dressage training

Welcome Lulu to Cricket Hill!

September 2, 2017 by Admin

Lulu, a.k.a. Lighthouse, a.k.a. Lost Letters, happily joined our band of trusty school horses! A beautiful 11-year-old, 16.1 hand Thoroughbred, Lulu was a generous donation to Cricket Hill Academy by Drs. Woody and Saida Baxt, Beckenrah Farm. Lulu is a very calm, honest mare.

Lulu is a valuable addition to our riding program for adults, especially those who enjoy jumping. Very show-worthy, Lulu has taken adult amateurs to the ribbons at Hunter Jumper A-shows! Kira will brush up her basic dressage so she can be shown in both Dressage and Jumping, as well as go to some hunter paces. Like many Thoroughbreds, Lulu started her career as a race horse (Lost Letters is her Jockey Club registered name), actually won one of a handful of starts, and spent a few years as a brood mare. We can only imagine how cute her babies were!

Bella and Neo come to Cricket Hill!

November 25, 2016 by Admin

Please join me in welcoming Brian and Izumi Shepard to Cricket Hill! Both are devoted riders, interested in Dressage, Jumping, Eventing, and Hunter Pacing, and looking forward to improving themselves and their wonderful horses! Brian’s Bella is a 14-year-old Oldenberg mare that’s always ready to go. Neo, an 8-year-old warmblood-Morgan cross, is smart, a wonderful gentleman, and oh so well-loved by Izumi!

“We’ve been driving by and admiring Cricket Hill for years. We’re so happy to be here now!” says Brian. Brian told us he actually started his riding career years ago at Cricket Hill. Well, we are thrilled to have both pairs join the Cricket Hill family, in training with Kira, assisted by Becca.

Deb & Courante named Second Level AA Gold medalists at NEDA!

September 20, 2015 by Admin

“I was surprised and thrilled,” announced Deb Marsden after receiving the Gold Medal for Second Level AAÂ at the prestigious NEDA Fall Festival. “It was only our third show this year!”

Deb brought Courante to Cricket Hill to work with Kira on May 1st after Courante had had a vacation over the winter! So it was really hard work for the both of them and they were improving every week the whole summer. Congratulations on your achievement! On to Third Level!

Welcome Courante and Deb!

May 1, 2015 by Admin

Deb Marsden has brought her very handsome 16.3 HÂ 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!

Welcome Madison & Congratulations Lulu!

July 10, 2014 by Admin

Congratulations to Lulu and the whole Levy family and a warm welcome to Madison,Â 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!

Maddie Arrives: Lula’s Birthday Wish Come True!

October 19, 2013 by Admin

LulaÂ had been wishing for her own horse for a long time…Â she started riding at Cricket Hill at age 6, and now she was about to be 10. So after Lula’s hard work and success at this year’s Youth Dressage Festival, parents Nell & John Langdon decided it was time …. but still a secret! Kira and Sue went on a hunt, and to avoid the natural disappointments of looking for aÂ horse, kept everything secret from Lula until the last, final trip to PA for Lula to try this beautiful, talented Oldenburg-Sport Horse, Das Feiner Maedchen. “A Fine Little Girl”, a.k.a. MaddieÂ is the product of a special dressage breeding program and is trained through 2nd level by an FEI trainer. She was competed successfully by a youth at 1st Level with scores 65%+, and although just 6 years old, has shown herself to be a reliable partner. Maddie arrived on Lula’s birthday to an eager crowd, was led down the ramp by Kira, and taken up to the main barn by Lula to settle in. “It’s my wish come true!” said Lula. “Better than Christmas!” said Nell. John beamed.