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their
annual vaccinations are scheduled, and she usually treats most of the
horses at the same time, unless an owner chooses otherwise.
A
Birmingham native who grew up loving horses and loving to ride them,
Gingles says she knows how important quality horse care is, and she is
proud of the level of service and opportunities Hidden Hills provides
for its customers.
"Anybody
who comes to interview to board here, they’re going to see the quality
of the care," Gingles said. "This is not a weekend job. It’s
a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week job. You can’t quit at five."
Gingles,
whose home is actually on the Hidden Hills property, said she makes sure
she looks at every horse in the facility every day.
"I
do a barn check at night to make sure all the horses are feeling good
when I leave here," she said. "I lay my eyes on every horse
every day, and I have exceptional help that takes really good care of
these horses."
She
also said it is her and her employees’ passion for what they do that
makes their work so special, and her dedication can be seen in how
equally passionate Gingles is about showing horses and helping her
customers demonstrate their own passions and talents.
And
of course, safety is a big issue at Hidden Hills – all riders are
required to wear helmets; but Gingles said the most important way to
avoid accidents is simply to make smart decisions when riding.
"It’s
a pretty big deal to make that commitment to do something with your
riding ability and your horse," she said. "Our goal is to make
the horse and rider become that perfect unit – to have a relationship
that looks flawless in the ring."
Gingles
said she encourages all of her students to compete, because there is a
place for everyone’s skill level.
Each
year, several shows are held at Hidden Hills, both
association-affiliated and in-house. Three or four are held by the
Alabama Hunter Jumper Association, and about four are schooling shows
that allow the local riders and those who board at Hidden Hills to come
together and show off what they have learned. The facility also offers
summer camps and professional clinics.
Gingles
still competes in both regional and national U.S. Equestrian Federation
shows. Just about three years ago, Gingles received a Champion Trainer
Trophy from the Alabama Hunter Jumper Association. That year, her
students won more awards than students from any other trainer.
"I’ve
always loved horses – ever since I was born," said Gingles, who
has competed in horse shows for years. "I wanted to get into the
hunter/jumper world and start riding and competing on that level."
Even
after attending Southern Union in Opelika and intending to transfer on
to Auburn, a life in the horse industry was too tempting to give up or
postpone. It was only after a few years of being a trainer and managing
a barn in the area that Gingles was contacted by Hartman to run Hidden
Hills.
"It’s
just something I’m passionate about," Gingles said. "If I
can be doing what I love to do for a living, then why not? I never get
enough of it."
Hidden
Hills is located on Lee Road 677, and can be reached at (334) 466-8024.
Gingles said a Web site is also in the works. |
