Our History

Round Robin Farm has been at the heart of the Read family for over 60 years. The farm was established in Hollis, NH in the early 1950s by Charlotte and Bruce Read and hosted one of the first combined horse trials in New England. Charlotte was a horsewoman extraordinaire who competed in combined training up to the intermediate level, participated in Pony Club and foxhunting, and championed the Connemara breed in the United States. Charlotte was among the founding members of the American Connemara Pony Society (ACPS). One ACPS columnist wrote of Charlotte, “She trots into a ring at Groton or Woodstock on something young or green or small (or all three), and spectators stop talking to watch this mother of three grown children go cantering around a big course of jumps. Her joy is apparent; her enthusiasm is infectious.”

In 1954, Charlotte purchased her first two Connemara ponies from Ireland. One of these, Clare Dun, produced Round Robin’s celebrated An Tostal (Toastie) in 1956. He was one of the first Connemara stallions born in the U.S. and sired 58 foals over his lifetime. But Toastie’s success as a stud wasn’t his only claim to fame: he also quickly rose through the ranks of New England’s eventing scene, going from hunter shows and Pony Club rallies to preliminary level in just one year. He subsequently won the Intermediate Division at GMHA and even made it to the Three Day Olympic Trials in 1965. Round Robin’s Butter Brickle was one of Toastie’s most beloved offspring. She was gentle, but spunky, and introduced hundreds of kids to the joys of riding over her 34 years. Many past campers still remember Brickle fondly!

In 1971, Charlotte and Bruce flew their family and 10 horses to Wexford, Ireland, where they lived for one year, before returning to New Hampshire. Steve and Pat were married in 1972 and the family soon relocated to South Royalton, VT, where Steve and Pat took over running the farm shortly after Charlotte’s death in 1977. It was there on Back River Road nearly two decades ago, when the overnight riding camp began. Round Robin continues today offering a home-like experience where kids are able to be themselves and become part of their working horse farm. With Bekki's relaxed manner and professional instruction young riders are able to build their confidence and continue to improve their skills while riding a variety of experienced ponies and horses.

Through the years Round Robin Farm has maintained a number of Connemara and Connemara-crosses in their herd and continue the family’s commitment to this Irish breed and to the sport of eventing.

Bekki and Jayson, and their son Bodhi, represent Round Robin’s third and fourth generations and are looking ahead to the farm’s next 40 years. The family relocated Round Robin to the former Silver Maple Icelandic Pony Farm in Tunbridge, VT in November 2017. The new farm’s indoor arena and miles of protected trails add a new dimension to the ongoing camps, lessons, and training as well as the addition of clinics, shows and other new ways to serve the horse-loving community. The new property fully supports the future goals of Round Robin Farm, its great love of horses and the sport that inspired Round Robin’s beginnings.