Jennifer Hoffman , owner / trainer at ACSH , bought her first horse with money she had saved when she was 10 yrs old - but the passion for horses started when she rode a neighbors pony in pre-school. As a teen she was mostly self taught, through books / magazines and took a few years of lessons through Anne Wagners barn and later rode with eventer Dana Bright. Dana taught Jenn how to get a horse on the bit and how to jump safely - by approaching jumps in balance. Jenn made it to the State 4-H Horse Show at Harrisburg twice in Showmanship and once in Hunter Hack ( 8th place ) . Jenn and Charm ( an OTTB - self trained ) won many local hunter and flat championships. Percheron draft horses also became part of her life as she helped show them for the Breese family of Glenville , PA - both in driving and in hand. Jenn was training horses for people in High School as well as giving beginner lessons. She often watched lessons through Pony Club and at Christine Cecils Echodale Farm - learned how to manage a large facility, the basics of breeding and foaling and handling all types of horses.
In 1994 Jenn headed to the University of Findlay to persue a carreer in western ( yes WESTERN ) equestrian studies. She completed a 2 year associates degree, cum laude, and was honored to be asked as a freshman to work for then Sophomore/ Senior instructor Dan Huss. Jenn was assistant trainer for Dan for about 1 year - where she trained mostly QH circuit hunt seat horses, got experience riding and showing reiners and training western pleasure horses. She decided to leave that industry due type of client the industry has and the disposable nature of the horses.
In 1996 Jenn returned home to Spring Grove, pa and worked for Nandi Farm / Dr . John Hurtgen as 1 member of a 3 -way management team. She was a stallion handler, helped foal out mares, deal with sick horses, managed up to 180 horses and showed many of his young horses to placings and wins in hand - most noteably NF Theodore - a black / white leopard son of Wap Spotted - who won the Appaloosa Sport Horse class at Dressage at Devon.
Then in 2001 Jenn started her boarding, training, lesson business under Hoffman Performance Horses at Two Ponds Farm in York ,Pa. When the business relocated she changed the name to honor her old mare who taught her so much - Autumn Charm Sport Horses.
More recently Jenn has decided for her own riding to focus all her efforts in dressage. She has attended at least 6 to 8 Lisa Wilcox clinics, rode with FEI level rider Barbie Ulbrich, cliniced with FEI level rider Ally Rogers, Colleen Kelly , and most recently became a student of JJ Tate. June 2008- cliniced with Judy Westlake, August 2008 cliniced with Gerhart Politz at Goodness Ridge.
Jenns current mounts : Wapsicle - a 1996 Appaloosa /Thoroughbred mare by Wap Spotted ( Jenns owned since she was 6 months old ) . "Poppy" is solid 3rd/ 4th level and is doing half pirouettes in canter and recently started schooling piaffe. Como Park - 1995 Oldenburg mare by For The Future is schooling first/ second levels - although taking a break to be a mom. Jenn acquired her in January 2007. Sandrino - a lovely Hanoverian gelding by Sandro , 16 yr old - owned by Mary Jean Gibbs - Jenn does part of the riding and he is schooling 3rd level. Coromino is a 1997 Oldenburg stallion by Corofino and he was schooling 2nd level, but recently was retired. Maxed Out Credit Card ( max ) owned by Dee Epstein is an 9 yr old QH by Jamaican Jon and Jenn does part of the riding - he is schooling 3rd level.
Upcoming horses - the fantastic homebred Fein By Me ( Feiner Stern x Le Santo ) will be Jenns next big project.
Wapsicle won the Appaloosa Sport Horse class at Dressage at Devon in 1999 with a 70 % ! She also was 2nd of 15 at Md State Fair, 4th of 14 at Upperville Colt and Pony Show and placed 9th in the materiale at D. A. D. as a 4 yr old.
Wapsicle at IEO - photo taken by Annie Duncan
Jenn and her beloved horse, Autumn Charm in 1993. Photo by Toni Mayr.
