Catching up with Beth Phippard can be a challenge, she’s often in the barn and heading off with one of her horses on an extended trail ride. An active member of the Monadnock equestrian community, she is also a frequent customer at The Cheshire Horse. But this hasn’t always been the case! Beth took up riding later in life and it has quickly become an all-consuming passion.
“I have always loved horses,” Beth recounts, “but they were never really in the cards for me.” Her grandmother always wanted to purchase a pony for the young girl, but her father was adamant that she was not responsible enough to care for a pony. “He was probably right,” she laughs.
Fast forward a few years and arrive at Beth’s 50th birthday. “I decided that it was time to do something for myself!” she says. The Swanzey, NH resident decided to pursue her dream to take up riding.
She originally thought that she had found a perfect situation and a wonderful opportunity – one of her husband’s friends had bad knees and owned a horse who was in need of exercise. Unfortunately, Beth quickly discovered the horse was too green for her limited skills and had also recently foundered. Her search continued.
Beth eventually purchased a “crazy” little Arabian mare. “Everyone knew this horse and told me that I was making a poor decision,” she says with a laugh. The mare was 18 years old when Beth bought her, with many holes in her training. “I had to take baby steps with her,” Beth explains. “It took me a while, but I was able to gain her trust. She ended up being the most incredible horse for me, we went everywhere together.”
And when Beth says everywhere, she means everywhere! Camping with her horses is one of her favorite equestrian pastimes. “I camp a lot with my horses, and one time I was up in Vermont camping with one of my friends. He happened to have a Cheval Canadian horse. I was hooked! I always wanted a Friesian, but I think that their movement would be a bit too much for me. The Chevals have the same body type, but were a better fit for my riding aspirations,” she comments. Beth ended up purchasing one that her daughter rides and another Cheval Canadian that Beth currently rides and drives on the trails.
“It can be difficult to find safe places to trail drive,” Beth explains. “But I really enjoy it.” As a member of the American Driving Society (ADS) and Granite State Carriage Association (GSCA), Beth frequently travels to their organized pleasure drives. “Last year, we went to Cape Elizabeth in Maine. It was just incredible,” she recounts. “We were able to drive right along the coast line and see the ocean. It was a simply wonderful experience.” She has also attended drives in New York state and at the Acadia National Park in Maine. Unfortunately, many of her planned drives for the 2020 season have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but she remains ever hopeful that she will be able to attend more in the fall.
“For me, spending time with my horses is an easy way to unwind. I love saddling up and spending time in the woods.”
In talking to Beth, it seems that many of her travels revolve around horses… even ones where she is unable to trailer her own horse. In 2017, Beth planned a trip to Iceland and included, you guessed it, a ride on the infamous Icelandic Horses. “I figured, if I’m going to Iceland, I want to ride Icelandics! It was such an unbelievable experience. I rode for four hours on four different horses, each one more fun to ride than the last,” she says. “Well, I guess I really enjoyed it. I came back and had to have an Icelandic! My little Icelandic mare is stubborn but her tolt is just incredible and to die for. I love it!”
Most of Beth’s adventures, however, do not involve trailer rides or faraway places. “For me, spending time with my horses is an easy way to unwind. I love saddling up and spending time in the woods. I try to get out as often and as long I can,” she says. She is also an active member (and acting Treasurer) of the local club Monadnock Happy Trails Association, who strive to have one organized trail ride a month. From her home in Swanzey, she has access to many fantastic trail systems. However, sometimes she chooses not to use them…
“I don’t always stick to the groomed trails. I like to trail blaze and go where I can.”
“I don’t always stick to the groomed trails,” she says with a laugh. “I like to trail blaze and go where I can.” Sometimes, this gets her into trouble. “I took a ride with a group of local equestrians through Pisgah State Park, and somehow I ended up being in charge of our route. Let’s just say that it was a bit of a wild ride, but one that no one will ever forget,” Beth recounts. After the ride, some of the participants had tee-shirts made that said ‘I Survived Trail Riding with Beth Phippard.’ It sounds like it was quite the adventure!
Beth is also a familiar face at The Cheshire Horse. In fact, her husband Gary Phippard is the owner of Cheshire Builders and served as the project manager for the construction of our flagship store in Swanzey, NH. “I just love shopping there, I purchase everything at the store, all of my grain, supplements, saddles, equine supplies, fencing, and blankets. My dog also eats Primal dog food, so I pick that up there too,” she says. “Sometimes I get these crazy ideas about new products that I want to try, Marianne [the founder and owner of The Cheshire Horse] is also so good about making sure that what I want is there.”
“My favorite part about The Cheshire Horse is the people though,” Beth comments. “They are always there for me, ready to help me learn more about the products that they carry. Or, just to listen to my stories about my latest ride. They feel like family.”
We love introducing everyone to our loyal customers! It is fun to learn more about the incredible equestrian community that we are a part of. Are you interested in being a part of our Customer Profiles? E-mail us at [email protected] to become a part of this exciting new blog series.