The Laurer family realized their dream of owning a Miniature Horse farm in 2006, when they purchased the small parcel of land that would become Carrera Hill in beautiful Newtown, Connecticut. After years of boarding horses elsewhere, Craig, Ashley and Zoe Laurer were thrilled to finally be able to keep their Minis on their own property. Carrera Hill is truly a living example of how much fun you can get into a small space when you have Minis!
The Laurers got their first Miniature Horse, “Leo,” in 2002. A couple of years later the Laurers sold their big horses and were looking for a good place to board Leo, when they met Tom and Lorraine O’Connell of Crystal Ridge Farm in nearby Roxbury, Connecticut. “Leo was a cute little pinto gelding, but we’d never seen an AMHA World Champion Mini before we met the O’Connells,” says Craig. The Laurer’s daughter Zoe fell in love with the Minis and soon they had purchased “Flame” (Crystal Ridge Blues Femme Fatale) from the O’Connells.
Nobody is sure whether Zoe chose Flame or Flame chose Zoe, but they were certainly meant for each other, and in the Laurer home there is a wall full of ribbons and plaques to prove it. Together, Zoe and Flame have won almost every class they could have competed in, from local youth halter classes to Eastern Regional Championships in hunter and halter obstacle. Zoe has also trained Flame to drive and is working on getting her ready to compete in driving obstacle classes.
Ashley (or in her native Croatian, Jasenka) and Craig help around the barn and take the occasional turn in the show ring, too. Lately Ashley has been showing Beloveds Hallelujah Creation (“Luj”) in halter, with great success, and Craig likes to take his favorite, Flame, in amateur hunter (he won at the Eastern Regional Championships in 2007). But Zoe is the real star of Carrera Hill. At any show you’ll find Zoe with her hands full as she has brought as many as nine horses to a show. As busy as she may be, Zoe is always happy to help others or answer questions and offer advice.
The Laurers are very active in the NEMHS and in the promotion of the Miniature Horse. Most years you will find Zoe –and Carrera Hill horses– at the NEMHS booth at the Equine Affaire. Craig, as a past president and vice president of the NEMHS (and the webmaster for nemhs.org), is an excellent spokesperson for the breed, and has contributed to publications such as the Equine Journal.
The Laurers invite you to call to arrange a visit or just click over to their website to learn more about their Miniature Horses, many of whom are available for sale or lease.
Carrera Hill Miniatures ~ Craig, Ashley & Zoe Laurer
5 Flat Swamp Road, Newtown CT 06470
(203) 364-9551 ~ email info@carreraminis.com
www.carreraminis.com
