Van Bert Farms is a complete equestrian horse training facility, established in 1965. It is a family owned and operated facility.  We take pride in our horses and we are proud of our trainers.   Whether you purchase one of our fine horses or bring us one of your own, our trainers will work to bring that horse to it's highest potential, whether on the trail or in the show ring.  Our trainers are here year round and in all weather, making sure their horses receive the best care and training in the industry.

Proven trainers of World and International Champions and Grand Champions, they bring decades of experience to the barn every day. Training for trail horses, saddleseat and western show horses, pleasure driving, equitation, trail obstacle competition,  and gaited dressage are available.
 
Trainers

 

 

Jamie Derickson

Jamie grew up riding horses at Van Bert Farms and has been involved in every aspect of horse training all his life.  Jamie has trained numerous champions over the years.  In 2006, he trained the UMH high point Country Trail horse and won the UMH World Mares Country Trail Championship.  In 2007, he won the MPHA Geldings World Championship and came in Reserve in the MPHA World Grand Championship. 

Doug Spears

Doug learned to ride here at the farm as an 8 year old.  As a trainer over the last 11 years, Doug has coached multiple amateur and juvenile Grand Champions.  In 2006, one of his riders and horses won the UMH 3 yr. old Amateur World Grand Championship.  Doug has been the trainer of a UMH World Champion 2 year old five times.  In 2003, he trained the UMH/KMSHA Classic World Grand Champion and the Spotted Mountain Horse World Champion.  In 2007, he became the first trainer to win the gaited horse Three Phase Event and trained the UMH 4 yr. old Classic World Grand Champion.

ST Tipton

ST started riding at the age of 4 and has become one of the most respected young trainers in the industry.  In 2005, he won the RMHA International Western Grand Championship.  Working with amateurs and juveniles for the last several years, ST has coached and trained many UMH World and RMHA International Grand Champions.  In 2007, ST trained the UMH high point Park and Classic winners.  Also, in 2007, ST won his first UMH World Grand Champion ring.  He will be styling, when he wears it with his 2006 UMH World Grand Champion Western Belt Buckle. 

HMMMM!   (maybe all that shiny gold and silver

is why the next two trainers are wearing their shades)

Chris Tipton

Chris brings years of experience, with some of the finest horses in this breed, to the farm.  Chris has trained several UMH Weanling and Yearling World Grand Champions in hand, over the years. .  He claimed the 2006 KMSHA International James Powell Trainer Award and in 2007 won the UMH Trainers' Challenge.  Also, in 2007, Chris became the first mountain horse trainer to represent the mountain horse breed in Craig Cameron's Extreme Cowboy Race at the Massachusetts Equine Affaire.  Chris, riding a mountain horse stallion, placed 5th against all other breeds.

 

Stacie Cline Tipton

Stacie, the newest face in the barn, is well known for her riding abilities and is making a name as a great trainer.  Riding since the age of 6, Stacie was the RMHA Juvenile International Grand Champion in 1999 and was the UMH/KMSHA World Equitation Champion in 2000.  She trained the Reserve UMH Park World Champion in 2002.  In 2007, Stacie trained the UMH high point Weanling Colt.

 

Training Director

HT Derickson

HT, well known in both the Walking Horse and Mountain Horse industries, oversees day to day training  and still trains a few select horses himself.  He was the first winner of the RMHA Rea Swan Versatility Award and has won many Grand Championships himself. 

HT has been training horses for over 30 years and possesses more training knowledge than most of us can ever hope to, but he would be the first to tell you "I learn something about horses every time I ride another one".  It is a passion for learning more about the horse that makes a great horse trainer and HT is definitely qualified for that title.  He shares his knowledge and skills with every rider at the farm.  Professional or amateur, adult or juvenile, all have a chance to learn from this master trainer.

 

Equitation Specialist

Wilda Derickson

 

 

Wilda, a TWHBEA Adult Equitation World Grand Champion, has educated many adult and juvenile champions on both the Walking Horse and Mountain Horse show circuits.  The UMH Wilda Derickson World Equitation Challenge Trophy is awarded in juvenile equitation each year at the UMH World Show,.

Wilda expects, and gets, the best from her students and their horses.  Her skills and instruction improve every riders' communication with their horse.  She proves that riders are better horsemen and horses are better partners after lessons in equitation.
  Philosophy of Training

WHETHER YOU ARE

LOOKING FOR THE

BLUE

IN THE

SHOW RING

 

OR

 

A SAFE MOUNT

ON THE TRAILS

 

A horse's training at Van Bert Farms starts shortly after birth, with handling and exposure to different elements for several months.  Hands on work begins before a weanling leaves it's mother's side.  In 2007, Van Bert Farms' trainers claimed the top five spots in the

UMH Weanling division World trail obstacle obedience class.

  As yearlings and 2 year olds, horses learn the cues on the ground which will prepare them for introduction to a saddle, bridle and rider.  If a Mountain Horse has been prepared correctly, starting them under saddle is usually a gentle process.

  A saddle is slowly introduced to the horse and then, when the horse is ready, a rider's weight and shift in the saddle is added.  A halter bridle is used initially, until the horse is comfortable with turning left and right, and has learned to start and stop with proper cues.  For further training of headset, a bit is introduced, but only after a qualified Equine Dentist has made sure there are no dental problems and wolf teeth are removed.

  After a horse has shown consistency in gait barefooted, he/she is shod by an experienced gaited horse farrier with keg shoes only.  No artificial training aids are used at anytime during the horse's training.  Many horses still in a halter-bridle and unshod, will have very consistent, smooth and even gait.

As with people , horses have special talents.  After several months of training, an evaluation may reveal that some horses are more suitable for the show ring and others more suitable for the trail.  Some Mountain Horses have the ability to be great at both. 

We believe our trainers give every horse,"it's best chance to be the best it can be".

 VAN BERT FARMS

                             HAS THE TRAINERS

                                                                                     WHO CAN SUPPLY BOTH!

        ...........and they have the horses.....

                                                             if you don't already have one of your own!

 
 
Contact and Fee Information

Boarding with Training:    $700 per month

Boarding only :       $200 per month outside

                                    $350 per month in stall

Mare Care:    $7 per day outside

                            $12 per day in stall

                                                        (when available)

Ask for

Larry Patterson

or

Chris Tipton

606-663-9437

or

606-663-9070

or email

sales@vanbertfarms.com

 

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