Fox Pointe farm is a Hunter Jumper Training Barn and Riding School. Established in 1970 the business has been active in all facets of the Show world mostly on the West Coast, Costa Mesa, California, and Colorado.
Fox Pointe Farm has always been a training place and sale barn of top horses. Early in it’s history the main focus was showing and competing.
Kathy Hobstetter, the barns owner and leading trainer says that she was fortunate to have Jimmy Williams as a mentor from the beginning, Kathy adjusted her schedule in order to travel to North LA to be around the Flintridge Riding group both at home and shows. Stabling together gave her a chance to see the inside of the Hunter-Jumper showing world for the first time. Being a working student, not a “client” provided the framework for the roll up your sleeves and do the work approach that Fox Pointe Farm is reknowned for.
Being a show barn in the very active LA area yet being committed to the all around education of the riders was a balancing process in the beginning. Insistent that all students know as much as possible about not only riding, but the daily care required of horseman, has been the priority of the Fox Pointe staff from the inception.
Kathy personally has always been dedicated to helping young professionals get a leg up in the business when they first decide to make it a career.
Just as Jimmy believed in providing education to hopeful riders interested in becoming top Trainers, so is Kathy. Among Trainers currently in the industry who at one time or another came into the horse business through Fox Pointe you can count Hillary Mayfield (Ridland), Mickey Hayden, Travis Root, Andy Barone (Michigan), Linda Patch, Nicol Shefmire, Dave Totten, Coleen Quinn, Robin Stiegler, Tarryn Ragazzo (Canada), Doris MaGee, Tony Marchino as examples of a long and extensive list.
The barn is full of children laughing as they learn, amateurs enjoying horses, parents carpooling, tiny tots learning to lead and ride ponies, top juniors competing but still grooming their own horses, Medal winners enjoying the flatwork and horses relaxed and confident with their care.
Fox Pointe Horses:
Ragtime is a Hannovarian Stallion that Kathy found and imported in a partnership with Dr. Gary Willard of Temecula, California. Arriving the states as a 2 year old colt, Ragtime has developed into an outstanding Sire of the next gererations of Hunters in the nation.
Champion or Reserve, usually in both the working and conformation hunters, Ragtime has a remarkable show career to his credit. Shown successfuly in every top West Coast show, he demonatrated his temperament and consistence under an assortment of top riders. John French, Patrick Santon, Hap Hansen, Jamie Taylor and Kelly Farmer were given the winning rides at various times while Amy Brubaker, Kelly Strater, and Sue Irzyk rode to Championships in the Amateur divisions. Stephanie Burris took the reins for the Junior Divisions and Championships in the Jumpers. All under the Ownership of Dr. Willards Brenmar Farm.
Ragtime was sold to the Chalk Hill Farm and Pamela Sands 2 years ago as the flagship stallion of her breeding farm. Under the excellent care of trainer Sue Lightner, Ragtime continued his winning ways all the way to the East coast and the indoor shows. Currently dedicated to his breeding responsibiities, Ragtime has a full book, a rarity for a Stalion so new to the breeding barn.
Oslivios was a Grand Prix jumper sold through Fox Pointe to Julie Winkel of Reno, Nevada. “Oliver” was shown to consistent wins at Indio and wa the top money winner in the Preliminary division the year before showing turned to Levels.
Calira was pruchased by Kathy and a client at the prestigous Holsteiner elite auction. Calira was shown at Indio to several wins in the 5 year old Young Jumper classes. Purchased by On Air Communications for their daughter, Jessica, Calira was the only horse to have 5 clean rounds at the NAYRC 2004. Gold Medal Individual, Gold Medal Team anchor and the only fault free horse at the Competitin.
Fox Pointe Students
Current students include Stephanie Burris, Brittney Allyn, Taylor McClung, Megan McBratney, Tomi Clark, Camille Jolly and many others. All currently competing in the Jumper divisions with 3 of the girls in the top spots for a place on the Spruce Meadows Teams for WCAR going into the final qualifier. Juniors who have come through Fox Pointe include Anita Linn, Jocelyn Neff, Doris Grabowski, Cece Durante, Demi Stiegler, Rick Oas, and Tiffany Weiss. Jocelyn Neff, pictured here, is one of Kathy’s shining stars. She rode as an 11 year old last year but won all her Medals including 7 at the LA Labor Day Horse show against the 17 and unders.
I have known KH for over 30 years and can’t say enough wonderfull things about her and her great horses!! I used to drive 70 miles(one way)for lessons and just to hang out with the Foxpointe Family.Wish I had ridden with during all my riding career.
Carla Pool - May 12th, 2006 at 10:51 pmI just started about a month ago with Kathy….. she is already fantastic! Her horses, the kids, the all around barn is wonderful. She is so welcoming and caring about each and every horse and rider!
madd247 - September 24th, 2006 at 8:13 pmYou must be logged in to post a comment.