top of page
Search
Writer's pictureM4E

Integrity Farm Uses Lockdown Time to Support Others

Riders Start Season with Championships

Kathleen Caya and Primus Rex, owned by Izabelle Quadracci, at the Ledges Sporting Horses Horse Show before the lockdown began.  Photo Andrew Ryback Photography Oconomowoc, WI – April 20, 2020 – Trainers Kathleen Caya and Natalie Hansen of Integrity Farm in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, have been doing their part to support others during the shut down of many business due to the pandemic, which includes the cancellation of equestrian competitions across the country, tentatively until May 3, 2020.  Although Caya has taken a financial hit from closing her training business to the public, she continues to think of others and finds creative ways to support the community. Caya, 38, has been doing business at Integrity Farm for ten years. The farm caters to hunter and jumper riders who train to compete across the country.  During the lockdown, customers have not been allowed to come out to ride their horses, which means there is no lesson income for Caya and Hansen.  Caya has picked up the task of keeping all the horses exercised and in shape so they are ready to compete once the restrictions are lifted. Other sources of income have been cut as well such as horse sales, leases and training at competitions.  “It is what it is,” said Caya. “We want to do our part as responsible citizens until the virus situation slows but we also hope it will end soon. We can’t wait to get back to our regular routine but we are making the best of the lockdown time.” 

All horses are receiving top of the line care during the lockdown. The farm workers have helped to spring clean the facility and keep the horses on their regular routine. Caya includes the clients by sending them photos and videos of their horses, who are wondering where their owners have been. Tyler Brigham has been helping Caya with the extra riding load while Hansen is due to have her second child at the end of the month. Usually, the barn is filled with activity and laughter but is now unusually quiet like many other equestrian businesses. Even though the doors are closed, the expenses keep coming, from feed and bedding for the horses to payroll for the staff needed to care for them. Caya reached out to support the local businesses. When her clients shopped at local businesses, purchased gift cards or made donations to the local food pantry, Caya matched their efforts with free lessons or discounts on board.  She encouraged and rewarded random acts of kindness with gifts sporting the Integrity Farm logo such as hats, shirts and coffee mugs for those who posted the good deeds on her social media. The coffee mugs are even from a local pottery vendor, Stone Pony Pottery.

Caya also started a Lockdown Halter Challenge, similar to the Ice Bucket Challenge, with donations going to the Show Jumping Relief Fund to aid workers and professionals in the equine industry that are out of jobs during this time. The challenge is to jump a horse with only a halter instead of a bridle, with each rider making a video of it with their own twist and posting it on social media. The participants get to challenge another rider, who then also makes a donation to the fund. Her fellow professional friends have joined in on the challenge. “We just wanted to find a way to stay connected with our friends and have a little fun while helping a good cause,” added Caya.  While time away from competitions and clients is difficult, Integrity Farm is doing their part to support others, staying optimistic, and looking forward to the end of the lockdown. Integrity Farm Winter Wins (all photos below by Andrew Ryback Photography - order your photos and gifts now! Integrity Farm clients this counts as supporting local business so get those board credits while you can!) Before the Coronavirus took over everyone's world, Integrity Farm had a great start to the 2020 show season, racking up ribbons and championships with their clients at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Wilmington, Ohio and at Ledges Sporting Horses in Roscoe, Illinois. Listed below are some of the highlights. "Congratulations everyone and stay safe, we will be back at it soon," said Caya.



