Green Creek Miniature Horse Farm will join this years FENCE Holiday Barn Tour on November 28, presented by Morton Buildings and Equine Sponsor, Carolina Storage Solutions.

Relocating from South Florida, Jeff and Connie Brown built their Morton Barn in 2006, while renovating the existing house and mini barn on Hwy. 9 in Green Creek.

The barn is built for 10 stalls, but with changes the Browns made it currently has six stalls, a large tack room, half bath, wash rack and feed room. Adjacent to the Morton barn is a mini barn which was there when the Browns bought the property.

Jeff renovated it to accommodate their boys. It is a guys only no-girls-allowed barn. It holds their 2 stallions, 2 geldings and their two colts born this past spring.

The main barn holds the Browns four miniature mares, a yearling hafflinger, and Connies Hanovarian Dressage Schoolmaster, Wonderland. Dressage and Hunters were Connies background before being smitten by the minis.

Jeff and Connie started with miniature horses in 2002. Connie says miniature horses are a wonderful alternative to larger horses as they are all around easier, and just as competitive.

After acquiring their first mini, they enlisted the help of Linda Kern in South Florida and asked, What do you do with these things? They soon found out by attending miniature horse breed shows where Kern was competing, and even attended the Miniature Horse World Show in Forth Worth, Texas where the best of the best compete.

They observed several types of carriage driving, obstacle, in hand hunter and jumper divisions, halter classes and much more. After that Connie was sold, and purchased her first miniature horse show cart, and the rest is history.

Connie actively competes in miniature horse breed shows as well as carriage shows primarily with our local Carolina Carriage Club, here in the foothills.

Connie especially enjoys doing demonstrations for fundraisers like our local T.R.O.T. program and the Foothills Humane Society.

Jeff is a wonderful horsey husband and is, according to Connie, invaluable with all he helps with and participates in.

The Browns mission is to promote the miniature horse breed as such, breeding for confirmation, beauty, as well as movement.

Miniature horses are a separate breed from ponies which they are often confused with, and when handled correctly have wonderful temperaments for children and adults.

One special horse you will meet at the farm is Sweetwaters Little Fantasy, who recently debuted in Dancing Under The Stars held at FENCE on September 5.

She is AMHA/AMHR registered and is a AMHR national champion for the year 2000 in pleasure driving as well as halter classes. She is 12 years old and is currently being used as a lesson horse for children and adults. Jeff and Connie call her their diva as she loves all the attention.

Other barns on this years self-guided tour include Freer Farm, Silver Moon Ranch, and Follow Your Bliss Farm, also in Green Creek; Bickford Farm in Campobello; Morning Meadow Farm and Barking Fox Farm in Landrum.

Activities along the tour will include a hands-on polo demonstration at Morning Meadow Farm, an equine wellness presentation by Dr. Bibi Freer at her Freer Farm, and lunch at Motlow Creek Gardens, the midway point of the tour.

Proceeds from the 2009 Holiday Barn Tour will benefit FENCEs nature education and outdoor recreation programs.

Tickets may be ordered by calling 828-859-9021; by visiting www.fence.org; or at nearby locations including The Book Shelf and Down To Earth Garden Center in Tryon; The Farm House and The Hay Rack in Landrum; and in Saluda at the Purple Onion.