History
Bonnybrook Farms, founded in 1967 in Centerville, Ohio by Joe and Bonnie Mercuri, was for nearly 40 years known as one of the finest equestrian centers in the Midwest, training, showing, boarding and caring for 63 head of horses in its heyday. Joe trained many champion and world champion American Saddlebred horses for show rings in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky while Bonnie trained their riders and many other adults and children the skills and pleasures of horseback riding. The Annual Bonnybrook Student Horse Show, gymkhanas, trail riding at Caesar Creek State Park, local horse shows, competitive field trials, clinics, summer day camps and overnight camps with students sleeping in horse stalls (without the horses) all made for great memories and friendships.
Through the years Bonnybrook grew in its scope and outreach becoming a fun-filled destination for families, companies, and school children through Educational Field Trips, Corporate Picnics, Fall Farm Days and for 23 years, their famous Haunted Hayride. Families and friends returned year after year, enjoying great camaraderie.
In 2006 as the south Dayton suburbs began to surround Bonnybrook the very difficult decision was made to sell the family farm and move to a new location. The search began for a new farm that was equally as diverse and beautiful, away from the hubbub of city life.
