Down to Earth at Canterbury Farm
Writer: Pam DuBois
Canterbury Farm is nestled in the middle of beautiful rolling Potomac Hunt country, which happens to be in the heart of EPICs 2,500+ acre land conservation program championed by Michael Rubin. The farms 47+acres enjoys a bucolic setting on Bucklodge Road in Boyds with direct access to some of the best trails in Montgomery County. Home to over 30 horses, this private farm is under new management (as of past year) which has successfully cultivated a family environment for equestrians.
The farm’s owner, Dorothy Tracey, is no stranger to the sport having owned and lived on the farm since 1990 and whose children are accomplished riders. Dick Dodson, her husband, also a farm owner, took on the responsibilities of farm and grounds operation when the previous manager left for greener pastures last July. Dick is also an equine appraiser and the Canterbury’s sole western rider. He is trying to improve local equine management services by assisting with the start up of the Mid-Atlantic Equine / Pet Network, a listing of service providers in the area and wants to start a mini co-op with a couple of near by barns for the bulk purchase of feed, shavings and the like. In his spare time, he has been sighted dotting over horses in need of a little TLC (translation, hand walking injured equines and hand feeding horses needing to gain weight).
Vera Byalobzheskaia has been the working at Canterbury for six years but has functioned as the barn manager for one year now. She gets along quite well with the owners and has gotten their buy in to implement more holistic equine practices ranging from preservative free feeds, hay without herbicides, natural supplements and more. Vera offers multi-disciplinary services beyond barn management that comprise teaching dressage and jumping for beginners as well as horse massage therapy. Her husband, Alex, is a renowned dressage instructor who formerly competed as a professional grand prix jumper and coached the Soviet Union Olympic Dressage team back in the 1980’s.
In addition to lessons with Vera or Alex, Canterbury Farm is also home to Adrian Ford’s Big Easy Farm. Could you guess from the farms name that he’s a native from New Orleans? Adrian leases 12 stalls, teaches basic dressage, hunters and jumpers. His clientele ranges from children to adults who enjoy participating in the local and A rated show circuit. The Big Easy Farm at Canterbury recently hosted a Frank Madden Clinic and a benefit Jumper Horse Show in honor one of his former students, Alex Hartner. Check out the farms website for the latest information and show schedule at www.bigeasyfarm.com
Riders at Canterbury run the gamete from dressage, hunters, jumpers, fox hunters and some just enjoy pleasure riding. It is also home to 18 barn cats, a medley of dogs and two Days End rescue horses. All inhabitants enjoy two barns comprising 31 stalls, and indoor arena, a lighted outdoor jumping arena, a full sized outdoor dressage ring and multiple pasture options. Barn hours start early in the morning through until about 9:30pm. At the time of publication, stall board was reported at $650 / month and field board at $365 / month although there is no current vacancy.
