Parks & Recreation

Margaret Bogie and Tom Synder of Ironwood Farm

Margaret Bogie grew up in then rural Fairfax County. She learned horse care and riding as a 4-H-er.  Over the last 45 years Bogie has maintained her passion for horses as a horse owner, breeder, and rider while pursuing a career in management and insurance sectors. She has had many riding lessons and horse show experiences along the way.

Currently, Bogie is preparing a stallion, Ironwood Blitzen, to begin eventing.  This is a challenging competition for both horse and rider, involving dressage, stadium jumping, and cross country jumping. 

Her dedication to the equestrian community includes a Membership Chair for the Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association and organizing breed evaluations for the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry. In addition to her equestrian work Bogie also works as the director of a non-profit educational organization.

Fellow instructor Tom Snyder also grew up in Fairfax County. He learned to ride as an adult through a Fairfax County Parks and Recreation program and found he had a natural talent for riding. He has had over 16 years of experience, clinics and showing. His horse ownership started in 2000 with his first Norwegian Fjord, SF Saska. Synder became so enthusiastic about the breed that he now owns ten of them.

Synder particularly enjoys teaching lead line lessons to young children. He takes pride in the fact that students know how to ride and not simply how to pose on a horse. When not on the farm, Tom works as a statistician.

"We are assisted in our efforts by our son, Alex Snyder, who is an invaluable help with horse tacking and untacking," said Snyder. "He also enjoys introducing other children to our “baby” horses. Alex also serves as Margaret’s navigator when she drives horses."

Synder and Bogie believe that Ironwood Farm is a special place for many reason, but first and foremost is its dedication to Norwegian Fjord horses.

Ironwood Farm was founded in 1998 and currently is the largest Norwegian Fjord farm in Virginia. There are approximately 130 registered Fjords in Virginia and Ironwood Farm is the home to 15 of them. In addition to offering lessons, Ironwood Farm stands Ironwood Blitzen who was born on our farm in 2001.

"We typically have 2 – 4 foals born on the farm each year," commented Synder and Bogie. "We sell young stock and adult Fjords on consignment."

The intructors were also proud to provide a brief history of the Norwegian Fjord ponies and say a few words about their classes offered trough Culpeper Parks and Recreation.

According to the instructors, the Norwegian Fjord Horse is one of the world's oldest and purest breeds. It is believed that the original Fjord Horse migrated to Norway and was domesticated over 4,000 years ago. Herds of wild Fjord Horses existed in Norway after the last ice age. Archaeological excavations at Viking burial sites indicate that the Fjord Horse has been selectively bred for at least 2,000 years.

The charming, gentle disposition of the Fjord Horse is its most outstanding quality. They are hardy, long lived, agile, sure-footed, and willing. They love attention, are "people oriented", and are happiest when they are working. They learn fast and have an amazing ability to retain what they have learned even after long periods of inactivity. Their cool temperament and graceful, balanced gaits both under saddle and in harness, make them the ideal family horse. They are used for schooling horses for the young or inexperienced rider, yet are large and powerful enough for adults to ride and enjoy.

"Our classes are structured for beginner riders of all ages. Norwegian Fjords are a placid, friendly breed that are the size of large ponies. They enjoy working and are tolerant of beginner riders. Our classes expose riders to basic principles and techniques of horsemanship, teach horse safety, and promote having fun with horses," Synder and Bogie added. "We hold two optional student horse shows which allow our students to have a chance to show in a low key environment."

The instructors realize that the opportunities for riding horses are not as abundant in Virginia as in the past.

Lessons for younger children on lead line are particularly scarce. Our program with Culpeper County Parks and Recreation is designed to be high quality and affordable. 

"All you need is a pair of hard soled shoes with heels and a desire to ride. We’ll provide the horse, the tack, the helmet, the instruction and the setting," said Bogie with a smile.

For details on classes offered at Ironwood Farm, click on Programs then select Paws, Hoofs, Feathers, & Fins