Training and Showing
Ellie Rinehart Troutman:
Ellie Troutman has always known horses. She comes from a family of horse lovers and trainers. In Chicago, where she grew up, her father was the broodmare manager for Fern Wood Farm and also trained Circus Horses for Barnum and Bailey Circus. Her mother was an established Hunter Jumper and ran an equestrian academy. But her roots in horses are deeper than that. Ellie's brother, JT Keller, is a National Champion Arabian Horse Trainer and her uncle, Larry Bacon is a hall of fame Hackney Horse Trainer in Versailles. So there was no doubt that she would grow up to love and train horses as well.
For 20 years, Ellie has been a professional Arabian and Half Arabian horse trainer. Specializing in Western or Stock type classes like reining, trail and pleasure. She does it all from saddleseat to hunter under saddle. A few years ago she moved to Windy Meadow Farm in LaGrange, Kentucky after marrying her husband Randy Troutman.
Randy bought Windy Meadows 15 years ago. Originally built as a World Class Arabian Breeding facility ( a division of Lasma Farms) to breed Russian Arabians, in recent years it has been a boarding and lesson facility. The Troutmans have worked hard to bring it back the national level barn it had been known for.
Windy Meadows raises Purebred and Half-Arabians. We cross well-bred, athletic, correct and sensible Paint & Quarter horses with the very best Arabians; thus producing an amazing athelete, beautiful and very workable in a wide variety of colors ranging from Palominos, Paints, Gruella's, Buckskins and more.
Windy Meadows and the Troutman's have seen their share of success in the show ring. In 2008 their daughter, Tayler Rinehart and Eighteen Carats, were the Reserve National Champions in the Western Division of the US Youth Nationals in Albuquerque NM. More then 10 US National Titles have been won by Windy Meadows horses & riders. In 2009, Tayler & Mastercraft's Guess Who won the road pony under saddle class at the World Championships. 2010 looks to be another great year in the show ring.
When asked why, with her varied background in horses, she chose Arabians, Ellie said, "the versatility of the horse. Arabians are by far the most versatile breed. They race, show western, hunt seat, drive, halter, showmanship, horsemanship, saddleseat, equitation, endurance; as well as trail ride. They are capable of doing anything you ask and will try their best to accomplish what you want."
Windy Meadows is also home to Ellingsworth Ridge, Inc. a 501C3 foundation for children who can't afford to ride or show. "We don't turn anyone away," says Ellie. "If a child wants to ride a horse, they can."