About Red Oak

Red Oak Farms has been around, under several different names and at many different locations, since around 1987 when I first started showing horses.

Neither of my parents were involved with horses but I managed to beg my way into a pony when I was 5. No lessons, no trainer, just me and my little sorrel pony "Red". As I turned into a teenager the competitive bug bit and I joined my local 4-H horse club. I purchased a couple of young horses (all I could afford) and started competing locally. I learned from my 4-H leader and by reading every book and magazine I could put my hands on. About this time I began giving lessons and working with several of the younger kids in the 4-H club. One thing let to another and I began to do a little training, and started competing at Quarter Horse Breed shows and state level 4-H shows. Students and horses I trained went on to win several championships at the NC State 4-H show and many other local shows. I had several successful years showing in events including Halter, Showmanship, Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Barrels and Poles. I never showed in the huntseat classes although many of my students were huntseat riders.

After I aged out of 4-H, I took a few years off of horse showing to go to college and get a "real" job. I now have an Associates degree in Computer Programming and work at Pitt Community College in the Distance Learning Division. I train instructors that teach Internet courses how to use the necessary software and techniques for online instruction. I also teach several computer classes for Pitt.

I now reside in Greenville with my significant other, Jeff Stocks. Jeff is a long time horse person that has lots of experience with driving horses and breeding horses. Though our opinion of a "good horse" is sometimes different we are both firm believers that in order to enjoy a horse it must be well mannered, easy to get along with and quiet. We've been very fortunate with some of the great foals we've been able to raise and show. We breed the mares, foal them out and work with the babies from day 1. Our goal is to produce foals that are calm, well-mannered, and well-started. I prefer to sell my foals as weanlings, although I have been known to hang on to a few special ones. We're currently focusing on Sport Horse and halter prospects.

Eastern NC was severely affected by flooding following hurricane Floyd back in 1999. We were very fortunate not to have sustained any losses during the flood, many of our neighbors and friends were not so fortunate. The loss of property and livestock, including entire barns of horses, was tremendous. Take a look at my collection of mind-boggling pictures taken in the nearby town of Kinston, NC.

Last Updated 09/17/2006