Hazelwild Farm Educational Foundation: A Legacy of Learning and Growth
Hazelwild Farm Educational Foundation has been a cornerstone of the Fredericksburg, Virginia area, providing diverse educational program experiences for nearly 70 years. Nestled within a sprawling 500-acre facility, Hazelwild Farm offers a unique blend of academic, physical, and therapeutic programs for children and adults alike. Generations of families have grown up on Hazelwild Farm, with many former students now sending their own children to experience the magic of this special place.
A Multifaceted Educational Institution
Hazelwild Farm Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the academic and physical development of children and adults. This mission is accomplished through a variety of programs:
- Country Day School: Providing a nurturing and engaging learning environment for young children.
- Summer Camp Program: Offering a fun-filled summer experience with opportunities for learning and exploration.
- Community Riding Program: Introducing individuals to the world of horses and horsemanship.
- University of Mary Washington (UMW) Equestrian Program: Partnering with UMW to provide collegiate-level equestrian training.
- Hazelwild Heroes Therapeutic Riding Program: Utilizing the therapeutic benefits of horses to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.
At Hazelwild, children have an opportunity to observe farm life and to learn in an operating horse farm environment. The farm is located in Spotsylvania County Virginia on the six hundred acre ancestral homestead of Anna Elizabeth Morrison. Miss Morrison was a dairy farmer, public school teacher and coach. She established the Foundation to continue her life-long career of education and care for children. Hazelwild has served the greater Fredericksburg community for more than forty five years as a summer boarding and day camp, pre-school and riding facility. Children who attend today have grandparents and parents who also rode or came to school or camp here.Hazelwild Farm also fosters a safe and inclusive learning environment for children.
Equine Programs: A Central Focus
Equine activities are central to Hazelwild Farm's identity. The facility boasts a full-service equine center with knowledgeable staff ready to welcome visitors. Hazelwild Farm riders also have access to miles of trails through our 500 acre facility. The indoor riding arena has Perma Flex footing, which offers horses a soft, cushioned ride.
Riding Programs
Hazelwild Farm offers a variety of riding programs to suit different ages and skill levels:
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- 1-hour Group Lessons: Students can ride either their own horse or a school horse. (please call for availability & pricing)
Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA)
Hazelwild Farm is actively involved in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), providing opportunities for middle and high school students to compete in equestrian events.
Shows, Clinics, and Special Events
With both a large outdoor and indoor riding arena, Hazelwild Farm is proud to host shows year-round. The farm is always trying to enhance the riders' experiences.
Hazelwild Heroes Therapeutic Riding Program
Hazelwild Farm's Therapeutic Riding Program offers specialized horseback riding lessons for all ages of riders with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities.
The horse's movement has a dynamic effect on the rider's body. The horse stimulates the rider's pelvis and trunk in a manner that closely resembles a human's normal gait. The horse's movement can help with a variety of sensory integration issues. A smooth-gaited, consistently paced horse provides needed input to help a rider establish rhythm. A rough-gaited horse may provide a rider with the stimulation to help organize and integrate sensory input. The success of overcoming fear and anxiety helps a rider realize self-worth and increased self-esteem. The ability to achieve a riding skill also has a positive effect on the rider's self-perception. For some of the youths, the farm and barn environment, the companion animal bonding and the development of new skills are all critical components in the success of the experience. The horse provides the motivation for our riders to learn many new things. Therapeutic riding enables individuals to interact with their peers in a group activity.
Meet the Team
Hazelwild Farm is staffed by a dedicated team of professionals who are passionate about horses and education. The Hazelwild Farm management oversees the care of over 60 horses on a daily basis. Michelle Mardeusz manages the school barn and Teresa Seay manages the boarder barn. The farm prides itself on excellent veterinary care, top-notch farrier service, as well as caring and attentive barn staff.
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Teresa Seay, Equine Director
Teresa has been an integral part of Hazelwild Farm since she first started attending preschool at the farm. She attended Mary Washington College and graduated in 1999. She successfully competed on the school’s IHSA team, qualifying and successfully competing at Nationals.
After graduation, Teresa worked as a barn manager and instructor at Hazelwild, teaching beginners, coaching the interschool team, and preparing riders for shows. From 2009 to 2021 Teresa was the head coach of the UMW IHSA team. During that time she led the team to multiple Regional Championships, many individual Nationals competitors, and a National Champion. She served as the IHSA Region President from 2013 to 2021. In 2021 Teresa became the head coach for the IEA high school and middle school team, in 2022 she became an IEA Region president.
