ABOUT US

Our Farm

Crow Hop Farm was established in 2017. After eight years of patient planning and hard work, we were excited to finish the barn and paddocks and bring horses home in fall of 2025. It was thoughtfully designed to be a safe, comfortable, and educational space for both horses and students. The barn includes seven stalls, a large heated and air-conditioned tack and grain room, outdoor wash stall, and a grooming bay that allows students to learn in a safe, structured environment.

Outside, we have six turnout paddocks, a round pen, and a large regulation-size outdoor dressage arena. We are hoping to cover the round pen in the future to provide an indoor space for winter lessons and activities. Our setup supports not only riding lessons, but also hands-on learning off the horse, educational events, and other opportunities for students and members of our equestrian community.

OUR FAMILY

Paul & Kathy Jolin

Owners

Gabrielle Jolin

Barn Manager, Instructor, Horse Powered Reading® Facilitator

Gabby began riding at age nine and has been immersed in the horse world ever since. She has spent fourteen years at Infinity Farm, starting as a working student at age eleven and growing into/serving roles as a youth instructor, camp organizer, competition secretary, and barn manager. She credits her education and experience at Infinity Farm for laying the foundation for her lesson program at Crow Hop Farm.

Gabby is a TMDS Bronze and Silver Medalist and competed locally through Third Level. She holds a USDF Silver Diploma through USDF University and C-level Horse Management and Dressage certifications from the United States Pony Club, reflecting her strong emphasis on correct basics, horsemanship, and thoughtful rider development. She also serves on the executive board for the Eastern Maine Dressage Association, and has held the roles of Horse Management Instructor for Foxcroft Pony Club and Horse Management Officer for Northeast Region Pony Club.

Allyssia Timberlake Photography

Gabby holds a B.S. in Secondary/Middle Education with a concentration in English Language Arts/English Literature and a minor in Teaching English Language Learners from the University of Maine at Farmington. She is currently an 8th Grade English teacher in Dover-Foxcroft and pursuing a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Nature-Based Education, further informing her holistic, experiential approach to teaching. She is also a certified facilitator of Horse Powered Reading® and owns Leg Up To Literacy Equine-Assisted Learning LLC, through which she provides equine-assisted literacy programming and tutoring to K–12 students in central Maine.

With over ten years of experience teaching youth riding lessons paired with her educational background, Gabby brings an education-based, child-centered approach to her instruction. She designs learning experiences that are age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate, recognizing that young riders grow physically, cognitively, and emotionally at different rates. By adapting instruction to each rider’s learning style and stage of development, she helps students build confidence, independence, and a solid foundation in safe and correct riding and horsemanship.

Allyssia Timberlake Photography

Charlotte Jolin

Charlotte also grew up riding and Pony Clubbing alongside Gabby, and completed a B.S. in Elementary Education at the University of Maine at Farmington. She spent several years at Huntington Farm in Vermont working under Ann Kitchel and Deborah Dean-Smith as their assistant rider and barn manager. After graduating college, she moved to Ocala, Florida to begin a position with Shelly Francis Dressage, where she currently works as her assistant rider, head groom, and barn manager. She is a USDF Silver and Bronze Medalist and currently working on finishing her USDF Gold. We have been rooting Charlotte on from home the last few years, and we are so very proud of everything she has accomplished!

Our Horses

Black background portraits by Allyssia Timberlake Photography

Guinness - "Sixy"

Sixy is a 2000 GOV Oldenburg gelding by Goldfuerst out of a Gambrinus mare, bred, born, and trained at Huntington Farm. He is owned by Charlotte. Charlotte earned her USDF Bronze Medal on Sixy and continued his training through Fourth Level and Prix St. Georges. After stepping down from upper-level competition, Sixy spent several years generously teaching adult amateurs and young riders the fundamentals of dressage. Now fully retired, he is happily enjoying a well-deserved life of leisure.

Thoroughly Mine - "Thor"

Thor is a 2003 American Cream Draft gelding and was the first horse officially to officially join our family. He is owned by Kathy. Slow, steady, patient, and endlessly kind, Thor has safely taught dozens of children how to walk, trot, steer, post, and compete. He provides students with a solid, confidence-building foundation and remains a beloved cornerstone of many riders’ first horse experiences.