Riveting owned by Nancy Whitehead and ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  Champion Baby Green Hunter                 Dec. WEC

                  Champion Baby Green Hunter                 Jan. WEC

                  Champion Baby Green Hunter                 Feb. Ledges, WEC


Vida De Roca owned by Melissa Hirt and ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  Champion Performance Hunters 3’3         Dec. WEC


Primus Rex owned by Izabelle Quadracci ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  Reserve Champion 3’ Green Hunters         Dec. WEC

                  Champion 3’ Green Hunters,                       Dec. Ledges

                                    Won Green Hunter Challenge & Incentive

                  Reserve Champion 3’ Green Hunters         Jan. Ledges


Primus Rex ridden by Izabelle Quadracci

                  2nd in M &S Classic, won WIHS Classic     Dec. Ledges


Zorro owned and ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  Res. Champion Performance Hunters 3’6”    Feb. WEC


Just Kidding owned by Sweet Oak Farm and ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  Res. Champion 3’3 Green Hunters,                Jan. WEC

                                    2nd in Green Incentive

                  Won Green Hunter Challenge                         Jan. Ledges

                  Res. Champion Green Hunter                         Feb. Ledges


Mckieran owned by Keri Viehe and ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  Res. Champion USHJA 3’ Hunter                  Jan. WEC

                  Res. Champion Non Thoroughbred Hunter   Jan. Ledges

                  Res. Champion Non Thoroughbred Hunter   Jan. Ledges


Mckieran owned and ridden by Keri Viehe 

                  Won M&S Classic                                       Dec. Ledges

                  Won M&S, WIHS, NAL Classics                 Jan. Ledges

                  Champion Adult Hunter 36 and over          Feb. Ledges


Calvin owned by Mckenna Nagy and ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  Res. Champion Performance Hunter         Jan. Ledges



Calvin ridden by Colleen Nagy 

                  Res. Champion Mod. Adult Hunter             Jan. Ledges



Scirocco ridden by Mckenna Nagy 

                  2nd in Junior Hunter Handy                         Feb. WEC


Reno Runaway owned by Emily Slotwinski – ridden by Callan Slotwinski 

                  Res. Champion Modified Child Hunter and 

                  2nd in Children’s Classic                               Feb. Ledges


Roc A Bye owned by Melissa Hirt and ridden by Madeline Adair

                  Champion Interm. Child Hunter & Equitation   Dec. WEC



Cilke Quality SC owned and ridden by Halle Quadracci

                  Champion High Child Jumper                     Dec. WEC



Ursa Major owned and ridden by Halle Quadracci

                  Res. Champion Low Jr/AO Jumpers           Feb. WEC



Genesee owned and ridden by Mary Grossman

                  Champion Mod Adult Hunter                       Dec. Ledges



Balizo Z owned by Halle Quadracci and ridden by Bella Setzer

                      Res. Champion Puddle Jumper             Dec. Ledges

                  Champion Puddle Jumper                         Jan. Ledges



Zeldenrust Z owned by Natalie Hansen and ridden by Emily Peterson

                  Reserve Champion Puddle Jumper            Jan. Ledges



Tipperary Hill owned and ridden by Izabelle Quadracci

                  1st in Med. Jr/AO Jumpers                         Jan. WEC

                  2nd in Futures Prix                                      Feb . WEC

                  3rd Futures Prix                                          Mar. WEC  



Ensor Van Het Moleneind owned and ridden by Elizabeth Brock

                  Res. Champion High Adult Jumper             Jan. WEC

                  Won High Adult Jumper                               Feb. WEC



Joplin ter Doorn owned by Anna Deubel ridden by Kathleen Caya

                  5th in Futures Prix                                      Mar. WEC

About Integrity Farm

Integrity Farm has two locations in Oconomowoc, one on the north side of town on Mapleton Road and one on the south side of town on Golden Lake Road. Both facilities have large stalls, heated indoor arenas, wash stalls, large outdoor arenas, spacious tack room and lounge areas and ample turnout. Integrity Farm provides lessons, training, boarding, horses for sale and lease, and summer camps. Contact Integrity Farm for more information on their services and facilities. www.ridewithintegrity.com Phone:   Kathleen - (608) 217-4805  Natalie - (414) 698-1934 Email:  kathleencaya@hotmail.com natalie.e.hansen@gmail.com Address:  N87W36615 Mapleton Road, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 1327 Golden Lake Road, Oconomowoc, WI 53066 Like them on Facebook!

Comments


bottom of page