Cricket Hill Farm

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Cricket Hill welcomes Kira Steines, Head Trainer and Instructor

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Kira comes to us with a wide range of experience teaching, training and managing both dressage and eventing horses and facilities. She is exceptionally well-suited to provide leadership to all our Cricket Hill activities.

Kira Steines, Head Trainer/InstructorKira developed her skills in FEI level dressage in NJ, NY, FL, Germany. For two years, she trained regularly with U.S. Olympian Robert Dover in both NJ and FL, responsible for the daily care and maintenance of international dressage horses. She moved the entire entity to FL and back to NJ. During this time, she spent a summer in Germany with Todd Flettrich and Hubertus Schmidt.Following that, Kira was Assistant Trainer/Barn Manager for U.S. International FEI trainer Shelly Francis, at her operations in FL and Germany. Shelly has been competing internationally for over 20 years and most recently was on the Silver Medal U.S. team competing at the Nation”™s Cup. Kira schooled horses and taught students through FEI while working with Shelly. Shelly enjoys telling us that Kira was “one of only two assistants I let ride my FEI competition horses.”

Kira brings us a firm foundation in jumping as well as dressage. She started her career in Wisconsin, as Instructor/Stable Manager of the family boarding facility. There she trained and taught about 20 horse-rider pairs for six years. She was asked to take over the local chapter of Pony Club, teaching 9-18 year olds and training horses for Eventing (to Training level) and helping them hone their Dressage education through 2nd Level. Kira has competed in eventing through Preliminary Level and teaches jumping at Cricket Hill from beginning to 4′.

Kira is an inspired instructor. She brings both her enthusiasm and caring for horses and riders to every session, adults and children. Informed by her experience with high level dressage horses, she knows what it takes to make a happy, sound, successful partnership. Her vivid analogies help riders to connect their bodies and minds to their equine partners.

Kira’s 6-year-old gray Percheron/TB mare Phoenix resides at Cricket Hill. Kira lives at 245 Snyder Road with her two dogs, Flick and Demi.

HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA 2012!

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On Sunday, Cricket Hill held its annual Holiday Extravaganza, a fun and festive show for our riders here at the farm.  This year, we invited our friends from Sky Farm to join us!  Everyone enjoyed the day with each other and brought plenty of goodies to share for the pot luck.  We began at 9:30 with the cross rails class.  Everyone rode very well, and we ended with Mia DiPeri of Sky Farm, riding Prestige, in fourth place, Marie Devecchio of Sky Farm, also riding Prestige, in third, and Lulu Levy on Ray in second place.  The winner of the cross rails class was Cameron Kohls riding Sunshine!

The 2 foot course ended up being very exciting, with three bareback riders tying for fourth place!  Jazz McClure was on Simon, Brenna Foley on Beau, and Lily Becker of Sky Farm riding Spot.  In third place, we had Cameron Kohls on Sunshine.  In second was Kaya Oner of Sky Farm on Lefty, and the winner was Chelsea Navudo of Sky Farm riding Chance!

Sophia, Lula, and MiaSophia and Mickey

The trot poles course was a tricky one, but all of the riders were successful and had excellent rides!  In fourth place, we had Mia Emy riding Ray, followed by Michael DiPeri of Sky Farm, riding Peanut Butter, in third place.  In second place, we had Dean Warfield of Sky Farm on Peanut Butter.  The first prize ribbon was awarded to Paris Levy riding Mickey Blue Eyes!

Some of our jumpers participated in a fun game called Block Elimination, which ended with Lily Becker of Sky Farm in first place!  She was able to jump one block on her horse, Spot, and she was bareback!

The show continued with a few rounds of pony games, which brought out the competitive side of the kids and ponies.  They had a blast racing through weaving blocks and playing around-the-world.  Games ended with a race to get carrot presents, which was the ponies’ favorite game.

Our fabulous Holiday Extravaganza ended with a festive costume parade, and musical freestyle performances to songs like Let It Snow, Dominic the Donkey, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Everyone had a great time, and we, at Cricket Hill, would like to thank everyone for coming to celebrate and for all the help in running the event!

CRICKET HILL SHARES ITS HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH THE ADOPT-A-FAMILY PROGRAM!

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The staff and clients of Cricket Hill participated in an annual tradition of Adopt-A-Family a Adopt-A-Familyprogram organized by Louise Merriman of Treeline Farm, where we support local families in need by providing items from their Christmas Wish-list.  These are sent to the parents who have the fun of wrapping and giving the gifts.  This year, we provided Christmas gifts for three families with a total of seven children ranging from 3 to 7 years old.  We are proud to say our clients were amazingly generous and we were able to spend a total of $1,250 in providing for these families.  Pam, Jazz, Brenna, and Tasha spent a fun evening shopping for the children, purchasing clothes, footwear, books, and toys.  We would like to say a huge thank-you to the wonderful Cricket Hill Clients, Staff, and to Louise Merriman.

CRICKET HILL PONIES & THREE FFAs HAVE THEIR DAY!

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Future Farmers of AmericaThe Showmanship Class at the Future Farmers of America Annual Fall Festival… the culmination of weeks of work for Keara Nielsen, Samantha Spizouco, and Meghan DiBernadino … was held at the Pine Plains School today. The three girls came to Cricket Hill after school the last few months to learn how to present their horses and practice with Robin, Simon, and Bailey. Trainers Jazz McClure and Brenna Foley trucked the 3 ponies over and cheered their students on. Meaghan placed first with Bailey in the Beginner Division. In the Advanced Division, Samantha & Simon were First and Keara and Robin were Third. Congratulations to all!