HUNTERS - JUMPERS - EQUITATION - PONIES INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING
954-650-8945
Trainer Vinissa Blann
The Riding Academy has been teaching riding for over thirty years. We teach beginner to advanced levels to both children and adults. From the serious competitor to the weekend warrior, we have horses and instructors to suit all needs. When our students are ready to move up, we provide a full compliment of Huntseat disciplines.
Instructor Tricia Loftus
INSTRUCTION FOR THE RIDER Here at Carriage Hill Farm we have a team of instructors/trainers that
can meet the needs of almost every rider. Together we will determine
how to best help you achieve your goals. Your instructor will create an
individual program based on your objectives.
We provide safe and experienced school horses for all levels. You may
also choose to full or half lease a horse, a good first step before
making the commitment involved in owning a horse. When you do decide
you are ready to own your own horse, we can assist in the process.
TRAINING FOR YOUR HORSE Our dedicated trainers create a customized training program for your
horse - young or experienced. We take great pride in treating your horses as if they were our own. Also, our trainers will travel to your location if necessary with advanced notice.
A COMPREHENSIVE CHILDRENS LESSON PROGRAM Our program teaches children to master the basics of riding and to
build on those techniques to form a complete understanding of the
skills needed. In addition to learning to ride, children learn all
about horses and horsemanship.
Vinissa Blann
Three Amigo's
Vinissa & Mike honeymoon 2008
Vinissa & Cavalier Grand Prix 2008
"There is something very special about sharing my days with horses and children at the same time... they both crack me up" says Vinissa Blann, assistant trainer and rider for Carriage Hill Farm. "There are not many jobs out there that require having fun as a prerequisite! But here we like to make the sometimes challenging learning process something that keeps all of us positive and smiling." Growing up in Bucks County, Pa Vinissa had the privilege of starting her riding career with Penny Silcox of Hickory Run Farm. " All my days and sometimes nights were spent at the farm riding anything that I could get my hands on. And if I wasn't riding, we all did stalls, cleaned the trailers, loaded tack, etc.. Penny was all about us hanging out all day, but we also worked for the extra rides we got." "Horse showing almost every weekend, getting qualified for finals and indoors and having great opportunities to train with George Morris & Michael Matz, I knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. However, my parents were not as excited to hear this as college was soon approaching. I was "strongly encouraged' to go to college, get good grades, & graduate in 4 years and then I could do whatever I wanted." Well, Vinissa did follow her parents advice and graduated from Arcadia University, just out side of Philadelphia, Pa, with a degree in Psychology and Sociology. She got the grades and.... moved to Delray Beach, Florida to begin her journey. Since moving to Florida, Vinissa worked for Ashland Farm, Ray Texel, & Outback Farms before going on her own after a back injury put her out of commission for awhile. "It was really difficult because I like working with people, and being out on my own was great. I learned a lot, but I missed having a team around me. After about 2 years on my own, I ran into Jane and the rest is history!!" Six years later and numerous successes in & out of the show ring, Vinissa enjoys taking riders and horses "as far as they want to go". "The young adults and "older" adults that ride are very focused on their goals and what they would like to achieve. Our job is to make that happen. I ride almost all of the clients horses to keep them a few steps ahead and continue the learning process for the horses and the riders. We think it is not only important, but invaluable for their fitness level." As Vinissa points out, many high schools do "2 -a- Day's" for their sports teams to practice. "We do the same for our horses which builds endurance and muscle in increments of intensity. The majority of the work is done on the flat, with the use of rails, low jumps, and long trotting to build strong hind ends, which is the engine of the horse." Over the past few years Vinissa has been very fortunate to have wonderful clients who have provided her with many opportunities that continue her education of riding and training. "I am looking forward to my Grand Prix future and bringing up some of the new horses and riders that have joined us at Carriage Hill. To say that I am grateful is an understatement. Not only to our clients, but to Jane who provides us all with what we need as individuals. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people day in and day out."
