By Christopher Holland • The Current Contributing Writer
Delia Alvarez-Apollo is an educated and experienced equestrian with more than 25 years of horse riding experience. After spending several years of edification with world renowned trainers such as George Morris, Anne Kursinski and Nona Garson, the South Jersey native relocated to Palmerton in 2013 and opened what is becoming the premier equestrian facility in the Pocono region, Apollo Farms.
With her heart in equestrian showing, jumping and competing, Alvarez-Apollo opened the equestrian facility with her husband Robert to teach a new generation of horse lovers how to train for equestrian events.
“We train horses, sell, lease and coach competing/non-competing riders,” Alvarez-Apollo said. “We also have our therapeutic program, senior saddler program, and summer camp.”
Apollo Farms is located on nearly 50 acres and includes a barn that has a 15-foot aisle and 12-by-12 matted stalls. The facility boasts a five-acre hunter derby grass course, a 100-foot-by-200 foot ring with all-weather footing, a 60-foot-by-100-foot short stirrup ring, and a 125-foot-by-200-foot grass ring.
For guests, they offer accommodations in a handcrafted log cabin, with access to a meandering trail along the boundary of the 40-acre property. There is also a stocked fishing pond on the property.
“It’s a really unique property” she said. “We really fell in love with it.”
Apollo Farms offers riding lessons for beginner riders through advanced riders.
“We teach all types of riders,” she noted. “For instance, we teach therapeutic riding. We’ve had several kids with ADD and mild disabilities.”
Alvarez-Apollo got her start as a young girl at the age of 5, and throughout the years she has gained a panoply of experience through world-class training and education.
As a junior rider she trained with Morris while he was at Hunterdon. She also competed regionally and nationally in the Arabian (Half Arabian) horse show circuit.
In college she went on to ride hunters and jumpers while competing on the intercollegiate team at Salem Tiekyo University, where in conjunction she received an associate’s degree in equine science. She then went on to graduate from Rowan University with a bachelor’s of science in accounting and business management. As an adult, she continued to train in the jumpers with Kursinki while engaged in a successful music career and real estate business.
After working in these professions, she started scouting properties near and far and knew that she wanted to make a full-time career working with horses. That’s when she founded the Palmerton property and set out on her own.
“We looked at a lot of different properties,” she said. “I fell in love with the rolling hills and the overall layout. It’s a wonderful property to train on.”
The farm overs a variety of programs including senior saddlers, yoga with ponies, equine therapy, riding camps, trail rides, pony and horse parties and more.
“We are so excited to offer seniors a day trip were they can come and find peace, comfort, and love with our horses,” she said. “It is a unique trip and something different for seniors to participate in.”
The first yoga with ponies session is June 1 from 10 a.m.-noon.
In addition to running the farm and its programs, Alvarez-Apollo offers consulting services to teach others about her unique teaching methods with children and young horses. She travels nationally and internationally giving clinics on her teaching methodology.
Apollo Farms is open daily from 9-5 and is located at 3070 Summer Mountain Road in Palmerton. To learn more about the farm, visit www.apollofarmsltd.com or 610-900-4120.
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