Back in the Saddle

Farms and equestrian centers build on area’s rich horseback riding history

By Joseph Ritacco

Ann Marie Snyder knew right away that horses were going to be a big part of her daughter Audrey’s life. “I could tell from the first lesson we were going to be in deep,” she jokes, “so I learned everything I could.”

Longtime residents of Ridgewood, she and her husband, Gary Schulze, surveyed North Jersey for a larger property that could accommodate horses. “We assumed we had to move far away,” Snyder recalls. “There are some horse properties in the area, but they didn’t thrill us. We found some vacant land in Saddle River and realized we could start from scratch.”

The 19-acre Saddle River property, which has along history of being utilized for agricultural purposes, was purchased by the couple in 2015. Their goal was to bring to life a more personal plan: a new home for their family, an equestrian facility for Audrey and a vegetable farm for Gary. The process was along haul, but Snyder was excited to complete the project earlier this year. “It took longer than expected, but the results are totally worth it,” she says.

One of the first orders of business when developing the property was to include the plan of a landscape architect, per Saddle River borough regulations. “I wondered if any landscape architects specialized in equestrian facilities,” she recalls. “I Googled it and found two companies that did, and one - Deborah Cerbone Associates - happened to be in Far Hills, NJ.”

The family went to work with Deborah Cerbone Associates to plan the layout of the facility and all plantings, and worked closely with B&D Builders in Lancaster County, Pa., to design the equestrian aspects of the farm, which include a 12-stall barn, a 145’x185’ outdoor riding arena, an 80’x200’ indoor riding arena, a round pen and 12 paddocks.

Gary started his vegetable farm, part of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), in the spring of 2016. The farm’s customers pre-pay for a share of the produce the farm will grow that year, allowing the farm to hire workers, buy seeds and prepare the land for the growing season. Throughout the season, each member of the CSA picks up produce on an assigned day of the week. Quantities and varieties change weekly as different vegetables come into season. To learn more, email info@patriotfarmnj.com.

The family farm wouldn’t be complete of course, without a name. The couple found inspiration from their years living in Ridgewood and working on the committee for the village’s annual Fourth of July celebration. “Being apart of that committee was very important to us,” says Snyder. “Someone on the committee called us 'true patriots’ because we were so committed to it.” Thus, the name Patriot Farm was born. One of the things that excites Snyder the most is the opportunity to board horses on the property. “Working on a horse farm has been my dream,” she says. “There are not many places in Bergen to board horses, so people have to drive far away to do it. Now people can spend more time with their horses, which is what we all love.”

Lower Cross Farm, Saddle River

Given the borough’s deep pastoral roots, it is no surprise that Patriot Farm is one of several farms and equestrian centers in and around Saddle River. Lower Cross Farm, owned and operated by Liz Hofer since 1997, is located at the site of an old Saddle River standardbred racing farm that included a quarter-mile racetrack. These days, Hofer works the farm with help from her daughter, boarding horses and offering training to aspiring riders. The property includes indoor and outdoor arenas plus 12 stalls, and may be reached at lcfarm97@aol.com. On weekends, Hofer says she enjoys attending horse shows and hunter paces.

“Being around the horses is enough for me,” says Hofer, who has owned them for most of her life, “but it’s also nice to see the kids learn and do well when they show.”

Located on the state line between Rockland County, NY, and Bergen County, Saddle River Equestrian’s 70-stall horse riding facility offers year-round lessons, training, boarding, and sales and leases of hunter, jumper and equitation horses. The center welcomes riders of all levels and ages and maintains a commitment to helping them reach their goals - whether they are to simply feel comfortable while riding and handling horses or to compete at the top horse shows.

Saddle River Equestrian offers a summer riding program, which runs from Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for eight weeks during the months of July and August. Riders range from first-time beginners to advance campers. For more information, visit saddleriverequestrian.com/summer-camp.

Family owned and operated since 2008, Winter Haven Equestrian Center is located on 3.2 acres in Oakland. Per its website, the center offers horse boarding, an indoor riding arena, a one-acre sand outdoor grand prix riding arena, lessons from the beginners to advanced, full and half leases, sales and training, and horse showing. For more information, or to set up an appointment to tour the facility, call 201-644-7230.