Tacking Up Thorncroft: A History

Below is the history behind the land and family of Thorncroft written by Sydney Francis:

Tacking Up Thorncroft

In 1825 Henry Purdy, an oyster huckster, and his wife, Priscilla, purchased a small, four acre plot of land in Ardmore, Pennsylvania on Montgomery Avenue. The Purdys built a charming white house, but was later demolished when Dr. William Anderson bought the property. However, Dr. Anderson constructed a cozy cottage on the land, and resold it to Mr. Blumner. Yet, Blumner envisioned a grand estate- one that would prominently overlook the townsfolk in their locomotives as they drove by. His project proved to be wonderfully successful, resulting in a large and impressive gray stone edifice, surrounded by a piazza, and framed with stunning dormer windows and striking chimneys. One can envision the mansions dominant presence over the street gawkers and passersby, since it resided there until 1926.

Edwin Dixon, Saunders' Grandfather

After dwelling on the estate, Mr. Blumner sold to Mr. Allen Bearly Rorke, a Philadelphia builder and contractor. Rorke had been looking for a country house in the rural lands of Ardmore. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Thorncroft Rorke, not only embellished and improved the residence, but personalized it by naming the house “Thorncroft” in memory of her English heritage. The Rorke’s built an impressive porte-cochere along with artistic stables, whose gleaming red tile roof shone in the sunlight. Surrounding the mansion were massive stone gateposts and a luxurious lawn encompassing a natural terrace. The property no longer resembled the cozy cottage built by Dr. Anderson! Mr. Rorke eventually sold the house to Edwin Saunders Dixon Sr., but after his death in 1920, Dixon left the house to two of his sons, Edwin Saunders Jr. and Morris H. But, Edwin Jr. wanted to live on a large farm, and the mere four acres was not enough. So, he looked westward at a plot of land Morris owned in Malvern, PA, and bought the entire 180-acres from his brother.  Edwin Jr. and Morris decided to sell the Ardmore property in 1926 to the Suburban Square Co., who used the land to construct the first shopping center in the United States. In Malvern, Edwin Saunders Jr. resided peacefully in the countryside with his wife, Florence, and children, Sally Hopkins and Edwin Saunders Dixon III (“Saunders”). After his death, Edwin Saunders Jr. left the property to Saunders, who would later use seventy-five of the acres to establish Thorncroft Equestrian Center. 

Mindy Chernoff, Spiritual Horse Director, Visits Thorncroft

On Tuesday, July 3, 2012, Mindy Chernoff, a distinguished spiritual director and equestrian professional, exhibited her unique bridless riding at Thorncroft in our new Jimmy Moran Indoor Arena.

Mindy demonstrates her unique riding skills with Thorncroft riders.
She helps those who seek more spiritually guidance
 using special the connection between humans and horses.

Many of Thorncroft's riders and volunteers were treated to Mindy's demonstration of working with a horse without the formal use of a bridle (that is, no use of a bridle at all).

Mindy and Thorncroft are good friends as they both approach the strategy of life with more emphasis on communiction through patient listening and gentle direction. Mindy, however quite the experienced horse rider and trainer, focuses more on the spiritual aspect of an individual and animal.

Mindy introduces a Thorncroft rider to her horse, Flirtin' With Music

"Years of intense training as a Spiritual Director and her sensitivity to God's leading allows her to utilize unique methods of exploring God in sessions with directees that come from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. In addition, the welcome presence of the animals often creates a delightful sense of the sacred amidst what at first glance appears to be very ordinary, mundane moments. Being present to such moments is what Mindy excels at."

Riders look on as Mindy explains her movements

Thorncroft truly appreciates Mindy sharing her special talents and gifts with the rest of the farm and our community.

To learn more about Mindy, visit her home page

ABC 6 Comes Out to TEC!

On May 26, 2012 Thorncroft hosted the Handicapped Riders Division of the Devon Horse Show. Nearly 200 riders with special needs came to compete in dressage, trail, equitation and jumping classes. Here is a clip from Philadelphia's ABC 6 news crew who covered the event during its nightly news report

Morgan & Sophie, Staff Profile

Sitting together as if they were long-time friends, Morgan and Sophie, take a brief rest in the break room before they return to more barn work.

Morgan, fifteen and an experienced rider says, "I've been a working student since I joined Thorncroft in the winter, I work and ride every Thursday and Saturday." Morgan trained Sophie, a long-time member of Thorncroft, showing her the routine expected of a working-student.

Sophie with Cooper

"I've been riding at Thorncroft for two years but when I heard you can get extra lessons if you're a working-student I immediately changed. I really love being here at the barn, and as a working student, I get to spend a lot more time here with the horses and people," explains Sophie.

Morgan with Scotty

Thorncroft offers the program of the working-student so that riders, such as Morgan and Sophie, can spend more time at their "home away from home." Each rider pays for a single lesson then works for a total of six hours to earn a second lesson.

Sophie recalls her decision to become a working-student, "It was really when Cooper arrived that I officially made the switch. She's by far my favorite horse here. I also figured this would be the perfect place to spend my summer."


