About us
About Rosewood Farm
Located in Mebane, NC (just off I-85) on 45 acres of rolling pastures with a pond, Rosewood Farm strives to create a well-balanced equestrian both on and off the horse by providing riding and non-riding learning opportunities.
Lessons not only focus on riding technique, but also emphasize proper care for horses and equipment as well as safety on and off the horse.
There are a number of school horses and ponies with varied personalities and habits to provide students with a well-rounded riding experience helping to challenge riders to improve their skills.
Rosewood Farm offers weekly beginner through intermediate child (and adult) level huntseat riding private, semi-private and group lessons.
During summer break, school age kids can take advantage of week-long summer camp sessions that allow them to spend more time around the horses and focus on a camp specific activity.
Rosewood Farm sponsors a 4H club that meets regularly in the barn where the kids are exposed to different aspects of horses through field trips to various local equestrian events (i.e., the Grand Prix), other local shows and activities like visiting a miniature horse farm. The club also encourages members to be more aware of opportunities to give back to the community through service projects (like collecting used bedding & supplies for the local animal shelter and making holiday cards for people in nursing homes.)
About the owner, Liz Grossnickle
I have been in the Triangle area most of my life. I grew up in Chapel Hill riding at White Oak Stables on Old Chapel Hill Rd. until Bill Gosling moved to Lochill Farm and then I rode there. I quit riding as a teen, as many teens do but before that I delivered papers (sometimes on my pony) in order to support my riding habit. I hung out after school at the local vet just to see the animals that would come in. I brought countless animals home and often got sent right back with them.
I worked as the Director of Rape Crisis of Durham and during that time I found my way back to horses. They were my saviours when things got rough at the Center. I always knew I could count on them to be there and listen to me, no matter how sad or upsetting my stories were. After 10 years at the Center I totally burned out and decided to finish up a degree so I went to school at NCCU full time and realized I could no longer deal with the hurt and trauma of humans so I put my energies into the horse world instead.
I am an ARIA certified instructor and primarilyteach huntseat riding to beginners through intermediate level kids, although I have some adult students as well.
I now own and operate Rosewood Farm. My farm is located just off I-85 in Mebane on 45 acres.
I have 3 grown children. My oldest son is living in Colorado and my daughter is in Honolulu. My youngest son, the rider in the family, lives nearby and when his schedule permits he enjoys riding and working with the horses and ponies on the farm.
Nick Stewart - Trainer
Nick Stewart is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable horseman with an extensive background in the hunter and jumper show rings. Having grown up as a working student and then as the main rider for his family's horse farm, every aspect of horse care and riding has been a part of his daily life for over 20 years.
He has been lucky enough to train under Ginny Rollins (Duke University Equestrian Team Coach), Andrzes Kurowski (Polish 3 day Olympian), Beverly Burnett and Mike Henneghan. He has ridden horses of all levels from breaking a baby to working Grand Prix level jumpers.
Nick has also had the opportunity of working closely with world renowned course designers and judges such as Anthony D'Ambrosio, Manuel Esparza, Matt Collins and many more in the USEF hunter, jumper, equitation show setting.
These experiences have allowed for Nick to create a unique and comprehensive training style. He believes in a well rounded approach, including time in the saddle himself in addition to lessons from the ground. With a focus on equitation and effective use of the aids, he guides his students to understand how these two things come together to achieve their competitive goals.
Nick aspires to expand his experience within the horse show setting by adding judging to his impressive resume of titles. This year, he will aid in coaching the Elon University Equestrian Team (out of Rosewood Farm in Mebane NC) and is very excited about the development of his professional riding and coaching career.