| Deerwood Farm About Us |
Deerwood Farm is a small, family owned
and operated training facility in the
Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.
We are in the heart of horse country.
Specializing in Hunters, Jumpers,
Equitation, breaking and training young
horses.
Our lesson and training program
welcomes the first time rider and horse
owner to the experienced competitor.
Currently we show at ISC and NIHJA
shows through the year.
Our customers are very important to us
and our horses are like family.
and operated training facility in the
Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.
We are in the heart of horse country.
Specializing in Hunters, Jumpers,
Equitation, breaking and training young
horses.
Our lesson and training program
welcomes the first time rider and horse
owner to the experienced competitor.
Currently we show at ISC and NIHJA
shows through the year.
Our customers are very important to us
and our horses are like family.
Erin began her love for horses at the age of six when
Aunt Deb gave her a large pony named Fancy Pants for
her birthday. From then on, she has grown both as a
rider and a person with the help of the wonderful horses
that have come into her life and the passionate
professionals that gave her the proper tools to become
the professional she is today. Erin has a wide range of
experiences in the horse world that have created her
philosophies and training methods that she passes on to
both her students and their companions. Growing up
with horses at home, Erin and her two sisters spent
countless hours in the saddle. It is a joke on the farm
that they rode the legs off of their horses and that is why
they only have old, short ponies left. From Pony Club to
'A' level hunter/jumper shows, Fox Hunting to pony
races, Hunter Trials to National gymkhana competition,
Trail riding to Vaulting, and don't forget Eventing. Not a
week went by that there wasn't an event on the
calendar. As you can see it was a very versatile
experience. It also gave way to the training and
development of many young horses and ponies that
have since left the farm to go on to be local and national
champions.
Aunt Deb gave her a large pony named Fancy Pants for
her birthday. From then on, she has grown both as a
rider and a person with the help of the wonderful horses
that have come into her life and the passionate
professionals that gave her the proper tools to become
the professional she is today. Erin has a wide range of
experiences in the horse world that have created her
philosophies and training methods that she passes on to
both her students and their companions. Growing up
with horses at home, Erin and her two sisters spent
countless hours in the saddle. It is a joke on the farm
that they rode the legs off of their horses and that is why
they only have old, short ponies left. From Pony Club to
'A' level hunter/jumper shows, Fox Hunting to pony
races, Hunter Trials to National gymkhana competition,
Trail riding to Vaulting, and don't forget Eventing. Not a
week went by that there wasn't an event on the
calendar. As you can see it was a very versatile
experience. It also gave way to the training and
development of many young horses and ponies that
have since left the farm to go on to be local and national
champions.
Erin Hirsch - Head Trainer
Heather Hirsch - Assistant Trainer
It would have been an impossible feat throughout her
childhood for Heather to avoid becoming a horse lover.
Five years younger than her older sister and growing up
on a horse farm, means that Heather literally grew up
involved in horses. Her first companion was a lovely old
QH mare named King's Penny. With Penny she competed
at recognized shows in short stirrup. As she became more
experienced and with a thirst for learning and conquering,
she began her pony career. Heather competed in the
smalls-larges, greens-regulars. Always having a new pony
in the reserves, she learned how to ride and train under
professional supervision at the same time. Apart from her
time in the pony division, Heather had the same versatile
experience as her older sister Erin. One year at the local
Mini-Event she tied herself for first in Pre-Novice on her
experienced medium pony and her green large. Now a
High School Teacher at an Alternative High School,
Heather spends her days building confidence in her school
students and pushes them to succeed. After school, she
brings the same practical knowledge and experience to the
farm to work with her students. Heather is very passionate
about the basics and makes sure each student
understands and can perform tasks appropriately before
moving on to the next exercise. Heather also shares the
similar training experiences as Erin and they often put their
heads together about strategies for progressing difficult
mounts.
childhood for Heather to avoid becoming a horse lover.
Five years younger than her older sister and growing up
on a horse farm, means that Heather literally grew up
involved in horses. Her first companion was a lovely old
QH mare named King's Penny. With Penny she competed
at recognized shows in short stirrup. As she became more
experienced and with a thirst for learning and conquering,
she began her pony career. Heather competed in the
smalls-larges, greens-regulars. Always having a new pony
in the reserves, she learned how to ride and train under
professional supervision at the same time. Apart from her
time in the pony division, Heather had the same versatile
experience as her older sister Erin. One year at the local
Mini-Event she tied herself for first in Pre-Novice on her
experienced medium pony and her green large. Now a
High School Teacher at an Alternative High School,
Heather spends her days building confidence in her school
students and pushes them to succeed. After school, she
brings the same practical knowledge and experience to the
farm to work with her students. Heather is very passionate
about the basics and makes sure each student
understands and can perform tasks appropriately before
moving on to the next exercise. Heather also shares the
similar training experiences as Erin and they often put their
heads together about strategies for progressing difficult
mounts.
Ashley Hirsch - Assistant
Like Heather and Erin, Ashley grew up around horses.
Competing at the Barrington Horse Show at the age of 4
years old in Short Stirrup, is how Ashley made her debut
into the show world. Ashley was involved in events from an
early age on. She had great success along the way. Her
most remarkable win was NIHJA year end Pony Hunter
Champion on her pony Salvandi Cadenza. Currently she is
training and competing her TB Captain Obvious in
Thoroughbred and Adult hunters. Ashley really enjoys her
horses and is very intune to their every need. She really
enjoys researching new feeds and equipment, which is very
helpful around the farm. Currently Ashley is in her last year
at Loyola University Chicago and is an accounting major.
Competing at the Barrington Horse Show at the age of 4
years old in Short Stirrup, is how Ashley made her debut
into the show world. Ashley was involved in events from an
early age on. She had great success along the way. Her
most remarkable win was NIHJA year end Pony Hunter
Champion on her pony Salvandi Cadenza. Currently she is
training and competing her TB Captain Obvious in
Thoroughbred and Adult hunters. Ashley really enjoys her
horses and is very intune to their every need. She really
enjoys researching new feeds and equipment, which is very
helpful around the farm. Currently Ashley is in her last year
at Loyola University Chicago and is an accounting major.
| Donna Hirsch - Owner/Financial Manager |
Donna has been an excellent supporter of equestrian activities both at
home and in the community. The worlds best Horse Show Mom is
always there with her "little bag of tricks" that takes care of everyones
needs. An excellent horse show secretary, previous pony club board
member, trailer driver, horse consultant, and now barn owner, she has
experience in all areas. Her own riding career is very limited but she
dedicated herself to learning from the ground. She a great educator
at the shows for inexperienced horse show parents. Counting strides,
lead changes, hack winner, good equitation she will break it down for
everyone to understand.
home and in the community. The worlds best Horse Show Mom is
always there with her "little bag of tricks" that takes care of everyones
needs. An excellent horse show secretary, previous pony club board
member, trailer driver, horse consultant, and now barn owner, she has
experience in all areas. Her own riding career is very limited but she
dedicated herself to learning from the ground. She a great educator
at the shows for inexperienced horse show parents. Counting strides,
lead changes, hack winner, good equitation she will break it down for
everyone to understand.