The Ranch is owned and operated by Jim & Ginny Birdsall. Jim grew up on a farm in New Jersey before moving to Pennsylvania in 1977 to a farm which would eventually become Open Gate Ranch in the 1980s.
From a very young age, Jim had a love of horses. He’s been working with horses his entire life and has over fifty years of experience breaking and riding horses. He does everything from trail riding to cow work including roping, sorting, penning, cutting and reining. He also enjoys working with draft horses and mules. He can often be found using his team of horses to work around the farm with horse drawn equipment.
Jim has farmed the property since the late 1970s. He also managed a commercial cow/calf and feed lot operation of purebred Charolais in the 70s and 80s. In addition, Jim has worked as a farrier for over 40 years.
Jim has spent most of his life here and has put years of work into making Open Gate Ranch what it is today.
Jessie (Minnich) Gehringer, an award winning rider, under JG Equine LLC, offers lessons, camps, and training at Open Gate Ranch since 2018 and has taken over managing the barn as of May, 2020. She has over 14 years of experience riding and showing in Western (cutting, reining, and sorting) and English (hunters, jumpers, and dressage). As a youth, Jessie won the Pennsylvania Cutting Horse Champion award numerous times, placed in the top 10 at the 2014 Quarter Horse Congress, and competed at the Pennsylvania State 4-H Show. She is currently still actively showing and is an active member and board member of the Pennsylvania Cutting Horse Association. She also leads the Rough Riders 4H club that is based out of Open Gate.
Jessie is an experienced riding instructor, teaching age 2 years through adults. She enjoys teaching all levels and disciplines but specializes in beginner cutting and sorting lessons. She also offers pony camps throughout the year, which allow kids a chance to develop more skills in horsemanship and daily barn routine. Jessie also has experience in colt starting, problem solving, and general training.
Contact Jessie at 484-769-6142 or e-mail her, if you have questions or for more information on lessons, camps, training, boarding, or pony parties.