Jenn and Wapsicle at IEO dressage in 2008 - at 3rd level. Poppy is schooling piaffe ( actually shows good talent for it ! ) and collection is easy for her.
Below- Fein By Me , the homebred filly ( Feiner Stern x Le Santo ) Premium and top foal of her inspection with the GOV.
STUDENTS OF AUTUMN CHARM SPORT HORSES
2008- Student COURTNEY MOHLER ( my only student in 4-H ) and her horse Cassie rose to the top at the District 4-H Horse Show held at Swan Lake in Littlestown Pa. The pair won the English Showmanship and the Equitation Over Fences and was 2nd in the Trail Ponies. Courtney is a very hard worker and I am looking forward to her being successful at the State 4-H Horse Show in October. Student TOYAH NASTANOVICH and her new horse Cal ( Exchange Offer ) won their first Championship in the Novice Horse division at the Over The Hill Show @ Ludwigs Corner ( Sept 08 ) . Students KAYLA GROFT, RACHEL KROHN, and LYDIA PAULOS all did well in their first shows at Columbia and Hunt Cap. Autumn Charm welcomes PATRICIA JACKSON and her horse Clay to our team - as student and boarder. Patty is also showing ACSH lesson horse Dawn O Slew ( aka Lady Bumpernikel ) at IEO Dressage Shows - placing 4th in a large class in Intro. DEE EPSTEIN and her horse Max have been showing at First Level Dressage this year at local shows in the area and are always in the ribbons scoring in the 60s. Student PATTI HANCOCK and her homebred horse Vagabond ( Bug ) have been acheiving personal goals and scored as high as 68 % in Training Level Dressage - 2nd highest score that day of Training level ! Boarder LISA SWALINSKI and her mom Connie had a great outing to the GOV inspection with their youngsters. Their colt Sawyer by Starlight went PREMIUM and is offered for sale. Many other students have attended shows this year as well - and we are proud of all of them . Good Luck for the remainder of 2008 !
AUTUMN CHARMERS send out their sincerest sorrows to Jen Smith on the tragic loss of her Tb mare Love ( April 2008 ) . She was a special horse, taught Jen a lot and will be missed.
2007 - IEO Year End Awards : Jen (Peterson ) Smith and Love were Intro Level Champions . Patti Hancock and Vagabond were 4th in Training Level .
Autumn Charm Team places 3rd at the 2007 Dutch Knob Paper Chase . Well DONE !
2006 IEO Dressage Schooling Shows Series End Winners : from L to R- Trainer Jenn Hoffman, Maxed Out Credit Card / Dee Epstein ( 3rd trng 1/2 ) , Clockwork ( owned by Jen Kuhn ) / Taylar Messner ( 4th trng 1/2 ) , Great Expectations / Catherine Miller ( Champion Trng level ) , Patti Hancock ( Vagabond ) 6th Intro Level.
Student Molly Kuhn on "Cookie Monster " at the age of 6. Molly won the year end Championship in Short Stirrup Hunter for the Hunt Cap Horse Shows in 2005 ( at the age of 10 ) on "Winnie " . June 2006 Molly is the proud owner of her first horse - the gorgeous 6 yr old bay gelding Bobby McGee. Bobby is on OTTB that Molly is retraining - in 2007 he went trail riding, crossed water and LOVES the cross country jumps. Molly can hack him out alone or in company and looks forward to paper chasing him while putting some dressage basics on him at home.
MY FAVORITE PHOTO-Pictured above right on Winnie in the front is Lauryn Messner, back is Molly Kuhn . On the ground are students ( from L to R ) Taylar Messner, Hannah Yost and Abby Kuhn with their winnings at a Hunt Cap Summer Show doing their DIVA look.
FIREFLY - 28 yrs young in 2008 - and pictured here in 2004 ? at Hunt Cap on the outdoor course - her favorite place to be. Toyah Houck Nastanovich up.
