Isley Quarter Horses....home of Superior Champion Halter Mare....Skip a City Slicker

Our Program

Life has been a trial to say the least. Between the two of us we have over 60 years experience in horses and it all started many years ago when we both had barely learned to walk. Ronnie’s momma, Guinevere, went back to work when Ronnie was 5 years old so she could make enough money to buy Ronnie a pony. It has been Wranglers, boots and horses ever since for Ronnie. 

Ronnie Isley is the heart and soul of Isley Quarter Horses with a natural ability to work horses. Joy’s life started in Ireland riding, as Ronnie would say “in a pancake saddle” at the age of 2. Joy’s family owned a Thoroughbred Stud farm just outside the town of Ennis, Co Clare, Ireland. Joy traveled from Ireland, to England to Canada and in 1987 on in to the United States to finally rest in 2003 to plant her roots in Gibsonville, N.C. Ronnie has lived in the Gibsonville community all his life and was able to retire in November 2004 to now be able to work and cultivate for Isley Quarter Horses. Joy’s daughter, Emily is the junior part of Isley Quarter Horses and at 9 years old helps in any way she is able.

The vision of Isley Quarter Horses has been a work in progress for many years. Ronnie was fortunate to be able to work under and learn from one of the best, Roy Saunders. In 1983 Ronnie started with Roy and was able to in 1989 move out on his own with his first horse in training Fax owned by Jane Iseley of Burlington, N.C. This was the beginning of Isley Quarter Horses. Now Ronnie trains and conditions horses for many clients and he is fortunate to have them come back with another horse project to work and train to show or bring to a sale. Ronnie believes in changing his customer’s horses from a piece of coal to a beautiful diamond. Steady work and rubbing produces a quality show horse.

Our philosophy is quality more so than quantity. We take in a limited amount of horses for training so that they are able to get the training time that both the owner and the horse deserve. We pride ourselves in top quality care and are very lucky to have a great support team. We are privileged to have one of the best veterinary practices in North Carolina, Mid-State Equine, who has been the quality vet for Isley Quarter Horses for 15 years. Just as our vet, our farrier, Joe Chockley, has been around for many years. He is one of the best in North Carolina and has been shoeing horses for 30 years. During our many excursions to various shows we are fortunate to have Virginia and Bobby as our barn crew to make sure all horses are well cared for while we are out of town. With Virginia and Bobby and the many friends we have close by, we are one of the best-supported farms in the area. We are grateful to our team of friends.

For top quality training and showing please contact Isley Quarter Horses today. We are the team that cares. We also have some high quality stock for sale. Thank you for visiting our site and let us know when you can come by to visit....

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body; but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting; "Hot Damn! What a Ride!"