three generations of horsemen

Born in the saddle.

Lark René Henry, daughter of Woodrow and Louise Henry, is hard at work as the Manager/Trainer of Bobbin Hollow. In addition, she also instructs the riders for the Bobbin Hollow Show Team. At the helm of Bobbin Hollow, Lark is recognized for her talent in selecting, developing and training young horses. She enjoys sharing her wealth of experience by working one-on-one with students in and out of the arena, advising them with their goals and planning for the future. Competing on the local, national and world level, Bobbin Hollow riders and drivers are recognized for their high level of skills and savvy ringmanship, which is shown confidently in their many awards and accomplishments.

Lark René Henry – Manager/Trainer & Show Team Instructor

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People’s Choice Instructor of the Year | UPHA Chapter 16 Person of the Year

Lark continued her development through the years by closely working under the direction of her aunt, Marsha Shepard, aka Marsha d’Arriaga, world reknown as the tailor to the stars of the show ring, as well as a formidable judge and horsewoman herself; her mother Louise, daughter of Orcland Farm fountainheads Lyman and Ruth Orcutt, who instilled teaching with patience; and her father, the cornerstone of her education as the trainer and developer of world class show horses.

A third generation horsewoman, Lark began riding even before she was born, as her mother was still showing horses during her pregnancy. She is also the a cousin of the late Bob Orcutt, a legend in the world of Morgan Horse under the moniker of Burkland prefixed horses. While her mother, Louise, and her Aunt Marsha were strong influences for Lark’s instruction abilities, it was her father Woody Henry Jr. who has been her training mentor. A protegé of the great Saddlebred trainers Frank Bradshaw and Bill Rowan, Woody is a lifelong horseman who has been a respected large “R” judge and trainer and has encouraged his daughter throughout her life. His abilities both as a trainer and a farrier have provided her with a solid foundation of knowledge from the ground up and his continued involvement in the BHEC training program insures the tricolors will keep coming every year.

Lark is not only appreciated by her clients, but her peers as well as spectators of the sport have recognized her abilities as well. In 2006, she received the People’s Choice Equitation Instructor of the Year award. In 2014, the United Professional Horsemen’s Association recognized her as the UPHA Chapter 16 Horse Person of the Year. She also serves as the Treasurer for UPHA Chapter 16 in Florida.

Just a few of the champion riders and horses guided by Lark’s tutelage include CH Undulata’s Satchmo, HVK Noble Flame, HVK Primary Lights, Boxford’s Tia Maria, RJH No Doubt, Celebrity Marquee, Tara’s War Dance, True Gold, RWC Champion Tia Margarita, CH-EQ Coco Mojo and many others.

Woodrow W. Henry II – Owner/Trainer

The American Saddlebred Match Point and Woody Henry

Woodrow W. Henry II, owner of Bobbin Hollow, started riding hunter/jumpers as a young boy, but after riding his first hackney, Woody was then hooked on the power, animation and impulsion. He is now a renown trainer with a lifetime of experience making world champion Morgan and Saddlebred horses. He also held his “R” judges card for over 25 years. He is the protégé of legendary trainers Frank Bradshaw and Bill Rowan. Some of his most memorable horses and Freedom Hall winners were Tiger Lil, Flamenco, Chasing Rainbows, Smart Appearance, Match Point, All American Ragtime, Champagne Party, Sassy Stepper, Private Eyes, Tatiana and many others. A few of his Morgan favorites were Riverview Don, Oakwood’s Dobb, Figure’s Gaity, HVK Constantinoble, HVK Primary Light, Fox Ridge Command, Bobbin Hollow Reagan, Bobbin Hollow Corinne, Bobbin Hollow Reata, Whirlwind Hondo, Roman Prince Rainier, ER Best of Life, HVK Noble Flame and many more.

“Woody” is known for his vivacity and deep knowledge of horses. He enjoys working with young horses and watching them progress. He has a gift to bring out the very best that an equine athlete has to offer. While he no longer is “hands on” in the training routine, he is there offering support and advice (and welcome criticism) most days we are in the barn. Our horses are all better for his participation!

