About Hundred Acre Wood
by Martha Barbone
Staff Writer, "The Horse of Delaware Valley"
 

"Name: Charish Campbell.
Facility: Hundred Acre Wood, Easton, Md.
Website: www.chesapeakesporthorse.com
Phone: 410-819-8944.

Specialty: Multi-discipline with emphasis on classical dressage. Training/Education: Varied but thorough in hunt seat, open jumping, classical dressage, driving, reining, recreational riding, Nutritional Reflexology, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Myofascial Release. Major accomplishments: ARICP certified instructor; former Centered Riding instructor; certified holistic equine therapist; professional equestrian sports photographer.

Rates: Full board $650; private lessons $60 per hour.

 

   EASTON, Md.­Classical dressage is the cornerstone for all riding disciplines and at Hundred Acre Wood, it¹s the key to success.   Owner Charish Campbell, who earned her ARICP Level One certification in hunt seat and open jumping and her Level One Centered Riding certification brings to her clients a complete and well-rounded approach to training and instruction that encompasses her intense research into classical dressage.

   ³Whatever discipline a rider wants to pursue, we always begin with classical dressage,² said Campbell. Prospective students are invited to observe her while she gives lesson so that they can be comfortable with her methods.

   Located on just over 100-acres on the eastern shore of Maryland between the Miles and the Wye Rivers, Hundred Acre Wood consists of three, five to seven acre pastures, all with large run-in sheds and is fenced in four rail oak boards.

   There are 13 matted, box stalls and a heated office big enough to hold unmounted clinics and seminars in the center aisle barn and students have the luxury of year-round riding in the indoor arena where the footing is the highest quality sand and shredded rubber.

   Dust is kept down by an automatic watering system.  A large outdoor ring has all-weather footing and a course of hunter-style fences.

   Circling the entire property is a logging trail for relaxing and recreational hacking out.

   Balance and harmony are integral to Campbell¹s philosophy in all things including training, instructing and in her general approach to life with horses.
   Campbell accepts horses in for training and tailors a program to suit the needs of the horse and the goals of the owner. She pays extra-close attention to the needs of the horse to ensure that the program develops their individual talents at a pace that keeps them happy, relaxed and willing to work.
   ³We pay special attention to the stress level of each horse,² she said. ³Strong, classical basics are emphasized in a program that suits the individual needs of each horse and that is accomplished in a way that helps the horse to be a willing partner.²

   Green horses or horses that are crossing over from one market to the other, i.e. eventing to hunters, dressage to hunters, to further their educations or, in some cases, to facilitate a suitable sale are accepted as well.

   ³When I¹m training a horse I constantly evaluate their individual needs and progress,² she said. ³I will adjust and blend techniques to get the best results with the minimum stress for the horse.²

   Recuperating horses or horses that need rehabilitation welcome.    ³We coordinate and implement programs from local veterinarians and from New Bolton or Marion duPont Scott at Morven Park,² she said.

   Campbell offers one-week intensive programs for visiting riders who are welcome to stay at Hundred Acre Wood in the rental house that includes three bedrooms and two baths.
   ³We offer that program on our horses or on the owner¹s horse,² said Campbell.

   Campbell also has openings for working students."


 

Hundred Acre Wood is situated on 112 acres nestled between the Miles and Wye Rivers on Maryland's Eastern Shore. We are located about 10 minutes from Easton, and 15 minutes from St. Michael's, Maryland.


View Larger Map

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please always coordinate your visits in advance!
Trespassers, vandals and thieves may be greeted by unfriendly trained professionals. If you fall into this category, you should seek easier targets where you won't risk becoming part of a healthy canine diet.

 

We have 3 five to seven acre pastures, all with generously sized run-in sheds, all fenced with four rail oak board fencing. Our barn is a center-aisle 13 stall barn with 12x14' matted stalls. The people parts of our barn assure a comfortable environment for riders (and family members who prefer to stay warm during lessons). Charish's office is the perfect place for hosting small clinics, as well as housing visiting clinicians and guests.

Our indoor arena is 66'x176' with sand and the highest quality shredded rubber footing as well as an automatic watering system which helps to hold the footing firm, and keeps dust down for the health of riders and horses.

Our outdoor arena is 135'x235' with masons' sand over stone dust base. This is an all weather footing which almost never freezes, and holds together very well even during the rainy seasons. We have a course of hunter style fences, and also set a regulation sized dressage arena in the warmer months.

We also have a logging trail that runs about 2.5 miles, encircling the entire property.

We feed only the highest quality grass hay, COB, and Dynamite Supplements and Specialty Feeds. We offer a smaller paddock for individual turnout, and have plans to eventually add another field w/run-in near the house which will be available for weekly rental beginning in May of 2007. Guests will be able to bring their horse(s) and either provide their own care, or, our staff can provide care while vacationing and learning. This is a very special treat for someone who has only ever boarded - there is nothing like being able to look out your window and see your horse happy and grazing peacefully! Not to be forgotten is the "Good Morning!!" "Ho-ho-ho" that your horse may greet you with as you bring him his breakfast!

Beginning in May of 2007, we will be offering our 3 br, 2 ba rancher for short-term rental. Anyone can rent the house, it's not very fancy, but it is clean and tidy and very private. Charish will be offering a one-week intensive program for visitors either on our horses or horses owned by our guests. We are now accepting reservations from May through Waterfowl Weekend (Mid-late November, 2007).


