KIM BURTON-SCHRAM
LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER
While many people were prepping for back to school, 400 equestrians from across Ontario moved into Wesley Clover Parks in the Ottawa area to compete at the 2025 Trillium Hunter Jumper Association Championship Show. Holly Hill Farm in South Glengarry is an equestrian facility that has developed a competitive team actively participating in the provincial and national show circuits. Six students, along with coach & owner of Holly Hill Farm, Kate MacIntyre, qualified for and competed at the provincial championship show on the Labour Day weekend.
This season, the Holly Hill team focused mainly on the Trillium Hunter Jumper Circuit, while in previous years the team has also competed nationally to qualify for the Royal Winter Fair Horse Show. The team attended six shows in the Eastern Zone of Ontario and accumulated points to qualify for the end of season Championships at Wesley Clover Parks. The riders from Holly Hill that qualified included Margot Pomerleau, Megan Grant, Finn McMullen, Charlotte Lalonde, Ava Lauzon, Caitlyn Allen and Kate MacIntyre, competing in divisions from short stirrup for novice competitors, through to ponies, horses as well as jumpers going over fences up to 1.10 metres in height.
Qualifying for provincial championships is a great accomplishment, where only the top riders from provincial zones are invited to participate, and every competitor attending should be proud. For Holly Hill riders, their successes at the 2025 Championships included Reserve Champion for Finn McMullen and his pony Wray Acres Porscha, ribbons for Ava Lauzon riding Blue Ivy, Megan Grant riding Movie Night and Margot Pomerleau on Felix K. Special recognition also goes to Charlotte Lalonde and her pony All Aboard for their medals and ribbons awarded at the 2025 Trillium Championships, including winning first place in a special Champs invitation-only Ride-Off Equitation class.
These rider and horse/pony combinations train together many hours to reach their goals to compete at the provincial level. But riding is only part of the recipe for a successful showing season, with care for the horses & ponies top priority to develop a relationship on the ground as well. Holly Hill hired Isabelle Donkers, an experienced equestrian and groom who knows just how Kate MacIntyre likes things done, to help manage the very busy show schedule at Championships. However, competitors were still expected to help take care of their horses and ponies, which included pitching in on brushing, feeding and cleaning stalls. As well, the team members watched each other’s trips in the show ring – there to celebrate the good rounds and offer support if things didn’t go quite as well as hoped, making sure everyone stayed positive, kept on learning and, most importantly, had fun.
Holly Hill Farm has been in operation for over 50 years, started by Kate’s grandparents as an equestrian summer riding camp. Kate’s mother, Robbie MacIntyre, took over the reins and ran the farm as a competitive hunter/jumper stable & riding school, with Kate joining the family business after college. Together, Kate and Robbie successfully operated the riding facility for 15 years. In 2018, Kate lost her mom and business partner, but with the help of family, has continued the legacy of Holly Hill Farm as a competitive team.
Kate MacIntyre says there are many highs and lows in the equestrian world, but the horses are her driving motivation. She loves them all and knows each animal is counting on her care and expertise. “Those who work with animals understand the extra commitment required beyond your average nine to five job. The horses need to be cared for daily, whether it’s on weekends or holidays,” said Kate. “The only way it works is to surround yourself with people that you can count on, and to understand that this is a unique business that requires teamwork and dedication.”
According to Kate MacIntyre, Holly Hill Farm is a tight-knit community, thanks to the many people who have contributed to the stable’s success over the years. “It brings me joy when I can connect with others who share my passion, whether they are novice riders, experienced show jumpers, or supportive parents,” said Kate. “Our love of horses and our drive to compete brings us together and has been the source of many friendships and memories over the years.”
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