Tricia Loftus
Tricia & Erica
Tricia joined the Carriage Hill team over six year ago. Her patience and love of children made her the perfect candidate to head up the Riding School Program. In addition to her lessons, she organizes and runs three to four Camp Sessions a year as well as coaches Carriage Hill's Interscholastic Equestrian Team. Tricia, a non practicing RN/BSN, gained multiple National awards in the Quarter Horse World. She ran her own farm for four years prior to becoming an integral part of the Carriage Hill Family. She firmly believes that "a hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in or the kind of car I drove..but the world may be better, because I was important in the life of a child!" -Forest Whitcraft
Andrea Wrzosek
My love of horses started at a very young age. When I was just 2 years old, my parents started me on pony rides at a local ranch. Growing up in New England there wasn't much for a young kid to do, so I spent many of the next few years riding and working there. Many summers were spent on the ranch at horse camp, where I learned about proper horse care and horsemanship. At the age of 11, I sat in my first english saddle, and that is when my interest for english style riding began. I started going to the Eastern State Exhibition (also known as the BIG E) to watch and participate in the local shows. At the age of 13, my parents purchased a hotel, moving our family to Fort Lauderdale - talk about culture shock! I started riding at How-Lyn Acres and trained with Lyn Foster throughout my high school years. Upon returning from college, I reconnected with my old friend Tricia Loftus, whom I worked and rode for. Tricia, along with the help of Michelle Blair, took me to the next level where I was able to compete at the "A" rated shows. I traveled all over South Florida and Georgia for the Summer Classics Series. Tricia has been a strong influence and supporter in my riding career, and with her help, has brought me to present day and the Carriage Hill Family. I have been given a great opportunity to further my career and give thanks to Jane Fennessy, Vinnissa Blann, Tricia Loftus and Barry Needle, who continue to educate and inspire me to achieve my goals.
Barry Needle
"I was miserable until the age of seven when I found my passion...horses. My life changed! Of course I had no idea at the time, but those early riding lessons ended up defining my life and career." Growing up in Middletown, Connecticut, I began taking riding lessons with Barbara Johnson at Merri-Land Stables in Portland, Connecticut. As I progressed, Barbara recognized my potential and suggested that I go to train with George Morris in New Jersey where her daughter was training as an equitation rider (her daughter is Patty Stovel, who is now a grand prix rider). But New Jersey was bit too far away for a nine year old. The next best option was all of the top trainers in nearby Westchester County, New York. So I began training with Wayne Carrol at Secor Farms in White Plains, New York. As one of the youngest riders at the time to do so, I qualified and placed in the A.H.S.A. (now USEF) Medal finals at the Pennsylvania National Horse Show in Harrisburg, PA and the ASPCA McClay finals at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Prior to heading off to college, I spent a year in California training with Larry and Lois Langer at the Pacific Horse Center in the Oak Grove and Jimmy Williams in southern California. After returning to Connecticut, I earned my associates degree from Middlesex Community College while working for Jane Dow at the Westbrook Hunt Club as an assistant trainer and rider. I showed in the hunter/jumper classes and was awarded the preliminary jumper champion by both the Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association and the Connecticut Horse Show Association. For almost the next twenty-five years, I focused on providing training and instruction at various facilities in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maryland, and the District of Columbia to children and adults competing at all levels, from the local to the "A" circuit. Some of my highlights include being named Rhode Island Trainer of the Year in 1986, serving on the board of directors for the Connecticut Hunter and Jumper Association for six years, and judging as an "R" judge from 1982-1990. One of my most successful efforts involved teaming up with trainer Ginny Edwards at Hidden Hollow Farm in Dickerson, Maryland from 1994-1999. Our riders competed successfully in shows throughout the country including Culpeper, Upperville, the Middleburg Classic, the Capital Challenge, the Vermont Summer Festival and the entire Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida...as well as qualifying for Devon, Harrisburg, Washington, and Madison Square Garden. In 2003, I became the Director of Riding for Linden Hall in Lititz, PA, the oldest private boarding school for girls in the United States. I successfully brought their riding program to the next level...raising over $500,000 for facility improvements, soliciting high caliber horse donations, hosting four schooling shows a year, and increased the overall level of competition in the Tri-State Equitation League. I also began the school's participation in the Interscholastic Equestrian Association's programs and competitions. After moving to Florida full time in 2007, I am very excited to have joined Jane Fennessy and the entire Carriage Hill Farm team.
Our Grooms
At Carriage Hill we are fortunate enough to have THE best grooms around! Not only do they care for our horses day in and day out, they do it with a smile. As we all know, the days can be very long and hot. Our grooms' commitment to us, the clients, and the horses are unequaled. They are a major component to our success and we could not do it without them! Thank you guys!!
