About WildeWood Farm

Our Story

WildeWood Farm’s roots stretch far beyond the rolling fields of Georgia. They begin in Haiti, where founder Hannah Zapletal was born to Canadian missionaries who served full-time from 1972 to 1993. Raised in a culture built on service, resilience, and hands-on work, Hannah grew up immersed in a life centered around community, stewardship, and purpose.

Unlike traditional missionary families, Hannah’s father was not a pastor. His background was in heavy machinery and construction, and his work became a cornerstone of the mission’s sustainability efforts. Together, the family helped reintroduce horse-and-buggy transportation systems and began breeding slightly larger, stronger horses to better serve the local population. This unique blend of faith, practical labor, and animal husbandry laid the foundation for Hannah’s lifelong connection to horses.

Horses are not only working partners, but powerful teachers and healers

From a very young age, Hannah was deeply involved in all aspects of animal care and training. Whether working with horses, assisting with breeding programs, or learning the daily rhythms of farm life, she developed both skill and intuition around equine behavior. These early experiences shaped her philosophy that horses are not only working partners, but powerful teachers and healers.

In 1993, Hannah moved to the United States to attend Reinhardt University. There, she pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and graduated Cum Laude. Her academic training strengthened her understanding of animal science, behavior, and physiology, further blending scientific knowledge with hands-on horsemanship.

WildeWood Farm officially began in 1996 with the purchase of Hannah’s first horse, Sir Lancelott – affectionately known as Blitz. What started as one horse and a dream quickly grew into a full training and lesson program. Hannah began training client horses, offering riding lessons, and establishing a breeding program focused on Arabian sport horses.

Monty Roberts Certified Instructor

Committed to continual learning and excellence, Hannah completed the Monty Roberts Certified Instructor Program in 2000. This internationally recognized certification refined her approach to relationship-based horsemanship, emphasizing communication, trust, and partnership between horse and rider. Since then, WildeWood Farm riders and horses have competed at local, regional, and national levels, building a reputation for quality training and ethical horsemanship.

Mane Event Equine Therapy

In 2018, Hannah expanded the farm’s mission even further by completing the E3A Certified Equine Facilitator Course. That same year, she assumed leadership of the nonprofit organization The Mane Event Equine Therapy, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3). This marked a major milestone in WildeWood Farm’s evolution from a riding facility into a community-centered healing space.

Today, The Mane Event Equine Therapy, Inc. offers a wide range of impactful programs. These include military sanctuary and repurposing initiatives, mentorship programs for struggling teens, Forsyth County community service partnerships, and continued educational outreach to Haiti by sending children to school. Both WildeWood Farm and The Mane Event Equine Therapy operate together on the same property, united by a shared mission of service, restoration, and growth.

WildeWood Farm entered a new chapter

In 2019, WildeWood Farm entered a new chapter with the purchase of its current property on Oak Grove Circle. This move allowed the farm to expand its offerings and better serve families, students, and community partners. The land became home to new arenas, programs, and opportunities for education and connection.

Today, WildeWood Farm continues to provide top-quality riding lessons, seasonal camps, educational courses, birthday celebrations, and corporate training experiences. Whether welcoming first-time riders or advanced students, hosting children’s programs, or facilitating therapeutic equine experiences, the farm remains grounded in its original values of service, excellence, and heart.

From Haiti to Georgia, from one horse to a thriving farm community, WildeWood Farm’s story is one of dedication, growth, and purpose. It is a place where horses teach, people heal, and lifelong memories are made – one ride, one lesson, and one relationship at a time.