While Morgan agrees that she loves spending more time here, she differs from her fellow rider's fancy of Cooper, "Cooper's pretty, but Scotty is really my favorite by far."

Not to be deterred by the relentless summer heat, but motivated by their dedication to Thorncroft, Morgan and Sophie exemplify the supportive nature of Thorncroft Equestrian Center.

Land Matters, Summer/Spring 2012

Below is a transcription from Thorncroft's profile in Land Matters Summer/Spring 2012 edition:

"Sixty acres of rolling fields, wetlands and woodlands, home to Thorncroft Equestrian Center, will remain in its present state forever, thanks to collaboration among the Trust, Thorncroft and numerous public and private funders. Nearly $2 million in grants and donations were secured to purchase the conservation easements, with Chester County and the PA. Departments of Community and Economic Development and Conservation and Natural Resources providing $803,000. Private foundations and donations closed the gap and the easements were signed on April 26 at the Farm, which is the original homestead of Thorncroft founder and Director, Saunders Dixon. Saunders and his wife, Sallie, who serves as Director of Operations, initiated the project by donating an easement on their 10-acre parcel in 2010, which lies in the middle of the Thorncroft lands. In addition to the open space preservation, a half-mile non-motorized public trail will provide a safe off-road route for horses, bicyclists and pedestrians, linking three farms, two preserves, two parks and municipal open space. 

Nearly two years in the making, this project was significant for a variety of reasons. The Trust, founded in 1967 and Thorncroft in 1969, both strive to enhance the quality of life for able-bodied and disabled people through their respective land protection initiatives and therapeutic horseback riding programs. Their missions converged through this project, with the land that supports the therapy horses conserved in perpetuity, enabling the growth of their valuable services. For the Trust, it was an immensely rewarding experience on a personal and professional level, as the service that Thorncroft provides is so impactful and the number of partners involved gave special meaning to everyone's efforts. 

Trust Conservation Director Pam Brown noted that "this is one of the most rewarding projects I have been involved in since I began working for the Trust in 2004. Not only is the land beautiful and environmentally sensitive, the serves that Thorncroft provides are extraordinary. ll you have to do is see one disabled person's smile as they are carried down the trail into the woods by a therapy horse, and you are instantly engaged."

Jerusha, Staff Story

Jerusha Dyson started volunteering at Thorncroft just on Saturdays in 2005. Today, just seven years later, she’s the acting barn manager. “When I was 15, I was working at another barn, but I wanted to do more. I wanted to do therapeutic riding volunteering and as soon as I heard about Thorncroft, I quit and began coming here,” Dyson says as she reflects on her history at Thorncroft.

In October 2011, Jerusha’s experience and leadership earned her the position of barn manager, “as a barn manager, I really love when you can tell that the horses know who I am because they treat me differently, they’re better for me, better behaved.”

Jerusha with Grant

As affirming as the behavior of the horses is for Jersusha, her favorite part, she explains, is the opportunity for teaching lessons. “Last night, I taught my student to jump for the first time, she’s just this little eight-year-old, very small, and she was over the moon. The accomplishments of other riders, especially my students make me very happy.”

Jerusha attributes the significant improvement of her rider to the brand new Jimmy Moran Indoor Arena. The student had been taking classes for just about a year, making slow but steady progress; however, as soon as the Jimmy Moran Arena was opened, she moved the lesson to the more private location. Just in the first lesson in the new arena, Jerusha noticed a significant difference, “I wouldn’t have been able to comfortably teach her how to jump if it were for the smaller space.”

The arena was specifically built for a more personal and quiet setting that bolsters the calm atmosphere of the barn. “Normally, I take her to the indoor arena but that day, the indoor ring was so full, I took her to the Jimmy Moran Indoor and it was just the two of us. There was not one distraction for her. This was also one of the first times she cantered off the lounge line because usually she’s more tentative. The space offers more sense of security.”

Already, the Jimmy Moran Indoor Arena is transforming riders and students. The betterment of a person’s well-being is a value Thorncroft and its members hold dearly, including Jerusha.



This Week at Thorncroft!

Summer Camp!

Falling on the heels of the new dedication of the Jimmy Moran Indoor Arena, Thorncroft welcomes returning campers and counselors for Summer Camp 2012. In true Thorncroft style, aspiring counselors in training (CITs) arrived last week to work through the camp's schedule and organize the various activities. Some of the CIT's who are participating in this weeks Advanced Riders session shared the typical day for a camper at Thorncroft:

Arenas are filled with horses and riders at 9 AM either developing (for the beginners) or refining ( for the intermediate) their technique . Following the riding lesson, campers cool off in the farms pool or create arts & crafts under the shaded shop.

An example of some arts & crafts riders will enjoy during camp. Personalized horseshoes. 

Today, after the CITs finished their jumping lesson, they started decorating horseshoes that accompany a picture of themselves with their favorite horse. Thorncroft's summer campers are both able bodied and handicapped as well as ranging from beginner to intermediate and beings the second session July 2nd.

The first session of Advanced Riders who will transition into CITs at the start of the second session.

Register for Summer Camp!