MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) announced 36 recipients of the organization’s 2019 Horse Farm of Distinction award during its annual meeting in Framingham, Massachusetts. This award was developed more than 20 years ago by MFBF’s equine committee to recognize Massachusetts horse farms that achieve a level of excellence in overall horse health, farm management and compliance with public safety.
“I would like to congratulate this year’s winners of Horse Farm of Distinction,” said MFBF President Mark Amato, who manages Verrill Farm in Concord. “These stables go above and beyond what is expected of them and enhance the positive image of the equine industry in Massachusetts. I look forward to seeing these operations all apply again for this honor next year.”
This year’s award winners, by county, are:
Berkshire County
* Undermountain Farm
Bristol County
* Blackhorse Farm
* Bristol County Agricultural High School
* Chipaway Stables, Inc.
* Johnson and Wales Equestrian Center
* Teaberry Farm
* The Big Red Barn
* Ventura Stables
Cape & Islands
* Forget-Me-Not Farm
* Holly Hill Farm
* Pond View Farm
* Smithfield Farm
Essex County
* Back Bay Farm, Inc.
* High Tail Acres, LLC
* Hunters Haven Farm
* Indian Rock Stables
* Lalobarun Ranch
* Sons of the Wind, LLC
* The Barnyard Maples
* Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation, Inc.
Hampden County
* Silvercryst Farm
Hampshire County
* Greene Acres Equestrian Center
Middlesex County
* Berryfield Farm
* Harmony Horse Stables, LLC
* Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program
* Pompositticut Farm Inc.
* Sterling Riding Stables
* The Ponderaia
* Wildstar Farm LLC
Norfolk County
* Yankee Stables
Plymouth County
* Briggs Stable, LLP
* Creek Crossing Farm
* Lazy Stallion Friesians
* Whit Acres Farm
Worcester County
* Holly Hill West Inc.
* Walking High Farm
The farms were judged upon the following criteria: horse health management, including appearance of the horses and the equine health program; farm management, including overall condition of the farm and facilities, condition of stalls, turnouts, pastures, riding surfaces, tack and equipment; and public standards compliance. Those that scored 85 percent or higher were considered a “Horse Farm of Distinction” and received the award.
Applications for the 2020 Horse Farm of Distinction program are now being accepted with judging expected to take place June through August of next year. Evaluations are completed by qualified equine professionals. To learn more, please visit www.mfbf.net.
–Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
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