Cricket Hill Farm
Academy and Gardens
Deb Marsden has brought her very handsome 16.3 H Swedish Warmblood gelding to work with Kira at Cricket Hill! Welcome to both of you! Deb is aiming at Regionals at Second Level; the pair has shown at First Level there but never Second. Courante had some time off this winter and spring so the pair will be working hard to regain fitness and transition to a new way of going. Good luck and watch this space for progress reports!
Joan, a New York and Ancram resident, is a certified practitioner of both the Alexander Technique and Yoga. She had many suggestions and exercises for using the body in a more healthy way for everyday living. Joan did her homework well and was able to draw parallels for the dressage riders in the group to develop their own “throughness” as they strive to develop this in their horses.
Cricket Hill has embarked upon a new educational program in cooperation with Stephanie Rhoades, the Agriculture and Animal Science teacher in the Pine Plains Central School District. Stephanie also runs the Pine Plains chapter of FFA (Future Farmers of America), the last chapter still operating in the area.
Jami was featured speaker at the April 13 FFA meeting talking about the special student programs offered by Cricket Hill.
Three new horses and two new riders, Susan Boardman and Liz Call, joined us for the first time. Everybody had an “aha” to take away with them, and prodded Shelly to squeeze in a third clinic this year! Kira was able to arrange a session in August as well as October. See Upcoming Events for the dates.
Congratulations to Lula, our newest Student Assistant! A three-time member of Cricket Hill’s Youth Dressage Team, Lula has been riding for 6 years and now has her own sport horse Maddie. Lula is a very creative gal, whether for a costume class or Saddle Club project. This summer, Lula has volunteered to be the primary assistant for beginner rider camps. Thanks Lula!
The Student Assistant Program, a volunteer activity for students who want to take on more responsibility in caring for horses and helping younger riders, recognizes the progress our young riders make in developing horse handling skills and safe practices. It is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the Academy. Interested students should contact Jami or Kira.
Jami was a featured presenter at the D4K education weekend for the 7th year in a row! In addition to her regular sessions introducing the kids to Centered Riding concepts, Jami gave a workshop – as much for parents as for the kids – on how to prepare for the Youth Dressage Festival.
Cricket Hill sent our regular contingent of Youth Dressage Team members: Lula Langdon, Lulu and Paris Levy, Erin Feiner, Sophia and Mia Emy. Everybody’s eager and off to a good start!