About Us
Shelby Oaks Farm
Shelby Oaks Farm is a beautiful 18 acre facility. The facility offers 15 12x12 stalls, tack room, wash racks, and areas to tack your horse. On this acreage is 4 large and 3 smaller turn-out pastures with an abundance of rye grass. In the center is a 150' x250' riding arena that is know for its great footing. At Shelby Oaks our facility offers quality services. We use Dr. Neff with Southern Equine Services for our farm calls and emergencies for serious injuries we use Dr. Murray with Coosa Valley Equine. For our shoeing needs we have a on-site farrier. Tom Saunders has been shoeing for 8 years and shoeing for our business for two years.
Shelby Oaks is a family owned business that takes pride in the quality that is provided for the horses. There is always 24 hour supervision here on the farm. As a family, we want to make sure that this is a facility for everyone. We would like for anyone thats walks on the farm to feel at home and know they are always welcome.
Christie on "Steele A Kiss " shown for Jill Dean/Hunter Creek Stables in 2005
Christie Saunders is co-owner and trainer of Shelby Oaks Farm. Her riding career began at age 11. From that age, she had won numerous Championships as a junior rider in the Alabama Hunter-Jumper Association. In 2000 she was AHJA Reserve Childrens Hunter Champion on Queen of Hearts also in 2000 she was AHJA 15-17 Equitation Medalist. Then in 2002 she was AHJA 15-17 Equitation Medalist. In 2005 she was AHJA Baby Green Hunter Champion on Steele A Kiss. 2005 Non-TB Hunter Champion on One Small Step (shown for The Jeannings Family) winning champions not only in hunter and equitation, but also in the jumpers. After having a great success as a junior rider she went on to compete on the A circuit, in such places as: Brownland Farm, Gulf Port, and Kentucky Horses Park. Christie has not only had great success in the show ring, but has also had great success in training young horses. Christie has had several opportunities to take horses off of the track and train them to become quality hunter/jumpers.
When it comes to training up young horses, Christie makes sure that the horses have a good foundation; walk, trot, canter, lengthening and shorting stride, lead changes, and great scope over fences. To help improve the horses jump she takes the horses through different types of exercises or gymnastics depending on the horse. Not every horse is the same which is why she try's different techniques to help improve and accentuate the horses natural abilities. Christie takes great pride in the outcome in all of her horses. Getting each horse to reach its potential is why she started training and enjoys it so much.
Christie also enjoys teaching children and adults with skill levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Wanting her riders to learn confidence, responsibility, respect and patience is the main four goals she sets for her riders. She believes that having confidence in yourself is first and for most the main goal. Being confident will help push you to want and to need to be a better rider. Learning the ins and outs of your horse will help you to be more responsible for the well being of the animal. Being responsible for something that will love you for as long as you have them takes huge responsibility. Christie is willing to take the time to show people good grooming habits and hoof care. Respect for your horse goes both ways. Christie will help to show that when a person shows their horse respect they will in return listen and give respect back. Christie believes showing respect towards your trainer will help you to better understand lessons and will help in the advancement of training. Patience is very important too. Christie says that "Learning to slow yourself down and feel the horses movements will greatly improve you and your horses balance."
Christie's main goal is to help improve riders and horses. Using the techniques she has learned over the the last 12 years from different trainers and personal experiences she believes that she can help you and your horse improve on all levels.
