About Double Run
A first class breeding and training facility, Double Run Farm is located in Leland, North Carolina, just outside historic Wilmington. With an average temperature of 64F and easy access to I-95 and I-40 we offer an attractive combination of quiet, temperate location and ample transportation options. Double Run Farm encompasses over 100 acres with 15 pastures. You'll find 3 barns on property with a total of 48 stalls along with 14 individual turnout paddocks. A new 12 stall barn is currently under construction to provide additional space for horses in training.
In addition to reining horse training provided by resident NRHA Professional Peter DeFreitas we also offer long term mare care and foaling to outside clients, as well as coordinating breeding services using cooled or frozen semen under the direction of Heath Nisun. We pride ourselves in our foundation training program for youngstock. We have a variety of boarding options from pasture to stalls with individual turnouts. For more information on how our services may be of benefit please contact us.
Monica Watson Owner
Monica has been a horse lover since she was a young girl. It all started with "Billy" when she was 9 years old and continued through several backyard horses over the years. In 1997 she purchased her first reining horse Pine Jess Cee (Macho Pine X Lu Cee Blair by Blair Cee) and has never looked back. Double Run Farm is built on approximately 200 acres of land that has been in her family for over 100 years. Monica shares her passion for horses with many of her children and grandchildren who are active in breeding and showing reining horses. Her vision of Double Run Farm becoming a leader in the reining industry has been realized through three horses that she has raised; Wimpys Little Step, Collenas Finest Tafy and Wimpys Little Chic. She is the first breeder to raise an NRHA Open Futurity Champion to be sired by an NRHA Open Futurity Champion.
Peter DeFreitas Trainer
Peter has been riding Double Run Farm horses since 2006. While an assistant trainer at McEntire Reining Horses he placed 4th in the Limited Open Division of the NRHA Futurity on DRF Colonel Badger and we knew he was one to keep our eye on! Just before coming to Double Run as our full time trainer he was a multiple Intermediate Open Finalist at the 2008 NRHA Futurity and collected a variety of paychecks at the Carolina Fall Classic (on Double Run Horses) as well.
2009 saw him in the Open Finals of the NRHA Derby, sweeping all three divisions entered at the Tradition Futurity and finishing the year in the the Top Ten standings for the NRHA Novice Horse Level 2 class. Peter also coached both of his youth riders to Top Ten finishes in their respective NRHA youth divisions. In 2010 he added nearly $30,000 to his NRHA Lifetime Earnings and made his first appearance in the NRHA Open Futurity Finals.
2011 has been an amazing year so far for Peter, with the NRBC Intermediate Open Championship and multiple Lawson trophies to go with his NRHA Open Derby Finals appearance, the Congress Futurity Open Finals, wins at the NRHA Cowtown Classic and the Carolina Fall Classic. Thus far in 2011 Peter has added over $100,000 to his NRHA lifetime earnings.
In addition to training the young horses and coralling the resident Non Pro and Youth riders he plays a key role in evaluating youngstock and participating in sire selection for the broodmare band.
Amanda Reynolds Assistant Trainer
Amanda attended Morrisville State College and first came to Double Run Farm as an intern in the spring of 2008 and returned after graduation. Her primary responsibilities are with the show and aged horses.
Erik Bohan Assistant Trainer
Erik is the newest member of our training team, coming to us by way of Chapman Reining Horses. In 2010 Erik finished the show season in the NRHA Top Ten Rookie Professional standings and is off to a good start in 2011.
Heath Nisun Breeding Manager
Heath attended SUNY Morrisville and comes to us from Hilldale Farm (Kentucky.) He is responsible for overseeing resident brood mares, weanlings and yearlings as well as coordinating the care of outside mares.
DJ Stox Farrier
DJ has supplemented our farrier needs for several years and has provided reliable service of the highest caliber. Well known on the east coast, DJ has proven time and time again that he can adapt to meet most any challenge presented by the equine foot.
Mark Flarida Farrier
Mark has been taking care of the horses at Double Run Farm since the early days and has made the farm his home for the past several years. His resume includes NRHA Futurity and Derby Champions and NRBC Champions such as: Wimpys Little Step, Wimpys Little Chic, KR Lil Conquistador,Smart Spook, Walla Walla Whiz, Gunnatrashya and RC Fancy Step.