New Horse Farm in Bloomington, Illinois to Offer Riding Lessons & Pony Parties

Fifteen year old Katie Kallevig first rode a horse at seven and began showing horses a couple of years later. Katie, along with her brother Scott (who raises and shows goats) live with their parents, Greg and Renee Kallevig, on a horse farm in Bloomington, Illinois. Holly Creek Horse Company, slated to open Spring 2010, is an outgrowth of Katie's love of horses. Services to be offered include riding lessons and pony birthday parties. The farm and the company are named after "Holly," a toy poodle and Shih Tzu mix the family owned when they moved to the farm in 2006.

Katie became interested in horses after joining Mclean County 4-H, and forming friendships with members who owned horses. Katie told me "I asked my Mom for lessons and she got me started right away."

When I asked Katie what made her decide to give riding lessons, she said "I love the horses and riding, and I want to help get other kids into it and make them good riders." Katie enjoys showing horses all over the country, but says the show she enjoys most is the Mclean County Fair held right down the road from her home. Over lunch with Katie and her Mom, Renee Kallevig, I asked them to tell me about Katie's first international competition. Katie rode Fleet Dream Girl in the youth hunter undersaddle during the APHA World Show in Ft. Worth, Texas. Katie, along with other riders, represented the United States in 2007. Her team placed first in their division. "If we ever compete there again, we will stop for the night. We drove from 9 AM till 11 PM the next evening," Renee stated. "I was so tired," Katie agreed.

Katie stated traits that make a good rider, are "Patience, gentleness, willingness to work and practice." As for what makes a good show/riding horse, she told me "A good show/riding horse should not be flighty and should have a calm disposition."

With Katie's love and knowledge of horses and her willingness to work, I anticipate that Holly Creek Horse Company will be a great success. For details on the riding lessons and pony birthday parties to be offered, check out http://www.hollycreekhorsecompany.farming.officelive.com

Note: Katie and Fleet Dream Girl, can be seen on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVcvpX0Mlqk), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnPBynj1DLM&feature=related