By Jeremy A. Corley

Managing Editor

Spellbound Farm, a local hunter/jumper English training and show barn, recently celebrated several year-end awards from the North Texas Hunter Jumper Club.

Spellbound Farm is operated out of Noelling Hills, 4 miles east of Van Alstyne on F.M. 3133. Noelling Hills is owned by Bob Noell.

The stable's award winners for 2009 included:

Sydney House of Anna, riding On the Rocks, was fourth in Junior Hunters, sixth in Junior Equitation and seventh in Puddle Jumpers.

Michelle McAdam of Dallas, riding Divine Intervention, was champion in Junior/Amateur Hunters and the 2-9 Medal Finals, reserve champion in the Children's/Adult Equitation and third in the Junior/Amateur Equitation and the Children's/Adult Hunters.

Kaitlin Miller-Roberts of Dallas rode three horses to year-end awards.

She and Colorfast were champion Puddle Jumpers. She and Game On were reserve champion Puddle Jumpers. She and Just Add Water were third in Junior/Amateur Hunters and 10th in Pony Hunters.

Norm Forbes of Grapevine rode two horses to year-end awards.

He and Climb to Glory took sixth in Puddle Jumpers, while he and The Outlaw Josey Wales were 10th in Puddle Jumpers. Forbes also was the NTHJC Sportsman of the Year for 2009.

Spellbound Farm's head trainer and instructor is Tracey Badley, who has more than 25 years of experience in English riding and competition.

"As a youth, I competed in lower level dressage and eventing, but was most competitive in the hunter and jumper arena," she said. "I competed in the Midwest in the children's hunters, junior equitation and the modified junior jumpers. I still enjoy competing but much prefer to coach my students to their individual successes."

Spellbound Farms is located on 350 acres and features many amenities, including a show barn with an indoor arena.

Full-care boarding is available as well as lessons and training. Lesson horses are all seasoned, successful show horses.

Riders compete locally, statewide and nationally.

In 2009, Spellbound Farm riders received 14 year-end awards with the NTHJC, and one rider finished in the national zone standings.

In past years, Spellbound riders have been champions in Pony Hunters, Schooling Jumpers, Children's/Adult Hunters and Equitation as well as younger riders "limiting" out of the beginner divisions.

The 2009 season was the first year the stable had a rider ranked nationally, with Kaitlin Miller-Roberts and Game On finishing sixth in the zone for Pony Jumpers.

The pair is competing to qualify for the 2010 National Pony Finals in Kentucky.