By Pamela Brown
Photo by Zandria Oliver
Imagine receiving a horse for Christmas. For young horse riders it’s the gift of a lifetime, and for Catherine Ruh, it’s a special highlight of her holiday season. “Our students often receive their first horse or pony around the holidays and we love being a part of the big surprise. There’s nothing more heartwarming than a pony standing in its stall, wrapped in a big red bow, and watching a teary-eyed young rider ‘unwrap’ the best gift they’ll surely ever receive,” says Ruh, owner of Quiet Rein Farm in New Milford. “Christmastime is enchanting with the horses and we get jazzed up this time of year. In the barn community, winter drums up a lot of activities and holiday spirit.”
For Ruh, an equestrian professional, who has been riding since age six, enjoys sharing her lifelong passion with all ages. “Our goal is to allow the community to experience the magic of horses. We cultivate a very friendly atmosphere that’s inviting to those new to horses,” she says.
Throughout high school Ruh competed in national competitions in New England and Florida and qualified multiple times for national and local level finals, earning several ribbons. “I have a strong passion for training young horses and helping clients continue to grow and progress in their riding career,” explains Ruh who earned a bachelor of science in animal science with a minor in equine business management from the University of Connecticut where she was captain of the equestrian team. At UCONN, Ruh helped start, coach, and manage an Interscholastic Equestrian Association program in its first year. After college, she worked at ABF Equine in Coventry and as head trainer at Fox Crossing Equestrian in Morris where she coached dozens of hunter/jumper and equitation riders. Today, Ruh continues to compete in show jumping.
On December 16, Ruh and her husband Timothy will host their sixth annual Holiday with the Horses. Amidst a barn bedazzled in seasonal splendor, the event features a variety of equine activities throughout the day. Attendees can experience pony rides, enjoy a riding and jumping exhibition and a drill team performance choreographed to music, learn how to groom a horse, and take part in arts and crafts. There will be opportunities for a photoshoot with the horses and to vote in a Deck the Stalls competition.
Since opening Quiet Rein Farm in 2017, Ruh finds fulfillment in seeing the farm community evolve. “It’s been fun learning and growing alongside it. We’ve worked hard to develop a community that operates like a family, sharing a passion for horses, and serving as a place of friendship and camaraderie. Litchfield County is unbelievably beautiful,” she says, adding her husband, Tim, has a fondness for the area. He grew up in Warren and is active in the community, serving as a volunteer EMT for Washington Ambulance and the race coach at Mohawk Mountain. “He enjoys giving back to the community, and now it’s become a place where he can raise his own family.”
Having recently added to their family, this Christmas will hold more meaning. “Our newborn baby girl, Juliette, will make the holidays even more magical,” says Ruh.
The holiday spirit is abundant at the farm. “Quiet Rein Farm is a magical place for so many families and riders,” she says, adding, “The loving atmosphere and strong passion for horses evident during the holidays is present in this special place year-round.”
December 16, 12 pm – 4 pm. Open to all ages.
8 Wells Road, New Milford, quietreinfarm.com