Bump ( aka Dawn O Slew ) with Toyah at Spring Valley Park in 2006. Bump is a 20 something OTTB mare and a favorite lesson horse - teaching students how to ride a forward hot mare.
Toyah Nastanovich won the 2005 Series End Reserve Championship Open Hunter ( 3 ft division ) at the Hunt Cap Horse Shows with "FIrefly " - a mare owned by Autumn Charm S. H. She also qualified for the 2005 Series End Hunter Classic at Swan Lake , but was unable to show due to Fireflys injury. Toyah won the Reserve Championship in the 2 ft Field Hunter Division with "Bump " ( real name Dawn O Slew ) at the Fall Field Hunter Trials held by Hunt Cap Horse Shows. Congratulations . April 2006 this pair earned 3rd in the hunter classic at Swan lake. May 2006 they were 3rd of 24 at the Spring Valley Park Starter Trial - ending on their dressage score of 38 ! Congratulations to Toyah on her 2008 purchase of Exchange Offer - a California bred OTTB . Watch for them schooling this summer - he already hacks out alone and is learning the basics. Cal placed at his first show - 4th over fences and 5th in the hack ! ( 2008 ) (above left photo :Toyah on Firefly at South Branch Farm, photo by Gary Knoll, above right and below Toyah and Bump at Spring Valley Park)
Toyah and Cal ( Exchange Offer ) a 2003 OTTB gelding - one of the best minded thoroughbreds I have ever met and quite a nice mover as well ! Toyah searched long and hard to find the " one " for her. They make a great team.
Dawn O Slew- known to Autumn Charmers as " Bump " - 1987 Thoroughbred mare and favorite lesson horse - pictured with student Toyah Houck-Nastanovich at Spring Valley Park . Bump teaches both the basics of correct dressage , and over fences - as well as introduces students to riding a forward sensative type of horse.
A cute shot of Toyah Nastanovich' s horse Cal ( Exchange Offer ) after winning the hack at Hunt Cap.
Abby Kuhn was 2006 Hunt Cap Leadline Reserve Champion for the year and her pal ALEXIS MORGAN was CHAMPION Leadline at HUNT CAP. They rode a variety of horses.
Hannah Yost will be hitting the show circuit in 2008 with her young horse "Picassos Encore " . Above is Hannah and Pic in the Spring Valley Starter Trial. This pair was CHAMPION in the Foxhounds Field Hunter and the Pre Childrens Hunter at the York Country Day School Show May 2006. They were also 2006 Hunt Cap Pre Childrens CHAMPION. Pic spent 2007 recovering from an injury. Pic has returned to Autumn Charm as a lesson horse - already a favorite !
Student Jen Kuhn ( shown below left on her beloved bay tb gelding, Clockwork ) is competing succesfully at Training and First level dressage. She consistantly scores in the 60s. Jen shares her boy with daughter Abby - who is learning to jump on Clock ( Clock has already earned his Sainthood ) udent Jen Kuhn ( shown below left on her beloved bay tb gelding, Clockwork ) is competing succesfully at Training and First level dressage. She consistantly scores in the 60s. Jen shares her boy with daughter Abby - who is learning to jump on Clock ( Clock has already earned his Sainthood )
Dee Epstein and Maxed Out Credit Card ( Max ) have competed and won classes in Training Level Dressage and are schooling first level. Max is a Quarter Horse gelding by Jamaican Jon. The pair has also completed their first Paper Chase ( the Dutch Knob ) in 2005. 2006 Dee / max have earned FIRST place in training level.. ( pictured right competing at Diamond 7 Arena ) Max is schooling 3rd level with Jenn Hoffman - he already has his trot / canter halfpasses, shoulder in , travers and renvers. 2008- Dee scores a 65% at First level - her first time out ! yahoo !
Catherine Miller and Great Expectations are headed to PONY CLUB NATIONALS in july 2007 in dressage ! Catherine won the Musical portion of her Regional Rally and was second in her training level tests. She won a huge Starter Trial this year with Pip and has won several dressage shows scoring in the 70s and high 60s regularly !
