Situated on 140 acres, Mill Creek Equestrian Center and Performance Horses is home to many champions, both 2-legged and 4-legged. Michelle Higdon moved to the Statesboro area in May 2017 when she bought the facility from the Bryan family, and she has continued to grow the programs since.
Manager and trainer, Wes Mullins, specializes in ranch horse competitions and takes many students to shows, from local and regional to national levels. Ranch horse versatility includes classes like: trail, where riders are required to navigate their horses through obstacles that may be encountered while working on a ranch; reining, which shows a horse's ability to be ridden at all speeds within a pattern; and cutting, which showcases a horse and rider's ability to separate a single cow away from a herd.
In 2022, the farm brought home 2 world champion and 2 reserve world champion titles from the American Ranch Horse Association. The team is currently gearing up to take 6 horses and 6 riders to this year's ARHA world show, being held again in Ocala, Florida, June 28-July 8. Wes also coaches competitors on the American Quarter Horse Association circuit.
According to owner, Michelle, she "really prides MCEC for being a diverse barn." In addition to the extensive western riding and showing, trainer Robyn Cates is active with English riding students. Robyn is growing a Hunter/Jumper show team that competes up to national level on circuits like Progressive Show Jumping, HJ Fox Classics, and Elite Showjumping.
Michelle, Robyn, and the students hope to continue expanding their program to offer community riding clinics and schooling shows, as well as having more presence at larger shows held in Tryon, NC, and the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, FL.
The barn is also home to 4 riders that actively compete regionally and nationally in dressage under the guidance of Elisabeth Chizek.
Michelle has a wonderful staff that works diligently on pasture and arena maintenance to offer the best facilities possible. There are currently 31 stalls and 23 pastures with plans for limited expansion.
Michelle says, "Land maintenance is very important. I don't want the ground looking like a feed lot with little grass. It is important that the horses here are maintained in the best way possible."
In addition to pristine pastures, the barns and arenas are also state-of-the-art, including misting systems to keep the horses cool, and a covered arena with large overhead fans to keep the riders comfortable. Michelle hopes that by the end of 2023, MCEC will have a new arena for working with cattle, and that cattle will be kept on site to allow riders and horses to practice their roping and cutting skills. Michelle also hopes to continue improving the quality of horses, riders, and lesson programs.
If you are interested in learning more about Mill Creek Equestrian Center and Performance Horses, please call 912-587-4072, or email Michelle Higdon at [email protected]. MCEC also has an active Facebook page.