Sovereign CHF - "Reign"

Reign is a 2020 Dales Pony x KWPN mare by the Dales Pony stallion Envoy de Kingmaker and out of a Dutch mare. She is owned by Paul. Purchased as a yearling, she spent her 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old years starting under saddle with Charlotte in Ocala. Reign is sweet, smart, and safe, and now that she’s back in Maine, Gabby is excited to begin incorporating her into the lesson program for advanced beginner and intermediate riders.

The Ponies

Happily Ever After - "Happy"

Happy is a 1999 POA mare who joined us from a horse rescue in southern Maine in 2016. She is owned by Kathy. Over the years, she was leased by teenagers and competed in dressage and low-level eventing. More recently, Happy has stepped into her most important role as our resident lead-line pony. She is incredibly gentle and dependable for our tiniest riders and can occasionally be spotted dressed up as a unicorn for birthday rides.

Josephine - "Josie"

Josie is a 2011 Welsh Pony cross mare who has traveled up and down the East Coast as far as Wellington before eventually making her way to Maine. She is owned by Gabby. Sweet and sensitive, Josie is a favorite among our intermediate riders. She is currently leased by an 11-year-old rider and is helping her learn the ropes of lower-level dressage, eventing, and hunter/jumpers.

Theodore - "Teddy"

Teddy is a 2009 Haflinger/Appaloosa gelding with a heart of gold owned by the Tipping family. Gabby met him at a local horse show and immediately fell in love, so when the opportunity arose to lease him, it was an easy yes. With extensive experience in lesson programs and competitions throughout Maine, Teddy is the ultimate babysitter. He’s the perfect pony for learning to trot and canter off the lunge line and confidently tackle ground poles.

The Minis

Little King's Dun Up Buck - "Eddie"

Eddie is a 2005 miniature gelding who spent his younger years competing in AMHA shows across the country. He is owned by Kathy. A perfect gentleman, Eddie enjoys participating in unmounted horse management lessons and Horse Powered Reading sessions, where his calm and friendly nature truly shines.

"Tommy"

Tommy is a 2018 miniature donkey. He is owned by Kathy. Silly, sassy, and incredibly sweet, Tommy brings lots of personality to the farm. He enjoys being part of Horse Powered Reading sessions and especially loves being read to by children.

"Walter"

Walter is a 2015 miniature gelding. He is owned by Kathy. With both riding and driving experience, he is a wonderful and safe lead-line mount for our littlest riders. Walter also excels as a Horse Powered Reading pony and is loved for his steady, trustworthy demeanor.

The Florida Crew

"Landon"

Landon is a 2014 GOV Oldenburg gelding by L’Andiamo out of a Rampal mare. He was born at Cornell University and started at Huntington Farm. He is Gabby's personal horse, and currently lives in Ocala, FL with Charlotte to progress in his training.

AnnaLenna - "Squealie"

Squealie is a 2006 GOV Oldenburg mare by L’Andiamo out of a Goldfuerst mare who was bred and born at Huntington Farm. She is owned by Charlotte, who has trained and shown her through Medium Tour.

In Memory Of

Edgar Allen Pony - "Poe"

Poe was a miniature pony owned by Kathy who joined us in 2020 when he was already in his mid-20s. He quickly became Eddie’s best friend and a cherished member of the farm. Sadly, after some debilitating laminitis flares, Poe was laid to rest in 2021.

Fürst Fievel - "Fievel"

Fievel was a 1997 Hanoverian gelding registered with the American Warmblood Society and Gabby’s first horse. She competed him through Third Level during her teenage years. Retiring from riding at age 22 due to health issues, Fievel spent his later years helping with horse management lessons and enjoying a peaceful retirement. He was laid to rest in the fall of 2021.

Blue Moon - "Blue"

Blue was a 1997 Lusitano gelding purchased from a kill pen in Washington State in 2016 by Kathy and brought to Maine with an unknown history. He was a wise old soul and valued member of the family. He was laid to rest in the fall of 2023.

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