News

Main Barn Renovation: Follow the Red Brick Road!

October 10, 2013 by Admin

The summer of 2013 will go down in history as the supreme victory of planning, coordination, outstanding teamwork, and cooperative weather as Cricket Hill completed a major renovation of the main barn! By design, all the improvements help both the horses and the people, clients and staff alike. It all started with redoing the indoor arena and adding high performance “TravelLight” footing. Then came the complete power washing of the structure inside and out, stalls and all. Painting the gigantic roof proceded at the same time. The two wash stalls were refurbished and all grooming bays rematted. The finishing touch was the biggest job of all: paving the two 150-foot aisles and entrances to the arena with rubber tiles. An excavator and roller squeeked down each aisle, cement sills were poured at each end and the tiles went down, see below. Phew!

Saddle Club’s September Kick-off a great success!

September 28, 2013 by Admin

Weather was balmy and spirits were high for the first meeting of the ’13-’14 season. Mounted lessons were great for the 11 Saddle Clubbers who attended September 28. But the unmounted lesson was a big hit too – how to read a horse’s vital signs! Below, Kira helps one student distinguish between a heart sound and a gut sound. The Syllabus for the year was handed out, interesting to parents too! (Click to enlarge.)

Welcome Back Rio!

September 20, 2013 by Admin

Rio returns 9-20-13 The day was bright and shiny – reflected in the bright and shiny van – -as Kristin McLallen’s talented 9-year Oldenburg gelding, Rendition, returned to Cricket Hill today! He was led off the truck by Leah, looked around, took a nibble of grass, and looked quite satisfied with himself. After some R&R, Rio will be in training with Kira.

Annual Barbecue Attendees enjoy lush fall gardens

August 30, 2013 by Admin

We were actually happy to have an overcast day for the annual barbecue, riding academy entertainment and tour of the gardens – the temperature was just right! The gardens, lush from all the rain earlier in the season, still showed the summer bloomers overlapping the classic fall asters, anemones, chrysanthemums and grasses.

It was a terrific year for fruit production: apples, two kinds of pears, Cornus mas, quince just ripening – and some wonderful jams, jellies, chutneys and preserves were put away. And veggies were turned into pickles, barbecue and chili sauces, stewed and dried tomatoes. Garlic and shallots were already hanging in the summer kitchen along with all the flowers drying. These will see us right through until spring!

Our 27th Annual BBQ features two Drill Team performances!

August 30, 2013 by Admin

The drizzles greeted us early Saturday morning but cleared up just as the first Drill Team entered the ring! Shown on the left in their teal and pink T’s, L to R: Sophia Emy on Bailey, Karlee Bishop & Beau, Mia Emy on Bandit, and Erin Feiner with Bridget. After their final bow and amid the cheers of other riders, family and friends, they exited and the second team entered the arena, L to R, Paris Levy on Ricky, Lula Langdon on Bandit, Lulu Levy on Truffles, Cameron Kohls on Sunny. They finished up a snappy routine to another enthusiastic round of applause! Both teams worked hard the previous week in camp to prepare their routines, using published USDF tests riding to symphonic arrrangements of Disney classics. I don’t know who was happier, the riders, their coaches or the audience!

Cricket Hill opens August 17 for the Garden Conservancy Tour

August 17, 2013 by Admin

Over 250 people strolled about the farm during this year’s Open Days’ tour of the Gardens at Cricket Hill, our largest group ever. Everything looked beautiful, and visitors were filled with questions and compliments! Melanie Melius was Garden Host as Sue was away at a horse show. We had many inquiries about plants for sale, especially those in bloom or about to come into bloom. As we have continually planned for four-season interest in the garden, there is always something going on. Plant sales benefit the Academy’s schoolmaster Support and Scholarship Programs, so maybe next year, we’ll have more plants potted up!