Silverthorn Farm is located at 665 Jefferson River Road in Athens, Georgia, just minutes away from the UGA campus and downtown. The farm has over one hundred acres of rolling pastures and wooded areas complete with a pond and pecan and fruit orchards. Landscaping and folk art surround the structure that is a haven for horses and horse lovers alike. The original barn structure was a dairy and is well over 100 years old. It is now the home of the UGA IHSA Equestrian Team and the teaching and training business of Ginny Smith.

Our Instructors:

Ginny Smith - I have been riding since I was old enough to walk and have been a professional in the industry for nearly 13 years, running Silverthorn farm for six years. I graduated from the University of Georgia with a BS in Agriculture (with an equine emphasis) and I minored in Agribusiness. While attending UGA, I competed as a member of the Equestrian Team under Kat DeMas and served as the public relations officer for the team. We were ranked nationally and regionally during my tenure. I also competed as a member of the Horse Judging Team for UGA, winning awards for judging in many different disciplines nationally. I have also successfully competed locally, regionally and beyond with my horses and my customer's horses for many years with many year end awards. I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Athens Area Hunter Jumper Association where I also serve as a steward and have directed riding programs for other organizatiosn. I am certified to certify other riding instructors through the CHA and maintain current cards in CPR and First Aid with the Red Cross. My students have been very successful at the local, regional, and national level. I am currently the coach for the UGA IHSA Equestrian Team who finished Reserve Champion in the Region in their first year of competition and won the Region and finished third in the Zone in 2006.

Mendy Ford - Mendy is a 2005 graduate of the Animal and Dairy Science Department at the University of Georgia. While there, she represented the University as a member of the Varsity Equestrian Team, which competes within the NCAA. The team was two time national champions and was undefeated in the Southeastern Conference. Mendy, also a lifelong rider and competitor, is excited to add her strengths to our program as the assistant coach of the team, instructor, and rider.