|
|
Foothills Farm is owned and operated by Cathy Inch, her late husband Richard Smith (1951-2008) and their son Jedd Smith. They cater to all levels of riding from beginner right through to the A Circuit (National level competition ending with the Royal Winter Fair). Cathy Inch is Northern Ontario’s most successful competitor in the sport of show jumping. A fully-certified Level 3 riding instructor, Cathy continues to upgrade her skills and is currently taking courses in Level 4 theory, working towards her Level 4 certification. Cathy is also a member of the Coaching Association of Ontario, for coaches working with elite athletes. Cathy’s accomplishments include bringing along Grand Prix prospects from the Level 1 Jumper division up to and including Level 4. These include Hamlet sold in 1998, Fabian who won the 1999 Talent Squad Finals at the Royal Winter Fair with Cathy aboard.
|
|
|
Cathy Inch & Rick Smith
Photo credit to Yavuz
|
|
Her previous mount Finn McCool (who recently was sold to a buyer in the USA), was an Irish Warmblood who finished 5th in the OHJA Level 4 (Modified Jumper Division) in 2004 and qualified for the National Talent Squad Finals at the Royal Winter Fair in 2004, where he placed 7th and 9th in his event. Earlier that year he placed 2nd in the Inaugural Meaford Grand Prix. Having trained some of her students to the National Level of competition, Cathy and her students
|
|
|
Cathy Inch & Finn McCool
Photo credit to Yavuz
|
|
continue to show on the A Circuit and successfully compete against some of the best riders in North America.
Cathy's late husband Richard Smith was a noted Canadian Senior Course Designer, who travelled throughout North America designing many Hunter, Jumper and Equitation courses. In December of 2004, Rick had the opportunity to participate in an FEI Course Design Seminar in Aachen, Germany with such great names as Athens Olympic Course Designer Olaf Peterson, Brazil’s Guilherme Nogueria Jorge (pictured at right) and Spruce Meadows favourite Leopoldo
|
|
|
Rick Smith & Guilherme Nogueria Jorge
Photo credit to Yavuz
|
|
Palacios. Rick’s experience was invaluable in helping to bring education and best practices back to the north for course planning, building and riding. Rick’s other talents included growing and harvesting most of the hay and grain fed to the 60 horses on the farm.
A talented horseman in his own right, Rick was a fully accredited Level 1 Riding Instructor and also served as the Foothills Farm farrier.
With a strong commitment to their community, both Cathy and Rick have chosen to stay in Northern Ontario to fulfill their dreams.
|
|
|
Jedd Smith 2008
|
|
Jedd Smith loves various hobbies like dirtbiking, football and hockey. He has chosen to follow in his fathers foot steps and is developing a great talent for course design. He is currently working ring crew at many shows across Canada and the Florida circuit.
With a strong commitment to their community, both Cathy and Rick have chosen to stay in Northern Ontario to fulfill their dreams.
Promoting the sport locally
An active advocate, Cathy has been Master of Ceremonies at a number of banquets and local events, including a dinner gala showcasing World Champion Gail Greenhough to a group of over 200 equine enthusiasts. Bringing the sport of show jumping to Northern Ontario has been one of Cathy’s dreams. In 1995, Cathy spearheaded Jump’95 a collaborative project with local business leaders, municipal government and Laurentian University to bring a Grand Prix Showjumping
|
|
|
Cathy Inch & Pablo
Photo credit to Yavuz
|
|
Competition to Sudbury. Laurentian University was to be the host venue, while Cathy worked with the City of Sudbury to develop sponsorship opportunities for the title class (a $50,000 class), as well as raise funds for the event. Although no title sponsor was secured and the event put on hold, Cathy’s determination and drive to promote the sport continues. |
|