Jason Gray

Jason is a lifelong horseman from a family of versatile horsemen and women. His father, Wayne Gray, was a Thoroughbred trainer and he worked with him for most of his life. His mother, Betty Gray, focused more on Morgans and the show ring, training and developing champions in many disciplines and recruiting Jason at every opportunity. Jason has won World titles on Morgans in hand, driving and hunter pleasure.

At 26 years old, Jason took a hiatus from the Morgans to concentrate on breaking and training race horses and kept a string of horses at the Ocala Jockey Club for over 15 years. We are happy to have him on Team Bobbin Hollow and consider him an integral part of our very busy and multi-directional training staff.

Stephanie Burchette, Breeding Operations Manager

Stephanie was raised in Central Michigan on a Quarter Horse breeding farm, where her family had the honor of breeding a World Champion Western Pleasure horse, along with several other very successful horses. She competed locally and nationally on the Quarter Horse circuits while growing up, where she proudly earned several state titles in Halter and All-Around Performance classes with several World Championship qualifications. She was very active in her local 4-H clubs and served one year on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Quarter Horse Youth Association.

Stephanie studied Business Management at Central Michigan University. After holding several management positions in the hospitality and retail sectors, she was most recently employed as Veterinary Practice Manager for Russell Equine Sports Medicine. She currently owns five retired Thoroughbred horses. She began her breeding program in 2016 and is expecting two Thoroughbred foals in March of 2020.

In addition to her broodmare duties, Stephanie will be available in the office to help with all client needs and requests. She also looks forward to assisting to coordinate our ever-growing lesson program and implementation of the Time To Ride program that BHEC was recently approved for through the American Horse Council. Additionally, you will see her in the barn getting to know our training horses and clients alike, and filling in wherever extra help is needed.

BHEC is very excited for our prominent return to the breeding sector of years past. There is no better place than beautiful Ocala, Florida for breeding, foaling, raising and training new stock. We are expecting a handful of Saddlebred and Morgan foals to arrive in 2020, and look forward to the future of having broodmares covering our 90-acre premier equine property in the Horse Capital of the World. BHEC is confident in our reproductive partnerships with Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital and our very own, Dr. Hambleton, in keeping healthy and happy mares and foals for years to come; and continuing the success that has spanned through almost 60 years and three generations of horse lovers and professionals.

Louise D. Henry – Owner/Head Instructor

Louise D. Henry offers a lifetime of experience training and showing all over the United States competing on the “A” circuit, Grand National and Worlds Championship Horse Show and the original National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. She is the daughter of late Lyman and Ruth Orcutt of Orcland Farms. Louise competed in the pony hunters at an early age, then went on to compete in 3-Day Eventing competitions with her Morgan horse, Johnny Appleseed. She has extensive experience which crosses over into every discipline. Louise is Bobbin Hollow’s head instructor, offering lessons in all English disciplines. She has a unique ability to structure a lesson program around a rider’s personality and skill level.

Louise with Johnny Appleseed

She maintains an immense amount of patience for all personalities. When she has time to slip away from her busy lessons, she is often seen assisting with the young show horses and occasionally breaking young one to this day.

Wilman Garcia – Assistant

Wilman Garcia is not just a caretaker, but part of the family. He has been with us from the start and is an integral part of Team Bobbin Hollow. He plays many roles from being a caretaker, to shoeing a horse, to Assistant Trainer. Wilman travels to all the shows and assists horses owners with various needs.

Mr. & Mrs. Woodrow W. Henry Sr., pictured being inducted into the American Morgan Horse Association Hall of Fame.

Woody’s father and Lark’s grandfather, Woodrow Henry Sr., and his wife Vivian, began Bobbin Hollow Farm in Amherst, Massachusetts when their children Woody and Marsha were 6 and 10 years old, respectively. The 370-acre farm with a 100-stall barn was one of the larger Morgan and Saddlebred breeding operations in the Northeast. Vivian Henry’s Camp Bobbin Hollow attracted students from all over the world and nurtured many of today’s best known professional trainers and instructors. Woody and Vivian were inducted into the Morgan Hall of Fame in 2007 and are fondly remembered by many.

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