About Us
Virgil and Sheila own and operate Dunham Sport Horses, a 101 acre farm located in beautiful Cattaraugus County in Southwestern New York State. We are a full service show barn. Raising babies is one of the many joys that is enjoyed by everyone at the barn. We stand a wonderful thoroughbred Stallion and have several of his get, ready to enter the show ring on a limited basis this year. We also sell, train horses, give lessons and do camps all year around. One of the new programs this year is the ladies night . This gives the ladies a night in the barn without children and a chance to learn and play with the horses. This spring we will expand this to a time to relax in the whirlpool and a swim in the pool after a lesson if you wish. The camp program we offer is year around. We also do birthday parties, breakfast rides, reunions for families. If you have something you would like to do and it involves horses give us a call and we will help you or find someone that can. 716-938-6279 
Virgil
Was born in Westfield, New York and raised in Lorain,Ohio. As a teenager he moved to Wyoming county with his family, graduated from Letchworth High School, married Sheila and went to Roberts Wesleyan College to pursue his teaching degree. Randolph, New York was his first teaching job and stayed in that school district until he retired 15 years ago. Coaching many championship teams of both boys and girls on the local and State level.
Moving to the farm in Napoli in the 70's to raise our 3 children it did not take long before horses to became a major part of their family's life. A 4-H club soon became part of the childrens life with all types of animals. Showing horses became part of their life at an early age.
Training the young horses is one of the jobs that Virgil enjoys the most. Some of our advanced students assist in the training of the young horses. We do a lot of round penning and ground driving before riding . With a teaching degree and a masters degree in education all the lessons and sessions are planned ahead of time but sometimes you can not stick to the plan but what needs to be accomplished always takes presidence. Virgil is a born teacher and has a unique way of dealing with a difficult situation or a student that is having a special problem with a horse. Never say "I can't" only "I'll try " is the correct answer.
Retirement has been very good. You never retire you just change jobs. Working with the horses is a very rewarding. We really like seeing the young horses advance and enjoy their job. I love working with the Hackney horses and ponies both riding and driving them. We look forward to seeing you all this summer.
Sheila
Was born in Allegany, New York grew up on a large dairy farm. My brother had a horse farm not far away and every chance that I could I would go to his farm and ride the horses. My father taught me how to hitch and drive horses which I still enjoy doing today. Riding horse is still a passion that I enjoy. Teaching children and adults to develop a relationship with these beautiful animal is what I enjoy the most. Imprinting the babies when they are born is a wonderful thing that everyone on the farm usually takes part in. As the horses mature it is great to see what you did with them as babyies, pays off as they mature. We are looking forward to the new horses that are ready to be added to the program this year.
Horse Camp is wonderful experience that we can give the children that will stay with them into their adult life. As former therapeutic foster parents we have learned unique ways to deal with children and build their confidence. Both Virgil and Sheila have their CDL drivers licenses . The best thing in life is to be able to spend time with your family and friends and doing something you enjoy. RIDE HORSES.
Cooking is a special talent that is enjoyed by both Virgil and Sheila. You will never go away hungry. Homemade cookies, pies and all kind of wonderful deserts are a must. Of course ICE CREAM is a wonderful thing for all times..and it goes with everything. Early morning,late night and anything in between.
Kristen
We want to welcome our daughter Kristen back home to work with the horses. Kristen has been in the Columbus Ohio area since finishing her Masters Degree work at the University of Kentucky. Ever since she had gone away to college she always missed working with the horses and students. In under grad school she took her favorite Horse with her to Ashland College. Upon graduation from Ashland Kris continued her education in Kentucky at UK but still never gave up on her love of horses. She volunteered to clean stalls or watched farms as the owners got away for a few days or were off to a show on the week-ends. Every Summer Kristen would come home and work with the students doing a drill team at the Cattaragus Co Fair in Little Valley. She chose the music and designed the costume along with her mother and also helped with the sewing of the costumes.
Kristen showed horses growing up in every discipline English,Western, Games and Dressage. She also showed in the Driving ring. Kristen studied jumping in Canada under the watchful eye of Corkey Panarasi in London, Ontario.
Kristen is looking forward to renewing her CHA certification and doing clinics on the farm.
She is looking forward to teaching and training youngsters and horses alike.
We are so Happy to have our Daughter join Dunham Sport Horse and move forward in many new adventures.
Erin
Was raised in Ontario,Canada and began riding at the age of 12. A good friend of hers had a horse and invited her to come and ride. Her love of horses has never waivered since that first ride. Erin noticed a lot of horses at our farm and a lot of traffic in and out and stopped to see if we gave lessons and needed any help. This led to Erin becoming Virgil's helper in anything that we need help with. With her knowledge of computers she has also been a great help for Sheila keeping up with the office work. Erin is also a wonderful cook a skill that she learned from her Grandmother and Mother. She will bring many of the dishes she learned to prepare that originated in Europe to the Camp table this Summer. Virgil, Sheila and Erin will do the major part of the cooking for the Camps this Summer.
Erin is our barn manager and if you are looking for her quite often you will find her cleaning stalls ,grooming a horse or riding the love of her life a Trakehner mare named Impressive. They make a real nice couple and are working on getting to be ready to enter the show ring this Summer in Dressage or with the Hunters.
Come and Ride with and enjoy your summer at DSH
Take a look at the web and come and join us for 5 hours a day of horseback riding and fun.
5334 Allegany Road(co rd l0)
Little Valley New York
716-938-6279