Catherine Miller and Great Expectations are headed to PONY CLUB NATIONALS in july 2007 in dressage ! Catherine won the Musical portion of her Regional Rally and was second in her training level tests. She won a huge Starter Trial this year with Pip and has won several dressage shows scoring in the 70s and high 60s regularly !
Georgina Waldman and Monte placed 6th at the Regional PC rally in Dressage in 2007. This pair also represented their PC in dressage at nationals and had very respectable comments. Congratulations ! Their dressage is really coming along - and we are expecting many successes !
Courtney Mohler will be competing her paint mare Taffy in the hunter events or possibly another of her families horses - in hunters, 4-H, paper chases and possibly a starter trial. This pair was 3rd in Hunter Hack Ponies and Hunter Under Saddle Ponies at the State 4-H Horse Show 2006 and they placed 4th in the Junior Hunt Seat Eq. as well. Courtney is learning to use dressage to help her horses balance in the hunters and is riding her older sisters horse Cassie in 2008 .
Jen Peterson and Magic Wish- a 7 yr old Thoroughbred mare purchased at New Holland Auction - competing at IEO dressage and achieving personal goals . "Love " has been a tough project but is showing marked improvement - she is now coming through and calming down . IEO Dressage June 2007 - this pair scored a 71% at INTRO LEVEL ! Love passed on to the BIG PASTURE IN THE SKY in April of 2008.
Student Nikki Warnick and her grey gelding Swift Terms pictured 7/17/08. Nikki is schooling Swift - in jumpers/ eventing.Pictured left schooling over fences.
Student Taylar Messner on Clockwork ( owned by Jen Kuhn ) had many good placings at Training Level Dressage. Clock has already earned his sainthood - and is a wonderful, honest, steady teacher - but still makes you work for it !
Pam Gunnet-Warnick and her Paint mare Painted Bita Bailey placed well at the june Columbia Riding Club show in All Day Western Pleasure classes - bringing home a 3rd of 9 in good company. "Jewel " is a gorgeous sorrel overo who is patient in helping Pam conquer her fears. This pair was CRC western pleasure champion year end for 2006 ! Congrats to Jewel on foaling a palomino in 2008.
BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY - BEING A STUDENT AT ACSH is about REACHING personal goals. Some of my favorite moments :
Patti and Bug ( Vegabond by Consul ) in a 2008 lesson we were working on transitions -w/t, w/halt, etc and when I said walk/ CANTER - Patti looked at me like I was NUTS - but in only 3 tries he did it. Patti has self trained Bug - raising him from a foal. She cantered for the first time at my barn, now trail rides by herself and in company, pops a jump here and there including cross country - but most importantly enjoys each success.
Patti and Bug at IEO Dressage in July 2008.
Ryan rides lesson horse Bump- who is a sensative , older OTTB mare. Ryan would accidentally use too much leg and Bump is very responsive - so she speeds up( so Ryan tends to grab her mouth ) - the day he finally trusted ME and used the half halts I suggested - the mare calmly returned to an even pace. He looked at me and said - those half halts WORK !
Morgan who was afraid to jump b/c all the horses seemed to charge the fences with her- has learned to use half halts to regulate the horses to the fences and has now jumped fences she never thought she would - and WITH CONFIDENCE.
Dee feeling the horses back come up and with her seat - actually feeling it - what an eye opener - and suddenly the transitions, and lateral work all fall in to place.
Toyah riding the outdoor course at Hunt Cap and feeling like she found each fence in balance - and then winning the Masters Award on top of it ! Confidence you can see and feel. Toyah is a real barn cheerleader - She always says YOU LOOK GOOD, YOU FEEL GOOD, YOU RIDE GOOD !
and there are many other personal wins I could share - I have them all in my memory - the daily work is what I enjoy about teaching. Jenn
2006 Jenn and Wapsicle . Photo by Annie Duncan.
2006 Jenn and Wapsicle . Photo by Tina Lepsig.
Wapsicle at IEO - photo taken by Annie Duncan
Jenn and her beloved horse, Autumn Charm in 1993. Photo by Toni Mayr.
