Elmstead Farm is a top quality hunter/jumper boarding and training facility located in Plano, Texas. Dedicated to developing horses and riders in a fun and professional atmosphere, Elmstead has been providing the highest level of horse care, riding instruction, and training since 1996.
Owned by Rachel and Britt McCormick, Elmstead offers expert equine management, highly qualified trainers, and tireless dedication to our horses and clients. Our reputation for quality horse care and training has helped establish Elmstead as one of the most successful and recognized hunter/jumper barns in Texas. Please explore our website, visit our Facebook page, and contact us for a tour of our farm or to learn more about our program.
EXPERT TRAINERS
Britt McCormick-
Owner and Head Trainer, Licensed Judge and Course Designer, USHJA Certified Trainer
- Britt has been successfully training horses and riders for over 30 years. He combines decades of professional experience with specialized up-to-date certifications and licenses in multiple domains of the sport. In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Britt is also a USEF licensed course designer, ‘R’ hunter and equitation judge, an AQHA licensed specialized hunter judge, and a USHJA certified trainer.
- Born into a family of equestrians, Britt spent his early years as a professional rider on the U.S. show circuit, studying under top trainers in the industry before opening his own facility in 1989. In addition to his career as a hunter, jumper, and equitation trainer, Britt has also achieved success as a clinician, competition manager, course designer, and judge. READ MORE about Britt’s official training statistics via the USHJA.
- Britt serves on the board of directors and executive committee for the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA)
Stone McCormick-
Assistant Trainer and Rider
Stone is a third generation horseman with two year’s experience in the professional ranks. He is an experienced rider who spent his junior years competing in the pony, hunter, equitation, and jumper divisions as a catch rider and on his own horses. In addition to now working alongside his dad (Britt) as a trainer and professional rider, he is also apprenticing in all aspects of farm management and horse care. Stone also studies Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Dallas.
HORSE CARE and TRAINING
The training and equine management practices at Elmstead prioritize soundness and well-being with the goal that each animal will be healthy, happy, and successful for many years. We work with the owner, rider, vet and farrier to establish goals and create a plan built on a horse’s unique strengths and suitabilities. Challenges are gradually introduced and reinforced so that full potential can be reached with confidence. Each horse’s training and rest schedule varies weekly depending on that individual’s needs throughout the competition year. We closely monitor the mental and physical health of every horse, constantly tweaking our exercise routines to prevent boredom, fatigue or unsoundness. Furthermore, during training weeks at home our jump/gymnastics courses are re-designed daily to promote novelty and challenge for both horse and rider, and to simulate competition level courses set to proper stride and height measurements.
RIDING INSTRUCTION
Riding instruction at Elmstead is based on the equitation and horsemanship principles set forth by former successful Olympic level riders and trainers such as Bertalan de Némethy and William Steinkraus. Here at Elmstead we emphasize correct equitation and a solid foundation of flatwork. The ultimate goal is for each student to become a confident, soft, and independent rider. Our program utilizes private and group lessons, ongoing professional training for the horse, individualized jumping instruction, advanced flatwork, and a thoughtfully planned show schedule.
