About Us and Program Gallery

---

MZ Farms focuses on the development and training of young horses through the collaboration of our training partners, Cherry Hill Farm and Chestnut Hills.  Located in Vista, California, MZ Farms provides lease horses and ponies for riders starting in walk-trot through the Junior Hunters.  MZ Farms gives back to the community by supporting education-oriented programs like the Interscholastic Equestrian Association and Metropolitan Equestrian because they equitably provide access to horses for all riders, even those who cannot afford their own horse or tack, because horses should be enjoyed by everyone.

Our interest and involvement in horses began when Cathy started taking riding lessons back in the 80's as a teenager. Although back then her family could not financially or logistically afford a horse, she was blessed with amazing neighbors who shared their horses and offered lessons when she was able to join them at their barn. Cathy recognizes and thanks Howard, Shirley, and Susan Williams and their friends from Sycamore Trails Stables in San Juan Capistrano for her love and enjoyment of horses.  

Much later in life, mostly out of necessity, Steve and Cathy's daughter Lily Lillian Muzzy Equestrian began taking lessons at an equestrian summer camp that provided both access to beautiful horses and full-day camp care while they worked. What started as a summer camp soon blossomed into a passionate hobby for both Cathy and Lily. Lily rode and learned about horses through US Pony Club and her trainers, while Cathy put her doctorate degree in education to work, studying and learning everything she could about horses through books, podcasts, friends, magazines, and hands-on grooming and handling.   She credits Dr. Piper Klemm, owner and publisher of The Plaid Horse magazine and the Plaidcast podcasts for bolstering her education and providing excellent content. 

In June 2019, Cathy retired from her career in Catholic education and together Steve, Cathy, and Lily focused on building MZ Farms. The pandemic allowed Cathy and Lily to devote their days to the full-time care of their horses and ponies and the MZ herd grew in size and quality.  Read about how they spend their days here:  Stall ‘in Time: Life Off the Clock - The Plaid Horse Magazine.  Currently Steve, Cathy, and Lily also operate MZ Equestrian , a 70-horse boarding facility at their Glenview Vista Ranch in Vista, California. 

We at MZ Farms whole-heartedly believe that horses can change the world for the better! By providing riders with access to exercise, companionship, responsibility, and comradery, horses help to support both physical and mental wellness. We are committed to the education and development of young riders.  Therefore, MZ Farms focuses on providing amazing mounts for local Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) programs and lease horses and ponies for riders starting in walk-trot through Children’s Hunters.  We also financially support education-oriented programs like the  Home - Interscholastic Equestrian Association (rideiea.org)  and  Metropolitan Equestrian because they equitably provide access to horses for all children, even those who cannot afford their own horse or tack.  MZ Farms also supports educational programs that blend riding with horsemanship and stable management including the MZ Farms/USHJA Emerging Athletes Program Emerging Athletes Program | The USHJA - United States Hunter Jumper Association.  Cathy proudly serves as a Member-at-Large on the Board of Directors of the Interscholastic Equestrian Association. 

MZ Farms also focuses on the development and training of young horses through the collaboration of our training partners, Shayne and Skylar Wireman, at Chestnut Hills Equestrian Center in Bonsall, California.  The Wireman family's expertise and passion for horses have helped members of our herd become nationally recognized by the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).  We also partner with Trainer Jamie Lund of Cherry Hill Farm for training at our home facility and Jason and Susan McArdle, McArdle Equestrian for training at horse shows and competitions. 

We love our horses! We care for them as members of our family - because they are! We partner with amazing professionals including Dr. Joleen Elston, DVM, Susanne Holenstein Farrier, Greg Aguilar Farrier, Dr. Adrienne Moore, Dr. Corinne Selders, DVM for holistic care and chiropractic adjustments, Jett Martin Equine Spa, Hayley Russo of Tough Tails Equine Massage, Abby Jackson of Purina, and Med-Vet Pharmaceuticals for wonderful supplements (MVP 6-Way Exceed).  Our horses receive regular veterinary care, dental care, chiropractic care, equine massage therapy, BEMER therapy, hydro spa therapy, high quality feed and supplements, exercise, training, and LOTS and LOTS of love!