Jenn and Wapsicle at IEO dressage in 2008 - at 3rd level. Poppy is schooling piaffe ( actually shows good talent for it ! ) and collection is easy for her. 
2006 IEO Dressage Schooling Shows Series End Winners : from L to R- Trainer Jenn Hoffman, Maxed Out Credit Card / Dee Epstein ( 3rd trng 1/2 ) , Clockwork ( owned by Jen Kuhn ) / Taylar Messner ( 4th trng 1/2 ) , Great Expectations / Catherine Miller ( Champion Trng level ) , Patti Hancock ( Vagabond ) 6th Intro Level. 
MY FAVORITE PHOTO-Pictured above right on Winnie in the front is Lauryn Messner, back is Molly Kuhn . On the ground are students ( from L to R ) Taylar Messner, Hannah Yost and Abby Kuhn with their winnings at a Hunt Cap Summer Show doing their DIVA look. 
FIREFLY - 28 yrs young in 2008 - and pictured here in 2004 ? at Hunt Cap on the outdoor course - her favorite place to be. Toyah Houck Nastanovich up. 
Bump ( aka Dawn O Slew ) with Toyah at Spring Valley Park in 2006. Bump is a 20 something OTTB mare and a favorite lesson horse - teaching students how to ride a forward hot mare. 
Toyah and Cal ( Exchange Offer ) a 2003 OTTB gelding - one of the best minded thoroughbreds I have ever met and quite a nice mover as well ! Toyah searched long and hard to find the " one " for her. They make a great team. 
Dawn O Slew- known to Autumn Charmers as " Bump " - 1987 Thoroughbred mare and favorite lesson horse - pictured with student Toyah Houck-Nastanovich at Spring Valley Park . Bump teaches both the basics of correct dressage , and over fences - as well as introduces students to riding a forward sensative type of horse. 
A cute shot of Toyah Nastanovich' s horse Cal ( Exchange Offer ) after winning the hack at Hunt Cap. 
Hannah Yost will be hitting the show circuit in 2008 with her young horse "Picassos Encore " . Above is Hannah and Pic in the Spring Valley Starter Trial. This pair was CHAMPION in the Foxhounds Field Hunter and the Pre Childrens Hunter at the York Country Day School Show May 2006. They were also 2006 Hunt Cap Pre Childrens CHAMPION. Pic spent 2007 recovering from an injury. Pic has returned to Autumn Charm as a lesson horse - already a favorite ! 
Student Jen Kuhn ( shown below left on her beloved bay tb gelding, Clockwork ) is competing succesfully at Training and First level dressage. She consistantly scores in the 60s. Jen shares her boy with daughter Abby - who is learning to jump on Clock ( Clock has already earned his Sainthood ) udent Jen Kuhn ( shown below left on her beloved bay tb gelding, Clockwork ) is competing succesfully at Training and First level dressage. She consistantly scores in the 60s. Jen shares her boy with daughter Abby - who is learning to jump on Clock ( Clock has already earned his Sainthood ) 
Catherine Miller and Great Expectations are headed to PONY CLUB NATIONALS in july 2007 in dressage ! Catherine won the Musical portion of her Regional Rally and was second in her training level tests. She won a huge Starter Trial this year with Pip and has won several dressage shows scoring in the 70s and high 60s regularly !
Student Nikki Warnick and her grey gelding Swift Terms pictured 7/17/08. Nikki is schooling Swift - in jumpers/ eventing. Pictured left schooling over fences. 
Student Taylar Messner on Clockwork ( owned by Jen Kuhn ) had many good placings at Training Level Dressage. Clock has already earned his sainthood - and is a wonderful, honest, steady teacher - but still makes you work for it !
Patti and Bug at IEO Dressage in July 2008.