Teresa believes in and fosters the sense of family that Hazelwild Farm was started with and is so well known for today. Her lessons are fun, challenging and confidence building. She has a fun, unique and creative approach to excellence that inspires and an unflappable nature that is calming to all of her students. In 2015, Teresa was awarded the VHSA Sportsmanship award. She is always the first one to lend a helping hand and is truly invested in the success of her students, her clients, and her friends. As the Equine Director, Teresa is responsible for the care of all of the horses at Hazelwild Farm, as well as teaching her appointment lessons, and her lessons and practices for IEA. Teresa is also the owner of Sham (aka Do Your Thing). Sham taught in the program at Hazelwild for many years and was adopted by Teresa when he was ready to retire.
Michelle Mardeusz, Trainer
Michelle Mardeusz began riding horses at the age of four. She continued riding on and off throughout her life and into her high school career. Thanks to the University of Mary Washington, Michelle was introduced to Hazelwild Farm in 2006. In 2008-09, Michelle became a competitive member of the IHSA team until graduating in 2009.
Post-graduation, Michelle continued to ride and competitively horse show at Hazelwild, all while pursuing a career outside of horses. During this time, she assisted in the training of Hazel (one of the few baby horses to be born on the farm at that time). In July 2010, Michelle returned to Hazelwild Farm to work full-time as the office manager. In 2013, she began teaching lessons and became the assistant coach for the University of Mary Washington (UMW) Equestrian Team. She is proud to have helped lead the IHSA team to multiple Regional Championships and many individual National competitors. Today, Michelle is proud to teach appointment lessons for riders of varying ages and experience. She provides a safe, fun and challenging lesson-environment for everyone. During lessons, Michelle likes to drill all levels of riders on the basics to push them and make them stronger. She has an eye for detail and enjoys watching her students become better riders. Michelle is a proud owner of an off-the-track thoroughbred named Arson which she trained to become a competitive show horse. You can find Michelle at horse shows, either with clients or in the role of horse show mom - for her daughter, Leigha who has started her IEA career.
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Kathleen Bonner, Foundation Instructor
Kathleen Bonner has a long history with Hazelwild Farm and the local equestrian community. Kathleen began her riding career at Hillcrest Farms in Virginia Beach. She came to Hazelwild Farm as a college student, riding on the Mary Washington College Riding Team until her graduation in 1987.
Post-graduation, Kathleen maintained her connection with Hazelwild Farm, even renting a room in the big farm house from Aunt Sis, and donating her first horse Sentimental Value (aka "Finny") to MWC & Hazelwild Farm. Kathleen's professional career in the local horse community includes managing & training at farms such as Beauclaire Stables, Lake of the Woods Stable, and Free Lunch Farm. She has also been the horse show manager extraordinaire for many local show series for the last 20 years, including Hazelwild Farm, Quad J Farm, The Inn at Kelly's Ford, and most recently - Whitestone Farm. Kathleen's lessons offer a strong foundation of skills that every equestrian, young & old, need in order to progress in their riding endeavors. Her lessons are fun and informative, and her caring style of teaching instills confidence in all of her students. Kathleen organizes a fun show each spring and fall as an introduction to horse showing for Hazelwild students. When not teaching, Kathleen can be found enjoying her perfect equine child, Pleasant Steps (aka "Snappy").
Connor Oakes, Instructor, Therapeutic Riding Program
Connor Oakes has expressed a passion for horses since she could walk and talk. She grew up riding at Fox Ridge Farm in Smithfield, VA and continued her riding career in the IHSA lesson program at Virginia Tech. Connor graduated from Virginia Tech in 2018 with two degrees; one in Agricultural Business and one in Accounting and Information Systems. Connor is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and works full-time as a bank audit manager for a public accounting firm. When not at the barn, Connor enjoys hobbies such as tractor pulling, mud bogs, raising pigs, and farming hay. Connor has ridden in the lesson program at Hazelwild Farm since 2019 and began volunteering with Hazelwild Farm’s Therapeutic Riding program in 2020. Connor has obtained her Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) credentials through PATH International and began as the Therapeutic Riding Instructor in 2023. The farm’s Therapeutic Riding Program has brought so much joy to Connor’s life. She loves watching the bond the kids form with both the horses and volunteers. She challenges the riders to grow both mentally and physically through a variety of stimulating tasks each lesson. Connor does not currently have her own horse but some of her favorite school horses include Theo, Stych, and Congo.
Supporting Hazelwild Farm
Hazelwild Farm welcomes any and all donations. Whether you would like to help out the preschool, the farm, a specific horse, etc., your support is greatly appreciated!
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