Ride 5 Hours Per Day
About Us
Virgil and Sheila own and operate Dunham Sport Horses, a 101 acre farm located in beautiful Cattaragus 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 persue his teaching degree. Randolph, New York was his first teaching job and stayed in that school district until he retired 10 years ago. Coaching many chamionship 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 enjoyes 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 passon 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 babys, 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 theraputic 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..
Lynette 
Began riding when she was l0 years old when she stopped to see the horses and meet the dogs so she would not be afraid of them when she rode by on her bike. She has never left. The only thing she did was trade her bike for a love of horses. Beginning at such an early age started with hanging around the barn and getting to know all the in and outs of a horse farm. Lynette is one of the family now. She showed growing up in the 4-H club ,Host Circut, Expressway Hunter Jumper Circut. Her love of Dressage took her to the New York State 4-H championship winner. Attending many clinics in Dressage she still loves to train all the horses in the basic Dressage movements. Lynette is one of our instructors and is also a 4-H leader of the Elm Valley Riders.
Lynette graduated Valedictorian of her high school class, she has her nursing degree, a Teaching degree in Biology in Secondary Education and is persuing a Masters Degree in Special Education. Lynette will receive her Masters Degree in May of 2009. A mother of three children ages 12,4,2. She is currently teaching Biology in a BOCE program . Lessons and riding her horses and helping with the training of the young horses keep her very busy. If you check out our blog you will see all three of the children on horses. Courtney was a real pleasure to watch last year as she jumped her pony GEN-U-Winn Treasure at the Jumper Circut ,4-H Shows and at the New York State 4-H Horse show in Syracuse, in August 2007. Courtney was the 2008 Reserve Champion in Puddle Jumpers. This year she will be riding a new pony named Sweetie and Top Hat and Tails that is a young TB horse.
Lynette helps with the Clinics and the organization of the Summer Camp program as a instructor and a mentor to the young children and adults. As a young mother it was her idea to start the Riding Program for Mothers and Adults so that they could have a quiet time by themselves and their special friends("THE HORSES "). It has been a great success and will be expanded more in the spring.
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 orginated 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