The genesis of the name Acorn Hill comes from the massive oak trees that formed the entrance to the Sweely property in North Carolina in the 1970s. This was the beginning of the family’s interest and passion in the horse industry. One horse became two and two became four and it wasn’t long until the Sweely children were active in the 4-H club. Robin continued into ponies then horses. She participated in the Durham Pony Club and continued taking lessons from Gin Wiseman outside of Danville, Virginia. Mrs. Wiseman was a legendary horseperson who also ran the Averett College Equine Program.
After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1984, Robin decided that she wanted to make her life’s work with horses. She first set up a small stable in Virginia Beach and then in 1991 the family completed the first phase of what was to become Acorn Hill Farm in Madison, Virginia.
Acorn Hill Farm now consists of a show barn with twenty stalls; an annex with twelve stalls; an indoor arena; an outdoor arena; a jump field with natural obstacles; a breeding barn with four stallion stalls and eight broodmare stalls; a breeding station and a breeding laboratory. There are also three quarantine stalls.
Over the past 25 years Acorn Hill Farm has imported and sold sport horses from Europe and created a breeding program in Virginia for sport horses with stallions and broodmares imported from Germany and Ireland. Acorn Hill Farm has also successfully bred and raced thoroughbred racehorses and steeplechase horses.
Robin Sweely has shown successfully at the Grand Prix show jumping level nationally and internationally.
Acorn Hill Farm is now entering a new phase concentrating on training, boarding, lessons and sales.