as her helmet was designed to withstand this kind of impact scenario, the PAS 015 (PAS 015:2011) standard, with a BSI Kitemark (this kitemark means the helmet is retested every year).

If your helmet does not show this 'PAS 015' BSI Kitemark on the label, your helmet is not designed to withstand this level of crush or stud injury.*

What could have been a much worse injury wasn’t just prevented because she wore a helmet, but because she wore THE RIGHT helmet.

You only get one head and one brain, protect it with the best. All Charles Owen helmets are made in Britain and tested in our in-house testing facility.

Please share this post to protect your fellow riders from a future fatal accident and to raise awareness of the importance of the ‘PAS 015’ standard.

Laura wore an Ayr8 on the day of her accident and is remarkably already back competing today.

*SNELL safety standard also provides a very high level of protection for crush and stud injuries, you can find this in our 4STAR helmet. VG1 & ASTM do also provide a level of protection but not to the same level as PAS 015.

07/26/2020

A few photos of Irons clients. Great riding Sara Beth Cutter and Aleja Lopez!

07/26/2020

Great weekend of clinics with Terri Rocovich last week. From 4 to 24, all of the horses looked great and enjoyed tips from the CDI Grand Prix rider and “ L” judge. Thank you Terri-see you next month!

04/16/2020

The Chronicle Of The Horse

Brentina is beloved by everyone here at In The Irons Farm. We are so proud to share this portion of our favorite Diva’s story. She is still very confident about who she is 😉. Thank you to Dr. Kirste Timm and Kate Sulzbach for helping to keep her feeling so young.

In honor of what would’ve been the 2020 World Cup Finals this week and for #ThrowbackThursday, we’re revisiting the 2005 Dressage Final and Brentina and Debbie McDonald’s memorable freestyle, a compilation of 1970s hits such as the Commodores’ “Brick House” and Aretha Franklin’s “Respect.” Said McDonald at the time, “I also want this freestyle to be fun for the audience. And if they know a little about Brentina’s [competitive] history, I hope they can see the humor in my musical choice.”

02/24/2020

Spring is coming, which means so is show season here. Great excuse to host a schooling show and brush off those cobwebs. Between horse show newbies and new pairs, it’s going to be an exciting year! So proud of these girls. #teamIrons #TPC #Hygainfeed #CustomSaddlery #rocovichequestrian

02/24/2020

While Chloe might not have gotten to show her pony yesterday, her hard work and selfless caring for a colicking mount earned her the “Sportsmanship Award” in the form of a ride on CDI star Uiver. We all better watch out when she and Izzy pony are back in fighting form!

02/14/2020

The Beauty of a Beginner Rider's Attitude

The Beauty of a Beginner Rider's Attitude

Cindy Sydnor reflects on the rider's learning process and the importance of an open mind.

02/06/2020

A big welcome to Fogoso, aka Gus, a gorgeous Andalusian gelding who is the new steed for Wendy Brown. His name might mean “Ardent” but this gentleman prefers a cuddle! We are so excited to take over his training from Kelli Temple and Carol Walker, and introduce him to CA living. Congratulations Wendy!

01/07/2020

The Stables

‘Let your child have a bad ride.
I know you want to protect them from the hardships of this world.
I know you want to give them success and good experiences.
I know you don't want to see them get hurt. To see them fall. To see them fail.
But, hear me out, let your child have a bad ride.

Let them cry the tears of frustration.
Let them shake the sand out from the inside of their riding pants.
Let them face the fear building inside of them.
Let them step back on again.

Yes, let your child have a bad ride.
Let them hate the horse that challenges them.
Let them learn what fight and passion and ambition mean.
Let them realize that when they refuse to quit the horse will take the time to listen.

Grant them the joy of realizing that they are connecting with another living being.
Grant them the joy of realizing that they, although they are small, can be powerful.
Grant them the joy of seeing their hard work pay off, through the days of tears can come a love unspeakable.

Yes, let your child have a bad ride.
Afterall, life will grant us plenty of them.’
By Sarah Crouse

12/15/2019

Watch for updates as this exciting and vital project unfolds.

**LINK IN BIO** #saveearlwarren Great news! Check out the article and @keyt3kcoy12 news video regarding the hard work our equestrian community has been putting in to Save Earl Warren and save @santabarbararidingclub ***LINK IN BIO**

11/27/2019

We are thankfully back at home safe and sound after another evacuation. The horse community never fails to rally and Kate Sulzbach and I want to thank all the wonderful people who showed up Alice Donovan, Shannon Donovan, Elena Langberg, Hannah Childs and our fearless farrier, Ingo Wolters! We are of course grateful for our amazing clients Kim Coalson, Sara Beth Cutter, Maraka MacDonald, Rob Ortega and Grace, Christina Waag and Ava, Chelsea Rangsikitpho and Juliet for all your help. Happy Thanksgiving!

11/20/2019

World Cup Las Vegas

That’s our Mama!