Our People

You know by now that our horses at First Choice are pretty great, but so are our people! Our trainers are highly qualified and they want you to learn and be safe, while still having a great time.

We try to encourage a sense of family here. Away horse shows can be stressful, but we show our team spirit by helping each other and having some fun. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends all come to cheer everyone on. We all wear our First Choice t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc (available in the viewing room), so everyone knows we are a team. Often, we set up a big tent at the show grounds and Bob brings his grill, so we can have our "home away from home" at the show. And if you forgot something, don't worry, the show moms always have a spare for you. A perfect show day is finished with stop for ice cream!

At home, the more experienced students are always available to help with a tack problem, bridle a tricky horse or any other question. Just ask - they are happy to help.

Our Trainers

Heidi comes from a planned background in equine science and training. After growing up with horses at home, she went to Westmoreland Davis International Equestrian Institute (a.k.a. Morven Park) and studied riding and training in depth under the tutelage of Raul de Leon, and Tad Coffin. The school provided an intense opportunity to train with superior trainers such as Bert de Nemethy, and Gunnar Anderson.

After graduating Westmoreland Davis and receiving the only award given at the school of Most Improved, Heidi went on to University of New Hampshire to continue studying Equine Science. During college, she was also Assistant Manager/Trainer at Green Acres Stables in Dover, NH. Graduating top of her class was yet another tribute to her dedication in the horse industry.

After college, Heidi managed the barns at the Hamilton Equestrian Center in Hamilton, MA. After almost a year there, she decided that training was really her passion and she became an instructor at Chrislar Farm in Rowley, MA. To this date she credits Chris and Larry Cassenti and their program to her success with her own program; they are true mentors and horse people. She also began to study under Bill Woods, who helped her train her first premium horse Waidmann ("Curly"). After two years at Chrislar, it was time to start First Choice. See Our History for more details on how it all began.

During the exciting endeavor of starting her own riding academy, there were also many opportunities to continue her education as well, including training and pursuing dressage with Lois Steiner and consistent training with Volker Bromman. This led to many awards through NEDA and the USDF.

In 1996, Heidi studied to become a dressage judge. It took a full summer of hard work, but in the end when she received her "L" certification "with Distinction", it was well worth it.

Heidi and husband, Bob, run First Choice with the help of their 2 children, Conner and Christopher. Heidi loves to work with young riders and adults on the discipline of dressage. One of her favorite ways to pass the time is finding new horses to train and sell. The best time being when one of her students buys a prospect and then continues training. Heidi is usually found in the indoor arena, teaching or training. After a long winter hiatus from showing, it is time again to return to the show ring with some of these prospects. What fun!

John W. Simons was born into a horse family.  His father, John M. Simons, a long time professional horseman, owned and operated several large commercial equestrian centers in northern New Jersey.  He was elected president of the Professional Horseman’s Association.  In the late sixties and seventies he managed the Junior Essex Troop Horse Show, then the largest all junior horse show in the country, for eight years.  John, as a youngster, worked in all phases of the family business early on in horse care and assisting instructors with group lessons.  He competed in Equitation, Pony Hunter, and Junior Jumper Divisions on mounts offered for sale by the business and for individual owners for fees.  At the age of twelve, he was regularly competing with people of national reputation.  While in high school, he began to instruct riders and train horses.  At eighteen, he began managing the riding program at summer camp with thirteen horses, two instructors, and 200 rides per week! He did this for four years.  He was awarded full scholarship to Morven Park Equestrian Institute in Leesburg, Va.  The scholarship was underwritten by Mr. Phillip Hoffman, CEO of Johnson and Johnson, International fine harness competitor and father of two Olympians, Carol Hoffman Thomas and Judy Richter.  The scholarship also included the loan of a horse know in international competition.  Riding under the tutelage of three time Olympic coach, Maj. John Lynch, John rode many world class horses and developed a broad network of professional contacts.  After graduating as an “Instructor/Trainer” he returned to the family business.  He later took a training and coaching position at Thorncroft Equestrian Center in Malvern, PA.  After a year and a half, the desire to expand his knowledge drove him to become an assistant trainer of thoroughbred horses at a New England race track.  When the horses moved south for the winter, John went back to PA to condition horses at a private farm.  Being regularly confronted with lame horses, he decided to attend Warrington Farrier School in Townsend, DE, studying with Ed Warrington, well known for his therapeutic techniques for lame and injured standard bred horses.  Since then John did farrier work, assisted select riders and horses, and has been buying and selling horses.  We feel fortunate that John has chosen to come and work with us.

Our Barn Staff

Bob is the "jack of all jobs" at the farm. One day you may see him building an addition, like the viewing room and hay/grain storage room, the next day reading dressage tests to practicing riders, the next transporting horses across the North East, and the next firing up the grill for the First Choice Cafe, our show grill.

Bob grew up in Salem, MA where he had absolutely no idea that there was a business with horses. He was heavily into rehabilitating old buildings into condos and retirement housing. Then, he worked with the Painters Union on such landmarks as the Custom House in Boston, the oil tanks in Dorchester with their controversial artwork, and many more places. His favorite thing was designing the rigging to keep the painters safe.

In 1989, his uncle asked him to help with a job turning a 10 stall barn into a 75 horse facility! This was his introduction to the horse industry and this is where Heidi and Bob met. Bob was involved in the development of First Choice Riding Academy from early on. Now the riders at the farm know they can look to Bob, not only for his horsemanship skills, but also for a listening ear and he is often known to offer up some great advice to the parent's of teens. The farm's well known family feelings would never be the same with out Bob.