Cricket Hill Farm

Academy and Gardens

News

Holiday Party Has Something for Everyone!

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Another cold day outside, but nice and warm with good wishes for all inside! An opportunity for the kids to show in Versatility, Cross Rails, Games, Musical Freestyles and the ever-popular Costume Parade! Highlights of the classes:

Olivia & Bandit freestyleParis 3 ribbonsAmelie & BanditLula wins weaving raceImogen & Ricky musical ride

Toreador & ToroErin & Jacky-Team Noodles 1stPaddyGrab Bag

Adults enjoyed watching with a glass of the traditional mulled wine and their own grab bag!

Josh, Sharon & SethSecret Santa deliverySecret SantaBecca

Shelly Francis back for her 3rd Clinic at Cricket Hill!

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Shelly Francis & DoktorShelly was back at Cricket Hill November 15 and 16 for a full clinic, 10 rides each day. It was rewarding to see the progress many had made since May and fun to welcome some new horse-rider combinations to the event. Everybody enjoyed the Riders’ Dinner at Sue and Art’s house and Shelly’s stories of the competitions in Europe this past summer. She was the U.S. Team alternate for WEG 2014. Shelly’s logical, patient approach to training gives us all plenty to work on, and we’re already looking forward to her return in April!

Drill Team Headlines our 28th Annual BBQ!

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Drill Team pinwheelDrill TeamIt was an amazing close order drill this year, with many intricate patterns. The seven riders voted to decide when they would walk or trot, and always with a mind to making the patterns work! The Drill Team, shown L to R, Mia Emy, Imogen Mewha, Lulu Levy, Coaches Jami and Kira, Lula Langdon, Erin Feiner, Sophia Emy, and Paris Levy presented to an appreciative crowd!

BBQThe food was delicious as always, and Linda Goldstein introduced her wonderful cheesecake to the Mia gets Golden Fork Awardcrowd. The annual awards included the passing of the Golden Fork to Mia Emy, the youngest recipient ever, for her unflagging energy and good nature as Super Groom at the Youth Dressage Festival! The award was passed on by Tasha Mitchell, who received it last year from John Langdon for her efforts at Youth Dressage Festival too!

LYDF Ribbons for all Six Cricket Hill Youth!

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Cricket Hill Team 20142014 saw our largest Youth Dressage Team contingent ever! L to R: Mia Emy-Super Groom, riders Paris Levy, Lulu Levy, Erin Feiner, Lyla Andrick, Sophia Emy, and Lula Langdon. Coaches standing behind: Jami Wallace & Kira Steines.

Returning from last year were Lula and Lulu, riding their own horses. The other four made their first trip to this prestigious show on our Academy steeds!

Lula & Maddie

Sophia & RascalRiders have been preparing for months, for the most part with the horses they took to the show. But two changes came in the last few weeks: Lulu brought her new horse Madison, and Lyla switched to Ricky.

Erin & Sunshine

Paris & BanditLulu & MadisonLyla & Ricky

Everybody was finished with the three parts of the competition by late Saturday afternoon, ready for pizza and the parade and placing of the teams. Cricket Hill’s two teams marched in together. After much suspense, the Courageous Crickets were named to a 2nd place finish in Division D!

2 Cricket Hill Teams parade inCourageous Crickets take second

Everybody got a ribbon! But more importantly, everybody did the best they could and learned something to boot! Some closeups of the award ceremony on Sunday below. Special thanks are due to Kira and Jami for all their hard work preparing and coaching the team both at home and at the show, and to all the parents who pitched in to help clean the stalls at the end! And Mia Emy, Super Groom, was there through it all!

Erin Intro C ChampLula & Lulu Training LevelSophia places in Walk TrotParis Intro C Bronze

Welcome Madison & Congratulations Lulu!

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Lulu unloading Madison with KiraCongratulations to Lulu and the whole Levy family and a warm welcome to Madison, as he arrived at Cricket Hill today to start the next chapter of his life as Super Pony! Madison, a Welsh 14 hand gelding, took his first owner from lead line to FEI, and is ready to help Lulu move up, too!

Madison was the High Scoring FEI Pony at last year’s Youth Dressage Festival and went on to win Top 10 in the USA in the FEI Pony Division in 2013. He’s also won the high score trophies jumping in the Prix caprilli last year.

Lulu was on Cricket Hill’s 2nd place winning team in last year’s Youth Dressage Festival, and is moving up to Training Level this year. Even though it’s only a few weeks away, we’re guessing Madison will be Lulu’s mount! Best wishes to all!

Madison arrives 7-10-14Madison

Welcome Drum Major and Rebecca Saunders!

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Rebecca & Drum Major with GabrielDrum Major & RebeccaDrum Major is Rebecca’s young Hanoverian gelding. “We’re taking our time with him,” says Rebecca, “because we think he’ll go all the way!”

Drum Major was shown last season in Florida at Second and Third Level with trainer Gabriel Meyer, shown on the right with Rebecca and Drum Major. Rebecca plans to show him this coming year. Best wishes to all!