 

Charish G. Campbell.

Charish Campbell is a life-long horse-lover. She started out riding at the age of 3, on a working cattle ranch in Chesterfield, Missouri. Her first riding experiences were on a brown and white Shetland pony named "Mrs. Robinson."

Charish started taking lessons at the age of 5. Over the years she has had the opportunity to learn from over 40 Trainers and Olympic Riders. She is committed to a lifetime of learning and of constantly improving as a rider and trainer.  

She and her parents purchased Hundred Acre Wood in 1996. Charish was then 25 and a single parent. Her daughter, Emily, was just 2. The early days were filled with trial and error, cold nights of  foalwatch waiting for Girlie to come, and many months of coming back to the sport as an adult, a parent (somehow that changes everything), and for the first time, as a professional. 

In November of 1997 the Barn was completed and the horses moved in. Later (March, 1998), the interiors (tack room, office) were completed and fully functional.

Never having been a professional before, and having already heard the rumors, Charish sought to find a better means of stating her qualifications. In November, 1998, Charish underwent the Certification Process through the ARICP (www.riding-instructor.com) and achieved Level One Certification in Hunt Seat and Open Jumping. In 2003, Charish received Level 2 Hunt Seat and also Level 2 Stable Management Certifications from the American Riding Instructor's Association.

 In 2000, Hundred Acre Wood, LLC hosted the horsemanship-leg of DNR’s Camp Outdoor Discovery. During that summer, there were 19 horses on property, many volunteers and working students (thank you!), and 368 children were safely introduced to horses and horseback riding.

 In the fall of 2000, Charish traveled to E. Lansing, Michigan and worked with Wendy Murdoch (www.wendymurdoch.com ) to achieve her Level One Status as a Centered Riding Instructor. She then traveled to Knoxville, TN and achieved her Certification as a “Horse Professional” through EAGALA (www.eagala.org) in the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). She has been seeking the right people or the right program. In the fall of 2006, HAW offered a pilot program for an after-school program for children that seems VERY promising. She has high hopes for this program in the future – if it is meant to be.

 Charish and her husband, Larry, met in 2000, then married in 2001. Emily has had her last name legally changed to Campbell the next year, and in June 2006, they welcomed Lawrence Franklin Campbell, IV (“Colt”) into their lives.

 Today, Hundred Acre Wood, LLC  is, more than ever, a family-run business. Their one full time staff member, Richard Cooper, has been working for the family for 25 years, since they moved to the area. Richard is part of the family, and he and his family are very dear to the Campbells. Richard has a long and very accomplished background working with horses, having managed Perry Cabin Stables long before they were torn down and made into Perry Cabin Ballfield.

 Today, this business is all about balance and harmony. Special attention is paid to the stress level of the animals, as well as the natural rhythms within the calendar year. For instance, February is always the “slowest” month, due to the uncertainty of the weather, and this year is no different. This is the time to shift gears – or work on the website, and run some field trials of different products and simply take notes on observed results. They conserve their energy so that they will be fresh when the weather warms up and new students are ready to begin with lessons and working student schedules.

 Charish has never turned away working students, and has learned so much from those special relationships – some spanning years. Working students – and all of our students – quickly become part of the community. The Campbells are grateful for their help day-in, day-out.

 Larry has taken this winter to be home with Colt, so that Charish can get her roots once again with the horses-- riding, training, and of course, teaching. In the summer, Larry will be back working on the boat, and Charish will be home with Colt, with evening teaching hours and other hours by appointment.

 Charish has no goals to show at this time, though she is very much looking forward to bringing back the “Friday Night Demo Ride” to show off her horses, still going strong after all these years. Friday Night Demo Rides will essentially be choreographed Musical Freestyles, and will be a fun time for all.

Charish has trained 3 of her horses through Grand Prix, and has two horses currently schooling at intermediate levels. She regularly accepts green horses as well.

Charish’s training process includes constant evaluation of the horse as an individual, and constant adjusting and blending of techniques to get the best results – with minimal amount of stress for the horse.

 Charish has studied various holistic “healing” modalities since the age of 17, has apprenticed and clinic’ed with some of the foremost holistic personalities, and is currently enrolled in Clayton College working on her BS in Holistic Nutrition, and later, her ND.


 

Richard Cooper

 Today, Hundred Acre Wood, LLC  is, more than ever, a family-run business. Their one full time staff member, Richard Cooper, has been working for the family for 25 years, since they moved to the area. Richard is part of the family, and he and his family are very dear to the Campbells.

Richard has a long and very accomplished background working with horses, having managed Perry Cabin Stables long before they were torn down and made into Perry Cabin Ballfield.


Richard and Amore PT posing for camera

Richard with granddaughter Armani

Upcoming Events:

NEW:
See the new "BLOG" section! Click the
"C S H BLOGS"
button

Every Day, Flexible Hours - Working Student Program (Student must be enrolled in lessons here, 1x week min.) Volunteer basis.

Contact Charish at
(410) 819-8944 for more information or to register. Thank you for your consideration!

 

Google selects links to match key words on this page. They may be of interest to you ...

 

Copyright © 2007 A B Company, New Plymouth, Idaho
This page last updated June 21, 2010